The Savoy London 135 Years of Style
A visit to London calls for a return to The Savoy—an enduring landmark of British luxury where Art Deco glamour, Edwardian elegance, storied bars, and riverside views continue to define one of the city’s most iconic stays. Along the River Thames, it remains one of London’s most quietly influential addresses, where history and modernity move in elegant alignment.
Opened in 1889 by theatrical impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte, The Savoy was London’s first purpose-built luxury hotel, introducing electric lighting, elevators, and en-suite bathrooms when such details were considered revolutionary. From the beginning, it attracted artists, royalty, actors, and cultural figures. Claude Monet famously painted his celebrated series of London bridges from the hotel. More than a century later, those river views remain part of The Savoy’s enduring allure.
The hotel’s 267 rooms and suites continue to balance Edwardian refinement with Art Deco clarity. A major refurbishment unveiled a new generation of rooms and suites in 2025, with richer textures, bespoke furnishings, and restored architectural details. River View Suites place particular emphasis on the Thames, while the wider refurbishment continues in phases through 2027.
It is an evolution rather than a reinvention—a distinction that feels particularly appropriate at The Savoy.
Dining has evolved as well. Gallery, introduced in 2024, is now the hotel’s principal all-day dining destination, moving from breakfast through afternoon tea and dinner in a brighter, more relaxed setting. Savoy Grill, under Gordon Ramsay, continues its tradition of polished British and French-influenced cooking, while The River Restaurant focuses on seasonal produce and seafood. Restaurant 1890 offers a more intimate tasting-menu experience.
The bars remain central to The Savoy’s identity. The American Bar, London’s oldest surviving cocktail bar, continues the legacy of Ada Coleman and Harry Craddock, whose Hanky Panky and Savoy Cocktail Book helped shape modern cocktail culture. Across the hall, the Beaufort Bar offers a darker, more theatrical counterpoint in black and gold.
Wellness is deliberately discreet, centered around the hotel’s light-filled atrium pool, sauna, steam room, gym, and treatment spaces.
What makes The Savoy interesting now is not simply its history, but its ability to remain part of London’s present. Its rooms are being refreshed, its restaurants continue to evolve, and its bars remain deeply connected to the city’s cultural life.
The Savoy has always been a place of firsts. But it is not defined by them.
In a city that is constantly shifting, it holds its ground with remarkable confidence. Not as a relic of London’s grander past, but as one of the places still capable of making that past feel entirely present.
Visit The Savoy London.
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