Step into opulence at Raffles London at The OWO
Raffles London at The OWO may be the new shiny kid on the hotel block but it is steeped in history. This grand, towering and majestic Neo-baroque style building used to be Britain’s war offices. It was an important and pivotal venue throughout two World Wars and the Cold War. You will be walking the same corridors as Winston Churchill and John Profumo before you. However the decor has really had a gilded glow up.
This iconic building has been lovingly restored to perfection over the past five years. The refurbishment ensures that the OWO will continue its legacy and remain an iconic part of town. The first ever Raffle’s hotel in London has 120 rooms and suites. No less than 9 restaurants and a Guerlain Paris spa. Allow us to walk you through a nights stay with a beautiful companion at this exceptional hotel.
Check in to London’s newest yet historical luxury hotel
Step into the lobby of Raffles at the OWO and prepared to be wowed. A grandiouse entrance hall showcases an imposing giant white marble staircase. Accentuated by vibrant yet muted striped carpet. Warm reds, browns and creams evoke a sense of regal opulence and timeless sophistication. Of course a majestic chandelier hangs above your head, after all what five star hotel is complete without crystal chandeliers?
If you can focus for a moment amongst all this decadent design you will find some sturdy old fashioned writers desks. They are exactly the same as the desks at Raffles Singapore. Neo baroque on the outside but once inside you will find colonial and Victorian styles. With a heavy dose of crystal, marble and gold leaf. If Raffles seems familiar then you may well recognise the grandiose architecture. Apearing on screen in James Bond films and more recently The Crown. I digress, there is just so much going on here. Once you manage to hand over your credit card and check in, you and your beautiful companion are in for a real treat.
Room rates vary from £1000 per night for a superior room to £6000 per night for a corner suite. Tellingly the most fabulous presidential style suites (The Turret, Raffles, Churchill, Granville and Haldane) appear not to be available for the next three months.
Treat your beautiful companion to the suite life
Raffles offers several different suites with varying styles. The Ministerial Suite is fit for a state visitor so says the website. I think the website is being a little coy. This marvellous two bedroom suite spans 83 square metres or nearly 900 square foot in old money. This is the same dimensions as generously sized new build apartment. Incredibly tastefully decorated with muted tones of oyster, sage and finished with gold accents. Fresh, contemporary and sophisticated. The furniture throughout is walnut, another colonial style nod. Two bedrooms; one with a king sized bed and a second with a twin bed. A fabulous marble grey bathroom with a bath and shower, a seperate WC and a light living space.
The Lifestyle Suite is very old world luxury. A walnut panelled spectacle of a suite. It is far more gilded than the Ministerial Suite but again it is all a matter of taste. If you and your date love flocked wallpaper, sumptuous velvet sofa’s and kilim carpets then you will very happy here. All suites at Raffles at the OWO are fantastic. There is no doubt about that but it is about preference. The Lifestyle suite boasts an in-room gym, a fitness mirror and a health consciously filled mini bar. If you and your date are a health God and Goddess then you may just not want to ever leave. You and your companion will also have a butler on call 24/7 should you need a ginger shot at 5am.
Dining at Raffles at the OWO
I do not believe there is another hotel in the city with a plethora of different dining options. Three also overlap as bars and eateries. Of course room service is available to hotel guests also. Raffles London has: Mauro Colagreco, Mauro’s Table, Saison, The Drawing Room, The Guards Bar and Lounge, The Spy Bar, Pillar Kitchen, Café Lapérouse, Paper Moon and Langosteria.
The jewel in Raffles London’s dining crown is of course Mauro Colagreco and his 3 shiny Michelin stars. Fresh from his run away success in the French Rivera this Argentinian born chef is the headline act at Raffles London with three restaurants under his watch. Mauro is famed for his sustainable gastronomic creations. Mauro is the first ever chef to be named as a UNESCO biodiversity ambassador. He is looking forward to forming strong relationships with local producers.
Mauro Colagreco is not the only Michelin starred chef in the house. Raffles also has Endo Kazutoshi heading up the Creative Restaurant group with his Japanese inspired cuisine.
Also, great if you decide not to stay here. If you are planning a very special dinner date then Raffles is a great location to impress. From French to Italian to Japanese cuisines to bar snacks the culinary possibilities are infinite.
Raffles London at The OWO
57 Whitehall
SW1A 2BX
+44 20 3907 7500