Steep at over $2000 a night, but easily London’s most memorable stay
By Ute Junker
The place
Raffles London at the OWO
Raffles London at The Old War Office … one for the history buffs.
The location
Directly opposite the Horse Guard Parade and one block from St James Park, Trafalgar Square, and the river, Raffles London has a superbly central location. The most remarkable thing about this hotel, however, is the building itself, completed in 1906 as the headquarters of the War Office. It is intimately associated with Winston Churchill, who worked from here on three separate occasions: as First Lord of The Admiralty, as Secretary of State for War, and as prime minister during World War II.
The look
Going full baroque Edwardian elegance.
Walk through the front entrance and you are greeted by a truly magnificent atrium dominated by a grand marble staircase (an original feature) and a two-storey chandelier (not an original feature). The Hinduja Group spent £1 billion ($1.9 billion) restoring the building, rescuing original features like the oak panelling and introducing beautiful new features like the vivid red drapes inspired by the coats of the Horse Guards who stand watch across the road.
Pool with cool.
The room
Raffles has some of the most expensive rooms in London so expect to pay upwards of £1000 a night. However the building’s high ceilings, the white-and-green decor and the spacious marble bathrooms add a level of luxury to even the entry-level rooms. If money is no object the suites – originally the offices of the top brass, and blessed with extraordinary dimensions – are the most spectacular lodgings in London. My Haldane Suite, which was once Churchill’s office, covers 250 square metres and includes a green marble bathroom, a dressing room and a spectacular sitting room with not one but two ornate fireplaces (there’s another in the bedroom) and the very desk at which Churchill used to sit.
The writer stayed in the ultra-spacious Haldane Suite – this is just the bedroom.
Food + drink
It wouldn’t be a Raffles without a serious selection of cocktails and the range on offer at The Guards Bar is terrific. There’s the London Sling, a local take on the Singapore Sling, but there are plenty of other creative cocktails on the menu, all inspired by the elements of a Singapore Sling. Another guests-only bar is tucked away in the basement. The hotel will ultimately have nine restaurants, including Italian, French and a rooftop Japanese, but the already-open eateries include the elegant Mauro by Mauro Colegreco, who also helms the three-Michelin-starred Cote d’Azur restaurant, Mirazur. Colagreco – who is known for sourcing outstanding produce – also runs the all-day diner Saison: the cinnamon twists at breakfast are terrific.
Raffles London - Guards Bar_Lounge
Out + about
The hotel has a gym, a lovely basement pool and a Guerlain spa that delivers superb treatments (the Royal Glow Tech facial will leave your skin looking sensational). Many of London’s top sites are nearby including the National Gallery, Westminster Abbey and St James’ Park.
The verdict
Prices are steep but what else would you expect at the most memorable stay in London?
Essentials
Rooms from £1100 ($2101) a night. Seven accessible suites. 57 Whitehall, London. See raffles.com/london
Our score out of five
★★★★★
Highlight
The hotel tour offered to guests is fascinating. The hotel will also offer tours to non-guests on 10 scheduled days next year.
Lowlight
An Australian barista would lift the coffee up a notch.
The writer was a guest of Raffles London at the OWO.
Sign up for the Traveller newsletter
The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.