By Carl Dombek
My last visit to The Savoy was in 2010, when it was at the tail-end of a 30-month, £220-million renovation project. I was excited to return to this grande dame, at which I’d only stayed a couple of times before, so I booked a room for my wife and me, and another for our daughter and 14-year-old grandson.
When we told our grandson that we’d planned to take him to Europe to indulge his passion for World War II history, he responded with the highest of expectations: “First Class?” he asked.
Well, no. We were not prepared to fly First Class, but I did arrange for us to stay in truly first-class accommodations at The Savoy.
Our package included a breakfast credit, so our first morning found us in the River Restaurant where we enjoyed exquisite white table cloth service as we fueled up for our first full day in the U.K. with omelets, pancakes, fruit, coffee by local roaster Kiss The Hippo, and freshly squeezed orange juice.
Visit my main page at TheTravelPro.us for more news, reviews, and personal observations on the world of upmarket travel.
Photos by Carl Dombek
Click on photo to view larger image
When we told our grandson that we’d planned to take him to Europe to indulge his passion for World War II history, he responded with the highest of expectations: “First Class?” he asked.
Well, no. We were not prepared to fly First Class, but I did arrange for us to stay in truly first-class accommodations at The Savoy.
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| The Savoy's iconic entrance |
True to expectations we were welcomed warmly, first by a doorman, then by a cordial front desk attendant who checked us in, then took us to (not “pointed us toward”) our rooms. In the room, we found a hand-written welcome note from one of the hotel’s guest relations personnel. What a lovely, personal touch!
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| Hand-written welcome note |
When our bags arrived, the couriers set them up, showed us the rooms’ amenities, and answered any questions we had.
Our only question was, “Do we REALLY have to leave in three days?”
In the meantime, to make the most of it.
My wife and I were booked into a Superior Queen while our daughter and grandson shared a room with two twin beds. The main portion of our room was 16’9” x 8’6”. Ceilings over 10 feet tall made things seem even more generous. A cozy duvet was on the bed and blackout curtains kept the sun at bay until we were ready to face the day.
Our only question was, “Do we REALLY have to leave in three days?”
In the meantime, to make the most of it.
My wife and I were booked into a Superior Queen while our daughter and grandson shared a room with two twin beds. The main portion of our room was 16’9” x 8’6”. Ceilings over 10 feet tall made things seem even more generous. A cozy duvet was on the bed and blackout curtains kept the sun at bay until we were ready to face the day.
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| Bed with cozy duvet |
In-room amenities included coffee and tea service, a complimentary minibar stocked with water and soft drinks, a Nespresso coffee maker, a kettle and a selection of teas, a safe, an iron and board, and luxurious Savoy bathrobes.
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| Our cup runneth over |
The bathroom featured a heated towel bar to hold the thirsty, fluffy towels, the Savoy’s iconic drench showerhead as well as a hand-held wand. High-end soaps, lotions and potions are specially made for the Savoy by Penhaligon’s.
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| Luxurious bath |
The Savoy also provides a service that is in danger of dying out: turn-down service. Housekeeping staff not only turn down the bed, they ensure that bottled water is refreshed, and that slippers await at each bedside. How civilized!
Our package included a breakfast credit, so our first morning found us in the River Restaurant where we enjoyed exquisite white table cloth service as we fueled up for our first full day in the U.K. with omelets, pancakes, fruit, coffee by local roaster Kiss The Hippo, and freshly squeezed orange juice.
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| Wine at the American Bar |
Over the next couple of evenings, my wife and I wound down at The American Bar with cocktails accompanied by a live pianist, and at the Beaufort Bar with a DJ blending trance tracks.
Following the conclusion of the three-year-long renovation project, one hospitality industry publication questioned whether operator Fairmont Hotels would be able to make the upscale property work in the long run, given its room rates and how they compare to other higher-end properties.
Now 15 years after reopening, it seems the answer is a resounding, "Yes!"
Certainly, rooms at The Savoy come at a higher tariff than many other properties -- even more than many other Fairmont properties which we have enjoyed. But even if the rate makes it an indulgence as opposed to a standard travel expense, be assured that it is well worth the indulgence.
Visit my main page at TheTravelPro.us for more news, reviews, and personal observations on the world of upmarket travel.
Photos by Carl Dombek
Click on photo to view larger image
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