In the 1960s, the headquarters of the US embassy in London was an impressive, imposing building overlooking Grosvenor Square in the heart of London’s Mayfair.
Fast-forward 65 years and the same reigns true – with one key change.
The Grade II-listed building, once the home of American diplomatic relations in the UK, has been transformed into a luxury hotel after the embassy relocated in 2017.
In fact, not just any luxury hotel – the world’s best new luxury hotel.
The Chancery Rosewood has been ranked top by LTI – Luxury Travel Intelligence.
Instead of the security guarding the premises as during the 1960s, now door staff beckon in guests – and the once impenetrable ambiance is replaced with an air of glamour.
The hotel, which had its highly anticipated opening in September this year, was restored by British architect Sir David Chipperfield.
Following an eight-year renovation, costing a reported £1 billion, the hotel is now complete with a grand entrance hall and spacious lobby – and that’s just when you walk in.
The Chancery Rosewood occupies the building that used to house the US embassy in London
The all-suite establishment was voted the best new luxury hotel
Complete with a majestic 25-metre pool, the spa has world-class facilities
Its iconic eagle sculpture – left from the embassy days – overlooks the greenery of Grosvenor Square and a skyline of London landmarks.
The hotel has much to write home about, least of all the interiors.
Rooms – or, rather, suites, as this is an all-suite hotel – start at £1,640 this Christmas, and can go up to as much as £26,100 during the festive period in December for the residence-style House suites.
The floor-to-ceiling windows have been praised in particular, with Forbes pointing out the panoramic views across the UK capital as a result.
The building’s distinctive design leaves space for 144 luxurious suites, with a colour palette of warm tones adorned with gold trimmings.
While some have criticised the interiors as generically international, the general consensus is positive.
A review in Conde Nast Traveller, for instance, says: ‘This is a London landmark, reimagined – you won’t regret seeing it for yourself.’
Meanwhile, the Financial Times dubbed it ‘the hottest reservation in London’, praising the absence of conventional check-in desks – rather, all guests are greeted in the lobby and escorted up to their suites.
The building’s distinctive design has been praised, and features gold trimmings
The eagle sculpture from the embassy days overlooks London
The spa and fitness suite are perfect if you’re seeking a relaxing experience
The review concludes: ‘This cold war monument has finally been returned to the public, an urban masterpiece that for so many decades we could not see.’
The opulent accommodation types include junior suites, suites and signature suites.
Plus, there are two penthouses, Charles House and Elizabeth House, that come with a landscaped terrace, a dining area for ten, fully equipped kitchen and bar area as well as master bedrooms with a grand marble bath tub.
Dining is no less glamorous, either, with eight restaurants and bars on offer, including Carbone – the first European establishment of a New York favourite.
Serra offers southern Mediterranean cooking inspired by southern Italy and Greece, while Jacqueline is a tearoom and dessert salon.
Tobi Masa marks the London debut of Chef Masayoshi ‘Masa’ Takayama, one of the most influential figures in modern Japanese cuisine.
And GSQ is Mayfair’s neighbourhood delicatessen for coffee, freshly baked pastries, salads, sandwiches, and snacks, with a takeaway counter, retail pantry and terrace on Grosvenor Square.
Perhaps the crown jewel is the Eagle Bar on the rooftop, with a wrap-around terrace, impressive cocktail list, elevated bar snacks and a music programme.
The suites themselves leave little to be desired, decorated in earthy tones
Suites in the Chancery Rosewood are decked out with spacious living areas
There are eight restaurants and bars on offer, all with a taste of glamour – including the Serra restaurant
For guests seeking luxury pampering at its finest, the Asaya Spa boasts a fitness centre, a 25-metre swimming pool and five treatment rooms – as well as a range of treatments.
Facilities also include a sauna, steam room, cold plunge, relaxation areas, studio and personal training.
Despite all these aspects to rave about, surprisingly, reviews of the hotel have been mixed, with the TripAdvisor rating standing at a mere 3.4.
One disgruntled guest said the service was ‘poor and slow’ in the Eagle bar.
They went on, writing: ‘Not worthy of its five-star rating and considering they have not long opened I would have expected them to have thrown everything towards customer satisfaction and trying to achieve repeat custom. Would not return.’
Another added: ‘My husband and I stayed at The Chancery for two nights.
‘The location, architecture, and room quality are outstanding, but the service fell far below what is expected at a luxury hotel.’
Given the large sums it costs to stay there, many were disappointed by the service.
Suite dining rooms are spacious and, of course, well decorated
GSQ offers coffee, freshly baked pastries, salads, sandwiches, and snacks
The Eagle Bar, situated on the hotel’s rooftop, has massive appeal for guests and visitors alike
One reviewer wrote: ‘Disappointing service, when I arrived the staff at the entrance didn’t even notice me, the person who took my luggage to the room didn’t know anything I asked him something and he didn’t know how to answer me.
‘When I went out later on the people at the door ignored me.
‘This is not a five-star staff, even McDonald’s has better service.’
Understandably, though, a large number of guests raved about the hotel.
Booking.com’s rating is at 8.7 and reviews say such things as ‘just beautiful’, ‘exceptional’ and ‘everything was just perfect’.
Similarly, one positive TripAdvisor review from November read: ‘An incredibly impressive hotel. Large, spacious and fantastic rooms.
‘We were greeted very friendly, at the reception, the concierge, the restaurant and the SPA or the room service. Attentive and good.
‘The rooms leave nothing to be desired, the restaurants are nice and the food tastes good, but breakfast only a la carte.
Jacqueline is a tearoom and dessert salon in the hotel
The Tobi Masa bar, alongside the restaurant serving high-quality sushi
Well decked-out suites with desks, beds and excellent views over the city
‘The pool is large and the SPa exquisite with hot loungers or whirlpools and two saunas/steam bath.
‘We were very pleased and will definitely come back, partly because of the great location in London’s city.’
It remains clear, as such, that this brand-new luxury offering is a unique blend of history and modernity.
Although it does come at a price.
