Celebrating 135 Years of The Savoy: A Milestone in Luxury

This October, we raised a glass to a remarkable milestone: the 135th anniversary of The Savoy. A true icon of luxury and hospitality, The Savoy, located in the heart of London, has been celebrating its legacy with a series of exclusive initiatives and masterclasses that pay homage to its storied past.

Home to the renowned Savoy Cocktail Book, crafted by the legendary Head Bartender Henry Craddock in 1930, the American Bar and Beaufort Bar are pillars of the cocktail world. With signature serves like the White Lady and the vintage Hanky Panky, they have become beloved haunts for bartenders, guests, and enthusiasts alike. The Savoy isn’t just a hotel; it’s a revered institution—a global symbol of celebration and originality that continues to inspire.

Among the highlights is the unveiling of a limited-edition cocktail book, alongside personal anecdotes from the legends who have helped shape the hotel’s illustrious reputation.

The book tells the story of this timeless institution through 100 signature cocktails, each inspired by key figures and moments from The Savoy’s rich history. This collector’s item truly captures the essence of The Savoy’s bar culture over the years.

We were invited to the American Bar on Friday, 18th October, where we joined legendary cocktail makers, including Erik Lorincz, who showcased his signature Savoy drinks. We also enjoyed the bartending prowess of Shingo Gokan and Steve Schneider, both celebrated for their creative approaches to mixology. Together, they curated a cocktail menu that honored the timeless legacy of this iconic institution.

On the 19th of October, the Beaufort Bar pulled all the stops and hosted a grand gala event for special guests of The Savoy. With the likes of Chis Moore serving delectable drinks, the room was embellished with the finest guests, dressed to the nines coming together in celebration of this historic bar and hotel.

Luminaries of the bar world like Peter Dorelli, Salvatore Calabrese, Margarita Sader, Jared Brown, and Sandrae Lawrence were among those in attendance at this grand celebratory event that drew in the who’s who of London social circles.

Franck Arnold, managing director and regional vice president of The Savoy reflects on his four years at The Savoy and states, “With a legacy spanning 135 years, we take pride in our reputation as London’s original luxury hotel, and I am incredibly proud of the strides we’ve made in enhancing our guest experience and fostering a culture of excellence.

When it opened its doors in 1889, The Savoy had some incredible firsts, from being the place where the first radio transmission was broadcast across the Atlantic to being the first hotel in London to be entirely lit by electricity and to feature an electric lift. We continue to invest, innovate and elevate our storied hotel’s offering to meet the expectations of our discerning guests, and have recently been recognised for this with the achievement of three Michelin keys.’

What is truly remarkable about The Savoy though, is its ability to forge and preserve relationships beyond its four walls – relationships that span decades and generations, and form the DNA of this iconic brand. This was evident from the impressive guest list of people who turned up to celebrate with them.

Anna Sebastian, served at The Savoy from 2010 to 2017, in a variety of roles, with her final position being the bar manager of the Beaufort Bar. She also served as a host and supervisor at the American Bar. Today, Anna continues to nurture that relationship as a consultant and has the utmost love and respect for the establishment. “The one word I use to describe The Savoy is “magic’. Over the years The Savoy has been more than a place to work, it has been the place where friendships have been born, relationships built, a place where people have fallen in love…(and sometimes out of love). It’s been a place for many of us that has changed our lives for the better. It’s given many people the platform to grow personally and professionally and go on to succeed. The hotel goes beyond the four walls, it’s part of many of us and always will be.” We echo this sentiment – The Savoy DNA is strong and percolates into several aspects of hospitality around the world through the people whose lives it has changed.

“In the transient world we live in, 135 years is a big deal, knowing the hotel will be there for another 135 years is comforting, meaning we can continue to hand it down to the next generation and continue the legacy”, says Anna.

And on that beautiful note, we leave you with some glimpses of the celebrations we were so lucky to be a part of.