The Savoy

The Savoy is famous not just in London, but world-wide, and the hotel lives up to the high expectations of its well-heeled clientele. Service is truly first-class -- this is the type of place where guests are greeted by name. The hotel opened in 1889 and reopened in 2010 after a £220 million refurbishment, which preserved its Art Deco and Edwardian grandeur (different spaces in the hotel take their design cue from these different eras). Almost every aspect of The Savoy has become iconic in its own right, from the renowned afternoon tea service, to the storied American Bar (where Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra once imbibed) to the Savoy Grill (where Sir Winston Churchill often dined). Other notable guests have included Audrey Hepburn, The Beatles, and Bob Dylan (who filmed a promotional film clip in the alley behind the hotel), but there have been too many over the years to possibly list them all -- and the the discreet staff here could never be persuaded to namedrop in any case. 

The lobby makes a grand first impression, with its checkerboard marble floors, chandeliers, wood paneling, gilded details, and sculptural frieze. Though traditional in many ways, the hotel has always been at the forefront when it comes to modern amenities and technology. It opened with the first electric lifts in London, and offered electricity and en-suite baths when those were rare decadences. Today, guests can expect iPod docks, modems for both U.S. and U.K devices, two-line telephones, and LCD TVs with international channels. 

The Savoy is right on the Strand, the southern border of Covent Garden and a busy shopping destination. It's a seven-minute walk to Trafalgar Square and the National Portrait Gallery, and around a 15-minute walk to Big Ben. The beginning of The Mall leading to Buckingham Palace is a 15-minute walk, and it's about 10 minutes more along this road to reach the palace itself. The Royal Opera House and many popular theaters are within a 10-minute walk. The hotel overlooks the Thames (though not all rooms have river views).  

Rooms here are luxurious but understated, with subtle color schemes and Edwardian or Art Deco style. Unlike more modern luxury hotels that draw attention to themselves with bold statement pieces, it's the thoughtful details that make the difference here, from the plush Mascioni linens to the twice-daily housekeeping service to the on-call butler service (though it isn't available 24 hours a day). Though the details vary, most rooms offer Murano chandeliers, antique-style furnishings, checkerboard marble tile, and silk wall coverings. There are stocked minibars and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Tech features include LCD TVs with both UK and international channels, iPod docks, and modems for both U.S. and U.K. devices. Most bathrooms have shower/tub combos with rainfall showerheads, but some upper-tier rooms have walk-in showers and separate clawfoot tubs. Le Labo toiletries, bathrobes, and slippers are provided. Views vary; some rooms face the courtyard and some face the Thames (the higher the floor, the better the view). 

Rooms have optional butler service from morning to night, while suites have 24-hour butler service that includes in-room check-in, a personalized wake-up call with tea and coffee, and packing service. Family Suites with two bedrooms are available, and Personality Suites are themed for famous past guests and have separate sitting areas. 

The Savoy's many notable eating and drinking venues include the American Bar, so called because it was the first establishment to introduce American cocktails to England; Kaspar's Seafood Bar & Grill; the Savoy Grill; and the Beaufort Bar, with character cocktails honoring famous past guests. These spaces are all decked out in a classy Art Deco style. A fancy afternoon tea is served in the Thames Foyer, with glass dome and live piano music, and Simpson's-in-the-Strand is known for its traditional roasts.

The Savoy's guest services include a 24-hour business center with Mac computer stations and printing options. Wi-Fi is free in public spaces, but not in rooms. The on-site Beauty & Fitness Spa (reopened in November 2015 after refurbishment) has cardiovascular equipment with individual flat-screen TVs, free-weights and resistance machines, personal training programs, steam rooms, saunas, a lounge area, and an array of spa treatments. The swimming pool at the Savoy lies directly beneath the central atrium, allowing for natural daylight. Eco-friendly innovations have also been introduced at the property, including a combined heat and power plant.