It is loud outside. If you stand on the Strand for more than thirty seconds, the roar of black cabs and the frantic energy of London hits you like a physical weight. But then you turn into that famous stainless steel forecourt—the only road in the UK where you’re legally required to drive on the right—and everything just... stops. The Savoy London isn't just a hotel; it’s a weirdly quiet vacuum of old-school luxury that has somehow survived the death of the British Empire and the rise of Instagram influencers.
Most people think staying here is just about sleeping in a fancy bed. Honestly? You’re paying for the ghosts. You are walking the same checkered floors where Winston Churchill held his cabinet meetings and where Marilyn Monroe caused a literal riot by wearing a dress that was slightly too tight for 1956.
It opened in 1889. Richard D’Oyly Carte, the man behind the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, built it because he was annoyed that London didn't have any "modern" hotels. Back then, "modern" meant electric lights and "ascending devices" (elevators). It was the first of its kind. Today, it’s a strange, beautiful mix of Edwardian grandeur and Art Deco slickness. But does it actually hold up in 2026, or is it just a museum with high room rates?
The American Bar: More Than Just a Drink
If you haven't heard of the American Bar, you probably haven't been looking into London’s cocktail scene. It’s the oldest surviving cocktail bar in Britain. It isn’t just "good." It’s historically significant. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, "American" bars were popping up across Europe to serve "mixed drinks" to travelers who didn't want warm ale.
Ada Coleman ran the show here in the early 1900s. She was a legend. She invented the Hanky Panky—a stiff mix of gin, sweet vermouth, and Fernet-Branca—for an actor named Sir Charles Hawtrey who needed a "real punch-up" after a long rehearsal. You can still order it today. It tastes like history and herbal medicine in the best way possible.
Then came Harry Craddock. He fled the U.S. during Prohibition and basically wrote the bible of bartending, The Savoy Cocktail Book, while working here. He famously buried a shaker of cocktails in the walls of the hotel during renovations. Nobody has found it yet.
Pro tip: Don't just walk up.
You can’t make reservations for the American Bar. It’s a first-come, first-served situation. If you show up at 8:00 PM on a Friday, you’re going to be standing in the lobby looking sad. Go at 4:30 PM. It sounds early, but the lighting is better, the pianist is usually just starting, and you’ll actually get a seat without the two-hour wait.
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What about the Beaufort Bar?
While the American Bar is all about white jackets and history, the Beaufort Bar is built on the hotel’s old cabaret stage. It’s dark. It’s black and gold. It’s expensive. It feels like the kind of place where a Bond villain would discuss a heist. If you want a "vibe," go here. If you want a "story," stay at the American Bar.
The Rooms: River Views vs. The City
Here is the thing about The Savoy London that the glossy brochures don't always mention: not all rooms are created equal.
The hotel is split. One side is Edwardian—lots of dark wood, heavy drapes, very "Downton Abbey." The other side is Art Deco. Think mirrors, chrome, and sleek lines. When you book, you usually get a choice. If you like feeling like an 18th-century aristocrat, go Edwardian. If you want to feel like a 1920s movie star, go Deco.
The real prize, though, is the river view.
If your room faces the Strand, you’re looking at a busy street. It’s fine, but it’s not The Savoy. If you get a room overlooking the Thames, you can see the London Eye, Big Ben, and the Southbank. At night, when the city lights hit the water, it’s genuinely one of the best views in the world.
But it’ll cost you.
Is it worth the extra £200-£400 a night? Honestly, it depends on how much time you spend in the room. If you’re just using the hotel as a base to explore Covent Garden, save your money. If you’re there for an anniversary and plan on ordering room service at 1:00 AM while staring at the river, then yes. Do it.
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The Butler Service
If you book a suite, you get a butler. This isn't just a guy who brings you coffee. They will unpack your suitcase. They will press your suits. They will even run a bath for you at a specific temperature. It feels a bit weird at first if you aren't used to it. You’ll find yourself saying "no, I'm fine" a lot because it feels intrusive. But by day three? You’ll wonder how you ever lived without someone to organize your socks by color.
The Food Situation (Gordon Ramsay and Beyond)
The Savoy Grill is legendary. It’s run by Gordon Ramsay’s group now. It’s not a "shouting in the kitchen" kind of place. It’s very formal. Winston Churchill had a favorite table here (Table 4, if you’re asking).
