The Savoy, A Fairmont Hotel

Beautiful old hotel. The best of everything from service to food to room...you name it, every possible luxury was provided...happily. Probably the nicest hotel experience I have ever had! I arrived after 3 weeks of traveling with a group and I was down to my last nerve. I did not have a reservation but the gentleman at the desk quickly picked up that I needed some pampering and gave me a BEAUTIFUL suite and some much needed TLC.

[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.

The Savoy is one of those old grand hotels like the Plaza or Pierre in New York.

But.....

Our room was very old and again on the small side. While we had a lovely view of the Themes River, it is in the West End which is an awful location unless you are going to the theatre every night, which we only did once.

The Grill on the top floor is very good as well as Banquette for something more casual. The only London hotel I've stayed in with an indoor pool which was very handy. The afternoon tea in the lobby lounge was decent and the bar was nice.