First Impressions: The Chancery Rosewood London
One of the latest luxury hotels to open in London sits on one of the city’s most recognisable plots of land. The Chancery Rosewood occupies the former US Embassy on Grosvenor Square, an iconic block of American soil in the heart of Mayfair that remained sealed and symbolic for decades.
In mid December we popped in for lunch and a first look at the hotel. I’ve read good things about the hotel and this was our first chance to have a poke around and see if it’s to revisit in the new year.
A first impression of the Chancery
The scale of the building is obvious as soon as you arrive, but it does not feel showy, despite the fat motors parked out front. The ground floor is wide and light, with small seating areas in the middle and cafes, lifts and restaurants around the outside. In a season of OTT festive sparkle the Chancery remained clean and calm.
‘Fat Motors’
We had hoped to take a drink at the Eagle, named after the huge American symbol that remains atop ths building which is now a great bar. We learned it was an evening place so we’ll have to come back for that one.
The Iconic Eisenhower in front of the former US Embassy
Lunch at Jacqueline
Lunch was at Jacqueline, the hotel’s all day dining space (I’m guessing it was named after Jackie Kennedy). While the pavement café outside attracts queues from morning through to evening, Jacqueline feels noticeably calmer. It is quieter, more settled, and immediately more appealing if you are looking to escape the rush rather than join it.
Relaxed Seating at the Jaquelin
We shared the devilled eggs with crab, followed by French fries with truffle and parmesan. Both dishes were generous, well judged, and indulgent without tipping into excess. It is the kind of food that suits a long lunch, especially on a cold London afternoon.
Service was a real strength. Relaxed, attentive, and well paced. Staff were present when needed but never intrusive, which made it easy to settle in and enjoy the room. It felt polished without being formal, and warm without trying too hard. For a brand new hotel, open less than four months, it felt like they’d been here for years.
The bill reflected the setting and the quality, but nothing felt careless or inflated. More importantly, it felt like a place we would happily return to, which is always the clearest indicator.
Music, mood, and atmosphere
As you might expect, I always have an ear for the music and this was a great selection. The playlist moved comfortably between old and new, with Ella Fitzgerald sitting alongside Lana Del Rey, Cigarettes After Sex, and Bastien Keb. The same soundtrack filtered out of the restaurant into the lobby and up into the restrooms which meant I could enjoy the full Tunnel Under Ocean Boulevard whilst I washed up.
The comfortable and uncluttered hotel lobby
Staying at the Chancery Rosewood
We will be back next year, whether for drinks at the Eagle Bar or a night or two upstairs. The service and decor downstairs impressed us a lot, and the idea of staying in an all suite hotel certainly appeals. Whilst it may not have the legacy of London’s ‘Grand Dame' Hotels’ it certainly leaves an impression.
For now, this first encounter suggests that the Chancery is off to a thoughtful, well judged start.
Looking up from the hotel lobby
About Rosewood Hotels
The Rosewood Hotels & Resorts brand is one I am not too familiar with. Founded in the US and now part of Hong Kong based Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, the group has built its reputation around high end, location led properties rather than scale. Rosewood hotels tend to be design focused, discreet, and deeply tied to their setting, with a philosophy they call A Sense of Place. In practice, that usually means hotels that feel considered and residential rather than grand for the sake of it, often appealing to travellers who value atmosphere and service over overt brand presence
