The Savoy

Yet another of our annual visits to the Savoy has come to an end. We have been making this pilgrimage for more than a decade now, and it has become one of the true highlights of our year. The hotel itself looks better than ever. Soon every room will have been refurbished—updated to modern standards while still remaining unmistakably, quintessentially Savoy. Contemporary, yet steeped in history. I have written before about the exceptional service and the beautiful rooms. This year, however, I want to highlight something different. Many celebrities have stayed—and still stay—at the Savoy. Supercars often line the Savoy Court. Yes, the rates are high (though no higher than other hotels of this calibre). It is easy to assume that the Savoy is exclusively the domain of the rich and famous. And indeed, many guests are. But not us. We are ordinary people—neither wealthy nor notable. I save throughout the year, setting aside a little each month, and then we spend it all on three nights at the Savoy. But why? And are ordinary people truly valued in a place like this? The answer is an unequivocal yes. That is the heart of my review this year. Some five‑star hotels can feel stiff, pretentious, or subtly dismissive of the everyday guest. The Savoy is not one of them. They never take themselves too seriously (as their social media posts make clear). Even the dress code reflects this graciousness: “We invite all of our guests to dress in whichever attire makes one feel both comfortable and elegant.” Whenever we arrive at the Savoy, it feels like coming home. From the moment the doormen relieve us of our luggage, we feel genuinely cared for. Every member of staff seems like someone you would happily be friends with. And everything simply works. One small example: my wife is extremely sensitive to light when sleeping. When we checked in this time, the team had thoughtfully placed small covers over every tiny source of light in the room—including the control panels—designed so they could be lifted easily when needed. A small gesture, but one that speaks volumes. It is obvious that the staff cares about us. All of them. One year I even wrote an email to the Managing Director Franck Arnold to let him know how much we love the hotel. And he wrote back! It seemed that he genuinely took an interest and was happy to hear about our experience. In every way, we feel looked after. For those four days and three nights, the world becomes a little gentler. And for the rest of the year, we look back on these stays, and the memories brighten the more ordinary days. Memories of being served breakfast by the lovely Rose; chatting with Tony, Rob, Genci, or any of the doormen; enjoying a quiet cup of tea in the Reading Room while Teng greets me with a warm smile; or sitting by the window in our room with a glass of champagne, watching the river drift by. And that is the why. That is why I spend a larger share of my income on the Savoy than many of the rich and famous ever would. And I truly believe we take more away from the experience than they do. For us, this is not just another stay at another hotel. It is a yearly treatment—one that doctors ought to prescribe. And I am certain there are many more ordinary people out there who would benefit from a little Savoy magic in their lives.

We had lovely Afternoon Tea at The Savoy. Everything was outstanding: the service, food, ambiance. Thanks to Giulia, Sia, Jujhar for making this a special occasion for us! We highly recommend The Savoy!

Never stayed at such a lavish hotel, breakfast was out of this world and the staff would do anything to make your stay 5*+ They also gave our family a room upgrade for free. Brilliant position to see the sights of London, wow what an experience!

We had afternoon tea in the Gallery followed by drinks in the American Bar. Food, drinks and service were perfect in both venues. It isn’t a cheap experience. Four afternoon teas and two glasses of champagne were almost £500 once service had been added. We thought it was worth it though.

Fabulous service - charming and professional - we were made to feel like honoured guests both in the restaurant and in the hotel - the staff should be congratulated on their fabulous work and attitude to visitors. Thankyou for a great experience.