When it opened in 1960, the vast, mid-century American Embassy dwarfed all of the others surrounding it in London’s Grosvenor Square. Later, it was nearly dwarfed by the security measures protecting it from protesting crowds and geopolitical threats, causing the Embassy’s move to a new site south of the Thames. After an eight year, reportedly £1 billion transformation, though, this monolith emerged in September as The Chancery Rosewood, the capital’s hottest hotel opening of the year.
The Decor Of The Chancery Rosewood
The entrance is appropriately grand: under a new golden canopy, up a marble staircase under a massive chandelier resembling an icicle cluster. (The official explanation is that the design was inspired by leaves swirling in the wind across the street in the square.) The color scheme in the lobby could also have been influenced by nature in the square: browns, greens and burgundy on contemporary couches framed by gold columns standing in for trees and colorful paintings including a large impressionistic one over the main fireplace by Sir Christopher Le Brun. It’s a spacious, elegant space which has drawn a lot of curious observers but some reactions have been mixed: some find the lobby a little too posh or generically international; others praise the details, the generous space and overall sense of calm.
The Suites
That spaciousness and calm extend upstairs into the 144 suites, ranging from 570-700 square foot Junior Suites to the six residential Houses ranging from 1970-4337 square feet that sit atop the hotel in the extra floors added to the building. (Allowed by the notoriously protective planning commission because architect Sir.David Chipperfield who steered this renovation found that the building’s architect Eero Saarinen had included them in his original plans but scrapped them because the already vast Embassy didn’t need the extra space.) These new floors contain larger than original windows: all floor to ceiling providing panoramic views over London.
The design in all, as directed by Parisian architect Joseph Dirand, is in the same earth toned, comfort-based style as the lobby but the suites have individual touches. The immense bathrooms are outfitted with elite marble with the entry level junior suites earning the rarest, a very limited supply green marble from India. Photographs, art from the 700 unique pieces throughout the hotel curated by London-based art consultancy Cramer & Bell and a shelf full of books vary room to room. In the 1787 square foot Ambassador Suite, those touches include the books The London Story by John F. Kennedy, The Art of Diplomacy and The Divorce of Nations and a photograph of Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy on the 1960 campaign trail.
The Restaurants
The draw for non-guests is the roster of restaurants. Carbone, the phenomenon of luxe red sauce Italian mixed with haute social scene that started in New York and expanded around the world is now a hot table here. TOBI MASA, the London debut of Chef Masayoshi ‘Masa’ Takayama, creator of New York’s Masa, Bar Masa and Kappo Masa, presents sparkling sushi and pages of delectable grilled and creative selections (with or without caviar). SERRA veers Southern Mediterranean but changes its offerings every few days: along with standards such as Smoked Cantabrian Sardines and Taramosalata, a recent menu expansion added new dishes such as a delicious cavatelli with steamed clams. The restaurant also pulls in diners from around the neighborhood for breakfast dishes such as an unusual kale, spinach, green chili and baked eggs Shakshuka and French omelets with mushrooms and Montgomery Cheddar along with flaky cinnamon buns and thick, creamy Greek style yogurt with lemon curd, cherry compote or strawberry rhubarb made by small batch artisans The Estate Dairy.
On the more casual side, JACQUELINE is the in-house spot for coffee, cocktails or afternoon tea with pastries by pâtissier Marius Dufay. Next to the hotel, entered separately, GSQ is a café intended as a well-priced hangout for neighbors with luscious pastries like the signature brown sugar brioche (top choice: the orange cardamom) and sandwiches.
In contrast, non-residents will want to go to the rooftop EAGLE BAR (so named for the eagle sculpture created by Theodore Roszak from B52 aluminum scraps and painted gold that’s a holdover from the Embassy) but hotel guests get first dibs and all have to be checked in just below the lobby in order to ascend. The rewards for those who succeed are an array of craft cocktails and a view over the landmarks of London from the outdoor terrace. There are heaters above the tables for cooler weather.
The Asaya Spa
Easier for non-guests to access is the Asaya Spa two floors below the lobby featuring EviDenS de Beauté treatments blending French cosmetic technology with traditional Japanese massage techniques, The Taktouk Clinic from Dr. Wassim Taktouk featuring advanced dermatology techniques, a 25 metre pool and a fitness center with the Artis Luxury line by Technogym.
Given the temptation to overeat here, that gym will come in handy.