Winston Churchill and Lawrence of Arabia are just some of the famous figures who visited the site.
It’s not often that you can be neighbours with the British Prime Minister, but at Raffles London at The OWO, you’re following in the footsteps of political icons. Located in Whitehall, at the heart of government, the five-star hotel is near historic attractions, including 10 Downing Street, Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards Parade, and the Houses of Parliament. It is an attraction in its own right – the OWO stands for Old War Office and has welcomed Prime Minister Winston Churchill, as well as inspiring Ian Fleming’s James Bond.
Over the course of eight years, the building has been transformed back to its former glory. The Palace of Whitehall was on the site and was home to Henry VIII. In 1906, the building was completed and used by the Ministry of Defence. The Grade II listed building was later sold for £350 million and recently reopened as the first Raffles hotel in Britain: Raffles London at The OWO.
India’s Hinduja Group is behind the development and has taken care to honour the rich heritage while offering contemporary cultural influences. The onsite offices were once used by David Lloyd George, John Profumo, and T.E. Lawrence, also known as Lawrence of Arabia. There are suites named after female spies, such as Christine Granville, and international artwork from Bangladesh’s Rana Begum to British Nigerian Yinka Shonibare.
Raffles London at The OWO knows how to make an entrance, from the flags flying on Whitehall to the courtyard on Horse Guards Avenue. When we made our way in from a downpour, the venue enveloped us with old-world charm. A warm fireplace and a warmer welcome made us feel like we were not only checking into a hotel, but also entering another era. The luxurious lobby’s hand-laid mosaic floor, two-story chandelier and grand marble staircase have launched a thousand selfies.
Rooms & Suites
Raffles London at The OWO boasts 120 rooms and suites. Thierry Despont is behind the design that oozes sophisticated splendour and a story behind every corner – take the corridor’s red curtains, which are a nod to the Horse Guard’s uniforms.
If Raffles London at The OWO’s walls could talk, we would love to listen, and the daily concierge tours share the secrets of the building. We checked into a vast Corner Suite inside one of the building’s four turrets. The décor includes custom-made furniture and statement artwork. The features include high ceilings, dark wood panels, leather suitcase holders, and floor-to-ceiling windows, which offer an ‘I’m in London’ moment. When we lay in the king-size bed, we had our heads in the clouds – we could see the sky, red buses, Union Jacks and hear Big Ben chime.
The hotel successfully combines the old and new. The décor may be traditional, but the features are modern – a yoga mat, a TV in the bathroom mirror, and a tablet that operates everything from the curtains to butler requests.
Restaurants & Bars
Raffles London at The OWO is home to several restaurants and bars. The concepts include Café Lapérouse, Paper Moon and Pillar Kitchen. Saison by Mauro Colagreco is the all-day dining restaurant at Raffles London, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a beautifully bright glass atrium. The breakfast buffet is on the minimalist side, but the à la carte menu is bursting with beautiful dishes, such as Cornish Monkfish, Sea Bream Carpaccio, and Tropézienne.
Chef Mauro Colagreco oversees three restaurants. The Argentinian chef is behind the three MICHELIN-starred Mirazur in France, and brings his finesse to the fine dining restaurant, Mauro Colagreco at Raffles London at The OWO, which was recently awarded one MICHELIN Star and offers a tasting menu filled with surprises, from wonderful wine pairings to locally sourced vegetables from Elephant and Castle, no less. Up on the roof, Kioku by Endo offers Japanese fine dining from acclaimed chef Kazutoshi Endo.
The Drawing Room is a cross between a gentleman’s club and a library. The atmosphere transforms for morning meetings to a spy-themed afternoon tea complete with piano playing. The Guards Bar and Lounge is a sleek spot for the Signature Slings, from the classic Singapore Sling to the new London Sling made with Raffles’ own gin. The Spy Bar is for guests’ eyes only and is an ode to the espionage stories. Not only do you enter through a secret door, but you’ll be shaken and stirred by the No Time to Die car on the bar.
Facilities
Raffles London at The OWO’s The Guerlain Spa and Pillar Wellbeing encompasses a health club, gym, swimming pool and vitality pool. Spanning 27,000 square metres, it’s a serene spot with soft tones and textures. We enjoyed a one-hour massage in one of the spacious Spa Suites, which featured its own bathroom and provided plush privacy.
Combining the elegance of French beauty with holistic expertise, the spa features a striking 20-metre pool, vitality pool, sauna, steam rooms, and experience showers. There are nine treatment rooms and a dedicated space for express facials and personalised fragrance consultations. Thoughtfully designed and expertly executed, it offers one of London’s most luxurious spa escapes in the heart of Whitehall.
The Verdict
Established in 1887 in Singapore, Raffles began as a colonial-style hotel that quickly became a symbol of impeccable service. It introduced hallmarks such as private butlers and the now-famous Singapore Sling. Over the years, the brand has expanded globally, opening properties such as Raffles Bali, Raffles The Palm Dubai and the soon-to-open Raffles Jeddah while preserving its heritage of refined charm,
Service at Raffles London at The OWO is excellent. The staff have an infectious passion for the project, and drop story after story about the site. With great stories comes great responsibility, and the team have succeeded at not just retelling the past but writing a new future. The legacy of the building will no longer just be The OWO, but Raffles London at The OWO.
GO: Visit www.raffles.com for more information.