Staying at the Savoy - A quick overview of the premises

Here is a quick overview of the layout of the main features of the Savoy hotel.

As you enter the Savoy through the revolving doors, you find yourself in the front hall. Standing with your back to the doors, to your right is a desk where the concierge team operate. Moving counter-clockwise, in the far right corner is a shop called Boodles selling bespoke jewellery. To the left of the shop, on the wall opposite the entrance, are a few black steps leading up to the elevators. Further up the steps is the business centre and access to the second floor guest rooms.






To the left of the black steps is a flight of steps leading down to the Upper Thames Foyer.

Further to the left is the entrance to the reading room which is the space where you can sit down with a member of staff for things like check-in, check-out etc.

On the left wall is a flight of stairs leading up to the American Bar and the small Savoy museum. The museum is a small collection of documents, photographs, dance cards, bottles etc. that document some of the history of the Savoy hotel. The famed American Bar is well renowned for it's cocktails. This bar brought this American drink to London and the walls are full of movie stars and celebrities who all have taken a glass in here.

Immediate to your left, on the same wall as the entrance to the hotel, is the entrance to the famous Savoy Grill. This rather formal restaurant is now being managed by Gordon Ramsay.

Walking down the stairs to the Upper Thames Foyer, you enter a small hall that acts as a vestibule to the Thames Foyer. When we were there, this room was dominated by a rather large orchid tree. To your right you will find the Savoy Tea shop selling tea, chocolates, bespoke tea accessories such at the hotel's own china tea service, handmade jams, biscuits and fresh patisserie.

Still with your back to the stairs back up to the Front Hall, to your left is a corridor leading to the cloak room and toilets. Further on along more corridors you find several function rooms, the Ballroom and the exit out to the Embankment side of the hotel.

Continuing straight on through the Upper Thames Foyer, descending a few steps, you enter the magnificent Thames Foyer. This is the heart of the hotel, and this is where Afternoon Tea is served. They also serve breakfast, lunch and light dinner. The room is dominated by a huge glass cupola situated in the middle of the room, right above a giant cage-like structure where the house pianist entertains. At tea time, this room becomes a heaven of quiet elegance and dampened conversation while waiters serve plates of sandwiches, scones, pastries and cakes while guests sip tea and champagne. If you are a fan of most things exceedingly British and have not tried this, you should. Immediately. And cancel any dinner appointment afterwards, you will not need it.

Off the Thames Foyer to the left is the Beaufort Bar. Before five o'clock it is closed off by some monumental mirrored doors. But at five they open and the black and gold interior gleam out inviting guests in for champagne, cocktails or other drinkables. And everything accompanied by nightly entertainment. There is even a cabaret on the first Sunday of every month.


Continuing straight through the Thames Foyer, you will enter Kaspar, the Savoy's informal but still elegant all day restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.