2023-09-11 06:39:43
On Friday September 29, The OWO, an exceptional new destination in the heart of Whitehall, will see the inauguration of Raffles London at The OWO, the first address of the Raffles Hotels & Resorts brand in the United Kingdom. It will be the ideal place to meet for a drink and eat, have fun, relax, for a stay or even take up residence. Raffles London will offer 120 spacious rooms and suites, restaurants created by executive chef Mauro Colagreco, superb spaces to host the finest events – including a majestic reception hall -, and a vast spa and wellness center -be signed Guerlain and Pillar.
The OWO, which will also house 85 Raffles residences, will create a mecca for gastronomy in London with its nine restaurants and three bars, including a spectacular rooftop offering panoramic views of St James’s Park, the Mall and the Palace of Buckingham.
The past eight years have seen the Old War Office carefully restored to its former glory. The Hinduja family group, in charge of the project, is passionately committed to the renovation of this historic British monument. With the help of hundreds of craftsmen, period interior features were refurbished, including the stunning mosaic floors, oak paneling, gleaming chandeliers and magnificent marble staircase. The highlight of this major metamorphosis: the Raffles London at The OWO hotel, the result of the partnership between the Hinduja and Accor groups.
I am delighted to announce the much-anticipated September opening of OWO. When we arrived at Whitehall, the team was amazed by the size and beauty of this majestic building. We spared no expense to restore it to its former glory and pay homage to its heritage, while breathing a second life into it. With Raffles London at The OWO, we hope to leave behind a heritage that is as timeless as it is remarkable,” says Sanjay Hinduja, Director of the Hinduja Group.
It is an honor and a privilege for Accor to participate in this historic project, the result of which exceeds all expectations. We will witness the rebirth of a true legend and the inauguration of what is perhaps the most impressive hotel on the planet. In collaboration with the Hinduja family, we are proud to invite Londoners and travelers to discover this extraordinary establishment, as well as the authenticity and quality of the welcome that makes the reputation of Raffles, one of our most prestigious brands, in one of the largest metropolises in the world, declares Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor.
L’hôtel Raffles London at The OWO
From the dazzling splendor of the grand staircase, elegantly unfolding either side of a chandelier suspended from the second floor, to the mosaic floors, Raffles London pays homage to the building’s history and gives it timeless luxury. The hotel and its 120 rooms and suites were designed by the famous designer Thierry Despont, who was entrusted with the restoration of monuments as emblematic as the Statue of Liberty.
“The Raffles brand seeks exceptional settings for each of its properties. Raffles London at The OWO is no exception to the rule, and in what way! The rich heritage of the British capital, like the Old War Office building, naturally makes London a place to discover the Raffles brand, synonymous for more than a century with legendary service, glamor, “art and destinations steeped in history,” adds Omer Acar, Managing Director of Raffles and Orient Express, Accor.
The most historically significant parts of the building are the Heritage Suites, which occupy the former offices of such influential political and military leaders as Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George, and Sir Richard Haldane. These venues will be open for exclusive bookings under the name “The Whitehall Wing”. With six bedrooms and occupying the west wing of the building, this suite can accommodate up to twelve people, making it one of the most spacious among London’s luxury hotels.
Raffles London has teamed up with Mauro Colagreco, famous chef at Mirazur in Menton (France), to create three extraordinary concepts. At his signature restaurant, Mauro Colagreco at Raffles London at The OWO, guests will discover Mauro’s culinary innovations and his passion for sustainable gastronomy, sourcing local and seasonal ingredients. The rich diversity of British vegetables will be highlighted in each of the dishes offered. The neighboring Mauro’s Table will offer a private setting, built around a superb table, with its impressive open kitchen as a backdrop. Allowing up to 23 guests to dine in complete privacy, Mauro’s Table will highlight local and seasonal ingredients on a creative menu drawing inspiration from English gardens.
Le Saison will reinvent the hotel restaurant in a relaxed and contemporary way. As its name suggests, this establishment will reflect the philosophy of chef Mauro, who gives pride of place to seasonal ingredients. Serving Mediterranean cuisine throughout the day (breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner), this refined room will occupy a historic library of the former Ministry of War.
Raffles London will house two bars with a cozy atmosphere: Guard’s Bar and Lounge, which will offer a menu of 16 carefully selected cocktails with an emphasis on British ingredients combined with flavors of the Orient, like the “London Sling”, the bar’s signature cocktail. Located in a former interrogation room, the Spy Bar, an underground and clandestine lair, will be unlike any other cocktail bar. With its hint of the forbidden, the Spy Bar will pay homage to Her Majesty’s agents and will recall spy films, secret codes and martini time meetings.
Other social spaces at the hotel include The Drawing Room, a relaxed lounge overlooking the Horse Guards building, where dining can be enjoyed at any time of day, and the Pillar Kitchen, which focuses on a property – going beyond dietetics, which will prepare menus adapted to the specific needs of each person and acting as real fitness sessions.
The Guerlain Spa at Raffles London will be one of the capital’s largest luxury hotel spas, spanning some 2,500 m2 spread over four floors, with a spectacular 20 meter long swimming pool, nine treatment rooms with refined interiors, a large gym, and L’Atelier Guerlain. Pillar Wellbeing’s movement, recovery and nutrition experts will empower members to reach their full potential through cutting-edge fitness programs and personalized nutritional advice.
Raffles London at The OWO will be the new venue of choice for the capital’s biggest occasions, from glamorous weddings and historic state dinners to corporate events and grand launch ceremonies . The extraordinary Whitehall Ballroom, accessible by climbing the steps of the majestic Grand Staircase, can accommodate up to 500 people. It will be complemented by a large hall and more private meeting rooms, named Morse and Code, making Raffles London a spectacular setting in which to hold the most dazzling events.
