The Savoy - back with a bong

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• Location: London
• Holiday Types: City break, Spa

• by: nickperry
• on: Wed 23 May 2012

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Imagine going to sleep with Big Ben as your bedside clock. Well, that can be part of the extraordinary view you can get from your room at the newly-refurbished and reopened Savoy on the bank of the River Thames in London.

If your room is on a high enough floor to peek over the trees – and you get a room on the river side of the hotel – your view can stretch from the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and the London Eye wheel in the one direction to Canary Wharf and the City of London’s querky buildings (like the “Gherkin”) on the other. You really can sit and watch London’s river life for ages – especially as the sun goes down and London lights up.

The Savoy is a new and shinier version of its previous self, but pleasingly recognisable all the same. Old favourites like the American Bar, River Restaurant and Savoy Grill (now run by Gordon Ramsay) are where you'd expect to find them and all very high standard. These have been joined by the already-trendy nighttime Beaufort Bar – with umpteen varieties of champagne and cocktails – and a Chocolatier for those looking to be particularly sinful during their stay.

While The Savoy retains its historic and traditional look, modern additions like wireless internet, sophisticated entertainment systems and email checkout very much make it luxury hotel for the 21st century.

Good to have it back as a London landmark.

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