The Savoy

The Savoy is a hotel on the Strand in the City of Westminster, London, designed by the architect Thomas Edward Collcutt and opened on August 6, 1889, built by the theatrical impresario Richard D'Oyly Carte using profits from his Gilbert and Sullivan opera productions. It was the first hotel in Britain to install electric lighting throughout the building and electric lifts, and to give most of its rooms their own bathroom, innovations that set new standards for luxury hospitality. Cesar Ritz served as the hotel's first manager and Auguste Escoffier as its chef de cuisine before both went on to found the Ritz Paris, and the Savoy's reputation for hosting royalty, artists and entertainers has continued across more than a century. Now operated by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts with 267 guest rooms, the Grade II listed building underwent a 220 million pound renovation between 2007 and 2010 that cut its electricity use by about half.