By David Stewart White
8 October, 2010
London's glamorous Savoy Hotel has reopened after a three year, $350 million facelift. Arguably one of the most prestigious hotels in the city, the Savoy's list of rich and famous guests is distinctly "A-list".
The Savoy opened in 1889, under the management of César Ritz. Famous guest of the era include Sarah Bernhardt and the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII).
The massive renovation has taken the grande dame of London hotels out-of-service for three long years. Nine so-called Personality Suites have been added in tribute to former frequent guests such as Maria Callas, Charlie Chaplin, Marlene Dietrich, and Frank Sinatra. The hotel's famous American Bar has been restored and the Savoy Grill restaurant will be run by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay's company.
The restoration attempts to maintain the hotel's original Edwardian and Art Deco styles while modernizing the property for 21st Century operations. In a nod to environmentalism, the hotel will recycle heat from its kitchen to produce hot water and used cooking oil is being turned into diodiesel fuel. The hotel will feature a "green butler" who serve as the in-house resource person for local environmental information.
All this history and renovated glamour doesn't come cheap. Rates at the newly-opened Savoy start at about £275 ($437) per night in off-peak periods. The hotel opens for guests on October 10.
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