The Savoy, London: history, location and what's nearby

The Savoy is one of London's most famous hotels. It stands between the Strand and the River Thames, with its riverside front overlooking Victoria Embankment Gardens, and it's within an easy walk of Covent Garden, the West End theatres, Trafalgar Square and the South Bank. Here's what the hotel is, how it came to be and how to make the most of the area around it.

Built on Gilbert and Sullivan

The Savoy was opened in 1889 by Richard D'Oyly Carte, the impresario who produced Gilbert and Sullivan's comic operas. He had already built the Savoy Theatre next door for them, and the hotel was funded by their success. It was a technical showpiece for its day: it's widely described as the first hotel in Britain lit by electricity, and it had electric lifts and a large number of private bathrooms at a time when they were rare.

Its early management included the hotelier César Ritz and the chef Auguste Escoffier, both of whom went on to found their own famous names. The hotel was extensively restored in the 2000s, reopening in 2010, with its Edwardian and Art Deco interiors preserved.

Savoy Court and the view that inspired Monet

The hotel's entrance is on Savoy Court, a short private road off the Strand under a stainless-steel Art Deco sign, with a gilded statue of Count Peter of Savoy, who was granted this land in the 13th century, above it. Unusually for Britain, traffic on Savoy Court drives on the right, which lets cars drop passengers at the door on the correct side.

Claude Monet stayed at the Savoy around the turn of the 20th century and painted the Thames from his window, producing his series of Waterloo Bridge and Charing Cross Bridge in the fog. For your own version of the view, walk onto Waterloo Bridge at dusk: upriver are Westminster and the London Eye, and downriver the dome of St Paul's and the towers of the City.

Where it is and how to get there

Charing Cross (mainline and Underground) and Embankment stations are both about five minutes' walk away, and Covent Garden and Temple Underground stations are close too. From Heathrow, the Piccadilly line runs directly to Covent Garden, and the faster Elizabeth line reaches Tottenham Court Road, a short taxi or bus ride away. From Gatwick, trains run to London Victoria and London Bridge, both a short taxi ride from the hotel.

Covent Garden and the West End

Covent Garden's covered market, with its shops, cafés and street performers in the piazza, is about a five-minute walk north. The Royal Opera House and the London Transport Museum are on the square, and the West End theatres are all around, many within ten minutes on foot. The Savoy Theatre, next to the hotel, is still a working West End theatre.

Somerset House

Next door along the Strand, Somerset House is a grand 18th-century building arranged around a large courtyard, with dancing fountains in summer, usually an ice rink in winter, and exhibitions all year. It's also home to the Courtauld Gallery, a compact collection with major Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings.

The South Bank and Trafalgar Square

Walk down through Victoria Embankment Gardens to the river and cross the Golden Jubilee Bridges to the South Bank, where the London Eye, the Southbank Centre, the riverside book market under Waterloo Bridge and the long river walk towards Tate Modern begin. In the other direction, Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery are about ten minutes' walk west along the Strand.

Who it suits and when to go

The Savoy suits couples, theatre lovers and anyone who wants classic London glamour with the main sights on foot. Families may appreciate the central location, though the busy streets around Covent Garden are lively late into the evening. To compare other parts of the city, see our guide on where to stay in London.

Late spring and early autumn are the most pleasant times for walking along the river. Summer brings long evenings and the busiest crowds, while December brings festive lights and decorations to Covent Garden.

Practical tips

• Theatre tickets: popular shows sell out weeks or months ahead, so book directly through the theatre or an official ticketing site.
• Book early for December and major events, when central hotels fill quickly.
• Use contactless payment on the Underground and buses; fares are capped daily.
• Walk more than you ride: Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square and the South Bank are often quicker on foot than by Tube.

For a complete plan of the city, see our London four-day itinerary, and for trips out of town, our guide to day trips from London.

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Cover photo: Loco Steve from Bromley , UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons