Savoy Hotel
From ArticleWorld
The Savoy Hotel, considered by many to be the best place to stay in London, is situated on the Strand in the centre of London. Savoy is as famous for its glamorous guests as it is for its chef, the celebrated Auguste Escoffier who used to welcome his feted guests by creating dishes especially for them and then naming them after the guests. Savoy is also well known for lavish and extravagant parties that have made news. One such party was thrown by George Kessler, a Wall Street financier who in the year 1905 had Venice recreated in the old fore court with gondolas, Venetian lamps, fresh carnations et al.
Down the Ages
The Savoy came into being on August 6th 1889, with much pomp and circumstance. Built by Richard D’Oyly Carte, and designed by T.E. Collcutt, it remains one of London’s most opulent and luxurious hotels. D’Oyly Carte was the owner of the nearby Savoy Theatre and it is said that he built the hotel to celebrate successful first nights and to host his audience. The name comes from the Savoy Palace which once took up the place. D’Oyly Carte got Cesar Ritz (subsequently the owner of Ritz Hotel) to be the first manager of Savoy. Savoy was the first to introduce electric lighting in the whole hotel as well as, then an unheard number, 67 bathrooms.
Through the years Savoy continued to build and expand and welcome celebrities in large numbers. Maharajas from India, Counts from Spain, stars from Hollywood all considered it their pleasure to wine and dine and stay at Savoy. The ownership of Savoy has recently passed in to the hands of Fairmont Hotels and Resorts of Canada.
Nuggets
- Savoy Court or the forecourt of Savoy is the only street in the U.K. where drivers are required by law to drive on the right side.
- When painters Monet and Whistler stayed at Savoy, they painted views of the Thames from their rooms.
- A bell was installed in the foyer of Savoy to ring whenever any royalty entered its precincts. This practice was discontinued after the numbers of visiting royalty increased so much as to render this bell useless.