Richard D'Oyly Carte funded the hotel from the profits of Gilbert and Sullivan operas, especially The Mikado, and Thomas Edward Collcutt was the architect. It opened on August 6, 1889. The infobox gives a 1886 start, while the text says building took five years. A 1903 to 1904 expansion added wings and moved the entrance to Savoy Court, using steel-frame construction, a London first.
The external walls are glazed brick to resist London's smoke. A glass cupola covers the Thames Foyer. The infobox gives Art Deco, while renovated rooms mix Edwardian and Art Deco. The hotel closed in December 2007 for a renovation that rose from 100 million to 220 million pounds and reopened in October 2010.
It has 267 rooms and is Grade II listed. A small museum beside the American Bar is open to the public.
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