London has no dearth of swanky heritage hotels that offer impeccable hospitality, bespoke wellness facilities and engaging historical tours, all in one place. Among them is The OWO, an architectural landmark that was once Britain’s Old War Office and the grounds of Whitehall Palace.
Opened in 2023 after a six-year transformation, the hotel is the first Raffles property in the United Kingdom, with 85 unique private residences, nine restaurants, three bars and French brand Guerlain’s first London spa. This month, it launched a guided heritage tour for the public as part of an exclusive “Tea and Tour” package to experience the building’s architectural legacy.
The tour starts in the Drawing Room with an afternoon tea experience that brings together a classic combination of savoury and sweet flavours. This is followed by an interactive one-hour tour of the hotel which takes in its public spaces and grand staircase.
So, what mysteries await you on the tour? Here are a few things you will learn about The OWO’s not-so-secretive past.
Designed by British architect William Young and completed in 1906, the Old War Office is one of the great buildings of the Edwardian Age. It was built on the site of the Palace of Whitehall, the home of English monarchs, including King Henry VIII. The OWO was built in the Baroque style and had four distinctive domes, with sculptures by renowned British artist gracing its façade.
Located on Horse Guards Avenue at its junction with Whitehall in Central London, the building’s 1,100 rooms across seven floors were linked by two-and-a-half miles of corridors.
A who’s who of intelligence agents and defense officials worked in the Old War Office: Captain Sir Mansfield George Smith-Cumming, the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service and the inspiration for M in Ian Fleming’s “James Bond” novels; T E Lawrence, the man who we know today as “Lawrence of Arabia”; Winston Churchill, who occupied a grand suite of offices here as Secretary of State for War from 1919-1921; and Fleming himself, who it is said was inspired by the building’s resident spies for his bestselling novels—unsurprisingly, the building has been featured in numerous Bond films, including “Octopussy” (1983), “A View To A Kill” (1985), “Licence To Kill” (1989), “Skyfall” (2012) and “Spectre” (2015).
Today, The OWO is a Grade II* listed building (an important building of more than special interest) which pays homage to its former function as Britain’s wartime and intelligence service in the suite and room names. With entrances reserved strictly for residents, the hotel provides guests with an unmatched level of privacy and security.
For meals, enjoy the finest seasonal ingredients made by three-Michelin-starred chef Mauro Colagreco at the “Chef’s Table,” an intimate and bespoke tasting experience, or Saison by Mauro Colagreco to savour Mediterranean dining. For rooftop dining inspired by Japanese cuisine, try Kioku by Endo and a world-class saké cocktail program at the Kioku Sake Bar.
If you're craving authentic Italian cuisine, look towards Paper Moon and Langosteria; the Pillar Kitchen for healthy sweet and savoury snacks, fresh juices, and smoothies that have been curated by nutrition experts; the Drawing Room for a lounge and all-day dining service; and drinks at The Guards Bar and Lounge.
Arguably, the most notable bar experience at The OWO is The Spy Bar, an after-dark, late-night subterranean speakeasy that is set in rooms once used by the Secret Intelligence Bureau.
For an unmatched wellness experience, guests can book luxurious treatments and personalised training and nutrition appointments at the Guerlain Spa and Pillar Wellbeing, respectively. The former has nine treatment rooms while the latter has a state-of-the-art gym and movement studio and a 20m pool.
Those with a cultural bent might want to check out The OWO Art Collection, which has many specially commissioned pieces. Displayed across public spaces where they can be admired and contemplated at length, the artwork explores the human story in a four-part narrative. The storytelling which connects these themes continues into the private guestrooms, with unique artworks directly commissioned from five London-based women artists like Yinka Shonibare, Juliette Paull and Angeli Sowani.
A stay at The OWO then is much like London itself: architecturally glamorous, culturally significant and a gourmet epicentre.
Tariff: A two-night stay for one person in September 2025 starts from approximately INR 209,860. The “Tea and Tour” package costs approximately INR 18,405.
Address: 57 Whitehall, London SW1A 2BX, United Kingdom
