The Savoy is located in central London on a stretch of road call The Strand (which a long time ago was a beach.)
The hotel was opened in 1889 by theater impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte, using the proceeds from his Gilbert and Sullivan operas. For this reason, many of the early Gilbert and Sullivan productions became known as the D’Oyly Carte operas, for example H.M.S. Pinafore. This era is brilliantly captured in the Mike Leigh movie Topsy-Turvy, featuring Jim Broadbent and centered on the first production of The Mikado. The hotel was built next door to the Savoy theater.
Today The Savoy is classed as one of London’s luxury hotels. This was also the case when it first opened (it was the first hotel in London to offer such add-ons as electric lights, electric elevators, bathrooms in most rooms, and hot and cold running water.)
The first manager of the Savoy was César Ritz, who later founded the Ritz hotel chain.
Later on the hotel became an essential stop-off for politicians (Winston Churchill frequently held post-cabinet luncheons at the venue) and movie stars. The hotel was popular with Frank Sinatra, Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart and Elizabeth Taylor; as well as musicians and singers ranging from Judy Garland to Bob Dylan.
The hotel building has Grade II listed status, which means that it may not be demolished, extended, or altered without special permission from the government, essentially it protects buildings of historic interest.
In December 2007 the hotel was closed for a major refurbishment and it re-opened in 2010. The interiors were designed by Pierre Yves Rochon.
The re-design included a Thames Foyer with a winter garden gazebo under a stained-glass cupola. Here afternoon tea is served (you can read a special Digital Journal report about this special experience here.)
The refit also included a patisserie is called Savoy Tea.
There are three main bars. One of them, The American Bar, specializes in cocktails. During the 1920’s this was one of the first establishments to introduce American-style cocktails to Europe.
One of the main restaurants is the Savoy Grill. This is managed by Gordon Ramsay.
The hotel also contains a small museum. The exhibits change on a regular basis and are drawn from the hotel and theater archives.
In the museum there is a collection of old liquor, some of which is till drinkable and can be sampled (for a price.)
If you are in London then The Savoy is well worth visiting. Even if the prices are a high, the museum can be visited and the ambiance, of over a hundred years of theater tradition, can be soaked up.
