The Savoy Hotel Review: A London Grand Dame That Remains Old-School Luxury
An institution on the Strand, the Savoy is one of London’s most famous luxury hotels and one we’d always wanted to try. A weekend in London at Christmas gave us the perfect opportunity to check in.
Arrival on the Strand
The famous Savoy canopy welcomes you off the Strand. The entrance, flanked by the Savoy Theatre and Savoy Grill, is I think the only road in the UK where you drive on the right hand side, not the left. Designed to ensure passengers can be dropped directly at the front door, it remains a symbol of luxury hotels where guest comfort and convenience remains paramount.
Katherine at the Savoy
We arrived in a flurry of artificial snow to be greeted by a top-hatted doorman who immediately took our bags and guided us to the check in. The vast hotel lobby, with iconic black and white floors, was dressed beautifully for Christmas, with trees and decorations from Boodles. Reception was a large old school wooden desk with equally old school charm and service from the team. The process was quick and efficient as they took our bags and, as we were super early, promised to text us when the room was ready.
An unbeatable hotel location
The Savoy is perfectly located just off the Strand. It’s an easy cab in from the City of London and a few minutes’ walk from Charing Cross railway and tube. The galleries of Trafalgar Square are just there, whilst it’s not too far a walk to get into Mayfair or up into Soho. Its location just up from the Thames means it is easy to get down to the river and further east or west into the city.
Whilst we love other luxury hotels like the Cadogan, which is off Sloane Square the Savoy is slap bang in the middle of things.
A Grand Dame by Design
The Savoy occupies a particular category of hotel in London. As one of the original ‘Grand Dame’ hotels it is a cavernous space that has expanded over the years to incorporate more wings, shops, bars and restaurants. One could easily check in here and not leave for the weekend.
The size of this hotel means there are different lifts for different wings. Our room was up on the blue lift (a short elegant walk from reception) which took us to the back of the hotel. The other lifts are also defined by colour, which you can see on the floor numbers above the doors.
Inside the Blue Lift at the Savoy
Decor in the guest wings reminded me a lot of the Sofitel Faubourg in Paris. Muted walls with bold fashion and style themed pictures made it feel very continental, whilst also referencing the Savoy Theatre next door.
Muted Palettes on the Accommodation Floors
Rooms & Comfort
We had booked a Luxury King Room. Not quite a suite but certainly big enough to stretch out and relax. At 431 sq ft this was a generous space with a partial city view. Whilst many hotels promise a hint of a view, we were treated to a fantastic sight along the Thames towards the skyscrapers in the City of London. Whilst the bigger suites will have full Thames views, we were very happy with ours.
The view from our room, towards the City and Canary Wharf
The room decor was a soft, restful palette of muted colours, crisp white sheets and a few pops of colour, like the orange coffee machine and the orange backs of the wardrobe. It is small details like this that make a hotel like the Savoy stand out from more modern or international hotels. A deep pile carpet offered comfort and another splash of colour.
Savoy Hotel Luxury King Room Interiors and Accents
The large king-sized bed was supremely comfortable, achieving that balance of soft and firm in equal measure. Ample bedside tables, a stool at the end of the bed and a small seating area gave us plenty of options to sit, stretch and sleep during our stay.
The King Sized bed, with a turn down gift and room service menu
Despite the size of the hotel, the buzz of a busy Christmas weekend and its city location, the rooms were beautifully silent. At no point did we hear any neighbours, only the odd sound of taxi horns and horns on the river when we had the window open.
The bathroom features a double vanity with marble countertop, an ample bath and separate shower. Savoy branded products and thick fluffy robes confirmed we were in the lap of luxury.
Food & Drink at the Savoy
The Savoy is a destination in its own right for food and drink. The legendary American Bar and Savoy Grill are London institutions favoured by diners and celebs alike. In his book *Scattershot*, Bernie Taupin talked about his love for a good hotel bar and the time he bumped into the author Graeme Green in the American Bar. Whilst we can’t claim any such celebrity spottings, we can confirm the continued quality of both bar and restaurant.
Located off the main lobby, the Savoy Grill is now under the stewardship of Gordon Ramsay, who has managed to balance innovation with consistency. We enjoyed a late long lunch which exceeded our expectations. We had expected good things from the Savoy heritage and Ramsay focus, but this was above and beyond. The food and wine were great, but the service was fantastic. You’d expect good service, but this was better.
Entrance to the Savoy Grill December 2025
You can read our full review of the Savoy Grill here.
Downstairs there is even more choice. The famous River Room, with its panoramic views of the Thames, offers a relaxed and stylish all-day dining option, more of a brasserie than the Restaurant 1890 by Gordon Ramsay, which is much more fine dining. We skipped these for dinner at Colbert, an old favourite on Sloane Square, but we did stop in for a snifter at the Beaufort Bar.
What could have been a dark and pokey space has been transformed into a glamorous spot that felt more like a speakeasy than a hotel bar. The dramatic jet-black and gold décor gave a sense of comfort and privacy despite the large size. The service, as across the hotel, was excellent: swift and attentive but never overpowering. We swapped the usual G&T or cocktail combination for complimentary champagne as part of our Accor membership welcome. Whilst the offer was for drinks in the lobby level, we asked if it was possible to have them in the Beaufort which, after a quick check, was not a problem. Yet another tick. If it weren’t for our busy schedule I am confident we would have returned for a nightcap, as it is open until the wee small hours.
The Gallery Restaurant for breakfast at the Savoy
Breakfast in the Gallery restaurant was an expensive but indulgent affair. We always say that hotel breakfasts are something special and this was no exception. With a focus on service, the Savoy eschewed the typical buffet to offer an à la carte selection menu covering full classics with lighter and vegetarian options. A proper Savoy Breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausage, rosti and mushrooms sits alongside eggs cooked every which way, omelettes including the house Arnold Bennett, and sweeter choices such as pancakes, waffles and pastries.
There are sensible alternatives too: vegetarian and plant-based breakfasts built around tofu, avocado and vegetables, plus yoghurt, fruit and grains for those who want something lighter before heading out into London.
We kept it simple. One Savoy Breakfast, one Eggs Royale, juices, hot drinks and a large bottle of Savoy sparkling water. The food was great and the service was excellent. At £126 for two it wasn’t the cheapest option, but that’s not the point.
Service at the Savoy
You would expect service to be excellent and it was. Across all departments, from front of house and reception to housekeeping, food and drink, there was a consistent level of excellent service. Nothing was too much trouble and the staff seemed able to handle large numbers of guests and hotel visitors, with lots of people popping in for a look at the Christmas decorations, all with courtesy.
Is the Savoy worth the price in 2026?
Yes, absolutely. In a city full of world class hotels, the Savoy still remains fantastic value. Sure it is on the pricier side, but the convenience of location, the comfort of the bedrooms, the excellent service and world class amenities put it in the top echelons of London’s luxury hotels. We hope to return again soon.
…and how much was that exactly? Our Luxury King Room was £1,300 for a Friday night in December. Savoy breakfast was £120, whilst dinner at the Savoy Grill for three was £431, including sparkling wine and three courses.
The Savoy London, a Fairmont Hotel
The Savoy is part of the Fairmont Hotel group, which itself is part of the wider Accor hotel family. We loved staying at the Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver ahead of our Alaska cruise, whilst the Accor group also includes the Sofitel Faubourg Paris and Lucknam Park in the UK. As Accor ALL loyalty members we gain points, and other benefits, by booking directly with the hotel or in the ALL app. If you aren’t a member, I would strongly suggest checking it out.