14 Dec ‘10

“The Middle Eastern owners of the Savoy might have been better advised, in their bid to make the hotel the swankiest in London, to buy and de-swank all the others. Still, at least they’ve got a two-hour commercial out of it.”
Brian Viner, The Independent

“The whole thing ended up looking about as classy as Wagner doing Cole Porter. All of which ought to have made for a proper hoot. Strangely, though, it didn’t.”
Sarah Vine, The Times

“I couldn’t help thinking that there must be some better stories in there somewhere. It all feels a bit on-message – like everyone and everything has been thoroughly vetted by the Fairmont PR machine before being allowed anywhere near a camera.”
Sam Wollaston, The Guardian

“Last night’s episode revealed little of the new interiors but much of the frantic preparations behind the scenes.”
Matt Baylis, The Express

“Graham-Dixon turned his clever eye and exquisite turn of phrase to the 1920s and 1930s, and utterly engrossing it was too.”
Brian Viner, The Independent

“Hislop was very good on the early years, and stars, of the campaign for abstinence, but I look forward to someone making a documentary chronicling it into the 20th century.”
Brian Viner, The Independent

“Crime is not all morally clear-cut, black and white; there’s a whole spectrum of murky greys in there.”
Sam Wollaston, The Guardian

“The watery confrontation showed exactly why Robson is so perfect for the role of presenter and why so many people are hooked on this terrific show.”
Matt Baylis, The Express