24 Hours at the Savoy Hotel London
In February 2013 I had the pleasure to stay at Britain's most iconic hotel - The Savoy on the Strand. To be honest, it wasn't the best hotel I've ever stayed in.
Great luxurious hotel institution on one of London's best locations. The hotel overall is very nice designed and you can even feel the old glamour of this world famous hotel - in a perfect contemporary way.
Yes, this was the view from my River View Junior Suite
We had booked a Junior Suite with Themse view, nevertheless they first showed us a Junior Suite with a seperate living room. Not bad, but the view was more than terrible: I would not recommend to book a Junior Suite facing the Courtyard as this is one of London's worst views. So we showed our "Butler" the confirmation of the Junior Suite Themse and got the right one after 15 minutes waiting. There was no real apologize. When we finally arrived in our Junior Suite we were impressed by the view and the interior of the room - to be honest, I saw some larger Junior Suites! Just a sofa added into the room is not worth the title Junior SUITE, although the bathroom was impeccable and stocked with excellent LE LABO amenities and a huge separate rain shower.
After a while the butler asked us for some welcome drink, so we ordered tea and a coke. The best thing is, that we found it on our bill the next day. It is surprising that these high prices do not even include a small welcome drink. After that the Butler left us and we never saw him or any kind of Butler again !?! That's not the way a Savoy Butler Service should work!
The Spa was old-fashioned and the pool too cold. The Changing room with Sauna, Steam bath and Showers was nice with some great Aromatherapy Associates Products. The fitness was also not that bad, just a bit small.
The most disappointing thing during our stay was the Breakfast. For about 36 GBP per person, such an offer of Continental Breakfast is more than unpolite!! Of course scrambled eggs are at an additional 8 GBP.
When we wanted to request a late check-out, they told us it would be free of charge until 1 pm.
I stayed at several Leading Hotels yet and there was never any problem for a late check-out until 2 or 3 pm. There was also nobody taking care when we arrived or left, we had to take our luggage by ourselfs.
When I compare the Savoy to the Corinthia, where I stayed in February 2012, I have to say that for the same price, the Savoy did not fulfill my expectations. The Corinthia had a better spa, service was more personal and of course the 24 hours check-in/check-out!
Prices (room only) start from 280.00 GBP which is about 330.00 Euros - VAT to be added.