The Savoy

I chose afternoon tea at The Savoy as a special treat for my teenage niece on her first visit to London. Unfortunately, while the food and service in the tea room were very good, the overall experience fell far short of expectations. The visit began poorly on arrival. It was raining, and the hotel entrance appeared so congested that our taxi driver briefly pulled into the exit lane in order to let us out safely. A member of staff immediately approached and told us we could not leave the vehicle there. While I understand that traffic management is important, the manner in which the situation was handled was unnecessarily confrontational. My niece and I were then subjected to comments about the taxi driver not knowing his job, which made for a distinctly unwelcoming arrival. A luxury hotel should surely prioritise making guests feel welcome from the moment they arrive. The afternoon tea itself presented another disappointment. Although the tea room was only around 40% occupied when we arrived, we were seated at a very small table for two despite numerous larger tables and booths being available nearby. Once the tea stands, teapots and plates arrived, the table became so crowded that my niece and I could barely see one another across it. I ended up rearranging items simply so we could have a conversation. The experience felt cramped rather than luxurious and was entirely at odds with the elegant atmosphere one expects from such an iconic venue. I would like to emphasise that the tea room staff were excellent throughout—polite, friendly, attentive and professional. The sandwiches, cakes and tea were all well presented and delicious. However, afternoon tea at The Savoy is marketed as an experience rather than simply a meal. While the food and service were very good, the combination of the unwelcoming arrival and the cramped seating meant that the occasion never felt special. I had hoped it would provide a memorable finale to my niece’s visit to London; instead, I left wishing I had chosen another venue.

Breakfast at the Savoy was fantastic . We had the savoy breakfast and the Arnold Bennett Omelette, both were delicious. The staff are amazing. The atmosphere is welcoming and comfortable. I will definitely be back.

Beautiful 3 course meal. Never had soup like it in my life and the steak was divine. Partner loved his meal too.

We stayed for 2 nights and had the most wonderful time! From the moment we entered to our departure - the service was just exceptional! We checked in and received a complimentary glass of champagne. We upgraded to a river view which was sadly blocked by the trees. If you want a view make sure you are on floor 5 or above. We had breakfast in both the riverside and main restaurant - both were excellent. Our meal at the Grill by Gordon Ramsay was outstanding - make sure you order the beef wellington as it was best beef I have ever eaten. If you want crepe suzette they will make them for you at your table. Nice to watch but could not have eaten any more food after the wellington. We did not make use of the spa area as the sauna and steam rooms are small and located in the male and female changing areas - and I would have preferred a joint area near the pool but this is really nit picking on my part. The showers had great water pressure and the quality of the products meant I did not have to bring my own shampoo or conditioner - with a Dyson hair drier in the room. It is these small details that make the Savoy stand out. The turndown service each night was a lovely gesture and having someone make your room so inviting when you return is always special. I would return in a heart beat. It is a bucket list item to make sure you have experienced the special service of the Savoy - if you ever get the chance grab it with both hands 💚

We stayed at the savoy for a few nights as a birthday celebration, and this hotel certainly knows how to make you feel special. The attention to detail and personal touches made our stay very enjoyable, from the hand written note in the bedroom to the ‘miniature’ champagne in the American Bar it certainly felt like a treat. If you are looking to treat a loved one for a special event don’t hesitate in booking.