The Art of Rest: Inside Savoir's 120-Year Legacy of Luxury Sleep
For more than a century, Savoir has quietly redefined what it means to sleep luxuriously. Born from a vision to provide the world’s finest rest at London’s famed The Savoy Hotel, the brand has evolved into an icon of craftsmanship and comfort. Today, each Savoir bed is still handmade by a single artisan—a process that takes up to 120 hours and results in a sleep experience unlike any other. In celebration of their 120th anniversary, Savoir has partnered with Winch Design to unveil "Tranquility," a bespoke bed inspired by 1930s ocean liners and crafted for modern sanctuaries on land and sea. We spoke with Alistair Hughes, Co-Owner and Company Director, to explore the enduring philosophy behind the brand, the nuances of collaboration, and the future of rest.
Savoir has been perfecting rest for 120 years. How did this journey begin, and how have you preserved its soul through the generations?
It started in 1905 at The Savoy Hotel, and I always say the clue is in the name. It was really about wanting to provide the most luxurious night's sleep to the most discerning people—those who had the wealth, the power, the insight to demand the best. And so The Savoy set about creating the most comfortable bed that could be made, and that became our No. 2 bed. And it's interesting that it still remains our best-seller even today. So for us, it's always been about how you preserve that by staying focused on doing one thing and doing it incredibly well, which is delivering a great night's sleep. Everything else evolves around that. Everything else—design, aesthetics, construction techniques, availability of materials—but that singular purpose has never changed.
Each Savoir bed can take up to 120 hours to build. In a world that favors automation, how do you maintain such craftsmanship?
We describe our workshop as a bedworks, not a factory, because everything's made on a bench. So we have bench-trained craftspeople who will work with the finest materials to build each mattress, topper, base, and headboard to order. It's all bespoke. There are a few machines—a CNC machine here, a spring machine there—but it's predominantly done by hand. It is time-consuming, but we make sure we're efficient in everything else so the product can be made as efficiently as possible, but not at the expense of the hand craftsmanship.
Savoir has graced the bedrooms of legends—from Marilyn Monroe to Winston Churchill. Can you share a favorite behind-the-scenes story that reflects the brand’s unique relationship with its patrons?
There are wonderful stories. We always talk about Liza Minnelli, who refused to check out of The Savoy until she had the mattress removed and shipped home. That was her way of saying she wasn't leaving without it. We've had couples who spent their wedding night at The Savoy Hotel and then returned 30 years later to buy a Savoir bed to mark their anniversary. There was a king who was so impressed after a night's sleep that he ordered 24 for his palace. These stories reflect how personal and emotional sleep can be. It's not just a product—it's part of people's lives and memories.
Let’s talk about Tranquility, the collaboration with Winch Design. What made this the right moment for a creative partnership?
We've worked with Winch for many years, particularly in the superyacht world, where sleep can be compromised because of the motion of the sea and the limitations of what you can bring onboard. We wanted to do something that was specifically for that market, with the luxury and comfort of Savoir, but built with the constraints of that environment in mind. Michael Noah, their designer, has a wonderful sensibility. He came up with the idea of echoing the design of 1930s ocean liners—which were the epitome of elegance and glamour—and translating that into something that would work in both a yacht and a land-based home. It’s elegant, it's practical, it's serene.
Tranquility balances 1930s nostalgia with modern sophistication. How does this design reflect the future of Savoir?
It shows that we’re expanding what we do. We’re taking our expertise in sleep and combining it with design that works beyond just the bedroom in a townhouse or an apartment. We're looking at mobility, flexibility, and collaboration with designers who bring new ideas and visions. It's a way to stay current while staying true to our ethos. Tranquility brings that all together—a piece that works on land or sea, is made to order, and is rooted in quality.
You've spoken about how wellness extends beyond the individual. How is sustainability shaping your materials and mission?
We've always used natural materials—horsehair, cotton, wool, cashmere—because they breathe and last. But more and more, customers are asking where those materials come from, and how they're processed. We work with suppliers who share our values. We don’t use foams or synthetics. Our toppers are biodegradable. Even the way we construct the bed—with less glue and more stitching—means it can be taken apart, refreshed, and used for decades. It's not about throwaway culture. And yes, I do have a personal rewilding project in Wales, which really reinforces my belief that luxury should coexist with stewardship of the earth.
Luxury means different things to different people. When you think about luxury that aligns with your deeper purpose, what comes to mind?
For me, luxury is about thoughtfulness and individuality. It’s about knowing that something was made for you, not for the masses. It has a soul because someone put their time and skill into making it. That’s the kind of luxury I believe in—something with meaning, longevity, and integrity.