Review: Iconic London address The Savoy

Location: In London, you can’t get much more central than The Savoy. Tucked back from the Strand, just a stone’s throw from Covent Garden, the West End and the Thames, this is a British icon in an iconic location.

First impressions: For a hotel I’d never stayed at, I’d seen the outside of The Savoy more times than I can count. Thanks to its position in the middle of London, I’d walked past it on many occasions – but nothing compares to arriving as an actual guest. At the end of the hotel’s forecourt, passing beneath the stainless steel sign that’s arched above the main entrance and festooned with flags, we’re greeted by doormen in top hats and ushered into the grand lobby.

The facts: The Savoy dates back to 1889 and marked many firsts on the London hotel scene (including pioneering the lift, of which the originals are still in use today). More than 130 years later, it retains an air of glamour and tradition, but with a modern touch, mainly due to a refurbishment that has transformed its rooms and suites. These now fuse art deco styling with Edwardian touches, and the result – geometric[1]shaped furniture, accents of gold and green, and quirky touches adorned across lampshades and cushion covers – is a triumph.

The launch of the new-look rooms is the latest phase in the property’s renovation, which has also seen the introduction of dining venue The Gallery. Surrounded by ornate chandeliers, an impressive domed skylight and music from a live pianist, we enjoy a lovely dinner here – though it’s worth noting the service can feel a little slow at times. There are three other dining venues – Restaurant 1890, The River Restaurant and Savoy Grill – as well as new scone shop Scoff.

Ideal for: Such grandeur makes The Savoy perfect for couples celebrating a special occasion. It’s hard to not feel like royalty when you pull up at the front entrance – the heritage and air of exclusivity of being at one of London’s most famed addresses are tangible from the moment you arrive.

Explore: Everything you could possibly want to see in central London is on the hotel’s doorstep – it’s particularly well located for a wander through Covent Garden, a trip to the theatre and visiting historic pubs. For further exploration, hop on the Tube at Charing Cross, less than five minutes away.

Wow: The food at The Savoy is delicious. It would be remiss of me not to pay homage to the mouth-watering macaroni cheese I enjoy in The Gallery, but the star of the show here is the profiteroles, complete with vanilla ice cream and a miniature ceramic jug of chocolate sauce.

Book it: A night’s B&B in a Luxury King Room starts from £800.
thesavoylondon.com