Francis Fulford reviews The Savoy, London, where our Members receive the very best rates for accommodation.
The Savoy would surely figure in anybody’s list of ‘Great Hotels of the World’, not only because of the attention to detail for which it has always been famous (it makes its own beds, for instance), or for its position overlooking the River Thames, or indeed for its history and romantic past. Even beyond these things it is a Great Hotel of the World simply because it is, and has always been, very good at doing what an hotel should be good at doing—giving its guests a superlative service.
Some years ago the hotel closed for total renovation, and it reopened in October 2010 having had a mind-boggling £220 million spent on it. Hotels such as The Savoy are, to my mind, like stately homes: the difference being that with hotels you can walk in any time and enjoy the sumptuous interior decoration, which at The Savoy varies between ‘Art Deco’ and ‘Edwardian Baroque’, while enjoying the River restaurant or sipping cocktails in the American Bar.
The other big difference between hotels and stately homes is, frankly, the food is infinitely better at a good hotel and, they don’t charge you an entrance fee to wander around gawping at the marble columns, glittering chandeliers or fantastic ceilings.
So why don’t we all visit hotels more often, especially those such as The Savoy, which is simply steeped in history and romance? I suppose it has something to do with the fact that we wonder how much the treat will be likely to cost us, and we assume it will be more than we intended to spend. Or perhaps we feel that we are over-indulging in these straitened times.
Well, to hell with that. We at CountryClubuk have made arrangements with the management of The Savoy for you to enjoy the full ambience of this marvellous hotel at a very advantageous price, while indulging in the culinary delights of the famous River Restaurant, the preferred restaurant of Fleet Street barons whose status could be judged by how near to the windows they were seated, and now the domain of Gordon Ramsay, who has reigned over the Savoy Grill for several years.
The Savoy was originally built with the profits made by its founder, Richard D’Oyle Carte, from Gilbert and Sullivan shows, and the hotel has always been a favourite among actors and actresses, not least because of its convenient location near so many theatres in the West End. So why not consider taking in a matinee performance at one such theatre after your meal?
If you do, I counsel you not to over-imbibe too liberally over lunch, as otherwise you will undoubtedly fall asleep during the performance. But then, what more delightful way to have a snooze could there be than in the comfortable seat of a theatre after enjoying a delicious lunch at The Savoy?
It’s all rather welcome at this truly great hotel which continues to rank as world-beating (among its latest fistful of accolades are Condé Nast Traveller Gold List, The Best Hotels and Resorts In The World 2023; and Five-Star Rating, Forbes Travel Guide 2023.
Our Members can stay at The Savoy at advantageous and exclusive CountryClubuk rates for rooms and suites, and enjoy a complimentary room upgrade (if available on arrival) and complimentary access to the Health Club. Bookings are fully flexible, so you can book safe in the knowledge that you can cancel if required.
We believe our Club Members’ rates to be the very best available anywhere, saving up to £500 a night on rooms and suites—so what are you waiting for? Only CountryClubuk Members are eligible for these and other exclusive advantageous rates: to join the Club for yourself or your guests, saving you hundreds of pounds on Day One, please click here or call us on 020 7399 2960.
All are subject to availability at the time of booking. To check availability and make your reservations, please call Member Services on 020 7399 2960 or follow the link below.