Accor is set to open a new hotel at a historic London landmark later this month.
Britain’s Old War Office has been thoughtfully restored by the Hinduja Group and will soon open as The OWO, London’s newest destination to dine, drink and celebrate.
The OWO is set to become a new culinary district for London, with the debut of nine restaurants and three bars. Guests can expect signature dining experiences from renowned chefs and panoramic rooftop views across St James’ Park, The Mall, and Buckingham Palace.
The restoration has taken over eight years to complete and has seen historic interior elements restored, including hand-laid mosaic floors, oak paneling, and a marble staircase. The centerpiece of the landmark transformation is Raffles London at The OWO. The spacious hotel boasts 120 spacious guest rooms and suites, a grand ballroom, and an extensive spa in partnership with Guerlain and Pillar.
“Everyone at Accor feels honoured and privileged to be part of this historic project that has surpassed all expectations,” said Sébastien Bazin, Accor Chairman & CEO.
Raffles London pays homage to the building’s history whilst providing a sense of timeless luxury. The hotel design was the vision of famed designer, the late Thierry Despont, who transformed landmark buildings, including the Statue of Liberty.
The most historically significant areas of the building are the Heritage Suites, former offices of influential political and military leaders including Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George, and Sir Richard Haldane.
“Raffles seeks out astonishing settings for each of its properties, and Raffles London at The OWO offers this generously,” said Omer Acar, CEO of Raffles and Orient Express, Accor.
Raffles London has partnered with chef Mauro Colagreco, the acclaimed chef behind Mirazur on the Côte d'Azur, to create three unique dining experiences. At his signature restaurant, Mauro Colagreco at Raffles London at The OWO, diners will experience Mauro’s culinary innovation and passion for sustainability through his commitment to sourcing local, seasonal ingredients. There will be a particular focus on the rich diversity of native British vegetables.
Next door is Mauro’s Table, an intimate space centered around an impressive dining table and backed by a dramatic show kitchen. It will offer private dining for up to 23 guests. Mauro’s Table will showcase local, hyper-seasonal ingredients delivered through a creative menu.
Mauro’s relaxed dining restaurant, Saison, will put a contemporary spin on traditional hotel dining. True to its name, Saison will reflect Chef Mauro’s philosophy and commitment to seasonal cuisine. Serving Mediterranean cuisine throughout the day, the restaurant is located in a former historic library of the Old War Office.
Raffles London will be home to two atmospheric bars. The Guard’s Bar and Lounge, which will feature a carefully curated menu of 16 drinks, will have a focus on British ingredients intertwined with flavours from the East and will introduce a signature ‘London Sling’. Located in a former interrogation room, The Spy Bar is a cocktail bar like no other. The Spy Bar pays homage to the order of spies and will be reminiscent of cloak-and-dagger moments, secret forms of communication, and martini-hour rendezvous.
Guests at the hotel will also be able to enjoy The Drawing Room, a relaxed all-day dining lounge overlooking Horse Guards, and Pillar Kitchen, a wellbeing-focused outlet that will go beyond healthy food, tailoring meals akin to workouts by focusing directly on individuals’ specific needs.
The Guerlain Spa at Raffles London will span over 2,500 sq meters across four floors, with a 20m swimming pool, nine treatment suites, an extensive gym, and L’Atelier Guerlain. Movement, recovery, and nutrition experts, Pillar Wellbeing, will enable members to reach their full potential through personalised training and nutrition.
“At Raffles London, the history of the former Old War Office lives on, through its splendid architecture, carefully chosen interior design, and expansive Heritage Suites,” commented Philippe Leboeuf, Managing Director of Raffles London at The OWO. “We are excited to provide guests with the highly personalised and intuitive service for which Raffles is known the world over.”
