The full story of the three-year, £220m refurbishment of the Savoy hotel - warts and all - can be seen on a forthcoming ITV1 two-part documentary.
Narrated by actor Hugh Bonneville, the programmes cover the time from when the 650-staff were told that the hotel was to close, through the lengthy renovation process and into the first few weeks following the reopening on 10 October.
Key staff members are seen talking about their part in rebuilding the glamour and glory of the iconic hotel, while general manager Kiaran MacDonald explains why unknown structural problems resulted in the project being delayed on several occasions.
Once the builders left, the cameras captured the moment when the newly appointed staff entered the hotel for the first time and made their preparation for the first guests to arrive.
MacDonald is seen taking delivery of the final plants and blinds, while head butler Sean Davoren advises his team to sit on the toilet of each guest room to see what the guest sees and make sure everything is perfect.
The Savoy will be screened at 9pm on ITV1 on 13 and 20 December.
● The butler service, which was reintroduced to the Savoy, for the first time in 50 years upon the hotel's relaunch, is to be extended. As a result of its popularity, the current team of 25 butlers who look after the 62 suites, are to be increased over the next one to two years to offer the service to all 268 rooms and suites. The role of the Savoy's butlers is to offer the duties of a traditional British butler, combined with those of a 21st-century personal assistant. Their main duties include packing, personalised wake-up calls with tea or coffee, secretarial services, personnel shopping and a dressing service.
Inside the new-look Savoy >>
Restoring the dream at the Savoy hotel >>
New butler qualification launched >>
By Janet Harmer
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