The Savoy

A hotel of firsts

When it opened on 6 August 1889, the Savoy was the first hotel in Britain lit by electricity and served by electric lifts. Its forecourt, Savoy Court, is famous because traffic there drives on the right. The hotel closed in December 2007 for a major restoration and reopened in October 2010, and it is now managed by Fairmont.

Bars and dining

Even if you are not staying, the bars are a reason to visit. The American Bar was one of the first in London to serve American-style cocktails and has a resident pianist, while the black-and-gold Art Deco Beaufort Bar, created in the 2010 renovation, majors on champagne and cocktails. Restaurants include the Savoy Grill and the River Restaurant, and Simpson's in the Strand is part of the building.

Kaspar and other traditions

Look out for Kaspar, a 1926 Art Deco sculpture of a black cat who joins tables of 13 as the fourteenth guest to ward off bad luck. The hotel suits a special-occasion stay or afternoon tea, and Covent Garden, the London Transport Museum and the theatres of the West End are all within a few minutes' walk.

Highlights

• Opened in 1889 by Richard D'Oyly Carte
• First British hotel with electric lights and lifts
• The American Bar and the Art Deco Beaufort Bar
• Kaspar, the Art Deco cat

Good to know

• Traffic in Savoy Court, the hotel's entrance, drives on the right.
• Covent Garden is around a five-minute walk.

Frequently asked questions