Kathy Lette takes over as writer in residence

Guests at the Savoy hotel in London can look forward to three months of non-stop partying following the appointment of novelist Kathy Lette as the hotel's 2003 writer in residence.

The feisty Australian, whose appointment will doubtless raise a few eyebrows due to her saucy, spirited writing style, is only the second writer in residence in a scheme that was launched last year. She takes over from Fay Weldon and will be responsible for hosting monthly, themed literary dinners. Lette will start her three-month tenure at the end of September and is looking forward to a new diet of "bons mots for breakfast and creamed quips for tea". However, pyjama parties and pool parties with Bollinger Champagne on tap are also planned.

Although the Savoy is criticised in the new Harden's Hotel Guide for "patchy" service and the need for upgrading, Lette believes it's "the classiest hotel in the world".

"For three months I get to swan around in my best swanning-around outfit being witty. This is even better than winning the Booker Prize," she said.

Lette is planning to use the experience as material for her next novel, Lady Muck, and will be working undercover stints as a chambermaid and bartender.