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Raffles London at the Old War Office to open in late 2022

April 10, 2022
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4 min read
London Big Ben and traffic on Westminster Bridge
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Raffles Hotels & Resorts, a luxury hotel brand, is scheduled to open a new addition in Europe in late 2022. The Raffles London at the Old War Office (OWO) will be the first Raffles hotel in the United Kingdom.

A historical revival

The Raffles London will be housed in the 760,000-square-foot historic building and the hotel will have 120 rooms and suites, 11 restaurants and bars, some of which will be run by Michelin star chef Mauro Colagreco, a destination spa and more.

Raffles is known for highlighting the culture and location of its properties, so it is only fitting that Raffles London will be in the Old War Office. Prior to the redevelopment, the building served as personal headquarters for Winston Churchill during World War II.

The London hotel will be a model of architectural design that promotes historic celebration with the help of New York interior designer Thierry Despont. This is not Despont’s first historical project. He was an associate architect for the Statue of Liberty’s restoration in the 1980s.

London Raffles Owo
Raffles London will be located in the Old War Office. (Photo courtesy of Accor)

Located in the heart of Westminster

Situated in Whitehall, the historical center of Westminster, Raffles London will be just a half mile from monuments and famous sites such as the London Eye and Big Ben, and about a mile away from Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park.

The Palace of Westminster and Big Ben in London, England
The river Thames, Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster. (Photo by Atlantide Phototravel/Getty Images)



Related: The complete guide to London’s parks and green spaces

Booking

Because the Raffles London is not slated to open until later this year, there is currently no information available regarding booking. It is likely however that the booking process will follow a similar format as the famed Raffles Singapore and allow direct booking on their website as well as availability on third-party booking sites like Expedia.

Raffles is known for its quality and service, but luxury comes at a price. Located in London’s center and rich with historical significance, Raffles London will not come cheap. A standard night at Raffles Paris costs $1,250, so it is likely that Raffles London will be in this range.

Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris
The Katara Presidential Suite at Raffles Paris. (Image courtesy of Raffles Hotels and Resorts.)

Raffles is a part of the Accor Live Limitless loyalty program so guests will likely be able to use their points for Raffles London. For more information regarding the loyalty program, you can check out our guide to Accor Live Limitless.

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Related: My best-ever hotel experience: A stay at the iconic Raffles Singapore

Bottom line

The Raffles London at the Old War Office’s opening will be a must-see for luxury travelers and history buffs. Guests not only have the chance to visit the Old War Office, but can also live there. Once the project is completed, 85 residential units will be available for sale.

If you are heading to London later this year or have plans to visit in 2023 and want to immerse yourself in London’s rich history, the Raffles London should not be missed!

Related: 17 best hotels in London for every type of traveler

Featured image by SYLVAIN SONNET/GETTY IMAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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