Savoy Hotel

The Savoy opened in 1889 between the Strand and the Thames, financed by Richard D’Oyly Carte with the success of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas staged at his Savoy Theatre next door. From the start it set new standards for luxury hotels in London, with electric light throughout and electric lifts.

History

In its first years, the hotel was managed by César Ritz, with Auguste Escoffier in the kitchens: the two men later founded the Ritz hotels in Paris and London. The Savoy has received performers, writers and politicians ever since, and its American Bar is one of the oldest cocktail bars in Britain. The hotel closed for an extensive restoration and reopened in 2010.

Architecture and design

The building was designed by Thomas Edward Collcutt. Its entrance on Savoy Court, marked by a stainless steel sign, is the only road in Britain where traffic drives on the right. Inside, the interiors combine Edwardian rooms on the river side and Art Deco spaces from the 1920s and 1930s. The hotel is a listed building.

Dining

The Savoy Grill, the American Bar, the Beaufort Bar and the Thames Foyer, under its glass dome, where afternoon tea is served, are part of the hotel’s history.

Rooms and wellness

The Savoy has 267 rooms and suites, many facing the Thames, and a fitness gallery with a pool.

Weddings and events

The Savoy hosts weddings, banquets and conferences, including in its river-view rooms. Planners can send their date, guest count and occasion through the request form on this page.