Look, I’ve stayed at plenty of fancy London hotels, but The Savoy? It’s honestly in a league of its own. You walk through those art deco doors and immediately understand why this place has been the gold standard since 1889 – there’s this energy that’s part old-world glamour, part theatrical magic. I mean, you’re literally steps from the Royal Opera House and the buzz of Covent Garden, but the moment you’re inside, it feels like you’ve entered some exclusive club where Marilyn Monroe might stroll through the lobby (she actually did stay here, by the way).
What really gets me about The Savoy is how they’ve nailed that balance between reverence for history and actually being livable. The Thames Foyer – where they do afternoon tea – has this gorgeous glass dome that catches the light beautifully, and honestly, watching the street performers on the Strand through those windows while sipping champagne feels pretty surreal. The rooms themselves are proper luxurious without being stuffy, though I’ll warn you that some of the “courtyard view” rooms can feel a bit dark during winter months. But if you can swing a river view? Worth every penny. There’s something about watching the London Eye light up from your bed that never gets old. The service is what you’d expect from a 9.4-rated property – they remember your name, your coffee order, probably your dog’s birthday if you mentioned it once.
Here’s what I wish someone had told me before my first visit: the entrance off the Strand can be a bit chaotic with all the black cabs dropping people off, but there’s actually a quieter entrance through the courtyard that most guests don’t know about. And while everyone raves about the American Bar (rightfully so – their martinis are legendary), the Beaufort Bar gets overlooked and it’s absolutely stunning, all black and gold with this speakeasy vibe. Parking is valet only and pricey, but you’re in central London – just take the Tube to Charing Cross and walk two minutes. The location really is unbeatable though; you can stumble to a West End show, wander through Somerset House, or duck into Gordon’s Wine Bar (just around the corner and worth the adventure). Is it expensive? Absolutely. But there’s something about The Savoy that makes special occasions feel genuinely special, and after staying here, other luxury hotels somehow feel like they’re trying just a little too hard.