Review: Discreet London address The Emory
Location: The congested road of Knightsbridge is all that comes between The Emory and leafy Hyde Park. Situated in the ritzy neighbourhood of Belgravia, the property does a good job of quietening its central London location – thick panes of glass mean suites still feel sanctuary-esque, and the hotel is reportedly set on anti-vibration bearings to reduce the rumbling of the Piccadilly Line below.
First impressions: Though there’s nothing shy and retiring about the building itself – a gleaming glass structure from which a series of steel outriggers protrude like sails – a distinct lack of signage or pavement frontage mean only those in the know will be aware of The Emory. To enter, guests are ushered down a side street so unassuming you may think you’ve made a wrong turn – that is until a doorman steps out from the shadows and the hotel’s courtyard, complete with Damien Hirst sculptures, unfurls.
The facts: The sixth property from Maybourne Hotel Group and the brand’s first London opening in 50 years, The Emory joins an impressive family of esteemed city outposts, including Claridge’s, The Connaught and The Berkeley (which resides next door). A reported 20 years in the making, The Emory bills itself as London’s first all suite hotel and, having opened in July 2024, is already living up to expectations, earning a spot on last year’s edition of The World’s 50 Best Hotels. The property serves as a celebration of great designers: its striking steel structure marks one of the final projects of the late architect Richard Rogers; French superyacht mastermind Rémi Tessier dreamt up the hotel’s public spaces; while four international designers were each given two floorsof suites to make their own. Though different in aesthetics, all 61 suites feature floorto-ceiling windows (book clients into the Knightsbridge side of the building for those all-encompassing Hyde Park views), thick coffee table tomes and an eclectic collection of contemporary art. This is a property that majors on quiet luxury – suites are understated in style but there’s quality and detail everywhere you look: Toto toilets, Dyson hair tools, custom beauty products and a complimentary minibar stocked with gourmet goodies. On the ground floor, guests will find The Emory Bar and Abc Kitchens, dressed in warm wood tones, polished copper and colossal slabs of Rosso Orobico marble. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Abc Kitchens is the culmination of chef Jean Georges Vongerichten’s much-celebrated trilogy of restaurants in New York, and the menu features the venues’ standout dishes, such as Dorset crab toast, crispy dover sole tacos and black truffle pizza. Guests can also eat at the all-day cafe in the spa. The Emory’s 10th-floor rooftop houses a spectacular bar and cigar lounge – which together offer cinematic views of the skyline and feature retractable roofs for the summer months.
Ideal for: High-profile or underthe-radar guests will love the exclusive nature of The Emory, where staff – many of whom have come from The Berkeley – are experts in personalisation and discretion. Clients travelling in larger groups can book the penthouse, which sprawls across the entire ninth floor, or privatise whole levels of the hotel.
Explore: Discover the vast expanse of Hyde Park or take a stroll to Harrods, Harvey Nichols and numerous other high-end boutiques close by.
Wow: Spread over four subterranean floors, spa, fitness space and private members’ club Surrenne is a triumph. On one floor, a 22-metre pool, sauna, steam room and snow shower await; on another, a state-of-the-art gym houses a multi-functional studio for in-person and virtual classes. There’s an entire floor dedicated to fitness guru Tracy Anderson – marking her first studio in the UK – and a vast menu of pioneering treatments (think ‘four hand’ massages and biohacking therapies) from a troop of leading wellness experts.
Book it: Rates start from £1,140 per night.
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