{"id":297942,"date":"2026-09-14T17:00:30","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T17:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/14\/a-new-chapter-in-whitehall\/"},"modified":"2026-09-14T17:00:30","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T17:00:30","slug":"a-new-chapter-in-whitehall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/14\/a-new-chapter-in-whitehall\/","title":{"rendered":"A New Chapter in Whitehall"},"content":{"rendered":"


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For more than a century, the walls of The OWO have held London\u2019s secrets. Built in 1906 as the headquarters of Britain\u2019s War Office, this imposing Edwardian landmark stretches across an entire block of Whitehall, directly opposite Horse Guards Parade, where the King\u2019s Household Cavalry still mounts guard. Once the nerve center of Britain\u2019s military and political life, its corridors were walked by Sir Winston Churchill, military leaders and spies whose stories would become the stuff of legend.<\/p>\n

Today, those same corridors lead somewhere rather different: to Raffles London at The OWO<\/a>, which opened in 2023 as the brand\u2019s first UK property. Grand offices have become suites, historic passageways lead to award-winning restaurants and a building once devoted to affairs of state has been transformed into one of London\u2019s most intriguing addresses. The history hasn\u2019t been erased; it has simply been given a new chapter\u2014and guests are invited to discover it.<\/p>\n

A Living Legacy<\/h2>\n\"Hotel<\/picture>\n

That sense of discovery continues from the moment you step inside. Created in collaboration with the late, great New York-based designer Thierry Despont, whose portfolio includes the refurbishment of the Statue of Liberty, the interiors interlace The OWO\u2019s past into every detail, from bespoke carpets inspired by the building\u2019s original floor grills to window treatments that echo the uniforms of the Horse Guards. Custom furniture and lighting bring the story into the present, while bathrooms offer a signature Azzi Glasser scent of Sicilian bergamot, neroli, vetiver and rich woods.<\/p>\n

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For those who want to go deeper, Raffles London at The OWO\u2019s five Heritage Suites<\/a> lead to some of the most storied rooms, once the offices of the political and military figures who shaped Britain\u2019s history. The Granville Suite, named for Christine Granville, the adopted name of the country\u2019s first\u2014and longest-serving\u2014 female agent and Churchill\u2019s favorite spy, pairs rich wood paneling and ornate plasterwork with antique fireplaces and a giant gold-plated bathtub. The Churchill Suite was once the setting for key Second World War decisions, while the two-level Turret Suite crowns the building with sweeping views towards St James\u2019s Park.<\/p>\n

There are eight Corner Suites, too, tucked beneath the building\u2019s majestic turrets and named for notable women and female spies connected to its history, including Clementine Churchill. Each features Art Deco touches and custom furniture inspired by the RMS Queen Mary. They\u2019re an especially intimate way to connect with the building\u2019s past, and our Vice President of Marketing\u2019s stay in the Nearne Suite<\/a>\u2014named after World War II secret-agent sisters Jacqueline and Eileen Nearne\u2014revealed that it\u2019s perhaps the only hotel suite in London where you can watch the changing of the Horse Guards from your window.<\/p>\n

A Feast for the Senses<\/h2>\n
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From the suites, follow the corridors and the plot thickens. The OWO is home to nine restaurants and three bars, each offering another way to explore the world within these historic walls. At Michelin-starred Mauro Colagreco<\/a>, the Argentine chef lets the moon, the weather and the wisdom of the earth guide his ever-changing dishes, with the seasons of the English garden shaping the menu. For a more intimate experience, reserve Mauro\u2019s Table<\/a>, where his team serves an immersive tasting menu from an open kitchen, with space for up to 20 guests. Even the wine list carries the building\u2019s storied heritage forward, following the routes of Britain\u2019s historic trade networks under the guidance of Head Sommelier Joanna Nerantzi. Elsewhere, Saison by Mauro Colagreco<\/a> brings a more relaxed French Brasserie style. For something quintessentially British, settle into The Drawing Room<\/a> for the Secrets & Spies Afternoon Tea<\/a>, a playful nod to The OWO\u2019s past. Sculpted cakes and pastries honor the secret history and the characters who once passed through its doors, with fascinating stories served alongside them.<\/p>\n

