Everyone’s Raving About This New Hotel in London—Here’s the Scoop

The Dinogo Perspective

The Maybourne hotel group has exemplified luxury hospitality in London since the establishment of the Prince of Saxe Coburge Hotel in 1815, later renamed the esteemed Connaught. This collection includes the historic Claridge’s, refurbished in 2022, the Berkeley, which opened in 1972, and two stunning escapes beyond the UK: the former Montage Beverly Hills in Los Angeles and the former Hotel Vista Palace in the French Riviera. After over fifty years, the group proudly unveils a new-construction property in London that not only enhances the brand but also presents a modern interpretation of an aristocratic getaway. Enter: the Emory.

London’s inaugural all-suite hotel, which debuted in April 2024 beside the tranquil Hyde Park, features just 61 suites and strikes a balance between understated elegance and modernity. Designed by renowned architect Richard Rogers of Centre Pompidou fame, this glass-and-steel structure showcases exposed trusses and cables as his final masterpiece. What’s hidden from view? The entrance. Despite its prestigious Knightsbridge location, the hotel discreetly welcomes guests arriving by town car (included in the premium room rate) to a secluded back alley. There’s no opulent lobby, but rather a team of personal assistants ready to give visitors a swift tour of this boutique hotel, which offers resort-style amenities and collaborations with A-list talents like chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and designers Alexandra Champalimaud and Patricia Urquiola.

General manager Knut Wylde states, “It’s flexible and relaxed, not dull or stuffy.” This may set a new standard for quiet-luxury hotels globally.

Who’s it suited for?

With room rates starting at $2,590, this hotel serves as a sanctuary for business travelers looking to blend leisure into their work trips. (It’s best to arrive near the weekend to fully enjoy the Hyde Park setting and the array of food, drinks, and wellness offerings on-site.) Discretion is paramount, but that doesn’t limit options. Guests receive a day pass to the exclusive wellness retreat, Surrenne, which spans four floors beneath the hotel and 20 feet above the London Underground’s Piccadilly line. They also gain access to the guest-only Bar 33 by Rémi Tessier, where stunning views of London stretch to the horizon, as well as a chic private cigar bar featuring a circular lighting fixture that serves as a ventilation system. Both spaces exude amber hues and are worth visiting, even if you’re not a smoker or drinker.

Additionally, the hotel appeals to couples seeking a romantic weekend getaway, local wellness enthusiasts committed to the Tracy Anderson Method and high-end spa treatments, and anyone wishing to relax in their suite while enjoying a continually stocked minibar and indulgent soaks in luxurious tubs.

The Setting

You won’t find a better address in London, despite numerous brands vying for this sought-after SW1 locale. Directly across from Hyde Park and adjacent to the Berkeley, the Emory boasts balconies in every suite, no matter how small. Thanks to the nearby Underground, engineers have installed vibration bearings to ensure you won’t feel a thing.

Just a short stroll away are the grand Victorian residences that define Knightsbridge as a haven for the elite, along with the Victoria & Albert Museum, Harrod’s, Harvey Nichols, Bonhams, and not one but two Prada boutiques.

The accommodations

Each of the five interior designers tasked with creating two floors of suites (or a penthouse) caters to a distinct guest preference. André Fu introduces a minimalist design infused with hints of tropical modernism, featuring wooden screens that serve purely aesthetic functions. Alexandria Champalimaud brings a ‘residential’ feel to her suites, distinguished by an oversized pair of glasses integrated into the decor. Pierre-Yves Rochon presents Parisian elegance, while Patricia Urquiola utilizes slatted wood and a warm, earthy button motif. The penthouse, occupying the entire top floor, is crafted by Rigby & Rigby and exemplifies understated opulence.

All rooms are adorned with earth tones and natural materials, catering perfectly to upscale travelers who prefer subtlety over ostentation. Some rooms feature no artwork whatsoever. The bathroom amenities are provided by the hotel’s Surrenne spa.

Culinary offerings

Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s immensely popular ABC restaurants in NYC—featuring the seasonal ABC Kitchen, Latin-inspired ABC Cocina, and plant-based AbcV—have made their way to London, merging the three concepts. While the Manhattan original is not known for opulence, the Emory's restaurant, accessible to the public and located at street level with views of Hyde Park, boasts a plant-forward menu complemented by an open kitchen and elegant white decor by Rémi Tessier, creating a sense of luxurious comfort. You’ll still want to dress up for dishes like heirloom beet carpaccio or pappardelle with mushroom walnut Bolognese. (No worries; meat lovers will find plenty to enjoy, including pork confit tacos and crispy fried chicken.) Daily breakfast is included, served either in-room or at ABC Kitchens.

Guests at the Emory can also enjoy dining options at the Berkeley and access the spa menu at Surrenne, but the real highlight is Tessier’s cognac-hued Bar 33 on the rooftop. The skilled bartenders will whip up any drink you desire—there’s no fixed cocktail menu. If you love what they create, they’ll jot it down in their little black book next to your name for your next visit.

Service and staff

While you’ll be addressed with your title and last name, the atmosphere here is anything but formal. Staff members introduce themselves by their first names, and their roles are easily identified by the stylish design and colors of their uniforms. If an issue arises—like struggling to locate the discreet hotel entrance or trouble connecting your device to the TV—simply send a WhatsApp to the concierge, and help will appear swiftly, whether virtually or in person.

A house car is readily available to transport guests to and from the airport or any other destination. (This service is included in your rate.) The Emory’s quiet luxury is reflected in the staff’s interactions with guests: always precise and never overly formal.

Accessibility

For those using wheelchairs or needing assistance with walkers or canes, most areas of the property are accessible, and any suite can accommodate these needs. The hotel features ramps, wide elevators, and doorways, along with seamless entries into bathrooms and select showers.

Urban wellness

The Emory stands out on every front, but the Surrenne membership concept transforms the urban spa experience. With only 100 members accepted, it spans four underground levels of the Emory and features a lap pool, cabanas, locker rooms, a fully equipped gym, a sauna/steam room with a unique ‘snow’ shower, seven treatment rooms, a fitness studio, a café, and 24-hour access exclusively for guests of the Emory and the Berkeley.

Surrenne was developed in partnership with a scientific advisory board that includes Dr. Shauna Shapiro, Dr. David Sinclair, and the sometimes controversial neuroscientist and popular podcaster Andrew Huberman. The spa also houses a Tracy Anderson Studio, catering to its devoted celebrity and jet-set clientele.

This serene sanctuary, designed by Tessier, serves as a nurturing cocoon for holistic well-being, offering a high-tech, fully comprehensive approach to longevity and wellness. Starting at $2,590