London has no shortage of heritage hotels that promise refined hospitality, immersive history, and world-class wellness. Yet few rival the aura of The OWO, a landmark reborn from Britain’s storied Old War Office, once part of Whitehall Palace.
After a meticulous six-year transformation, the property opened in 2023 as the first Raffles hotel in the United Kingdom. It is a destination in itself: 85 private residences, nine restaurants, three bars, and the first Guerlain Spa in London. And this season, it adds a new layer to its allure—the “Tea and Tour” experience, a guided exploration of its extraordinary legacy.
The afternoon begins in the Drawing Room with a curated tea service blending savoury and sweet indulgences, followed by an immersive one-hour tour that reveals the property’s architectural grandeur, historic corridors, and Edwardian-era staircases.
So, what secrets lie within The OWO? Here’s a glimpse into its past and present.
The Old War Office of London
Conceived by architect William Young and completed in 1906, the Old War Office is a defining masterpiece of the Edwardian Age. Built over the former Palace of Whitehall, once home to monarchs such as Henry VIII, the structure combines Baroque majesty with striking domes and sculptures across its imposing façade.
The sheer scale of the building—1,100 rooms connected by two-and-a-half miles of corridors—speaks to its former significance. Its hallways once echoed with the footsteps of figures who shaped modern history: Captain Sir Mansfield George Smith-Cumming, the first head of the Secret Intelligence Service and inspiration for “M” in the James Bond novels; T.E. Lawrence, immortalised as “Lawrence of Arabia”; Winston Churchill, who commanded offices here during his tenure as Secretary of State for War; and Ian Fleming himself, whose spy thrillers drew inspiration from the agents who once worked inside these walls. Unsurprisingly, The OWO became a cinematic backdrop for James Bond films from Octopussy (1983) to Spectre (2015).
The OWO London: In The Present Day
Now designated as a Grade II* listed building, The OWO honours its storied past while offering unmatched privacy and discretion with entrances reserved solely for residents and guests.
Its dining portfolio reads like a gourmand’s dream: from Michelin three-starred Mauro Colagreco’s intimate Chef’s Table and Mediterranean-inspired Saison, to Japanese rooftop dining at Kioku by Endo with its innovative saké program. Italian excellence finds a home in Paper Moon and Langosteria, while Pillar Kitchen caters to wellness-focused palettes. The Drawing Room serves as an elegant all-day retreat, while The Guards Bar and Lounge channels timeless refinement. After dusk, descend into The Spy Bar, a moody subterranean speakeasy where the Old War Office’s intrigue lives on.
Wellness And Culture At The OWO
For those seeking restoration, the Guerlain Spa offers nine sumptuous treatment rooms, while Pillar Wellbeing presents a 20m swimming pool, advanced fitness studios, and personalised training programmes.
Art lovers will be drawn to The OWO Art Collection, an assemblage of specially commissioned works woven into the hotel’s public and private spaces. The narrative-driven collection traces human stories across mediums, with contributions by acclaimed contemporary voices including Yinka Shonibare, Juliette Paull, and Angeli Sowani.
A stay at The OWO is more than accommodation—it is an immersion into London’s layers of glamour, history, and culture, where the past is celebrated and the present elevated.
Tariff: A two-night stay for one person in September 2025 starts from approximately INR 2,09,860. The “Tea and Tour” package is priced at approximately INR 18,405.
Address: 57 Whitehall, London SW1A 2BX, United Kingdom
