Through two world wars and the great depression, the Savoy stayed resolutely open come rain or shine, and opulence remained the name of the game.
In its 130-year history the grand hotel on the Strand in Central London has only closed for a renovation a few years ago – and now for the lockdown.
It has maintained the same discreet charm since it was a favourite of Alfred Hitchcock, F Scott Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Marlene Dietrich and Edward VII and his mistress Lillie Langtry.
Richard D’Oyly Carte opened what he called the “Hotel de Luxe of the World” with great pomp in 1889. He understood what the newly minted Victorian wealthy wanted, because he was one of them.
Read more on mirror.co.uk