THE SAVOY
The Savoy on the Strand
The Savoy, When It’s Got to Be Glorious.
The Savoy is known for one small but surreal detail: you drive on the right to reach the entrance, even though British roads are normally left-hand drive. It was basically an etiquette hack to save women in long dresses from dragging expensive silk hemlines through the London mud. This way, they could step straight from their carriages into the lobby.
Pulling into the Savoy still gives you that split-second hesitation – driving on the right in the middle of London feels wrong, until you realise that here, it’s tradition.
As our Savoy review makes clear, it remains a grand, historic five-star hotel on the Strand, between Covent Garden and the Thames. Here, you can expect polished service, famous bars, and interiors that shift between Art Deco glamour and Edwardian richness. It’s ideal for special occasions and classic luxury lovers. The formality and price tag, however, won’t suit everyone.
Picking Your Era
The rooms here don’t follow a single design rule; they’re split between two distinct eras that sit side-by-side. You’re essentially choosing between Edwardian tradition (grey and tangerine tones) or Art Deco glamour (golds and caramels). It’s the first real decision you have to make, and it completely changes the vibe of your stay.
Rooms & Suites
The Room Categories
The 263 rooms vary quite a bit, but the common thread is a sense of space and massive sash windows that pull in plenty of natural light.
Rooms & Suites
Superior & Deluxe
These are the standard go-to’s. They’re spacious and comfortable, which makes them ideal for couples or anyone on a shorter city break. They mostly look out over quiet courtyards or the city streets.
Rooms & Suites
Luxury King Heritage
These rooms feel more like the true Savoy. If you go for the River View, you’re strictly on the Edwardian side. It’s worth the extra spend just to have the Thames framed in those tall windows. They’ve also added some cool touches here, like British artwork inspired by Gilbert and Sullivan operas.
Rooms & Suites
Terrace & Royal Suites
The bathrooms are stocked with high-quality toiletries and have strong showers to help you wake up. You will notice purified water stations on every floor so you can refill bottles easily, which is a nice change from overpaying for the minibar water. If you manage to get a room on a higher floor, the views of the surrounding neighbourhood are excellent.
The Daily Experience
Every room, regardless of price, has a marble bathroom and a mini-bar where the soft drinks are free.
In-Room Comforts
Bathrooms
They all feature Penhaligon’s amenities. Depending on the room, you’ll either have a massive walk-in shower, a bathtub, or both.
In-Room Comforts
Service
Even if you aren’t in a suite with a butler, you still get the evening turndown service and access to the pool and 24-hour gym.
In-Room Comforts
Who it’s for
The courtyard-facing rooms are dead quiet, which is perfect for corporate stays or light sleepers. The Strand-facing rooms have more city energy, which is better if you’re here for a romantic getaway.
Eating at The Savoy
The Savoy has three Gordon Ramsay restaurants that cover different styles of dining. The Savoy Grill is the most famous. It’s a traditional British-French kitchen with a history of hosting high-profile guests for formal dinners.
The Savoy Restaurants
Restaurant 1890
If you want something more intimate, Restaurant 1890 is a 24-seat Michelin-starred space overlooking the entrance. It focuses on French foundations like the “Mother Sauces” that Escoffier used in this building over a century ago.
The Savoy Restaurants
River Restaurant
For a more relaxed seafood meal, there is the River Restaurant. The Gallery sits in the center of the hotel, featuring a marble “catwalk” and sky-high palms.
The Savoy Restaurants
Scoff
While the traditional Afternoon Tea is the big heritage draw, they also run a Twilight Tea from 7 pm. It’s a nighttime version of afternoon tea under the stained-glass dome with Nyetimber sparkling wine.
And, if you just want a scone without the sit-down ritual, they have a shop called Scoff for takeaways.
The Bars at The Savoy
These are holy sites for cocktail drinkers. The American Bar is the oldest in London. The menu focuses on “Liquid History.” You can try the Since 1986 (a tribute to their long-serving doorman, Tony) or the Red Carpet (inspired by a 1950s Dior show held at the hotel). It’s sophisticated and strictly formal.
The Savoy Bars
The Beaufort Bar
The Beaufort Bar is jet-black lacquer and gold. It is for late nights, champagne, and what they call mischief. You get the “art of the pour” here — expect tableside martinis and caviar bumps.
The Savoy Bars
The Bar at Restaurant 1890
Then there is the Bar at Restaurant 1890. This is a smaller, polished spot for rare wines and cocktails. It is an intimate space for a drink before dinner or just on its own.
Celebrations at The Savoy
The Savoy has been the go-to spot for big London parties since 1889. It is the place where Frank Sinatra held court, Marilyn Monroe met the press, and the Queen (then Princess Elizabeth) was first seen in public with Prince Philip.
If you are planning something, you have a few options:
Events at The Savoy
The Lancaster Ballroom
This is the largest and most famous space. It is designed like a Parisian salon and has its own stage. It is often used for weddings and large galas for up to 700 people.
Events at The Savoy
The River Room
This room is double-height and has a lot of natural light. It overlooks the Embankment Gardens and the Thames. It is a good choice for a reception or a stylish daytime event.
The hotel has a separate River Entrance on a quiet road, which gives guests a private way to arrive away from the main Strand entrance. Whether it is a wedding, a birthday, or a corporate launch, they have a dedicated team to handle everything.
Events at The Savoy
Abraham Lincoln Room
This was the hotel’s original banqueting room. It has high ceilings and an Edwardian style, usually paired with the Art Deco Manhattan Room next door for drinks and dancing.
Events at The Savoy
Private Rooms
There are six smaller rooms named after Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, like the Pinafore and Mikado rooms. They are better for intimate dinners or smaller business meetings.
Beauty & Fitness at The Savoy Hotel
Wellness at The Savoy is a quiet retreat on the third floor. The centrepiece is the swimming pool, which is located in its own atrium and lit by natural light. You also have access to separate male and female saunas and steam rooms.
The Gym
The gym is open 24 hours and includes Peloton bikes alongside a full range of cardio and weight equipment. If you want a treatment, they have three dedicated rooms. They use Natura Bissé and HydraFacial technology for skincare, and La-Eva for organic body treatments.
The Verdict: A Stay in History
If you value heritage, the Savoy is a living museum. You are walking the same halls where Guccio Gucci worked as a porter, and Claude Monet painted the Thames. Even the dining follows a legacy; if you host a table of 13, the staff seats Kaspar, a two-foot wooden cat, as your 14th guest. He gets a napkin and full meal service to ward off bad luck.
The hotel rewards guests who appreciate ritual and old-world formality. It suits couples marking milestones or visitors wanting a classic London address over a modern trend. Families are well looked after with child-sized robes and dedicated menus, but this is not an energetic, kid-focused hotel.