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The Emory
The Emory
The Emory

32

The Emory

London

A modern-heritage marvel for modern travellers

A new-wave institution: The Emory is what happens when one of Britain's most respected hoteliers joins forces with some of the world's best contemporary architecture and design minds. While the Maybourne Group may be known for timeless classics like Claridge's and the Connaught, the arrival of The Emory in 2024 – the group's first new pad in the capital in 50 years – set the tone for new-wave London hospitality. Overlooking Hyde Park, with a discreet entrance you'd be forgiven for missing, the architectural marvel draws the global jet set for its sleek good looks, cutting-edge wellbeing club and hotspot dining and drinking dens. Little wonder it's the talk of the town.

Who's behind the design? The team have managed to pull off something really rather clever here, creating a space that feels entirely cohesive while allowing myriad designers to put their own idiosyncratic signature on different floors. A sense of grandeur and scale is to be expected (this is the city's first all-suite hotel after all), aided, not least, by the glass-clad, sail-like architecture conceived by the renowned Richard Rogers and Ivan Harbour. On theme, Remi Tessier – best known for decking out superyachts and private jets – is behind the grand public spaces. What follows across the 61 suites is a roll call of artisan excellence informing timeless spaces that feel like standalone pieds-à-terre. The global powerhouse team – André Fu, Pierre-Yves Rochon, Patricia Urquiola, Alexandra Champalimaud – have designed some of the world's finest places to stay (Upper House, Four Seasons, Claridge's, Six Senses et al), and what they don't know about hotel design isn't worth knowing. 

Elevated service: There's no denying it's the little touches that make a hotel memorable. That's where The Emory flies: a flurry of added extras are included as standard, ensuring every stay is the manifestation of luxury. An unpacking and pressing service on arrival sets the tone, alongside access to the slick sanctuary-like Surrenne (a private member's spa across four subterranean storeys with fitness and beauty treatments lead by global experts) – plus there's use of the chauffeur-driven house car for gadding about town. Oh, and for those arriving by private jet? Rest easy, the team will send a chopper to scoop you up.

On the menu: Jean-Georges Vongerichten's trio of New York restaurants align here at vibey ABC Kitchens, a sustainable produce-led concept with Latin accents: think dover sole tacos aside black truffle pizza and chimichurri-laced beef tenderloin. Works by Damien Hirst loom over the city's movers and shakers as they dine. The Emory Rooftop Bar meanwhile is a crowning glory of gilded Mad Men-esque glamour, with wraparound windows and city vistas playing a close second fiddle to superb libations from 50 Best supremo Renato 'Tato' Giovannoni of Florería Atlántico fame. An intimate cigar lounge completes it. 

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