For greater than a century, the partitions of The OWO have held London’s secrets and techniques. Inbuilt 1906 because the headquarters of Britain’s Struggle Workplace, this imposing Edwardian landmark stretches throughout a complete block of Whitehall, instantly reverse Horse Guards Parade, the place the King’s Family Cavalry nonetheless mounts guard. As soon as the nerve middle of Britain’s army and political life, its corridors had been walked by Sir Winston Churchill, army leaders and spies whose tales would change into the stuff of legend.
Right this moment, those self same corridors lead someplace relatively completely different: to Raffles London at The OWO, which opened in 2023 because the model’s first UK property. Grand workplaces have change into suites, historic passageways result in award-winning eating places and a constructing as soon as dedicated to political affairs has been remodeled into certainly one of London’s most intriguing addresses. The historical past hasn’t been erased; it has merely been given a brand new chapter—and friends are invited to find it.
A Dwelling Legacy
That sense of discovery continues from the second you step inside. Created in collaboration with the late, nice New York-based designer Thierry Despont, whose portfolio consists of the refurbishment of the Statue of Liberty, the interiors interlace The OWO’s previous into each element, from bespoke carpets impressed by the constructing’s unique ground grills to window therapies that echo the uniforms of the Horse Guards. Customized furnishings and lighting convey the story into the current, whereas loos provide a signature Azzi Glasser scent of Sicilian bergamot, neroli, vetiver and wealthy woods.
For individuals who wish to go deeper, Raffles London at The OWO’s 5 Heritage Suites result in a few of the most storied rooms, as soon as the workplaces of the political and army figures who formed Britain’s historical past. The Granville Suite, named for Christine Granville, the adopted identify of the nation’s first—and longest-serving— feminine agent and Churchill’s favourite spy, pairs wealthy wooden paneling and ornate plasterwork with vintage fireplaces and an enormous gold-plated bathtub. The Churchill Suite was as soon as the setting for key Second World Struggle choices, whereas the two-level Turret Suite crowns the constructing with sweeping views in direction of St James’s Park.
There are eight Nook Suites, too, tucked beneath the constructing’s majestic turrets and named for notable girls and feminine spies related to its historical past, together with Clementine Churchill. Every options Artwork Deco touches and customized furnishings impressed by the RMS Queen Mary. They’re an particularly intimate technique to join with the constructing’s previous, and our Vice President of Advertising’s keep within the Nearne Suite—named after World Struggle II secret-agent sisters Jacqueline and Eileen Nearne—revealed that it’s maybe the one lodge suite in London the place you’ll be able to watch the altering of the Horse Guards out of your window.
A Feast for the Senses
From the suites, observe the corridors and the plot thickens. The OWO is dwelling to 9 eating places and three bars, every providing one other technique to discover the world inside these historic partitions. At Michelin-starred Mauro Colagreco, the Argentine chef lets the moon, the climate and the knowledge of the earth information his ever-changing dishes, with the seasons of the English backyard shaping the menu. For a extra intimate expertise, reserve Mauro’s Desk, the place his staff serves an immersive tasting menu from an open kitchen, with area for as much as 20 friends. Even the wine record carries the constructing’s storied heritage ahead, following the routes of Britain’s historic commerce networks below the steerage of Head Sommelier Joanna Nerantzi. Elsewhere, Saison by Mauro Colagreco brings a extra relaxed French Brasserie fashion. For one thing quintessentially British, settle into The Drawing Room for the Secrets and techniques & Spies Afternoon Tea, a playful nod to The OWO’s previous. Sculpted desserts and pastries honor the key historical past and the characters who as soon as handed by means of its doorways, with fascinating tales served alongside them.
The OWO’s eating scene extends past Raffles London, with Kioku by Endo serving Japanese-inspired delicacies; Langosteria channeling the vitality of Milan’s trend world; and Paper Moon pairing basic Milanese fare with a vigorous aperitivo bar.
As day offers technique to night time, start at The Guards Bar & Lounge, the lodge’s principal gathering place, with its personal entrance going through Horse Guards, the official entrance to St James’s Park and Buckingham Palace. Elevate a bumper earlier than delving deeper into The OWO’s secrets and techniques. Reserved for lodge friends, The Spy Bar is tucked throughout the constructing and pays tribute to the courageous women and men who served King and nation. This shadowy nook has its personal spy credentials, having as soon as housed MI5 and MI6 paperwork and served as a briefing floor for recruits to the Particular Operations Govt, the key British group created in the course of the Second World Struggle to conduct espionage, sabotage and reconnaissance behind enemy strains. Right this moment, the intrigue lives on over cocktails, together with the celebrated Vesper Martini, famously dreamed up by Ian Fleming for On line casino Royale. As an officer in Naval Intelligence, Fleming himself often labored within the former Struggle Workplace, and his time in these very corridors helped form the world of James Bond. Pictures, naturally, is strictly forbidden within the bar.
The Artwork of Escape
There’s one other story informed by means of the lodge’s artwork assortment, the place 2,000 works convey a up to date perspective to those historic partitions. Feminine artists are notably effectively represented, including new voices to a constructing as soon as dominated by politicians, army figures and spies. Within the concierge foyer, Saad Qureshi’s Convocation makes a direct impression, hovering roughly six meters above the area. Its sweeping sculptural kind celebrates the various cultures which have come collectively to form Britain as we speak.
When the time involves commerce discovery for downtime, retreat under the grand corridors to the one Guerlain Spa within the UK. Spanning 27,000 sq. toes throughout 4 flooring, 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.
An Invitation to Discover
For these curious to see extra, the property affords guided experiences that peel again one other layer of its historical past. The Spies Tour of London leads friends by means of hidden passageways and little-known corners, bringing to life tales of double brokers and covert missions, whereas a personal Heritage Tour takes a deeper take a look at the constructing earlier than culminating in Secrets and techniques & Spies Afternoon Tea.
There’s lots for youthful friends to uncover, too, from treasure hunts to film nights and the playful Mini Butler Expertise. And when it’s lastly time to step outdoors, Whitehall makes a superb launchpad for London adventures. Horse Guards Parade, St James’s Park, Buckingham Palace, the Homes of Parliament and Westminster Abbey are all inside a straightforward stroll, whereas the West Finish, Covent Backyard and Soho are shut by for theater, eating and nightlife.
Maybe that’s the magic of Raffles London at The OWO: the deeper you delve, the extra the constructing appears to disclose. The footsteps of Churchill, the key work of MI5 and MI6, Ian Fleming’s visits and the James Bond legacy all linger in its corridors. But as we speak, these storied partitions have taken on a brand new position, bringing historical past, hospitality and modern London collectively below one roof. The story, it appears, is way from over.
P.S. Coming September 18–19, New York’s fashion-forward Raf’s takes over Saison by Mauro Colagreco for a two-day London Trend Week residency, pairing a four-hands menu with Chef Mauro Colagreco, signature cocktails at The Guards Bar & Lounge and a specifically curated wine record.
