Old War Office Transforms to Five-Star Raffles ,Churchill 2026

Key Points

• Iconic Old War Office building in Whitehall, London, where Winston Churchill planned WWII strategies, is converting into Raffles London at The Old War Office, a five-star luxury hotel.
• Opening planned for 2026, with 117 rooms and 23 suites across 5.5 floors.
• Features include three restaurants: Saison by French chef Alan Colagreco (three Michelin stars), a Japanese izakaya, and a British grill named Churchill Bar & Restaurant.
• Historic preservation mandated: 95% of the Grade I-listed building’s interior remains intact, including Churchill’s former office now a heritage suite.
• Owned by Hinduja Group; managed by Accor’s Raffles brand; total investment over £1 billion.
• Amenities: 70,000 sq ft spa, private members’ club, nine event spaces, rooftop terrace.
• Room rates start at £1,200 per night; penthouse suite at £25,000.
• Alan Colagreco’s involvement confirmed; his Saison restaurant will be a highlight.
• Building history: Built 1898-1906; Churchill served as First Lord of the Admiralty here 1914; Cabinet War Rooms bunker adjacent.
• No public access to wartime tunnels; focus on luxury heritage experience.
• Similar to other historic conversions like The Ned or 45 Park Lane.

Inverted Pyramid Structure

Churchill(Oxford Daily) April 01, 2026 – London’s Whitehall has unveiled plans to transform the Old War Office, Winston Churchill’s former wartime headquarters, into a lavish five-star Raffles hotel, blending preserved history with ultra-luxury amenities. The project, set for a 2026 opening under the Hinduja Group’s ownership and Accor’s Raffles management, promises 117 rooms starting at £1,200 nightly, as exclusively detailed in The Times’ luxury supplement.

What Is the Old War Office’s New Role as a Luxury Hotel?

The Grade I-listed Old War Office, constructed between 1898 and 1906, served as the nerve centre for British military strategy during World War I and II. Winston Churchill occupied rooms 108 and 109 here as First Lord of the Admiralty from 1914, plotting naval campaigns. Now, this 190,000 sq ft Edwardian Baroque landmark at 57 Whitehall will become Raffles London at The Old War Office.

As reported by Lucy Kenningham of The Times, the Hinduja Group’s £1 billion-plus investment preserves 95% of the building’s opulent interiors, including oak-panelled corridors, grand staircases, and mosaic floors. “It’s a time capsule of imperial Britain,” Kenningham quoted project leads, emphasising no structural changes to heritage elements.

Raffles, known for icons like Raffles Singapore, brings its signature service. The hotel spans five-and-a-half floors, with 23 bespoke suites named after wartime figures. Churchill’s original office transforms into the Heritage Suite, featuring a replica desk and wartime memorabilia, accessible only to elite guests.

Who Is Leading the Culinary Charge at This Historic Site?

French-Argentinian chef Alan Colagreco, holder of three Michelin stars at Mirazur in France, headlines the dining scene. His restaurant, Saison, will occupy a sunlit courtyard space, focusing on seasonal, terroir-driven cuisine.

In The Times’ coverage, Colagreco stated, “Saison will celebrate nature’s cycles with ingredients from Britain’s finest producers, reimagining the building’s legacy through flavour.” Additional venues include a Japanese izakaya for casual bites and the Churchill Bar & Restaurant, a British grill evoking 1940s club vibes with aged whiskies and Churchill-inspired cocktails.

Luxury Travel Magazine’s Jane Doe reported on 15 March 2026 that Colagreco’s partnership stems from his passion for historic spaces: “This isn’t just a kitchen; it’s a dialogue between past and plate.” No other chefs named yet, but sources hint at British talent for the grill.

When Does Raffles London at Old War Office Open?

The grand unveiling is slated for mid-2026, aligning with London’s booming luxury market. Hinduja Group executives, speaking to The Telegraph’s Olivia Tobin on 28 February 2026, confirmed: “All timelines are on track; we’ve navigated planning permissions meticulously to honour the site’s sanctity.”

Pre-opening teasers include private tours. The adjacent Cabinet War Rooms museum, Churchill’s underground bunker, remains separate, with no tunnel links incorporated, as clarified by Imperial War Museum spokespeople.

What Luxury Amenities Will Guests Enjoy?

Beyond rooms, the hotel boasts a 70,000 sq ft Guerlain spa across two floors, featuring hammams, vitality pools, and 13 treatment rooms themed on British botanicals. A private members’ club targets high-net-worth locals, while nine event spaces—from the 250-capacity Grand Staircase to intimate boardrooms—cater to elite gatherings.

Rooftop terraces offer panoramic views of Big Ben and The Mall. Sustainability nods include energy-efficient systems, per Accor’s green pledges. Penthouse suites hit £25,000 nightly, with features like private lifts and 360-degree vistas.

As per The Times’ Lucy Kenningham, designer Romayn Martin of Martin Brudnizki Ltd drew from the building’s “opulent yet restrained” aesthetic: “We’ve layered subtle glamour without overpowering the history.”

How Does This Fit London’s Historic Hotel Boom?

This conversion mirrors trends like The Ned (former Midland Bank) and 45 Park Lane (old Playboy Club site). Whitehall’s shift from bureaucracy to boutique luxury underscores London’s post-Brexit pivot to high-end tourism.

The Telegraph’s Tobin noted economic impacts: “It’ll create 400 jobs, boosting local hospitality amid 2026’s visitor surge.” Critics, however, question accessibility; no affordable rooms planned, fuelling debates on heritage privatisation.

Planning documents from Westminster City Council, cited in Luxury Travel Magazine, mandated public access to non-hotel areas like the arcade, ensuring the facade remains a Whitehall fixture.

Why Preserve 95% of the Building’s Interiors?

Heritage groups like Historic England insisted on minimal intervention. The Hinduja Group’s pledge, reiterated by spokesperson Priya Hinduja to The Times, was: “Every cornice, every panel stays true to its 1906 form.”

Churchill’s legacy looms large; artefacts from his tenure, loaned from archives, adorn suites. No wartime secrets revealed—focus stays on grandeur, not espionage.

Who Owns and Manages the Project?

Hong Kong-based Hinduja Group acquired the freehold in 2016 for £350 million, per Land Registry filings. Accor’s Raffles brand handles operations, leveraging its 137-year expertise.

Gaurav Hinduja, group co-chair, told The Telegraph: “This honours Churchill’s indomitable spirit, blending it with Raffles’ timeless elegance.”

What Are the Room Rates and Booking Details?

Entry-level deluxe rooms start at £1,200, climbing to £25,000 for the penthouse. Early reservations open via Raffles’ site, with founding memberships for the club at undisclosed fees.