Pics | Winston Churchill’s Old War Office, now a hotel from Hindujas 

The Old War Office (OWO) of Britain’s World War II era prime minister Winston Churchill has been turned into a brand-new luxury hotel in London. The hotel opened its doors to visitors in September this year, with a glittering launch event.

Princess Anne – the Princess Royal, the sister of King Charles III, officially unveiled the plaque for The OWO after a tour of the hotel with Hinduja Group co-chairman GP Hinduja on its opening day. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also made a quick stopover, along with parliamentarians, entrepreneurs, hoteliers and stars of film and television.

The Indian-origin Hinduja Group conglomerate and the UK’s richest family had acquired the landmark on Whitehall, opposite Downing Street, and tied up with Raffles Hotels to transform the building into an extravagant hub complete with luxury residences, restaurants and spas. “We have always been working to see what best we can do between India and the UK because we believe our responsibility is to act as a bridge between the host country and the motherland,” said GP Hinduja.

“It took us eight years and in these eight years we had a lot to do, but finally this iconic building has been converted into peace and solace, not World Wars. It is the legacy not only of the Hinduja Group but London as a great destination. Everyone who lands in London will first come here to see what it is,” GP Hinduja said. The Hinduja Group took over the property more than eight years ago.

Raffles London at The OWO, as it is officially known, has been developed in partnership between the Hinduja Group and French multinational hospitality group Accor.

The hotel has 120 rooms and suites alongside 85 spacious private residences. The S pa at Raffles London will be home to a dedicated well-being concept spa. The transformed OWO also houses 85 Residences by Raffles as part of the building’s reimagining as a new culinary district for London, complete with nine new restaurants and three bars, including a rooftop with panoramic views of Buckingham Palace.

The OWO, originally completed in 1906 and designed by British architect William Young, was formerly the site of the original Palace of Whitehall. The Old War Office building was originally 580,000 sq feet. Today, it is 760,000 sq feet. The building has since witnessed world-shaping events while influential political and military leaders like Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George held office in the UK.

As part of the renovation with the help of hundreds of artisans, the historic interior elements have been restored, including delicate hand-laid mosaic floors, oak panelling, glittering chandeliers, and a magnificent marble staircase.

The most historically significant areas of the building include the Heritage Suites, former offices of the influential political and military leaders associated with its history.

A number of these will be available for exclusive reservations as “The Whitehall Wing”, a six-bedroom suite occupying the west wing of the building which can accommodate up to 12 guests – one of the largest luxury hotel wings available in London.