Savoy originals

For over 135 years, The Savoy has represented the height of glamorous hospitality. With London’s West End on its doorstep and those acclaimed views over the River Thames, our storied hotel attracts the discerning; those who truly appreciate the authenticity of an original.

The Savoy has always been, and continues to be, a London home from home for the original thinkers, who create, inspire, and elevate the ordinary to extraordinary.

This is the place where the most fabulous stories unfold. To pay tribute to some of our favourite moments that have taken place at The Savoy throughout the decades, we’ve invited some of The Savoy’s friends to recreate them in their own unique style.
We invite you to indulge in a nostalgic journey of stories, glamour and innovation as each month we reveal some of our original moments seen through the eyes of today’s originals.

Our next moment in the ‘Savoy Originals’ series looks back at one of the most famous and lavish parties to ever be held here at The Savoy. It was July 1905 when American millionaire, George Kessler, invited 23 close friends to celebrate his birthday on board a large bobbing gondola in the courtyard of the hotel, now our Lancaster Ballroom, which had been entirely flooded for the occasion at his request. We’re still hosting lavish parties here at The Savoy and here, Savoy friend and creative genius Mike Quyen pays tribute to the Gondola party with his own take on that spectacular night.

This moment in our 'Savoy Originals' series celebrates one of the icons of Hollywood's Golden Age and regular guest of The Savoy, Marlene Dietrich. The German actress and singer used to order exactly 12 fresh pink roses to be placed in her suite each day of her stay. And a bottle of Dom Pérignon to be perfectly chilled and ready for her arrival. Well, why wouldn't you? Here, Savoy friend and creative powerhouse Onyi Moss recreates the moment Marlene Dietrich was pictured waving at fans from her suite window on 16 July 1949.

Here, English Ballerina Lauren Cuthbertson and Dancer and Model Sam Salter have recreated the beautiful moment that Fred Astaire and his sister, Adele were captured dancing on the roof of The Savoy in 1923.