Chancery Rosewood: London’s former U.S. embassy reborn as top luxury hotel

The Chancery Rosewood, housed in the Grade II-listed former U.S. embassy in London’s Mayfair, has been crowned the world’s best new luxury hotel by Luxury Travel Intelligence. The all-suite property opened in September after an eight-year renovation costing about £1 billion, led by British architect Sir David Chipperfield. The project transformed a landmark diplomatic building into a contemporary luxury retreat with 144 suites, two penthouses and eight dining venues.

The building’s renovation preserved its historic shell while revamping interiors into warm, gold-trimmed spaces designed to feel both glamorous and comfortable. Visitors are welcomed in a grand lobby rather than through the traditional security gates of the past, and guest circulation emphasizes personal service and privacy. The hotel’s design embraces wide floor‑to‑ceiling windows that frame views of Grosvenor Square and the London skyline, pairing modern materials with the legacy of the building.

The Chancery Rosewood is a true all-suite operation, with accommodations ranging from junior suites to signature suites and two penthouses, Charles House and Elizabeth House. The residences feature landscaped terraces, dining spaces for ten, fully equipped kitchens and expansive master bedrooms with marble baths. The eight-venue culinary program adds to the sense of a self-contained luxury complex: Carbone marks the first European outpost of the New York institution, Serra showcases Southern Italian and Greek-inspired cooking, and Jacqueline serves as a tearoom and dessert salon. Tobi Masa represents the London debut of Masayoshi Takayama, a leading figure in contemporary Japanese cuisine, while GSQ operates as a neighbourhood delicatessen with an on-site bakery, pastries, takeaway options, and a terrace on Grosvenor Square.

The crown jewel for many guests is the Eagle Bar on the rooftop, which features a wraparound terrace, a curated cocktail list, elevated bar snacks and a rotating music program. The suites themselves emphasize generous space and refined furnishings, with earthy tones and gold accents that create a sense of opulence without ostentation. The building’s distinctive silhouette remains a part of the hotel’s identity, even as its interiors have been reborn for a modern luxury clientele.

A full spa and fitness complex underscores the property’s appeal. The Asaya Spa includes a 25-metre pool, a gym, five treatment rooms, a sauna, steam room, cold plunge and dedicated relaxation areas, along with a studio and personal-training offerings designed to support both indulgence and wellness aims.

Prices reflect the property’s premium positioning. Suites start at around £1,640 at the Christmas period, climbing to as much as £26,100 for the residence-style House suites in December. The two penthouses expand the luxury equation, offering private terraces, expansive living spaces, and full-service entertaining arrangements that accommodate large gatherings.

The hotel has earned strong coverage in industry outlets and publications, with multiple outlets praising its scale, setting and service aspirations. A prominent business daily lauded the property’s lack of traditional check-in desks, noting that guests are greeted in the lobby and escorted to their suites, a departure from standard luxury-hotel procedures. Trade and lifestyle writers have described the hotel as a London landmark, a reimagining of a Cold War-era building that has been returned to the public as a modern urban masterpiece.

Reviews from guests have been mixed in some corners. On travel-review platforms, some visitors have praised the space, views, dining options and spa, while others have pointed to service missteps and slower-than-expected attention in certain venues. Despite the variance in guest sentiment, the property’s price point and spectacle maintain a high level of interest among travelers seeking a premier London experience. Booking.com users have rated it highly, while some early TripAdvisor reviews have highlighted service inconsistencies, a common observation for new luxury openings.

Beyond its amenities, The Chancery Rosewood stands as a symbol of London’s evolving luxury-hotel landscape, a collaboration of historic preservation and contemporary hospitality that leverages the building’s diplomatic legacy while offering a modern, all-encompassing guest experience. With eight distinct venues, a robust wellness program and a signal-boost in Mayfair’s dining and nightlife ecosystem, the hotel aims to be a destination in its own right, not just a place to sleep.

As the city’s luxury hotel market continues to evolve, The Chancery Rosewood represents a high-profile instance of how historic architecture can be transformed into a global luxury asset. It blends ceremony and comfort, spectacle and service, history and modernity—and it does so at a price point that signals both exclusivity and a confident push toward the upper echelons of the market.