Fairmont's long-awaited renovation of London's Savoy hotel is expected to begin this December. A Fairmont Hotels & Resorts spokesperson said the hotel will stop taking reservations that month and The Savoy would subsequently close for approximately 16 months. Set to reopen in 2009, the spokesperson added that The Savoy would resume taking reservations about two to three months before its currently unscheduled debut date. The $200-million plus renovation includes upgrading suites, guest rooms, hallways, public areas and the River Restaurant. The Savoy's general manager, Kiaran MacDonald, said the refurbishment would stay true to the hotels' art deco heritage and traditional English design. "It was a difficult decision to close down the hotel," MacDonald said, "but we could not envision disrupting our guests on a daily basis. A project of this scope could take much longer if the hotel remained open for business and we wish to stick to a rigorous schedule in order to reopen as quickly as possible." For more info, call +44 20 7836 4343.
