Summary
Claridge’s, The Connaught, The Berkeley, and The Emory — among London’s most iconic luxury hotels — have been split between two owners, Regis Maybourne and Constellation Hotels, following the end of a joint venture on July 9, 2026. Yet the operator Maybourne remains in place across all properties, ensuring that the guest experience, service standards, and booking channels stay completely unchanged.
The split is a corporate re-map, not a guest-facing change. For travelers, the key takeaway is stability at these ultra-luxury addresses, while new Paris and Marrakech projects under the same management remain on track.
The ownership structure behind some of Europe’s most celebrated luxury hotels has been quietly reshaped. On July 9, 2026, Regis Maybourne and Constellation Hotels ended their long-standing joint venture, dividing a portfolio that includes Claridge’s, The Connaught, The Emory, and The Berkeley. The result is a clean split — but one that keeps the operator, Maybourne, firmly in control of day-to-day management across every property.
The division assigns Claridge’s, The Maybourne Riviera in the South of France, and The Maybourne Beverly Hills in California to Regis Maybourne (UK) Ltd. Constellation Hotels, through its subsidiary Selene SARL, now holds The Connaught, The Emory, and The Berkeley in London, plus the upcoming Saint Germain hotel in Paris and a development in Marrakech.
For the premium traveler, the immediate impact is zero. All hotels continue to sell through normal channels under Maybourne’s management, with the same service standards, reservation handling, and loyalty-linked access. The CEO, Marc Socker, remains in post, and the company has explicitly stated that nothing changes in how the hotels are run or experienced.
How the ownership split works
The agreement, finalized on July 9, 2026, replaces the previous dual-ownership model with a new framework where asset ownership is separated from operations. Regis Maybourne now owns the operator Maybourne along with three trophy assets, while Constellation retains the remaining London icons and the development pipeline. Maybourne continues to manage all hotels under an agreed contractual period, ensuring operational continuity.
The executive reshuffle sees Gianluca Muzzi, formerly co-CEO of Maybourne, return to lead Constellation Hotels, while Socker stays at the helm of the operator. The formal agreement confirms that the hotels remain in the same ultra-luxury lane, with no immediate changes to branding, staffing, or guest programmes.
| Property | Owner | Status/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Claridge’s | Regis Maybourne | Managed by Maybourne, unchanged |
| The Maybourne Riviera | Regis Maybourne | Managed by Maybourne, unchanged |
| The Maybourne Beverly Hills | Regis Maybourne | Managed by Maybourne, unchanged |
| The Connaught | Constellation Hotels | Managed by Maybourne, unchanged |
| The Emory | Constellation Hotels | Managed by Maybourne, unchanged |
| The Berkeley | Constellation Hotels | Managed by Maybourne, unchanged |
| Saint Germain hotel, Paris | Constellation Hotels | Under development; managed by Maybourne |
| Marrakech development | Constellation Hotels | Under development; managed by Maybourne |
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Why the operator matters more than the owner
In ultra-luxury hospitality, the brand and management layer often carry more weight than the asset owner. The Maybourne story is a textbook case: the operator remains unchanged, so the soft product — service, food and beverage, housekeeping, and the overall guest experience — stays consistent. This is why the split feels like a behind-the-scenes corporate re-map rather than a visible relaunch. Air Traveler Club’s analysis of luxury real estate as an emerging cultural asset class shows how operational consistency becomes a premium asset in transitions like this, with branded residences and ultra-luxury hotels increasingly valued for the management expertise they bundle.
What the split means for your next stay
The ownership split is a behind-the-scenes event that does not alter current booking channels, rates, or service levels. For luxury travelers, the key watchpoint is whether the management agreement has a fixed term; if it expires within three years, the hotels under Constellation ownership could eventually see a brand shift. Monitor the Paris Saint Germain and Marrakech projects for opening timelines, as they will expand Maybourne’s ultra-luxury footprint in two key gateway cities.
FAQ
Does the ownership split affect my stay at Claridge’s or The Connaught?
No. All hotels remain under Maybourne management with the same service standards, staff, and guest experience. The split only changes who owns the physical assets.
Will the Paris and Marrakech hotels open under the Maybourne brand?
The Paris Saint Germain hotel and Marrakech development are owned by Constellation, but Maybourne will manage them under the existing agreement. This strongly suggests they will carry the Maybourne brand identity and service standards.
Is the management agreement permanent?
The agreement is for an agreed period, but the exact duration has not been disclosed. If it is time-limited, a future change in management could potentially affect the guest experience, though no such change is currently signaled.
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