London isn’t short of hotels with a proud history, but as as far famous heritage is concerned, The Savoy still remains purely in a league of its own.
Built in 1889, this riverside institution set a new bar for luxury, with the stars of the day across the planet known to routinely frequent its restaurants or flock to its legendary parties and balls.
In 2007 The Savoy underwent a three-year refurbishment, or – as the staff label it – ‘restoration’, which is actually a far more appropriate description for what’s been achieved. The hotel now stands as a stylish marriage of Edwardian and Art Deco design, championing its rich history and fusing it with elegant, modern touches.
The suites that attracted the likes of Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin are the height of refined luxury -almost preposterously nice, with glorious views across the Thames and beyond. Some of the digs are even peppered with subtle, personal effects eluding to the legendary figures who rested their heads there once upon a time, (Chaplin’s for example features a red rose by the bedside table, a tradition he reportedly insisted on every time he stayed).
Hailing back to the golden age of cocktails at the turn of the 20th century, The Savoy’s famed American Bar is still one of the best spots in the city to grab a drink of any variety, with your tipple prepared for you by a bar team that (officially) includes two of the best barmen in the world, an achievement no other hotel on earth can boast.
The neighbouring, cabaret-style Beaufort Bar is as equally stooped in historical folklore, with the first ever live radio broadcasted to the United States taking place on the very same stage that now sees a pianist perform sets in the evening, mostly to the young, cosmopolitan crowd that gravitates there.
While the hotel’s River Restaurant has downsized a bit, it’s still a prime spot for evening dining, only trumped by the The Savoy Grill – a culinary institution in it’s own right, now overseen by tempestuous celebrity head-chef Gordon Ramsay.
In a hotel that embraces an almost-exclusively classic look and feel, the only really tangible modern touch comes in the polished form of The Savoy’s new gym, spa and indoor- a slick overhaul that almost looks a little out of place given its surroundings.
£220 million was reportedly spent over three years returning The Savoy to its former grandeur. But – as any curator will tell you – restoring a masterpiece requires both time and money, and that is truly what The Savoy should be considered – an art piece. Fortunately, the job has been executed beautifully, placing this iconic establishment firmly back among the world’s elite hotels, where it has always belonged.
Stay at The Savoy Hotel, London with Elegant Resorts. Stay 4 nights for 3, room only in a One Bedroom Timeless Suite plus complimentary Wi Fi. Includes economy flights from Dubai & private airport transfers in London. From £2,275 p.p. – saving £1,380 per couple. Valid from 2 Jul-30 Sep 15 inclusive.
Blackout dates apply. Visit www.elegantresorts.ae or call: 8000 3570 2891 to book.