GRAND RESTORATIONS: THE SAVOY

FIRST AGAIN

As the Savoy prepares to re-open its doors in 2009, General Manager Kiaran MacDonald proudly maps out what’s in store in the much-awaited return of an icon. He says that understanding all the elements that have made the Savoy so world-renowned has, and continues to be, one of the most rewarding of journeys.

The Savoy closed its doors on December 15, 2007 to embark on one of the most extensive hotel restorations in London.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, as the hotel operator, is overseeing this important restoration. The company is uniquely positioned to undertake this project, having successfully transformed other such historic hotels as the Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada and, most recently, managing the reopening of The Plaza in New York. The Savoy’s owners, Kingdom Holdings and the Bank of Scotland, have invested over £100 million in the restoration and more than two years in the planning process. This ensures enough time is taken to fully understand and respect the Savoy’s illustrious past so we can sensitively shape its future.

When the Savoy reopens later this year, guests will enter a hotel of understated English luxury and striking sophistication. An essential aspect of the planning process has been to ensure the integrity of the hotel’s art deco heritage from the 1930s and that its original Edwardian features are honoured. These two aesthetics will merge seamlessly thanks to the vision of interior designer, Pierre-Yves Rochon. Every design decision has been tested against the hotel’s commitment to preserve and restore those physical attributes, regarded – and respected - as Savoy hallmarks. Given the Savoy’s constant change and evolvement over its illustrious 119 year history, identifying and understanding those elements has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of the design process.

London ahead

The Savoy has always taken its lead from its historical and theatrical surroundings. Set against this background, it has played its part in shaping the city’s cultural landscape over the years through its association with the Savoy Theatre and by hosting many famous personalities and important events.

Situated in its unique location overlooking the River Thames, and conveniently located between Mayfair and the City, just a short walk from Trafalgar Square, the Savoy’s closest neighbours include the theatres of the West End, the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden (home to The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet), the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery, and the newly rejuvenated Southbank Centre (which includes the Royal Festival Hall and the Royal National Theatre). In addition, the exciting regeneration of the Covent Garden area adds further interest and value to what is already an ideal location.

The restoration of an icon

The complex programme of restoration at the Savoy includes the upgrading of all the signature river view suites. The aim is to offer guests the highest levels of luxurious design and comfort, with an additional array of aesthetic enhancements. The bathrooms have been relocated away from the river frontage windows, allowing guests to enjoy fully the most sought after river views from every aspect of their suites. Of the 268 guest rooms, 174 are being restored in the Edwardian-style and 94 will be given a fresh interpretation of the art deco style. A splendid new addition will be the Savoy’s sumptuous Royal Suite. Furnished at a cost of £2.5 million, this 2,400 ,400 sq ft suite will stretch the full length of the 5th floor and offer the most magnificent views along the river, thus setting a new standard for luxurious living and distinguished personal service.

The Savoy’s public areas will delight our longstanding, valued guests already familiar with the hotel, as well as those entering for the first time. Turning from the busy Strand into the serene and iconic Savoy Court they will find the peaceful contrast of a striking crystal Lalique fountain, adding further enhancement to this famous hotel entrance.

Upon entering the Front Hall, hues of celadon green and off-white, classic Edwardian-inspired English furniture, and timeless polished black and white marble floors will blend beautifully with the restored mahogany panelled walls and ornate ceiling. Guests will be drawn to the wood burning fireplace and the intimacy of the Reading Room where those wishing to enjoy a traditional registration can do so.

For guests who wish simply to relax or socialise in the hotel, the renowned American Bar with its baby grand piano awaits them. Retaining its art deco-inspired design, barmen will be on hand to serve cocktail favourites such as the famous ‘White Lady’, one of many famous cocktails invented by Harry Craddock in the American Bar which set London alight in the 1930’s.

A new first for the Savoy will be the opening of the Beaufort Bar, a luxurious 46-seat champagne bar adjoining the Thames Foyer. Fashioned in a sophisticated jet-black and burnished gold art deco-inspired colour scheme, its onyx leather bar, will be flanked by scagliola clad columns elevated upon the very stage where the legendary Savoy Big Bands played for guests during the ‘Stompin’-at-the-Savoy’ dinner dances.

For the Thames Foyer, the restoration sees the reinstatement of a spectacular glass domed ceiling above an ornate gazebo centrepiece, bringing an intimacy and elegance to this wonderful room. Renowned as the perfect setting for a quintessentially English afternoon tea, the experience will be further enhanced with the opening of Savoy Tea, a bijou shop, reminiscent of the Burlington Arcade.

From the legendary French Chef Auguste Escoffier to modern day celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay, the Savoy has always set a high culinary standard of cuisine in London. Much missed by its loyal guests has been the Savoy’s legendary and well-loved River Restaurant, due to re-open as part of the restoration. With its prime position overlooking Embankment Gardens, view to the River, art deco–inspired interior design and Modern French cuisine, it will evoke a vibrant and natural buzz and once again become one of the most popular restaurants in London.

The Savoy Grill’s special ambiance, further enhanced in 2005 by the Los Angeles interior designer, Barbara Barry, will once again be expertly presided over by famed Michelin-star chef, Gordon Ramsay, and his team. A private 30-seat dining room will replace Banquette – the casual upstairs restaurant above the Savoy Grill, with an outlook across the Savoy’s main entrance.

Hosting special events has always been a vibrant part of the Savoy’s operations. Each of its 12 function rooms offers unique character and style, and no more so than The Lancaster Ballroom. First unveiled in 1910, The Lancaster’s interior design was based on an 18th century Parisian Salon, with its soaring, decoratively-relieved walls and ceilings, and has always enjoyed the reputation as the venue of choice for many signature events in the social calendar of the London scene. Supporters of these great rooms will be reassured to know that little here will change.

Savoy style

Understanding all the elements that have made the Savoy so world-renowned has, and continues to be, one of the most rewarding of journeys. Whilst appreciating each person’s unique memories of the Savoy, the common thread has been how special each individual was made to feel while they were in the hotel.

The service culture of the new Savoy will speak directly to its past, encapsulating the eras that defined its style, thus creating Charm (Edwardian influence) and Spontaneity (Art Deco influence) as its new hallmarks.

The Savoy Training Academy

Back in 1946, the Savoy recognised that in order to maintain its reputation as one of the most luxurious hotels in the world it had to develop its own brand of Hoteliers. The Savoy Management Training Scheme was therefore established and over the next 50 years it garnered a reputation as being the ‘gold standard’ and the greatest training the industry could offer. Although disbanded in 1995, today we are excited about the opportunity to re-launch and reposition it as the Savoy Training Academy. The level of intense training our colleagues will undergo when they first join the hotel, and our ongoing commitment to their development thereafter, will define the Academy and its ultimate success.

A green future

An extensive level of infrastructure work has enabled the Savoy, in partnership with Evolve Energy, to fully embrace its environmental responsibility. Examples include the replacement of the four enormous steam boilers with energy efficient models, the investment in heat recovery systems and the installation of state-of-the-art, in-room energy control systems, clearly demonstrating our commitment to reducing the hotel’s carbon footprint and positioning itself as the most environmentally responsible luxury hotel in London.

And finally…

For those interested, please visit our website www.savoy2009.com which has been created to offer people an opportunity to stay in touch with us during our period of closure so that they can be informed of progress. The website offers a full overview of the Savoy’s core messages - Leading the Past, which discusses the hotel’s legendary history and heritage; London Ahead, which refers to the excitement and vibrancy of the capital city and the hotel’s location, and First Again, in which Pierre-Yves Rochon walks readers through the new Savoy's design intention. Enjoy!