After three years and £220m, The Savoy finally re-opens its opulent doors

What would you do with 220 million smackers? Buy a small island? Maybe a yacht? Or would you resurrect a 121-year old and have a bit of a party?

The Savoy always had something special about it: a sprinkle of classic style and discrete debauchery (Richard Harris was a resident – enough said). But there was just something so musty about the place by the time we got to it.

Bare in mind that it opened in 1889 (that makes it the same age as the Eiffel Tower). It saw in the Roaring Twenties, survived the Swinging 60s (mostly) and witnessed the dawn of a second millennium. And this Sunday, after a three year hiatus, the grand old Savoy is finally relaunching. And it’s look pretty special…

The Savoy Court entrance is a feat of Deco-tastic silver, onyx and emerald green. The American Bar is back to soak up a new generation of cocktail adorers. The Gordon Ramsay-helmed Savoy Grill launches in November with the original table plan beloved by Sinatra, Wilde and Monroe. There’s also the Beaufort – a sumptuous new champagne bar – and the opulently re-imagined River Restaurant with its Thames-wide views. And then there’s the jaw-dropping new two-bedroomed Royal Suite that’s bound to see plenty of action.

121 years old, still making bedroom eyes, and looking fabulous with a bottle of bubbles in hand? When we grow up, Savoy, we want to be just like you… or Hugh Heffner.

Info
The Savoy, Strand, WC2R 0EU
Opens October 10, reservations open now
www.the-savoy.com

The Savoy Grill launches on November 29

Ibiza End Mix

With the closing parties now all wrapped up, we bid adieu to another cracking Ibiza season. Our fabulous heroes dab away their parting tears and ramp up the mixer for their farewell round-up. It was a vintage year on the magical island and already we’re pining for May – so in the meantime, here’s a little something to keep the love flowing… Kicking off with Arthur Baker’s (wonderful) remix it’s a hearty mish-mash featuring some Caspa, Mr Hudson and Hurts, a smattering of Donna Summer, and a dash of Dennis Ferrer. Enjoy! xxx

Listen to the Podcast…

London’s cultural highlights this month

Some folk balk at the prospect of October. The sun is setting barely after lunch. LFW is spent. Ibiza’s all wrapped. Christmas is a-looming… My, it’s a tough life (s0b). But here at UJ, we prefer to look on the upside wherever possible… I mean, when else beyond humble October can one squeeze in entire weeks dedicated to our bellies (London Restaurant Festival), our eyes (Frieze and all its various art-related brethren) and our kidneys (the first London Cocktail Week)? Plus it’s Halloween too! Suck it in, kids. It’s going to be beautiful.

Read the Culturist…

EAT – gourmet food on the go from the mobile Street Kitchen. Various locations across central London starting in Covent Garden, WC2. £4.50-£6.50.

INDULGE – Experience masterful culinary delights at the Jason Atherton Pop-Up. 7pm, 28 Binney Street, W1Y 1YN. £150.

WIN – One meal at a top restaurant every month for a year. Golden Gastronomy Ticket. Book a festival menu at numerous restaurants participating in the LRF.

BOOK AHEAD – Order your tickets for the Young Vic's extremely popular Faust On Ageing. Show runs until 30th October, Young Vic, 66 The Cut, SE1 8LZ. £10-£27.50.