My wife and I, my son and his new fiancée, stayed at the Savoy for a weekend (23.4.13) to celebrate their engagement. We had booked 2 Deluxe rooms
The hotel e-mailed me a couple of days before our visit asking if there was anything that could make the visit 'special'? I informed them that the week-end was for my son's engagement so perhaps a nice room would be good.
When we arrived we were met by concierge who efficiently emptied the car of luggage and arranged the valet parking for us. As we stepped into the foyer we were met by 2 members of staff that addressed us by name and assured us that we were now booked in and they would show us to our rooms. It took me a while to work out how they knew who we were but I noticed later during our stay that the concierge staff outside were in radio contact with staff indoors and obviously had passed on our details. To be greeted by name, and not have to wait in a queue to check-in was a 5* touch that other similar standard hotels may wish to note.
The two staff apologised that the two rooms were on different floors but we would understand why later. It transpired that they had upgraded my son and his fiancé to a one bedroom suite with their own butler, and included all of the usual benefits of a suite - free drinks, chocolates etc. a superb gesture that my son and future daughter-in-law did not expect!
Both rooms were excellent and both in keeping with a 5* hotel, good quality furniture, decoration and large marble clad bathrooms. The suite, of course, was luxurious , spacious and extremely comfortable and with a partial view of the Thames. That isn't to say there was anything wrong with our room - it was perfect. The technology in both rooms with Loewe TVs and iPhone docking was also excellent. Beds were extremely comfortable and a good nights sleep was guaranteed.
The public areas of the hotel easily convinced you that you were in a first class hotel and the two bars both served excellent cocktails in a convivial atmosphere.
We had breakfast in the hotel and due to the closure of the River Restaurant during our stay the room was a little busy and we did have to wait 15 minutes for a table. No problem, gave us chance to watch the handmade chocolate Easter eggs being made in the shop.
Breakfast was excellent and the accompanying service was faultless. We all had a full English breakfasts which was accompanied by fresh pastries and muffins and good quality fresh orange juice.
We spent some of the morning in the indoor pool, the changing facilities were good, and the towels soft and fluffy so were the gowns provided. We enjoyed the pool especially the 'endless' jet steam. The water was warm and we had the pool to ourselves. However, one issue worth noting was the 'tide' mark on the sides of the pool - this should have been removed during cleaning.
We didn't use the Gym facilities but the equipment looked modern and well maintained.
Checkout was effortless as was the return of my vehicle.
My wife and I have stayed in many of the top hotels in London on many occasions, including; Claridges, The Berkley, Langham, The Milestone (A Trip Advisors favourite) etc. and I can comfortably say that the Savoy is easily the best and will now be our hotel of choice when we visit London.
