Churchill’s Old War Office is now Raffles London at The OWO, possibly the most historically significant luxury hotel in the world.
Inside London’s Most Storied New Hotel
There’s an incredible opportunit to stay in a building that shaped the course of two World Wars. It’s $1.76 billion facelift has made a splashy entrance to the new Raffles London at The OWO. Situated on Whitehall in the heart of London’s government district, the Old War Office (OWO) opened to the public for the very first time in September 2023 after an eight-year renovation, and it is nothing short of extraordinary. It’s been off my radar to this point and I aim to rectify that as soon as reasonably possible.
The building’s resume reads like a history textbook. Winston Churchill worked there as Secretary of State for War. T.E. Lawrence, (aka Lawrence of Arabia) roamed its corridors. It is where MI5 and MI6 were born, and its shadowy intelligence operations reportedly inspired Ian Fleming when he created James Bond. For over a century, the Edwardian Baroque building on Whitehall was one of the most secretive addresses in Britain. Now you can sleep there.
The property features 120 guest rooms and suites alongside 85 private residences. According to the brand, all rooms are outfitted with custom carpets, fabrics, wall coverings, and bespoke furniture. But it is the five Heritage Suites that steal the show. These are situated in the building’s most historically significant rooms, the former offices of political and military leaders who shaped the 20th century. The Haldane Suite, where Churchill once sat at his desk, can be combined into the nearly 5,400-square-foot Whitehall Wing accommodating up to 12 guests, making it one of the largest luxury hotel wings in London.
Dining, Drinking, And The Spa
The OWO is not just a place to rest your head. With nine restaurants, various dining options, and three bars (including a Spy bar), Raffles London is positioning the traditionally quiet Whitehall neighborhood as a serious dining destination. The headliner is Mauro Colagreco, the Argentine-Italian chef behind three-Michelin-starred Mirazur in the south of France, who brings a hyper-seasonal, vegetable-forward approach to the hotel’s signature restaurant.
Below ground, the Guerlain Spa spans a staggering 27,000 square feet across four subterranean floors. It is the UK’s first Guerlain-branded spa, and it includes a gorgeous pool area along with treatment rooms staffed by therapists trained in techniques handed down for over a century. Along with other trends in hospitality, it grows beyond wellness to longevity opportunities.
What It Costs
Rooms start at roughly $1,000 per night, with the Westminster Suite category beginning around $2,215 per night. That is certainly not budget travel, but for a building with this kind of pedigree, it falls in line with what top-tier London hotels charge. And frankly, few of those hotels can claim that James Bond’s creator once drew inspiration from the very hallways you are walking through.
Accor’s loyalty program allows the redemption of points to shave pounds off the price but doesn’t offer traditional redemptions like Hyatt, Hilton, and Marriott.
Conclusion
Raffles London at The OWO is one of those rare hotel openings that transcends the hospitality world and enters the realm of cultural preservation. The $1.76 billion restoration took eight years and hundreds of artisans to complete, and the result is a property that appears to honor its extraordinary past while delivering a thoroughly modern luxury experience. (Matthew and I will be happy to report back on our experiences if and when we are able to stay.) For history buffs, luxury travelers, or someone who just appreciates a really good story behind where you lay your head, this one deserves a spot on the bucket list. I would not be surprised if it becomes one of the most talked-about hotel in London for years to come.
What do you think? Would you go out of your way to try the Raffles London (OWO?)
This property has been open for three years. If it was some new opening I see the benefit of doing a post that reflects that opening. But a non stay review of a hotel that has been a few years in existence seems a bit odd.
Yeah, not to mention, the actual Churchill War Rooms (like the museum, bunkers, etc., which are excellent and worth a visit) are at King Charles St., not Whitehall, so the title/assumption here is kinda… clickbait-y.
Right up my alley. I stayed at the Mena House in Giza when it was an Oberoi hotel, and the original lodge wing was stunning. So much history. ( Roosevelt, Churchill and meetings that changed the war ) thankfully still untouched by Marriott.
Raffles OWO has a ” Spy Room Tea ” that looks fabulous, as I am a sucker for a lovely tea. Please review!
Combining London’s heritage with the captivating charm of Raffles, this 5-star hotel is definitely for those who can afford it.
Do they have an airline employee discount???
If you wish, you can contact the hotel via the following email address: ↓
London@Raffles.com
For afternoon tea enthusiasts, the hotel’s service, offered daily from 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., seems positively worth a try… That unique afternoon tea pays homage to the secret history and the characters associated with the former Old War Office – today known as The OWO and home to Raffles London. The building played a part in the evolution of the Military Intelligence Service into its modern form, MI5 and MI6. 20th-century spies were briefed there.
Seriously, I am looking forward to this!
Also should anyone be traveling to London before May 31, the Egyptian display has received excellent reviews.
I liked your story, Kyle.