The menu is classic. Beef Wellington. Dover Sole. Crepes Suzette flamed at the table. It’s theatre. It’s not "fusion" or "experimental." It’s just very, very high-quality traditional British and French cooking.
- The Afternoon Tea: This happens in the Thames Foyer. There is a giant birdcage in the middle of the room where a pianist plays.
- The Cost: It is roughly £80-£100 per person.
- The Reality: You will be full for three days. They keep bringing more sandwiches and scones until you practically beg them to stop. Is it the "best" tea in London? It’s top three, alongside The Ritz and Claridge’s. The Savoy feels a bit more relaxed than The Ritz, which can feel a bit like a dress-code police state.
Misconceptions and The "Old" Smell
There’s a common complaint about old hotels like this: "It feels dated."
I get it. If you like the ultra-modern, glass-and-steel vibe of the Shard or a high-end Marriott, The Savoy might feel "heavy." The carpets are thick. The furniture is antique. But that’s the point. It’s not dated; it’s preserved.
The hotel underwent a £220 million renovation a few years back. They replaced the entire plumbing system (which was a nightmare) and updated the tech. You’ve got fast Wi-Fi and hidden outlets, but they’re tucked inside mahogany desks. It’s the "stealth tech" approach.
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Another thing: people think it’s stuffy.
Ten years ago, maybe. But today, you’ll see people in sneakers and jeans in the lobby. You still need to dress up for the Grill or the American Bar, but the staff aren't as judgmental as they used to be. They want your business. They’re nice. They’ll chat with you about the football scores while they take your bags.
The Secret History Most People Miss
The Savoy was the first hotel to have en-suite bathrooms for almost every room. At the time, this was scandalous. People thought it was unhygienic to have a "toilet" so close to where you slept. Cesar Ritz (the guy who started The Ritz) was the manager here, and Auguste Escoffier (the father of modern French cooking) ran the kitchen.
They were actually fired together in 1898 for "gross negligence" involving missing bottles of wine and spirits. It was a massive scandal. They went on to start The Ritz, but the DNA of their service style is still all over The Savoy.
There’s also the "Kaspar the Cat" story.
In 1898, a businessman held a dinner for 14 people, but one guest dropped out. An old superstition says that if 13 people sit at a table, the first to leave will die. One guest laughed it off, left first, and was actually killed in Johannesburg shortly after. Now, if you have a table of 13 at The Savoy, they will bring out a three-foot-tall cat statue named Kaspar to sit in the 14th chair. He gets a napkin, a full set of cutlery, and is served every course.
How to Do The Savoy Right
If you’re planning a visit, don't just book the cheapest room on a travel site.
- Join the Loyalty Program: Even if you only stay once, Accor Live Limitless (ALL) covers The Savoy. You might get a late checkout or a drink voucher.
- Walk the Hallways: The upper floors are like galleries. There are photos of famous guests everywhere. Find the photo of the Beatles having tea; it’s a classic.
- Use the Concierge: These guys are the best in the world. They can get you into "sold out" West End shows or find you a table at a restaurant that hasn't had an opening in months.
- The Thames Path: Exit the hotel through the back (the river side) instead of the Strand. It puts you right on the Embankment, which is a much nicer walk toward the London Eye or the City.
The Savoy London isn't perfect. It's expensive, the Strand is a traffic nightmare, and sometimes the lobby gets crowded with tourists taking photos of the ceiling. But there is a reason it has survived for 130+ years. It’s a machine built for comfort.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
- Book 3-4 Months Out: Rates fluctuate wildly. Avoid Fashion Week or major bank holidays if you don't want to pay double.
- Request a High Floor: If you’re going for a river view, the 5th floor and above are best. Lower floors can sometimes have views obstructed by the trees on the Embankment.
- The Dress Code: Keep it "smart casual." You don't need a tuxedo, but you'll feel out of place in a tracksuit. A blazer for men and a decent dress or trousers for women will get you everywhere in the building.
- Check the Bill: Service charge (usually 12.5% to 15%) is often added automatically to everything—even a coffee in the lobby. Don't double-tip unless you really want to.
When you leave, walk out through the Strand entrance and look up at the "Savoy" sign. It’s the only one in London that’s still lit with neon and stainless steel in that specific Art Deco font. It’s a reminder that while the rest of the city changes, some things are better off staying exactly as they were in 1929.