I went with a friend last night, despite turning up at 5.45pm, (it opens at 5.30pm,) and states on the website that it has no reservations we were told that it was full. We went on a wait list to get a table and were told it would be approx 30 mins. We waited in the American bar. After 45 mins I asked the hostess to check on our table, after 10 mins or so when she hadn't come back I went to check myself. The other hostess had obviously forgotten about us and checked with a manager to see if there was a table, we were told there was, we eventually managed to pay and went through only to be sat at the bar! When you wait an hour for a 'table' I would expect an apology to be instead seated at the bar. After enquiring about the four free tables I could see we were eventually moved to one. A disappointing start, I don't mind waiting for a table, but the two hostesses I encountered were not of the standard I would expect at The Savoy. Young, un-knowledgeable and completely unaware of how to welcome guests and create an atmosphere.
The service in general in either bar again was not what I would expect of the Savoy considering drinks start at £14. Again I don't mind paying this, but I expect something classy, wow, warm and welcoming from the service. The drinks were ok, but a very small list. No-one at any point checked if we were ok, how our drinks were, we were not offered water or food at either bar. The staff generally looked miserable, especially one of the managers walking around. The room at the Beaufort is beautiful and money there has been well spent. Two weeks in, perhaps they are still having teething trouble, but I would expect them to have had many dry runs and soft openings. The Savoy team would do well to look at hotel bars such as the Westbury, Mandarin and Firmdale to see how to treat all guests as if they are VIP, not just the few they may happen to know. I was looking forward to going here, but wouldn't return.