THE SAVOY HOTEL CELEBRATES ITS 125TH ANNIVERSARY WITH "A WALK WITH THE WILD FLOWERS" ALONG THE RIVER THAMES

KEE@FSWMAG.COM

~Take a Walk With The Wild Flowers~ The Savoy, a Fairmont managed hotel, Launches London’s First Thames Wildflower Walk, With River of Flowers As part of its 125th Anniversary celebrations, The Savoy, a Fairmont managed hotel, is leading an initiative that will  create the capital’s first ever central wildflower walk – River of Flowers Central London. In partnership with social enterprise, ‘River of Flowers’, the hotel is spearheading this floral trail to increase the planting of native wildflowers in the city, and awareness of green and floral spaces along the Thames.  All along the river, green space planted with wild flowers will create a string of ‘pit-stops’ for bees and other pollinators.  Situated on the banks of the Thames since 1889, the iconic Savoy hotel has been awarded time and time again for their commitment to sustainability and their leadership in improving local community well-being and ecosystems. The River of Flowers Central London will build upon The Savoy’s rich history of preserving and protecting the environment. The Fairmont brand and its luxury hotels have long been leaders in sustainability. As one of the first global hotel companies to host onsite honey bee programs, Fairmont currently has honeybee hives and rooftop garden initiatives running at more than 20 of its hotels around the world. More recently, Fairmont expanded its bee and sustainability programming to address the current decline in population of the wild bees through the first of many new pollinator bee hotels. Research indicates the overall number of pollinator bees has been on a steady decline for decades, greatly impacting the health of ecosystems, the reproduction of flowering plants and the pollination of our food. This is a grave concern, as bees are responsible for pollinating more than 80 per cent of flowering plants, fruits and vegetables. A primary cause of this decline is the loss and fragmentation of habitat. The River of Flowers will help to rebuild this habitat. River of Flowers Central Londonwill blossom in August of this year, and include a beautifully designed map that plots the wild gardens, meadows and groves of trees along the north and south banks of the Thames. The trail will connect a group of illustrious organisations, including The Savoy, The Garden Museum, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Tate Modern, creating homes for bees in wild spaces, as well as ensuring plenty of flowers and forage for butterflies. The walks will also introduce visitors and residents to the likes of the Victoria Embankment Gardens, Inner Temple Gardens, Bernie Spain Gardens, Jubilee Gardens, and around The Savoy’s nearby parks. To launch River of Flowers Central London and to celebrate this pioneering approach by The Savoy, a limited edition wildflower seed packet has been created for guests to take away and plant in containers at home. This mix, which includes Bird's-foot Trefoil, Corn Chamomile, Cornflower, Field Scabious, Ox-eye Daisy and Yellow Toadflax, will also be sown in any new meadows created along the River of Flowers Central London. The Savoy will host a special ‘Wildflower Afternoon Tea’ to celebrate this partnership, including such treats as Cherry Blossom Baskets, Hibiscus and Rhubarb Slices and Lavender Eclairs along with a summer peach and Regents park Honey sphere. “The Fairmont way has always been to embody the energy of the communities in which we work, live and play, so creating sustainability initiatives that support the broader ecosystem around our celebrated hotels  is something that our colleagues have soundly embraced,” said Jane Mackie, vice president, Fairmont Brand. “Working with local partners to help create initiatives like the River of Flowers Central London truly brings our passion for environmentalism to life.”  Kathryn Lwin, Director of River of Flowers remarked, “River of Flowers aims to 'feed the bees that feed us' by creating and linking trails or 'rivers' of wildflower forage and shelter in city spaces. By bringing the countryside to the city, we are planting for pollinators, plants and people.” Kiaran Macdonald, Managing Director of The Savoy, a Fairmont managed hotel commented, “We are delighted to have been a driving force in creating River of Flowers Central London. Not only do we believe that this project will make a difference for wild pollinators in the capital, but for Londoners and guests, too. With National Pollinator Policy being mooted in parliament, and the creation of Heatherwick’s Garden Bridge moving forward, the moment for bees and butterflies is now and we are thrilled to be at the heart of this initiative, on our 125th Anniversary of life in London.” Wildflower Afternoon Tea at The Savoy, a Fairmont managed hotel Wildflower Afternoon Tea starts from £50 per person and includes a selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with Cornish clotted cream, homemade lemon curd and strawberry preserve, pastries including a Lavender Eclair, Hisbiscus and Rhubarb Slices and Cherry Blossom Baskets and signature cakes. Available from 18 August – 30 September 2014 To book call + 44 (0)20 7836 4343 or visit www.fairmont.com/savoy-london/ About The Savoy, a Fairmont managed hotel (www.fairmont.com/savoy-london) To stay at The Savoy is to follow in 125 years of history, and the footsteps of Sir Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra, Christian Dior, Maria Callas, Claude Monet and Katherine Hepburn. An iconic hotel, brilliantly reinvented for the 21st century, where old fashioned glamour sparkles with a new lustre. Perfectly positioned on the banks of the Thames, with the excitement of London waiting to be discovered.  Step inside and guests can enjoy some of the most well-known restaurants and bars in London including the celebrated American Bar and Kaspar’s Seafood Bar and Grill which opened in May 2013.  For business and event guests there are varied meeting and event spaces including the Lancaster Ballroom and the River Room overlooking embankment gardens and the Thames beyond. About Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Fairmont Hotels & Resorts connects guests to the very best of its destinations worldwide, reflecting each locale's energy, culture and history. Passionate travelers choose the luxury hotel brand for its ability to deliver memorable travel experiences, personalized and thoughtful service, and hotels that are one-of-a-kind. Serving as genuine gateways to their destinations, Fairmont hotels offer locally-inspired cuisine and spirited bars and lounges, distinctive design and décor, and a steadfast responsibility to environmental and social priorities. With more than 65 hotels globally, and many more in development, landmark hotels in the Fairmont collection include The Plaza in New York, London’s The Savoy, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai and Quebec City’s Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Fairmont is owned by FRHI Hotels & Resorts, a leading global hotel company with over 110 hotels under the Fairmont, Raffles, and Swissôtel brands. The company also manages Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel branded luxury private residence clubs, whole-ownership residences and serviced residences properties. For more information or reservations, please visit fairmont.com. Become a fan of Fairmont. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and EveryonesAnOriginal.For career information and opportunities, please visit fairmontcareers.com.