At Raffles London, the history of the former British War Office lives on through monumental architecture, carefully selected interior design and the spacious Heritage Suites. We are delighted to soon offer our guests the personalized and attentive service that Raffles is known for around the world. Visitors will be spoiled for choice among the wide range of restaurants and bars that this incomparable venue will offer, comments Philippe Leboeuf, General Manager of Raffles London at The OWO.
Tableware at OWO
OWO is set to become the new beating heart of London’s culinary scene, led by world-renowned chefs and restaurateurs. Coming from the highest places in international gastronomy, each of them was invited to create an exceptional culinary destination. In addition to Mauro Colagreco’s restaurants at Raffles London, OWO will offer four independent establishments, including Café Lapérouse, Paper Moon, Langosteria, as well as a rooftop restaurant (doubling as a sake bar on the ground floor). ground floor) led by Creative Restaurant Group.
In the main courtyard of the OWO, Café Lapérouse will radiate Parisian charm. It will be able to serve up to 80 guests in a pavilion with striking architecture, where dishes will be offered that will delight the taste buds. Its privileged location in the heart of the OWO will make it a lively and friendly space, from dusk to dawn. Milanese restaurant Paper Moon, in one of OWO’s large indoor spaces overlooking Horse Guards Avenue, will serve an eclectic selection of Italian dishes, as well as aperitifs and cocktail classics revisited by its bartenders.
A Japanese restaurant and sake bar, created by Creative Restaurant Group and led by executive chef Endo Kazutoshi, is also expected to open within months of OWO’s launch. Offering panoramic views of Whitehall, The Mall and Buckingham Palace, this restaurant, located on the roof of the OWO, will be an ode to the traditions of Japanese cuisine. His team will also launch a sake bar on the ground floor of OWO. Visitors will be invited to discover the diversity of styles and flavors of this unique tradition, coming from the land of the rising Sun.
Langosteria, the cult Milanese restaurant, will introduce this fashion landmark to London and the United Kingdom for the first time. Renowned for its impressive selection of seafood dishes, Langosteria selects the best ingredients from around the world, combining Italian traditions with a cosmopolitan and contemporary approach.
The OWO Residences by Raffles
A new benchmark for an exceptional art of living in London, The OWO Residences by Raffles will be the brand’s first residences in the United Kingdom and Europe, which reinforces the uniqueness of this offer. Owners will benefit from the amenities of an internationally renowned hotel while seeing the privacy and discretion of their home preserved. Each of the OWO’s 85 residences is unique and designed to ideally adapt to its location within the building. Duplexes, wing apartments and penthouses range from studios to five-bedroom residences. Furthermore, the two sublime turrets, dominating the sky of London, will constitute addresses without equivalent throughout the world.
The Raffles London at The OWO in brief :
Opening Friday September 29, 2023 Address: Whitehall, London SW1A 2EU 120 rooms and suites, designed by Thierry Despont 85 Raffles-branded residences, designed by 1508 London 9 restaurants and 3 bars run by world-renowned chefs and restaurateurs, including three incomparable culinary experiences hosted by Chef Mauro Colagreco The Guerlain Spa at Raffles London, hosted by Guerlain beauty and wellness experts; the fitness club offered by the movement specialists at Pillar Wellbeing, including a large gym and a studio dedicated to movement, a magnificent 20-meter-long swimming pool adjoining a vitality pool and two rooms dedicated to well-being The event space includes: the Whitehall Ballroom reception room, with a surface area of 678 m2; the Lawrence hall, with an area of 425 m2; the Morse meeting room, with an area of 94 m2, and the Code meeting room, with an area of 89 m2
About OWO
The former British War Office, located in Whitehall, will reopen this fall as “The OWO”. Occupying one of London’s most important and historic addresses, the building, following its extensive transformation, will house 9 restaurants, 3 bars, the Raffles London at The OWO hotel (120 rooms), and 85 Raffles brand residences. The OWO project is being led by the Hinduja Group, a multi-billion pound international company with extensive experience in the restoration and renovation of historic buildings, and Onex Holding, a group of private investment with solid expertise in the development and operation of strategic and critical infrastructure.
About Raffles London at The OWO
Raffles London at The OWO, which will open its doors in the autumn, will be the Raffles brand’s first British establishment. This prestigious hotel will be located in a listed historic building in Whitehall, London. Occupying one of London’s most important and historic addresses, the building, following its extensive transformation, will accommodate 120 rooms and 85 spacious private residences.
About Raffles
Founded in Singapore in 1887, Raffles hotels, beach resorts and residences provide settings for historical events and inspire literary creation, myths and legends. In each of the brand’s iconic addresses, distinguished guests and residents discover a world of timeless elegance and enchanting glamor, where the attentive service that has made the brand’s centuries-old reputation is expressed. Raffles highlights art and design, and invites you to discover the culture of each of its destinations, of which it is the true soul. Raffles’ commitment to communities is expressed through various initiatives, with the primary mission of actively supporting the arts and protecting the environment. For generations, people have arrived at Raffles as a customer, left as a friend and returned as family. The brand’s addresses are located in the heart of the most beautiful international destinations: Singapore, Paris, Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, the Maldives, Udaipur, Phnom Penh and Bali. A collection soon to be completed by new addresses, in London, Boston, Macao and Bahrain. Raffles is part of the Accor group, a global leader in hospitality, with more than 5,400 hotels and 10,000 restaurants and bars located in 110 countries, and is a member of the ALL – Accor Live Limitless lifestyle loyalty program, which provides access to a wide range of benefits, services and experiences.
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