The Raffles London at The OWO, a luxury hotel located in the former Old War Office in Whitehall, has launched a new approach to high-end hospitality by catering to families. Following a massive £1.85 billion restoration, the property offers specialized services like "Mini Butler" experiences for children.

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The £1.85 billion restoration of Whitehall's Old War Office

The hotel represents a massive undertaking in historical preservation, having opened in September 2023. As the report notes, the project involved a £1.85 billion restoration that required excavating the building's foundations as deep as the structure itself.

Restoring the site required an immense labor force, including 400 people who spent three years removing decades of accumulated cigar smoke from 50 acres of ceilings. This level of detail extends to the decor, such as the grand staircase featuring a Murano chandelier composed of over 3,000 glass pieces. The hotel also features the Poppy Suite, which was rebuilt from Second World War bomb damage and features a vast glass poppy installation to honor veterans.

Designated pool hours and "Mini Butlers" for young guests

Raffles London at The OWO attempts to mitigate the friction between luxury and parenting through specific scheduling and amenities. The Guerlain Spa,which spans four underground floors, offers a 20-metre heated pool with designated family hours from 8am to 10am and 4pm to 6pm.. according to the report, afternoon tea also starts from £87 per person and includes themed options like the "Secrets & Spies" tea.

Child-specific services are integrated into the room experience, including "Winston the Lion" toys and play tents filled with curated books. The source highlights a unique "Mini Butler" experience, where children can wear specialized jackets while helping to serve cocktails. Guests can also enjoy breakfast at Saison, which offers both buffet and a la carte options.

A £65,000-a-night price tag for Prime Ministerial history

Despite its family-friendly tilt, the hotel maintains an aura of extreme exclusivity through its high-end suites.. The Haldane Suite, which once housed a desk used by four different Prime Ministers, can cost guests £65,000 for a single night. The property's scale is further evidenced by the Whitehall Wing, which can accommodate up to 12 guests.

The hotel offers a variety of price points for different levels of luxury within its 120 total rooms, which include 39 suites. Available options include:

  • Executive rooms for two adults and one child starting from £1,000 a night
  • Westminster Suites for two adults and two children from £1,200 a night

Unverified details regarding the 120-room guest experience

While the review provides a glowing account of the family experience, several aspects of the hotel's operations remain unverified. The report focuses on a single family with children aged two and six, leaving it unclear if the "Mini Butler" program is available to all age groups or if the service is consistent across all 120 rooms.

The source does not provide feedback from the "child-free guests" who might be impacted by the designated family pool hours. Furthermore, it remains unknown if the high-end dining experiences, such as those at Saison, are as accommodating to toddlers as the breakfast service described in the review.