Guest Stories

I In 1246, Count Peter II of Savoy, the uncle of King Henry III’s wife, Eleanor of Provence, was granted a piece of land from the king. On the land, located between the Strand and the River Thames in London, he built Savoy Palace. More than six centuries later, in 1881, theatre producer Richard D’Oyly Carte built a theatre on the same spot. He called it the Savoy Theatre and here he staged operettas by famous musical duo Gilbert and Sullivan. But the showman didn’t stop here. Whilst touring with his opera company in America, D’Oyly Carte decided to open up his own hotel in an attempt to attract overseas audiences to his shows. It took five years, but on 6 August 1889, The Savoy opened its doors.

Built by George Holloway, The Savoy was the height of elegance and sophistication. The exterior was made to look like a stylish continental hotel with balconies overlooking the river. The interior was designed by