The OWO\u2019s dining scene extends beyond Raffles London, with Kioku by Endo<\/a> serving Japanese-inspired cuisine; Langosteria<\/a> channeling the energy of Milan\u2019s fashion world; and Paper Moon pairing classic Milanese fare with a lively aperitivo bar.<\/p>\n

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As day gives way to night, begin at The Guards Bar & Lounge<\/a>, the hotel\u2019s main gathering place, with its own entrance facing Horse Guards, the official entrance to St James\u2019s Park and Buckingham Palace. Raise a bumper before delving deeper into The OWO\u2019s secrets. Reserved for hotel guests, The Spy Bar<\/a> is tucked within the building and pays tribute to the brave men and women who served King and country. This shadowy corner has its own spy credentials, having once housed MI5 and MI6 documents and served as a briefing ground for recruits to the Special Operations Executive, the secret British organization created during the Second World War to conduct espionage, sabotage and reconnaissance behind enemy lines. Today, the intrigue lives on over cocktails, including the celebrated Vesper Martini<\/a>, famously dreamed up by Ian Fleming for Casino Royale<\/em>. As an officer in Naval Intelligence, Fleming himself occasionally worked in the former War Office, and his time in these very corridors helped shape the world of James Bond. Photography, naturally, is strictly forbidden in the bar.<\/p>\n

The Art of Escape<\/h2>\n
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There\u2019s another story told through the hotel\u2019s art collection, where 2,000 works bring a contemporary perspective to these historic walls. Female artists are particularly well represented, adding new voices to a building once dominated by politicians, military figures and spies. In the concierge lobby, Saad Qureshi\u2019s Convocation<\/em> makes an immediate impression, soaring approximately six meters above the space. Its sweeping sculptural form celebrates the many cultures that have come together to shape Britain today.<\/p>\n

When the time comes to trade discovery for downtime, retreat below the grand corridors to the only Guerlain Spa<\/a> in the UK. Spanning 27,000 square feet across four floors, this hidden-in-plain-sight sanctuary trades espionage for exhalation, with a 20-meter pool beneath a towering double-height ceiling, a vitality pool, sauna and steam rooms.<\/p>\n

An Invitation to Explore<\/h2>\n
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For those curious to see more, the property offers guided experiences that peel back another layer of its history. The Spies Tour of London<\/a> leads guests through hidden passageways and little-known corners, bringing to life tales of double agents and covert missions, while a private Heritage Tour<\/a> takes a deeper look at the building before culminating in Secrets & Spies Afternoon Tea.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s plenty for younger guests<\/a> to uncover, too, from treasure hunts to movie nights and the playful Mini Butler Experience. And when it\u2019s finally time to step outside, Whitehall makes an excellent launchpad for London adventures. Horse Guards Parade, St James\u2019s Park, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey are all within an easy walk, while the West End, Covent Garden and Soho are close by for theater, dining and nightlife.<\/p>\n\"Hotel<\/picture>\n

Perhaps that\u2019s the magic of Raffles London at The OWO: the deeper you delve, the more the building seems to reveal. The footsteps of Churchill, the secret work of MI5 and MI6, Ian Fleming\u2019s visits and the James Bond legacy all linger in its corridors. Yet today, those storied walls have taken on a new role, bringing history, hospitality and contemporary London together under one roof. The story, it seems, is far from over.<\/p>\n

P.S.<\/strong> Coming September 18\u201319, New York\u2019s fashion-forward Raf\u2019s takes over Saison by Mauro Colagreco<\/a> for a two-day London Fashion Week residency, pairing a four-hands menu with Chef Mauro Colagreco, signature cocktails at The Guards Bar & Lounge and a specially curated wine list.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n


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