An iconic cornerstone of London’s landscape, the city’s Old War Office building is set to settle into a brand-new identity this month. Sold to the Hinduja group in 2016, the building is opening its doors to the public once again, this time revamped into the Raffles London at The OWO. This will be Raffles Hotels & Resorts’ first location in the United Kingdom. Rаffles’ hotels are known for bringing together impeccable hospitality, design, and exclusive environments, and The OWO is no exception. Storytelling and preservation are the focus here, and Raffles properties allow guests to spend their trip basking in history.
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15.09.2023 - 16:54 / edition.cnn.com / Winston Churchill
It turns out that luxury London hotels are like buses. You wait ages for one to open, and then two, or in this case several, come at once.
After being beset by delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic, 1 Hotel Mayfair, the first London location for the 1 Hotels brand opened its doors in July, the new Mandarin Oriental Mayfair is scheduled to open later this year, while Raffles Hotels and Resorts is launching Raffles London at The OWO in the coming weeks.
And this month, the UK capital is welcoming another of Asia’s most renowned hotel groups this month, as The Peninsula finally arrives in the city, over 30 years after beginning its search for a London location.
On September 12, the red blindfolds covering the eyes of the Chinese stone lions at the main entrance of the Peninsula London, which overlooks popular landmark Wellington Arch, were due to be removed in a special ceremony.
And the hotel’s uniformed pages, another iconic characteristic of the Peninsula brand, will be on hand to welcome its first guests.
With 190 rooms and suites, 25 luxury residences, a rooftop restaurant, and a spa with a 25-meter indoor swimming pool, The Peninsula London is undoubtedly one of the most highly-anticipated properties in the UK capital, with rates per night beginning at £1,300 (around $1,621).
Historic war office used by Winston Churchill is transformed into luxury Raffles London hotel
While it may be one of many hotels opening in London this year, the launch of a purpose-built five-star hotel in the city is almost unheard of these days, with many other brands opting to convert existing buildings instead.
“Competition is good, it keeps you on your toes,” Sonja Vodusek, managing director of the Peninsula London tells CNN Travel via email.
“We’re proud to be coming to London, to work alongside our illustrious neighbors. It’s a very exciting time for the capital.”
Situated close to Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park Corner, the hotel has been designed to “gracefully harmonize with the heritage buildings of Belgravia,” which is known for its Georgian and Regency architecture.
The huge building holds an internal courtyard where those arriving by car can enter discreetly. Designed by landscape architect Enzo Enea, the cobblestone courtyard features wisteria vines and two 120-year-old Japanese maples.
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As is typical with Peninsula hotels, the London offshoot will provide guests with a luxury fleet of cars, including a vintage Rolls-Royce Sedanca de Ville from 1935, a Rolls-Royce Phantom II, a Bentley Bentayga and an electrified Austin Healy taxi.
However, it’s also among the few Peninsula properties without one of the helipads the
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