TORONTO - The Savoy, London, a Established in 1889, The Savoy was the brainchild of the Gilbert and Sullivan impresario Richard D'Oyly Carte. Originally managed by Swiss hotelier César Ritz and Maitre Chef Auguste Escoffier, the hotel quickly became known for its glittering parties and glitterati guests.
Escoffier created dishes
for Sarah Bernhardt, Lily Langtry, Dame Nellie Melba and 
the
Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, while Ritz instituted the impeccable
service, attention to detail and creativity that came to be the
hallmark of the hotel.
(photo left - Christian Dior with models, 1950) For more than a century, Savoy Court was the stopping point for the Rolls-Royces of royalty, prime ministers and Hollywood stars.
The hotel’s two main design aesthetics, Edwardian and Art Deco, have been carefully brought back to life under the direction of world-renowned designer Pierre Yves Rochon. More than 1000 craftsmen and women, artists and artisans have worked tirelessly to create interiors that are in keeping with the hotel’s original and much-loved spirit.
Thirty-eight new River Suites (below right) and guestrooms have been added, offering the same stunning views over the River Thames that inspired Whistler and Monet.
Nine Personality Suites will 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.
The Savoy’s reopening includes the addition of a stately 325-square meter 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.
The suite has been specially designed so that all the rooms enjoy one of the finest views of London.
The bars and restaurants of The Savoy have always played a major role in establishing the reputation of the hotel and a new life has been breathed into them.
(photo below left - Thames Foyer) The legendary River Restaurant sees a contemporary interpretation of Art Deco décor, while guests will welcome the reopening of the American Bar, refreshed but intact in spirit.
In addition, Savoy
Grill will return under the operation of Gordon Ramsay Holdings
with Chef Patron, Stuart Gillies and Head Chef, Andy Cook.
New to the hotel is The Beaufort Bar (below right), 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.
In its inception, The Savoy was famous for its cutting edge innovations, such as “ascending rooms”, known today as elevators, and en suite baths.
Continuing
in its avant-garde tradition, The Savoy will introduce world's
first Green Butler. In addition to providing all the traditional
'butler' services such as unpacking and packing (using recycled
tissue paper), serving morning coffee and arranging receptions,
The Savoy's Green Butler will also have an in-depth knowledge
of 'all things green' around London.
The restoration has introduced environmental technologies and efficiencies wherever possible.
For example, a combined heat and power (CHP) plant will reduce the hotel's reliance on the national grid by approximately 50 per cent and an innovative system 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 biodiesel, while waste management systems will recycle up to 90 per cent 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.
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