About
The Savoy is a prestigious London landmark, renowned for its rich history and exceptional service. Since opening in 1889, it has redefined luxury hospitality, becoming synonymous with elegance and innovation. Situated on the banks of the River Thames, the hotel has hosted countless world leaders, celebrities, and royalty, making it a symbol of opulence. Its blend of timeless heritage and contemporary amenities ensures an unforgettable experience for every guest. Whether visiting for business or leisure, The Savoy offers a unique setting where history meets modern luxury.
Our team interviewed Leah Cooper, Groups and Events Senior Sales Manager at the Savoy, to get the inside scoop on the property.
Q&A
What makes The Savoy stand out as one of the world’s most iconic hotels?
When you think of iconic hotels, there’s one name that tends to stand out above the rest: The Savoy. It really is an historic landmark (135 years young!) and is as much a part of the city’s fabric as the Tower of London or Buckingham Palace. It feels so much more than a hotel, but a real living piece of history, a testament to luxury, and an example of how innovation and tradition can coexist.
I always wonder what makes it so special, so iconic – is it the opulent history, the world-class luxury, the legendary faces that have stayed here. I personally think it’s that magical mixture of it all, with the guest experience really being the beating heart of everything we do. From the moment each guest arrives, it’s about providing the impeccable service and that personalised experience which, in turn, then becomes a part of the history.
How does the hotel balance preserving its heritage with staying contemporary?
From the moment we opened our doors in 1889 we redefined what a luxury hotel could be, and wanted to break the mold by offering a more modern and comfortable experience. We’ve always been a hotel of ‘firsts’ from introducing electric lighting, to having the first electric lift (‘The Ascending Room’) and I think that spirit of innovation keeps us at the forefront of luxury hospitality.
Whilst we are renowned for our rich history and iconic status, we are also always embracing fresh, exciting additions to our offerings and this year we introduced a trio of new experiences:
‘Scoff’, our shop dedicated to this quintessentially British treat, along with the introduction of ‘The Savoy Florist’, means guests can now take a little piece of The Savoy home.
And our stunning new ‘Gallery’ right in the heart of the hotel, offers a contemporary twist on our much-loved heritage where guests can enjoy The Savoy’s legendary afternoon tea, in addition to breakfast, coffee, lunch, dinner or cocktail hour.
Can you tell us a lesser-known story or fact about The Savoy that guests might not know?
Marlene Dietrich, iconic Hollywood star, is one of our more legendary guests – and she was very well known for her bold and eccentric personality.
In the early 1930s, Dietrich was staying at The Savoy during a visit to London, and one night, she decided to test the hotel’s famously elegant and discreet service. In the early hours of the morning, she requested a completely unusual and extravagant meal—a full-course dinner, but with one peculiar condition: it had to be served by candlelight in her hotel room, with the curtains drawn to ensure total privacy.
Legend has it that the hotel staff went above and beyond to fulfill her request, even though the unusual dining time and the secrecy surrounding it were quite out of the ordinary. But Dietrich, with her sense of drama and mystery, wasn’t content with just the luxurious meal. As part of the meal’s delivery, she insisted on a highly theatrical and playful presentation. The entire staff of The Savoy was involved, as they carefully presented the meal with a flourish that matched her larger-than-life persona.
How is The Savoy addressing sustainability?
Our sustainable initiatives and energy-saving measures work to support and enhance the hotel’s luxurious ambiance; never compromising our guest’s experience. In 2024 we achieved a Green Key UK Certification, leading standard of excellence award in environmental responsibility and sustainable operation.
We are also Impact Certified with FuturePlus, an assessment of sustainable practices, verified to meet high standards of evidenced social and environmental impact; committed to sustainability transparency and credibility.
We are eliminating single use plastic and waste. Orbisk, an AI food waste monitoring system helps us to identify, track and reduce our food waste, and kitchen oil are recycled to renewable energy and bio-fuel.
Extensive waste recycling and reuse initiatives help to divert waste from public areas, guest rooms and elsewhere in the hotel away from landfill; we are proud of our 98%+ recycling record.
Renewable energy sources – Energy-efficient light bulbs used throughout the hotel.
Carbon Footprint – 100% of our energy supply is purchased via renewable energy sources and 100% of our gas supply is carbon offset with Certified Emissions Reductions.
We are collaborating with ecoSPIRITS, the world’s first low carbon, low waste distribution technology for premium spirits and wine, reducing carbon emissions by 90%.
Klimato – a carbon footprint menu labelling initiative gives guests a more informed choice on dishes.
Water consumption – We measure and analyse our energy and water consumption regularly to avoid discrepancies.
To help reduce our water consumption guests can engage with our linen and towels reuse programme.
Still and sparkling water are served in custom-designed reusable glass bottles, straight from ‘The Savoy Well’, our onsite water-bottling lab
Ethical suppliers – Our chefs select the freshest, seasonal produce from suppliers who deliver on food sustainability, including Fairtrade and organic options, and provide thoughtful provenance on our menus.
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