The Savoy in London
Jul 26, 2018, 10:19 pm
#1
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The Savoy in London
The Savoy
Strand, London WC2R 0EZ, UK , GB
RecommendedLiked: LocationServiceFoodAmenitiesRoom
The Savoy in London (17 Photos)
The Savoy
We've been around in London and love this hotel best. There is just no beating the Thames view.
Check In
Smooth and fast, no loitering. Escorted to suite by head butler Sean who is quite delightful.
Room
Our fourth-floor suite was perfection -- foyer, parlor, large bedroom, powder room, master bath, dressing room, gorgeous views from enormous windows. The Edwardian decor entirely to our taste but, even so, it was understated and comfortable except for some of the art.
Service
We were exhausted after our flight from San Francisco. And were left to recover gracefully. Tea service, sandwiches, little pastries and much kindness. We still are in awe of the kindly service, and grateful.
Dining
All room service, all great, delicious meals beautifully set up and served.
Location
On the Embankment and the River Thames, and the edge of Covent Garden, just down the avenue from Trafalger Square -- does not get better.
Jul 26, 2018, 10:39 pm
#2
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
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My experience at the Savoy was not the same; it was awful. Bear in mind that at most 10% of the rooms at the Savoy have a river view. The other 90%+ have a view of other rooms, usually across ugly interior courtyards. That's what I had, a junior suite, the lowest level allegedly with butler service. The check-in agent was rude, no one escorted me to the room, no one working at the hotel that I encountered going to or from the room ever even said hello. Never even saw a butler although maybe that was who responded when I asked for things like towels; they didn't say. In short, service sucked.
The Virtuoso price included a room credit, which I used on a terrible dinner at the seafood restaurant, which with any luck is no longer there.
I must look like the hoi polloi because every time I entered the hotel I got the feeling that the people in the lobby were wondering if I was there to steal the silverware.
If you are going to stay in this hotel, do what Kat W did: pony up for a suite with a river view. If you are considering anything else, and I mean anything, do yourself a favor and go somewhere else.
The Virtuoso price included a room credit, which I used on a terrible dinner at the seafood restaurant, which with any luck is no longer there.
I must look like the hoi polloi because every time I entered the hotel I got the feeling that the people in the lobby were wondering if I was there to steal the silverware.
If you are going to stay in this hotel, do what Kat W did: pony up for a suite with a river view. If you are considering anything else, and I mean anything, do yourself a favor and go somewhere else.
Jul 26, 2018, 10:53 pm
#3
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Oy, sorry your experience was so disappointing, RichardinSF. Sounds awful. And, if you are hoi polloi, then Jim and I are hobos!
Not necessary to book a suite, there are rooms with Thames-view, too. Uncertain from whence derives the 10% since a little over a quarter of the rooms have Thames view rooms.
I don't know what to say about our contradictory experiences. But I am sorry.
We could not have been better treated in better environs.
Not necessary to book a suite, there are rooms with Thames-view, too. Uncertain from whence derives the 10% since a little over a quarter of the rooms have Thames view rooms.
I don't know what to say about our contradictory experiences. But I am sorry.
We could not have been better treated in better environs.
Jul 26, 2018, 11:05 pm
#4
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One example of service at The Savoy --
After I unpacked our bags, I learned I had neglected to pack one of Jim's important prescriptions. First, I panicked, Then I rang the butler who said no problem, he would make it right. Within an hour, a doctor arrived at our door. I showed her Jim's medical and prescription records online. She asked a few questions, wrote a prescription which she arranged to have filled by the butler. All without my having to step a foot out the door. I was not only impressed but grateful.
After I unpacked our bags, I learned I had neglected to pack one of Jim's important prescriptions. First, I panicked, Then I rang the butler who said no problem, he would make it right. Within an hour, a doctor arrived at our door. I showed her Jim's medical and prescription records online. She asked a few questions, wrote a prescription which she arranged to have filled by the butler. All without my having to step a foot out the door. I was not only impressed but grateful.
Jul 27, 2018, 6:45 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,225
One example of service at The Savoy --
After I unpacked our bags, I learned I had neglected to pack one of Jim's important prescriptions. First, I panicked, Then I rang the butler who said no problem, he would make it right. Within an hour, a doctor arrived at our door. I showed her Jim's medical and prescription records online. She asked a few questions, wrote a prescription which she arranged to have filled by the butler. All without my having to step a foot out the door. I was not only impressed but grateful.
