A return to London after Frankfurt
Boris Messmer will become Managing Director of The Chancery Rosewood on 1 February 2027. Qatari Diar and the hotel made the announcement jointly. For the hotelier, it marks a return to the British capital, where he has spent most of his career.
Since 2024, he has led The Florentin, an Althoff COLLECTION property in Frankfurt. He was recruited to oversee the conversion of the former Villa Kennedy into an urban hotel, a mission La Tribune de l’Hôtellerie covered in detail at the time of his appointment to head the future The Florentin.
From Hamburg to London’s grand hotels
Born in Hamburg, Boris Messmer began his career in his home city at the Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten before moving to London. There he worked at The Savoy, as part of the team responsible for its reopening, and then at The Dorchester.
In 2015, he joined Maybourne as Front of House Manager at Claridge’s, where he went on to become Director of Rooms. He subsequently served as Hotel Manager of The Berkeley, then of The Connaught. He therefore knows all three of the group’s historic London properties from the inside.
Opening The Maybourne Riviera in France
In 2021, Maybourne appointed him Managing Director of The Maybourne Riviera in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. There he led the opening of the group’s first hotel in France, on the Côte d’Azur, before moving to Germany three years later.
A roadmap focused on guests and the neighbourhood
At Grosvenor Square, he will be responsible for all operations. His priorities: enhancing the guest experience and strengthening ties with guests, partners and the Mayfair neighbourhood.
The Chancery Rosewood occupies the former United States Embassy and opened in September 2025. The hotel brings together architecture, interior design, gastronomy and wellbeing, and aims to appeal to Londoners and international guests alike.
Michael Bonsor moves to a new role within Rosewood
Boris Messmer succeeds Michael Bonsor, who led the hotel throughout its opening phase. Michael Bonsor will take up a new position within Rosewood, details of which will be announced shortly.
Analysis – With the opening behind it, the owner has chosen a leader trained in London’s grand hotels and experienced in both openings and repositionings, from Roquebrune-Cap-Martin to Frankfurt. This background matches the needs of a hotel that must now establish its position in one of Europe’s most competitive luxury markets.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Boris Messmer appointed Managing Director of The Chancery Rosewood, London
Takes office on 1 February 2027, succeeding Michael Bonsor
Joins from The Florentin (Althoff COLLECTION), Frankfurt, which he has led since 2024
Opened The Maybourne Riviera, Maybourne’s first hotel in France, from 2021
Former Maybourne executive at Claridge’s, The Berkeley and The Connaught
Hotel set in the former U.S. Embassy on Grosvenor Square, Mayfair
