London Leave - 2
Anyway, welcome back to England, Girlahead. And what is more appropriate than room service in The Savoy, looking out across the Thames at the blue illuminated London Eye, and to the accompaniment of Laurent Perrier Heritage, eating the Savoy Shepherd's Pie: shredded slow-braised organic lamb from Rhug Estate in Wales, with what looks like a duvet of creamed shallot potatoes on top, an ample side of buttered broccoli, and red wine sauce served separately in a little . It's served in an oval cast-iron cocotte, and it's absolutely delicious. The side of wilted spinach, frankly, is not needed. Small flower, wood and silver mills.
Suite 622 does indeed evoke a feeling of Edwardian day. The eight-armed crystal chandeliers. The marble fireplaces. The Greek cornices. G8 Design has been very clever in keeping all the walls a soft blue-grey. Wall art is suitable for the time. Complementary plain drapes. Old-fashioned metal frame windows. Window seats looking out across the Thames. Oatmeal upholstery. Some of the cushions are colours of the walls; others, oatmeal with blue and soft tomato and soft mustard blobs on them. Carpet, a darker blue-grey with a darker tomato pattern on it. The bathroom is as one could have imagined it 120 or so years ago. White, with bits of black. Large diamond black or white tiles. A black Modigliani shape on white over the cast iron Kohler lion-foot bathtub, which is next to the very hot towel rail. Ample and easy walk shower. Two washbasins are set in black marble surrounds. New toiletries are coming specially from Liberty's, with whom the Savoy is forming a partnership.
Well, says The Boss, Franck Arnold, we’re not only near neighbours but close contemporaries. Liberty London was founded 1875 by retailer Arthur Lasenby Liberty. The Savoy was opened 1889 by theatrical impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte. As Franck Arnold would say, whether discussing staff or merchandising collaborations, ‘Don't just ask what you can do for the Savoy. What can the Savoy do for you?’
The corridors are just beautiful because, again, pale bluey-grey, but some of the panels have flecks of a lily-land tree kind of shape on them, outline only. At the gym, up 28 steps in all, Matrix equipment.
