‘A gilded temple to the new world order’: inside the former US embassy that is now a super-luxe hotel

Even the cheap rooms cost £1,400 a night at London’s bling-heavy hangout for high net worth individuals. From mega-basement spa to gaudy rooftop bar, our writer takes a tourRumours have long swirled about what lies beneath the great 1960s fortress of the former US embassy on Grosvenor Square. There have been lurid fables of cold war bunkers, secret service shooting ranges, CIA interrogation chambers and even escape tunnels to Hyde Park. But none of these fictional fantasies quite compare to the underground lair that has now been excavated below the imposing block, in its new incarnation as one of the fanciest hotels in London.Owned by the royal family of Qatar, and operated by an offshore company registered in the British Virgin Islands, belonging to one of Hong Kong’s wealthiest dynasties, this former outpost of US imperialism has become a gilded temple to the new global order. Reborn as the Chancery Rosewood, it is a beacon of luxury designed to attract the cream of the world’s ultra-high net worth individuals, so it is only fitting that it should boast the mega-basement to end all mega-basements. Continue reading...

Comments

Culture

Fans spot blasphemous Easter egg in highly-anticipated 28 Years Later sequel

Metro

Comments

Culture

Fans spot blasphemous Easter egg in highly-anticipated 28 Years Later sequel

Great British Bake Off fans criticise ‘harsh’ twist as first baker eliminated

Netflix is about to remove a large number of films and TV shows

South Park teases new attack on Trump in next episode

Channel 4 announces ‘ambitious social experiment’ with new survival show

Jack Osbourne slams ‘pathetic’ Roger Waters for disparaging Ozzy remarks

Sting faces £1.5m lawsuit from former The Police bandmates over royalties

New on Netflix in September, including cult series return after three years

The 31 most mind-blowing movie twists of all time, explained

20 directors who ended up hating their own movies, from Joss Whedon to David Fincher

Pop band Only the Poets announce Brixton Academy show with £1 tickets

I hate to admit Jenna Ortega is lost in latest Wednesday season 2 episodes

Graham Linehan arrest: Govt 'needs to look at whether police getting balance right', says Wes Streeting

Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman movie in hot water over ‘dangerous’ EpiPen scene

Stephen King made one ‘brutal’ demand for violent new film adaptation

Colman Domingo says Paris Jackson’s guidance was ‘very helpful’ on biopic about her father

Emily Blunt says Devil Wears Prada 2 has been a ‘rude awakening’

Jaws child star shares impressive amount he still earns from movie 50 years on

Bruce Springsteen says new film Deliver Me from Nowhere is ‘anti-biopic’

‘Cult classic’ 90s horror movie quietly added to Amazon Prime Video

SNL’s Bowen Yang says he and Shane Gillis have ‘mutual respect’ despite being ‘used’ against each other in the media

SNL shake-up: Five new cast members announced after star’s shock exit

Gorillaz bring out De La Soul while playing Plastic Beach in full

Cardi B cleared of assaulting security guard

Matthew Perry and the Hollywood drug network exposed by his death

Jury clears Cardi B of assault on security guard in Los Angeles

Seven claims made in new royal book from Brexit to Coronation

US filmmaker in legal battle over 'Downton Shabby'

Cardi B Is Found Not Liable for Assault in Civil Trial

‘Captivating’ A House of Dynamite had me on the edge of my seat

The Great British Bake Off is more insipid than ever

Sabrina Carpenter’s “Man’s Best Friend,” Reviewed

Radiohead flyers in multiple cities seemingly tease band’s first concerts since 2018

The Great British Bake Off review – What an emotional rollercoaster

Channing Tatum reveals he suffered major injury on Avengers: Doomsday set

Lewis Capaldi calls out celebrities who ‘lied’ about checking in on him during music break

First Bake Off star eliminated from 2025 series after ‘worst cake ever seen’

Will the Real Sabrina Carpenter Please Stand Up?

SNL shake-up: Five new cast members announced after star’s shock exit

Miley Cyrus says mother advised her to be with ‘wrong guy’ because they were hot

Charli XCX, Kneecap and Sally Rooney up for Sky Arts awards

Oscar-nominated actor Graham Greene, of 'Dances With Wolves,' dies at 73

'We have to speak, we have to shout': Jane Fonda is still an activist at 87

Stephen Colbert Returns for First ‘Late Show’ of Its Last Season

Heidi Gardner and More ‘SNL’ Cast Members Exit Show Ahead of Season 51

The Fall’s Most Anticipated Albums: 10 Picks

At Venice, ‘A House of Dynamite’ Is Scarier Than Most Horror Films

Kelley Wolf banned from contacting her children and ordered to stay 300 feet away from ex Scott Wolf in new ruling

Call of Duty movie in the works with potential to expand universe across TV and film

A House of Dynamite, Venice review – The most entertaining movie about mass destruction since Dr Strangelove

Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman movie in hot water over ‘dangerous’ EpiPen scene

Succession star Nicholas Braun arrested for DUI

SNL’s Bowen Yang says he and Shane Gillis have ‘mutual respect’ despite being ‘used’ against each other in the media

Sci-fi horror classic Babou Cesay on Alien: Earth's genius standalone episode

French actor Gerard Depardieu to face trial over alleged rape and sexual assault of fellow actor

Sting sued by ex-Police bandmates over royalties

Vogue promotes Chloe Malle to top editor spot

New books this week track John Williams' life, future pandemics and NASA fiction

Idris Elba reveals why he won’t be going into politics

The truth behind those absolutely crazy 20-minute film festival ovations