The Savoy Hotel on The Strand in central London, currently managed by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, underwent top-to-bottom renovation worth £100 million ($159 million). The hotel was closed in December 2007 for the restoration program that encompasses the entire building from the iconic entrance and the American Bar to Savoy Grill and the 268 guestrooms and suites.
The hotel’s two main design aesthetics – Edwardian and Art Deco – has been brought back to life under the direction of renowned designer Pierre Yves Rochon. He has developed schemes to impart new level of luxury within the hotel, echoing the finest of 1920’s Art Deco combined with an Edwardian-inspired, classic English style, both synonymous with ‘The Savoy’.
London-based practice ReardonSmith Architects has led the design team in a programme that includes the restoration, redesign of all guestrooms and public areas, the introduction of an entirely new services infrastructure and the structural stabilisation of the listed front façade.
Thirty-eight new River Suites and guestrooms have been added, offering stunning views over the River Thames that inspired Whistler and Monet. Nine Personality Suites are designed to pay tribute to a few of the artists and well known figures who made this legendary hotel their London home, away from home including Maria Callas, Charlie Chaplin, Marlene Dietrich and Frank Sinatra. The suites contain artwork, literature, photographs and artifacts that evoke the time and spirit of the stars including the 12 pink roses in the Marlene Dietrich Suite that the actress always requested upon arrival.
A stately 325-square metre Royal Suite featuring two bedrooms, a study, sitting room, dining room, master bathroom, dressing room with a specially ventilated shoe closet, and a master bedroom with a bespoke Savoir bed are some other additions.
A new life has been breathed into the bars and restaurants of The Savoy. The legendary River Restaurant sees a contemporary interpretation of Art Deco décor. In addition, Savoy Grill will return under the operation of Gordon Ramsay Holdings.
New to the hotel will be The Beaufort Bar, a glamorous Art Deco bar built on the hotel’s original cabaret stage that will offer champagne, cocktails and cabaret and Savoy Tea, a bijou teashop selling Savoy tea, accessories and fresh patisserie. Within the Thames Foyer, the re-introduction of a stunning gazebo beneath an ornate glass dome will provide the perfect ambience for afternoon tea.
Redesign of the guestroom floors will also include large, five–fixture bathrooms as well as 10 additional suites. Back–of–house, works encompass new kitchens, the latest heating and sprinkler systems and modern staff facilities.
The restoration has introduced environmental technologies and efficiencies wherever possible such as a combined heat and power (CHP) plant has been installed to reduce the hotel’s reliance on the national grid by approximately 50%; an innovative system that will reclaim the heat from all kitchen appliances to preheat domestic hot water; cooking oil from the hotel restaurants will be recycled and turned into bio-diesel, while waste management systems will recycle up to 90% of waste from the hotel.
The hotel also partners with the Thames 21 charitable organization to help maintain the stretch of River Thames in front of The Savoy.
