You’ve probably seen the sign. That massive, stainless steel "SAVOY" sign shimmering over the entrance on the Strand is basically the welcome mat for London luxury. But here is the thing about The Savoy Hotel on the Strand—it isn’t just a place where rich people sleep in expensive sheets. It’s actually a piece of infrastructure. It is the heart of London’s social history, beating since 1889. Honestly, if you try to understand London without understanding this hotel, you’re missing the point.
Walking into the Savoy is a bit like stepping into a very expensive time machine that somehow has better Wi-Fi than your house. It was built by Richard D'Oyly Carte. He was a guy who made his money from Gilbert and Sullivan operas, which explains why the place feels a bit theatrical. It was the first hotel in Britain to have electric lights. Imagine that. In a world of gas lamps and soot, this place was literally glowing.
The Savoy Hotel on the Strand and the Secret of Savoy Court
Most people don't notice the weirdest thing about the hotel until they’re actually driving into it. Savoy Court is the only road in the United Kingdom where vehicles are legally required to drive on the right-hand side.
Why? It’s not just to be difficult.
Back in the day, hackney carriages—the ancestors of the black cab—would drop off theater-goers at the Savoy Theatre first. By driving on the right, the cabbie could let the passengers out directly onto the sidewalk without walking around the car. It also allowed the hotel doorman to open the rear door without getting hit by traffic. It’s a tiny, quirky bit of law that persists today. If you take a taxi to the main entrance, you’ll feel that slight, momentary "wait, this is wrong" sensation as you veer toward the right.
The hotel sits on a site with serious history. We’re talking about the Palace of the Savoy, which was destroyed during the Peasants' Revolt in 1381. You can still feel that weight. When you stand in the Upper Thames Reading Room or grab a drink at the American Bar, you aren't just in a building; you’re standing on layers of English history that go back centuries.
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The Art Deco vs. Edwardian Identity Crisis
One of the most fascinating things about the interior design is how it refuses to pick a lane. Half of the hotel is Edwardian. Think dark woods, heavy moldings, and a sort of "stiff upper lip" elegance. The other half is Art Deco. This came later, around the 1920s and 30s, and it’s all mirrors, chrome, and sleek lines.
It works. It shouldn’t, but it does.
When the hotel underwent its massive £220 million renovation—which wrapped up in 2010—the designers were careful not to "modernize" the soul out of the place. They kept the character. You can see it in the Fairmont-managed rooms today. Some feel like a gentleman's club from 1905, others feel like a set from The Great Gatsby.
- The River Room suites offer views of the Thames that actually make you understand why Claude Monet spent so much time here painting the fog.
- The Royal Suite is basically a 2,800-square-foot apartment.
- Then there are the "personality suites" named after famous guests like Maria Callas or Charlie Chaplin.
Speaking of guests, the list is insane. Winston Churchill used to take his cabinet for lunch here. Marilyn Monroe stayed here. The Beatles were once denied entry to the restaurant because they weren't wearing ties. (They eventually got in, because, well, they were the Beatles).
Where to Actually Eat and Drink (Because You Can’t Just Wander the Hallways)
If you’re visiting The Savoy Hotel on the Strand and you don't go to the American Bar, you’ve failed. It is the oldest surviving cocktail bar in Britain. It’s won "Best Bar in the World" more times than most bartenders have had shifts.
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The American Bar isn’t called that because it serves burgers. It’s called that because it introduced "American style" mixed drinks to London in the late 19th century. This is the birthplace of the Savoy Cocktail Book by Harry Craddock. If you’re a cocktail nerd, that book is your Bible. Even now, the bartenders there treat a Martini like a sacred ritual. It’s expensive, yeah, but you’re paying for the fact that you’re sitting where Frank Sinatra used to sit.
Then there’s the Thames Foyer. This is where the Afternoon Tea happens. It’s under a huge glass cupola, and there’s usually a pianist playing something light. It’s quintessential London. You get the scones, the clotted cream, the tiny sandwiches with the crusts cut off.
Gordon Ramsay also has a massive footprint here. He runs the Savoy Grill. It’s a classic French-British hybrid menu. If you want a Beef Wellington that will make you rethink your entire life, that’s the place. It feels very "old power." You’ll see business deals being done over Dover Sole and expensive Burgundy. It’s not a place for a quick bite. It’s a place for a three-hour lunch that ends with a cigar (though you have to go outside for that now).
The Logistics of Staying at a Legend
Let's be real: staying here isn't cheap. You’re looking at several hundred pounds a night just to get in the door, and the suites go up into the thousands. But what are you actually paying for?
It’s the service. The Savoy has a dedicated butler school. If you stay in a suite, you get a Savoy Butler. This isn't just a guy who carries your bags. They are trained to anticipate things. They’ll unpack your suitcase, press your suit, and somehow know you want a specific type of tea before you even ask for it. It’s a level of "old world" service that has mostly died out elsewhere.
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The location is also unbeatable. You’re on the Strand. You’re five minutes from Covent Garden, two minutes from the theaters, and you can walk to the City or Westminster. But because the hotel is set back from the road in that famous courtyard, it’s surprisingly quiet. It’s like a bubble of calm in the middle of the most chaotic part of London.
Surprising Details Most People Miss
There’s a small museum inside called the Savoy Museum. It’s near the American Bar. Most people walk right past it. Don’t. It has old menus, photos of famous guests, and even a "no-show" list from decades ago. It’s a glimpse into the logistics of running a palace.
Also, look at the Kaspar the Cat statue. Back in 1898, a businessman held a dinner for 14 guests, but one cancelled. One of the remaining guests said that if 13 people sat at a table, the first to leave would die. He was right—he was murdered shortly after. Since then, the Savoy refuses to seat a table of 13. If you have a group of 13, they will bring out Kaspar, a two-foot-tall black cat statue carved by Basil Ionides, to sit as the 14th guest. He even gets a napkin and a full set of cutlery.
How to Do The Savoy Right
If you want to experience the hotel without spending a month’s rent, here is how you do it.
- Book a table at the American Bar early. They don’t take reservations for small groups usually, so show up right when they open. Order a classic drink. Don’t rush.
- Walk through the Beaufort Bar. It’s built on the hotel’s old stage. It’s dark, moody, and decorated in black and gold. It’s where you go for champagne and drama.
- Check the dress code. They’ve relaxed it a bit over the years—you don't necessarily need a tuxedo to walk through the lobby anymore—but if you’re going to the Grill or the American Bar, dress up. It’s part of the fun.
- Use the Strand entrance, but leave via the Embankment. The hotel spans the whole block. The Embankment side gives you immediate access to the river walk, which is stunning at night.
The The Savoy Hotel on the Strand remains a landmark because it understands that luxury isn't just about gold leaf. It's about stories. Every corner of the building has one. From the "Ascending Room" (the first elevator) to the fact that the Queen used to drop in for a quiet dinner, it’s a living museum that you can actually sleep in.
If you are planning a trip, or even just a day in London, skip the generic modern towers. Go to the place where the history is literally built into the walls. Even if you just grab one drink and look at the photos in the hallway, you’ll get a sense of why this place has outlasted almost every other luxury hotel in the city. It’s not just a hotel; it’s the Savoy.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
- Check the Savoy Theatre schedule: It’s physically attached to the hotel and often hosts world-class productions.
- Review the Savoy Grill menu: Look for the "Arnold Bennett" omelet—a dish specifically created at the hotel for the writer of the same name.
- Walk the South Bank: Cross Waterloo Bridge right outside the hotel for the best view of the Savoy’s river-facing facade.