Inside London’s Latest Luxury Hotel

A modern architectural masterpiece designed by the late Richard Rogers and Ivan Harbour of RSHP, The Emory is the much-awaited sixth hotel opening from Maybourne, the group behind three more luxurious London hotels – Claridge’s, The Connaught and The Berkeley – as well as two international properties, The Maybourne Beverly Hills and The Maybourne Riviera on the Côte d’Azur. Striking ‘sails’ soar above the treetops of Hyde Park, but this modernist marvel blends seamlessly with the nearby cobbled streets of Belgravia and Knightsbridge.

Creating the innovative steel bones of The Emory (which means ‘home strength’ or ‘industrious leader’ in old English) has been described by architect Ivan Harbour as ‘watchmaking on a grand scale’. Comparing the building to a beautiful Swiss watch, Harbour says: ‘every element of the sail structure reflects a meticulous attention to detail, where the beauty of movement is apparent, and nothing is hidden. The aspect of timelessness is very powerful in architecture. It is important to create buildings and places with impact and longevity, whose role is more than just aesthetic. The integrity of the central idea of The Emory, the distinctive skeleton, the building frame, is rooted in basic original thinking and gives it a unique timelessness.’

This timelessness has been elevated by renowned designer Rémi Tessier, who masterminded the public spaces of the hotel from its abc kitchens restaurant to The Emory Bar on the ground floor, to the 10th floor rooftop Bar 33 and The Emory Cigar Merchants. Bringing some warmth to all of that steel and glass, Tessier’s interiors are all of the highest-quality materials.

The Emory Penthouse, designed by Rigby & Rigby

The Emory is all about discretion, embodying the ‘quiet luxury’ trend Succession certainly highlighted, but has been bubbling away among the super-elite for centuries. Step inside the foyer for an immediate sense of intimacy and calm, though senses are certainly heightened by the statement central steel staircase, visible from the hotel entrance and painted in a distinctive hue dubbed ‘Richard Rogers Pink’. This is an homage to the late architect’s influential involvement in the project, who sadly died in 2021; his personality and warmth shines bright in subtle ways throughout the property.

But your journey through The Emory’s luxury begins long before you reach the hotel. In fact, setting a new service standard in the capital, all guests receive a return private chauffeur driven car from London’s private airfields or international airports. Upon arrival, your personal Emory Assistant is available to answer your every need 24 hours a day. How’s that for quiet luxury?

‘We truly believe this discreet London landmark is offering something new and exciting to the current hospitality scene,’ says General Manager Knut Wylde. ‘With a heady combination of some of the world’s greatest architects and designers, the best food in town, and jaw dropping views from the rooftop bar, we can’t wait to welcome guests to The Emory.’

The Emory Cigar Merchants can be found on the rooftop

The property houses only 61 rooms – all extraordinary suites set over nine floors, all boasting floor-to-ceiling windows. Every two floors, there’s a new world-class designer to admire the aesthetic of: Champalimaud Design, Andre Fu, Pierre-Yves Rochon and Patricia Urquiola have all contributed creative, generous interiors at The Emory, including by commissioning bespoke furniture designed exclusively for the hotel. Each room also houses a complimentary bar, perfect for nightcaps in your home-from-home. The best key in the house is for the Rigby & Rigby designed penthouse, a spectacular 300 sqm space with wraparound glass.

But the best views are found at The Emory’s tippy-top. With 360-degree views of the London skyline, the rooftop is the jewel in the hotel’s crown, featuring two spectacular glass pavilions parallel to the steel ‘sails’ of the building. Here, find The Emory Cigar Merchants (with burl wood details and a gentle circular halo light) and Bar 33, a sweeping space dedicated to hotel guests only or by private invitation. In summer, the roof can be retracted in both pavilions.

Bar 33 is The Emory’s rooftop bar

Back on the ground floor, just beyond the foyer, guests can enjoy Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s abc kitchens, bringing his much-celebrated New York trilogy of restaurants (abc kitchen, abcV and abc cocina) under one roof for the first time. Here, Tessier has championed warm wood tones and polished copper, designed a vertical glass wine cellar and set a colossal Rosso Orobico marble block centre stage. Damien Hirst’s collection ‘The Secret Gardens Paintings’ adorn the walls, admired while diners peruse and tuck into Vongerichten’s menu which showcases his creative and forward-thinking plant-focused dishes, tonics, and cocktails, all emphasising his passionate commitment to fresh, organic, sustainable and ethically sourced local produce. Daily breakfast is served here if you want to see the magic in full daylight – otherwise, enjoy it in your suite.

Begin the evening with a trip to The Emory Bar, also on the ground floor and also designed by Tessier. Here, find a dramatic stained-glass installation created by artist Brian Clarke, an iridescent faceted glass canopy bursting with kaleidoscopic colours. Retractable glass doors unveil a leafy courtyard for warmer evenings.

Guests of The Emory also have exclusive access to Surrenne, a new wellbeing and longevity club spread over four subterranean floors. Expect a minimalist, relaxing and serene environment – an underground oasis in the heart of the city.

Surrenne is The Emory’s subterranean spa

BOOK IT

Rates at The Emory start from £1,620 per night, including: a two-way airport transfer from London’s private airfields, London’s international airports, and all London terminals; daily breakfast served in-suite or at abc kitchens; access to Surrenne for the duration of your stay; personalised services provided by your Emory Assistant; an unpacking and pressing service on arrival; and use of The Emory house car. the-emory.co.uk