Raffles London at the Old War Office to open in late 2022
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.