Fairmont has confirmed that the refurbishment of the Savoy hotel in London will continue longer than expected, due to complications during the restoration work. The iconic hotel, managed by Canada-based Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, was previously due to reopen in May, but the completion date will now be in the autumn.
The £100 million restoration of the Savoy started in December 2007, with many pieces of hotel memorabilia auctioned off for charity (see online news December 12, 2007), and will pay homage to the original Edwardian and Art Deco design.
The entire building is being restored, from the courtyard and American Bar to the public areas, River Restaurant and guestrooms. A new Royal Suite will be added, along with the Beaufort Bar, a champagne and cocktail bar, and the Savoy Tea Shop.
In other news from Fairmont, this year will see nine new hotels opening, including the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club in the spring, followed by Makkah Clock Royal Tower in Saudi Arabia, Fairmont Zimbali in South Africa and Fairmont Pittsburgh in the US.
In addition, Fairmont Beijing is due to open in the spring with 222 guestrooms, restaurants and bars including a library lounge, function space, multi-purpose theatre, a business centre and a Willow Stream Spa with fitness facilities and a swimming pool.
Fairmont Nile City, Cairo, also due to open in the spring, will overlook the river, as well as the Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza. The 574-room hotel will have four restaurants, four bars (including the rooftop Sky Bar), lounges and a rooftop pool.
Fairmont Abu Dhabi Creek, a contemporary-designed beachfront hotel, is due to open in the summer in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, offering 369 rooms and suites, a Willow Stream Spa, a selection of fine dining options, and over 29,000 square feet of meeting space including a 1,000-seat ballroom.
Fairmont Yangcheng Lake, Kunshan, which is a short drive from Shanghai and is also due to open in the summer, will have 210 rooms and suites with lakeside views, 30,000 square feet of function space, a spa and health club facility, restaurants and a business centre.
Fairmont's portfolio currently includes 56 hotels, with plans to develop more than 25 new properties. Fairmont is owned by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, a global hotel company with 91 hotels worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands.
For more information visit fairmont.com
Report by Sara Turner
