The Savoy, A Fairmont Hotel

[Of note, this review is of (somewhat) historical significance due to the renovations due to be completed in 2009.]

Length of stay: 11 nights

Check-in: Taxi from the train station to the hotel. Flawless check in. The porter (Tony) was the consummate professional, offering to pay the taxi for me when the cab had misplaced my fare.

Accomodations: Basic single room befitting a single traveller who came to London to see the sights. The room was clean and functional. VERY nice bathroom with walk-in shower. I agree with earlier reviewers that the hotel in general was beginning to show its wear, especially noticed in the halls.

Dining: I sampled everything from the Savoy Grill to In-Room Dining to the Thames Foyer (for both breakfast and tea) and the American Bar. Impressive all the way around. The tea in particular was excellent and blew away the Ritz; Savoy Grill is a solid one-star Michelin.

Location: London is big enough that I don't know if there is a hotel in a perfect location, but I was within walking distance of many of the theaters (Vaudeville, Savoy, Adelphi) and the Opera. Charing Cross is the nearest Underground station.

Service: Impressive all the way through with some missteps. Turn down service was missed on two of the 11 nights and room service entered a couple of times without notice. The concierge services were notable (reservations at The Square on a moments notice). Tony the porter/bellboy was again very gracious, the master of casual conversation when necessary and professionalism when required.

Cost: Appropriate for the overall experience.

Summary: I look forward to visiting again in the years to come. The hotel was definitely due for refurbishment and I hope many of the staff return.

We stayed here one night for new years eve.

Great great great... cannot say that enough.

Expensive but really worth it.

We arrived at 2pm to check in but the room was not ready so they treated us to a full English afternoon tea on the house or drinks in the american bar. At L70 for 2, the tea was great and better still free!..

The service at this hotel is the best I have ever had.