6 » pink weddings magazine
London Venues
Iconic London grandeur
One of London’s grandest and most iconic hotels can offer
you a small intimate ceremony or large-scale reception.
Since opening in the late 1800s The Savoy became the
epitome of London style, hosting leaders, legends and
royalty with its views across the Thames. It was built by
impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte, who was inspired by the
impressive new hotels in America.
The Savoy was the first true luxury hotel in London, the
first to be lit by electricity and to proudly unveil electric
lifts, known as ‘ascending rooms’. Guests could summon a
valet, maid or waiter by ‘speaking tubes’ from their rooms
and it later became the first hotel to introduce en suite
bathrooms. Such was its popularity that in the early 1900s
new blocks were added on the Strand and the distinctive
Art Deco style was introduced in the 1920s.
Stars of stage and screen have added to its iconic
status. Vivien Leigh was first introduced to her future
husband Laurence Olivier here. Hollywood stars such as Al
Jolson, Errol Flynn and Katharine Hepburn came over from
America. Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren and Marilyn Monroe
further gilded it with glamour, and as it swung into the
’60s, The Beatles and Bob Dylan kept it cool.
The Royal Suite, refurbished at a cost of more than
£2.5m in 2007, is spread over the entire fifth floor, with
river views stretching from Canary Wharf to beyond the
Houses of Parliament.
Among The Savoy’s famous restaurants and bars are
the Savoy Grill and the American Bar – one of the world’s
most iconic cocktail bars. Legendary bartender Harry
Craddock wrote
The Savoy Cocktail Book
, still regarded 80
years later as the bartenders’ bible. The Thames Foyer, with
its stunning new glass dome, hosts a world famous
afternoon tea, where guests are serenaded by the hotel
pianist as they sample such delights as dark chocolate and
pistachio truffle cake and Melba and Bourbon vanilla
tartlet – named in honour of Dame Nellie Melba, a regular
guest in the late 1800s and inspiration for the chef of the
day’s Peach Melba dessert.
The Savoy has three banqueting room and six smaller
private rooms that hold wedding licences. The hotel’s team
of specialists can help you plan your day, down to the last
detail – contact Carl Chapman, director of events,
carl.chapman@fairmont.com
www.fairmont.com/savoy