After I unpacked our bags, I learned I had neglected to pack one of Jim's important prescriptions. First, I panicked, Then I rang the butler who said no problem, he would make it right. Within an hour, a doctor arrived at our door. I showed her Jim's medical and prescription records online. She asked a few questions, wrote a prescription which she arranged to have filled by the butler. All without my having to step a foot out the door. I was not only impressed but grateful.
Jul 27, 2018, 9:37 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2009
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I concur. Clearly, guests can have a decent stay at this place but there is a caste system in effect that I do not understand. I was hounded in the lobby and the bar as if I were a homeless scamp that wandered in from the sewers. I promptly checked out and went over to the Lanesborough, where I have had *no* such issues. I did have a room with a view of the Thames.
Jul 27, 2018, 4:30 pm
#8
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I have stayed at the Savoy mutiple times over the years and the service have always been good. But then I always booked the 1BR suite.
Comparing to the Lanesborough, Savoy have better F&B while Lanesborough have better hardware and butler service.
Comparing to the Lanesborough, Savoy have better F&B while Lanesborough have better hardware and butler service.
Jul 29, 2018, 4:56 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2017
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One example of service at The Savoy --
After I unpacked our bags, I learned I had neglected to pack one of Jim's important prescriptions. First, I panicked, Then I rang the butler who said no problem, he would make it right. Within an hour, a doctor arrived at our door. I showed her Jim's medical and prescription records online. She asked a few questions, wrote a prescription which she arranged to have filled by the butler. All without my having to step a foot out the door. I was not only impressed but grateful.
After I unpacked our bags, I learned I had neglected to pack one of Jim's important prescriptions. First, I panicked, Then I rang the butler who said no problem, he would make it right. Within an hour, a doctor arrived at our door. I showed her Jim's medical and prescription records online. She asked a few questions, wrote a prescription which she arranged to have filled by the butler. All without my having to step a foot out the door. I was not only impressed but grateful.
Jul 30, 2018, 2:14 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2005
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We stayed in late-December between Christmas and New Years for a few days. Overall, I would say this hotel is fine, but not top-class. We arrived at about 7am after flying in from the Gulf. Check-in took forever, there was no mention of our virtuoso amenities and no escort to even the elevators. The room I did think was nice, though the bathroom toilet was right next to the sink without any partition and only a single sink. The breakfast was very good and the service was at breakfast (especially at 7am) was very good. I do not remember the exact breakfast credit, but I could basically get whatever I wanted. Later in the day though the F&B is an issue since the lobby is very crowded with people and there is no preference for hotel guests so we had to wait 45 minutes to have a drink and utilize our F&B credit. I think there are a lot of people there for pre-theater meals. The gym is also very small and cramped (the weights, I think the cardio equipment is slightly better).
Jul 30, 2018, 3:45 pm
#12
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Did you book for early arrival? Our flight from SFO also arrived 7am so we booked from the night before to be assured of availability. Savoy has around 275 units and we booked a river-view suite so the likelihood of early check-in is unreasonable if not booking from the night before.
Jul 31, 2018, 12:57 am
#13
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Did you book for early arrival? Our flight from SFO also arrived 7am so we booked from the night before to be assured of availability. Savoy has around 275 units and we booked a river-view suite so the likelihood of early check-in is unreasonable if not booking from the night before.
Jul 31, 2018, 1:25 am
#14
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As indicated above, I have some experience of the best London hotels with varing degrees of satisfaction over the last 25 years. Circumstances change over time yet it has been my experience to be delighted by The Savoy above others. Your mileage may vary, of course. And, that is what makes London such a great hotel destination, second to Paris ... but my travels are limited compared with most here.
Last edited by RichardInSF; Jul 31, 2018 at 8:41 am Reason: consecutive posts by same member
Jul 31, 2018, 12:52 pm
#15
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I understand that this might seem exorbitant but Jim and I no longer are middle-aged and we fly into London from San Francisco -- door to door that is about some 16 to 17 actual hours and assorted time changes inducing severe jet lag on our elderly bodies. So, hell yes I am willing to pay big bucks for early check-in.
As indicated above, I have some experience of the best London hotels with varing degrees of satisfaction over the last 25 years. Circumstances change over time yet it has been my experience to be delighted by The Savoy above others. Your mileage may vary, of course. And, that is what makes London such a great hotel destination, second to Paris ... but my travels are limited compared with most here.
Yes, we did book the room for the previous night so it was ready upon check-in. When I said that check-in took a while, I meant that the check-in person took a long time, we were not offered tea or water, check-in was not done in-room, etc.
I did forget to thank you for your review in your initial post, since it is appreciated, and I am always curious to see how other people feel about hotels. This one was just not right for us, but I can see how others would enjoy it.