Great Hotels Of The World: The Savoy, London -

In a city that isn’t short of 5-star hotels, London’s Savoy Hotel is a standout. But for a hotel to make our ‘Great Hotels of the World’ list it can’t just be a beautiful luxury hotel, it needs to have a little something more that distinguishes it from other great hotels. The Savoy in London has that something extra in spades.

Seeped in over 132 years of history, this London landmark has survived world wars, pandemics and financial downturns. The hotel was opened in 1889 and set the bar for luxury in the city at the time with its use of electric lights, running hot and cold water and luxury rooms and suites. Its position at the top of the London hotel scene has never wavered.

Visitors to the hotel are a who’s who of the rich, notorious and famous. Claude Monet, The Beatles, Marilyn Monroe, Oscar Wilde, Henry Truman, Frank Sinatra, F Scott Fitzgerald, Judy Garland and Winston Churchill are just some of the hotel’s famous past guests. But the beauty of the Savoy is that it doesn’t matter if you are a famous celebrity or simply mum and dad from the suburbs, you are treated with the same level of service and respect.

The Rooms

The 267 rooms, many with panoramic views across the River Thames, are classic and luxurious with an old world feel (without being stuffy). There are 67 suites that come with one of the hotel’s best features, the Savoy Butlers, who tend to guests every whim and need. The jewel in the hotel’s crown is The Royal Suite, 265 sq m of pure luxury that is fit for a queen.

No matter which room you book however, you can expect a high level of quality, cleanliness and service.

The King Bedroom in The Royal Suite, The Savoy

The Food

The Savoy is as famed for its suites and rooms as it is for its bars and restaurants – the American Bar which is the oldest surviving cocktail bar in Britain, the Thames Foyer, famous for its beautiful afternoon tea service and the Savoy Grill which boasts UK celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay at its helm, are just some of the must-visit establishments in the hotel.

Try classics such as the Dover Sole Grenobloise or a classic Cornwall Lobster Thermidore at the Savoy Grill, or if you want a truly luxe in-room dining experience try the Caviar and Condiments from the room service menu.

In The Area

The Savoy is located in Westminster overlooking the Thames River in central London. Covent Garden is a hop, skip and a jump away and the hotel is also only a short walk from Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, Knightsbridge and The West End. It is a perfect hotel base for a first-time visit to London.

What Makes it Special?

For us, one of the Savoy’s biggest selling points is the professional service. You can tell that a culture of great service is at the heart of the Savoy with its staff fine tuned to provide an exceptional level of service rarely seen on the hotel scene. When you have talented butlers, chefs, doormen and support staff that have made a successful career out of hospitality and take pride in their work, it really shows and it is this excellent service that sets this hotel apart.

When To Visit

There is no time bad time to visit London or the Savoy, but if you are after a special experience, try visiting around the festive season when the hotel becomes a magical Christmas wonderland.