Elite Traveler Summer 2024

Ra ffl es London at The OWO HERITAGE SUITES When a hotel is surrounded by so much history, so much hype, so much intrigue that when it fi nally opens, it leaves just one question: Does it live up to said hype? The answer, in the case of Ra ffl es London at The OWO, is yes. Absolutely yes. Expletive yes. The cultural landmark, cutting an imposing silhouette in Whitehall, has been carefully restored over the span of six years and to the tune of a heavy $1.7bn. Within the Edwardian Baroque building, there are 120 suites, 85 residences (including a $137m penthouse), a spa spanning 27,000 sq ft over four fl oors with a 65-ft pool, some 2.5 miles of corridor, a ballroom for up to 700 guests, and a number of bars and restaurants — including the invite-only Spy Bar, hidden in the depths, where you’ll receive a scratch card that will reveal a martini for you. (Mine was extra dry with pickles. Delish.) The grand staircase, crafted from Painswick stone and white-and-gray veined Piastraccia marble from northern Italy, is astonishing in its grandeur and only heightened by the plush red velvet carpet and glittering chandelier hovering above. (Stand at the top of the stairway, just like Winston Churchill did when he would address his o ffi cers below.) The staircase leads to some of the fi ve Heritage Suites; each one is a former

o ffi ce held by a leading politician or military leader. The Haldane Suite, named for Lord Richard Burdon Haldane, who was Secretary of State for War in 1906, is classically Edwardian with its preserved and restored wood-paneled antique fi replaces. Perched atop of an intricate mantlepiece is a bust of Churchill (this space was his o ffi ce during WWII), looking down over his original desk. The Churchill Suite was originally The Army Council Room — major decisions about the British army were made here, including during WWII. The 1,539-sq-ft suite has soaring arched windows with views over Horse Guards Avenue, gorgeous wooden paneling and sumptuous Damask upholstering. The Granville Suite is named for Christine Granville — Churchill’s favorite spy — and was originally military reception rooms, which have been transformed into an elegant one bedroom suite with soaring domed ceilings and gilded chandeliers. As this is a Ra ffl es, there is of course a Ra ffl es Suite. The 1,377-sq-ft abode overlooks the Edwardian inner courtyard (a rarity in London; only a few fi ve-star hotels have one) and has magically restored stucco work and a scenic Chinois wallpaper. The bathroom is seductive with black marble and gold accents and a freestanding tub next to a towering fl oor-to-ceiling window. And fi nally, The Turret Suite is a duplex found in one of the building’s turrets. It has a ground- fl oor bedroom and bathroom with a magni fi cent lounge overlooking Whitehall on the upper fl oor. By Samantha Coles Heritage Suites from $25,000 per night. Contact london@ra ffl es.com, +44 203 907 7500, ra ffl es.com

Photos John Athimaritis