The Savoy London

Having undergone one of the most laborious and ambitious restorations in hotel history, the Savoy reopened its doors to rave reviews.

• Spectacular views of the Thames and the London Eye
• Fantastic personal shopping service
• Glamorous suites that celebrate notable Savoy guests of the past, including Monet and Hepburn

The genius behind the revitalization of this iconic property, designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, seamlessly blends the Savoy’s storied past with the present. Many original details have been preserved and beautifully refurbished. Original moldings, fixtures and furnishings bring to life the Edwardian and Art Deco eras of its heyday, while such fabled public spaces as the American Bar, Savoy Grill and River Restaurant have been stylishly updated with a modern twist.

Once the stomping grounds of celebrities and heads of state, these areas now bustle with more energy than ever before. Weekend tea times are booked months in advance. At the same time, the Savoy also boasts new over-the-top additions, including the Beaufort Bar, the Shop at the Savoy and £10,000-a-night Royal Suite.

While maintaining their original Edwardian and Art Deco aesthetics, the Savoy’s 268 rooms have been completely refurbished and outfitted with Mascioni bed linens, flat screen LCD televisions, Murano chandeliers and 24-hour butler service for suites. Designer Pierre-Yves Rochon introduced nine Personality Suites, honoring a few of the Savoy’s high-profile guests of the past. Suites in the Art Deco Wing are dedicated to Marlene Dietrich, Noel Coward, Frank Sinatra and Richard Harris, while the Edwardian Wing celebrates Maria Callas, Katherine Hepburn, Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin and Monet, who painted a number of works from his bedroom window. I stayed in the glamorous Hepburn Suite, filled with photographs, portraits and sketches of the actress, as well as memorabilia collected during her stays. My favorite touch: A life-size sketch of her above the claw-foot bathtub. The 38 river-view rooms and suites, meanwhile, have been reconfigured to offer more space and spectacular vistas of the River Thames and London Eye.

Guests of the Savoy should not miss The SHOP, a unique personal shopping experience introduced last February. With a black book of retail contacts, theSHOP’s team can arrange everything from half- and full-day personal shopping itineraries to behind-the-scenes access to leading designers and artisan showrooms. Whether looking for a limited-edition Birkin Bag or iPad 2 the SHOP can obtain it, often within twenty-four hours.

Families and first-timer visitors. Reminiscent of New York’s Plaza Hotel of yesteryear, the Savoy is very grand, very opulent and buzzing with action (envision tourists snapping photos of the lobby). Its location on the Strand in Covent Garden is ideal for sightseeing, with most major sites – National Gallery, Big Ben, House of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and London Eye – within walking distance. Just keep in mind that the area is very commercial. Travelers looking for a posh, residential vibe should skip the Savoy and settle in Mayfair or Knightsbridge.

Anyone seeking a more intimate experience. Covent Garden is very commercial, often likened to New York’s Midtown or Times Square. Travelers looking for a posh, residential vibe should skip the Savoy and settle in Mayfair or Knightsbridge.