The Savoy, a Fairmont Managed Hotel, which was established in 1889, in London, re-opened on 10th Oct 2010. The London hotel closed in December 2007 for a restoration programme that encompasses the entire building from the iconic entrance and the American Bar to Savoy Grill and 268 guestrooms and suites.
According to a report in www.asiatraveltips.com, the two main design aesthetics in the hotel namely Edwardian and Art Deco have been restored under the guidance of Pierre Yves Rochon, a renowned designer. More than 1,000 craftsmen and women, artists and artisans have worked to create the interiors.
Also 38 new River Suites and guestrooms have been added. There will be nine Personality Suites, which will pay tribute to a few of the artists and well known figures namely Maria Callas, Charlie Chaplin, Marlene Dietrich and Frank Sinatra. The suites contain artwork, literature, photographs and artifacts that evoke the time and spirit of the stars.
The re-opening will also include the addition of a stately 325-square metre Royal Suite featuring two bedrooms, a study, sitting room, dining room, master bathroom, dressing room (with a specially ventilated shoe closet) and a master bedroom with a bespoke Savoir bed.
The restoration has introduced environmental technologies and efficiencies. For example, a combined heat and power (CHP) plant will reduce the hotel's reliance on the national grid by approximately 50 per cent and an innovative system will reclaim the heat from all kitchen appliances to preheat domestic hot water. Cooking oil from the hotel restaurants will be recycled and turned into biodiesel, while waste management systems will recycle up to 90 per cent of waste from the hotel. The hotel also partners with the Thames 21 charitable organization to help maintain the stretch of River Thames in front of The Savoy.
Kiaran MacDonald, General Manager, The Savoy said, "We are excited to reopen The Savoy. It is fair to say that this project has not been without its challenges, but we are looking forward to unveiling the results of nearly three years of hard work and dedication. We are aware of the place that The Savoy holds in many people's affections and we firmly believe that the hotel will exceed people's expectations and reclaim its position as one of the world's great hotels." |