The site of The Old War Office in Whitehall was originally built to house the finest minds in the country as they worked on espionage projects, secrets and intrigue. Following a recent restoration that reportedly cost over a billion pounds, this fascinating Baroque masterpiece has been reborn as one of the finest hotels in all of London.
A Suitably Modern Spa Experience
It will have come as no surprise that part of The OWO Raffles London strategy was to have a state of the art in house experience to complement the stunning facilities on offer at the hotel. From great minds to mindfulness and wellness, it was a part of the building’s evolution that they would call upon the greatest partners possible to make that happen.
The House of Guerlain represents the pinnacle of skincare, cosmetics and fragrance that operates at the intersection of nature, science and artistic craft. For almost 200 years, the brand has grown from its aristocratic Parisian foundation to travel around the globe with its inimitable alchemy. This landmark London hotel is now home to Guerlain’s first ever UK branded spa, operating over more than 25,000 square feet across four floors that travel deep into the subterranean levels.
The Pillar Partner
The spa at The OWO is also a huge part of Raffles' integration with the wellness ecosystem, Pillar Wellbeing, created by the renowned high-performance trainer Harry Jameson. Working with fitness, health optimisation and lifestyle in mind, Pillar brings a holistic approach to luxury wellbeing spaces that use data-driven methodology for great results. Aligning with the spa facilities, this creates a full suite of services that look after the body and mind for the finest results in nutrition, recovery, movement and performance. A Pillar Kitchen ranks as one of the nine restaurants at the hotel too, making a full cycle lifestyle experience possible for patrons and guests.
A Serene Space
The facilities here are outstanding. From the Parisian design aesthetic to the immersive flow of the space itself, everything feels considered and purposeful to work towards an atmosphere of serenity and calm. A total of nine treatment rooms that include single and double VIP suites are available with private showers and soaking tubs for the ultimate in relaxation.
The double-height ceiling that rises above a 20-metre indoor swimming pool has plenty of space for loungers that encourage guests to take a moment to soak in the energy. A further Vitality Pool with jets and submerged seating is also available alongside the steam rooms, sauna and traditional thermal spa suite. With L’Atelier Guerlain on hand as a dedicated space for hair, make-up and beauty consultations, it is possible to spend a full day here and still have lots left to see and experience.
Tempting Treatments
Signature treatments are the foundation of every high-end spa. The OWO experience draws on its location, partners and knowledgeable staff to create a menu of services that are destined to become modern classics in the capital.
The Royal Glow Tech Facial is a process of microdermabrasion and light therapy to smooth and illuminate the skin for a reinvigorated look and feel. The Spirit of London seeks to harmonise the body, mind and spirit of international travellers that may be in the first days of their trip to London and want to banish the ardour of long-haul travel. And the multisensory journey of Coastal Escape is a reset therapy that grounds guests in an immersive experience to leave them suitably renewed and vitalised.
Of course, there are also fine examples of elementary spa treatments such as scrubs, wraps, massages and body polishes all within the stunning surroundings.
Memberships & Access
As one would expect, there has been lots of interest in making this space the preferred regular spa and gym option for many residents in the area. Exclusive membership to the Pillar Wellbeing element is delivered through a tiered structure that can include guest passes, one-to-one sessions, wellness assessments and valet parking. It also combines with a number of discounts and opportunities for the Guerlain offerings when the schedule allows for full spa days or longer recovery and treatment sessions. The costs involved are commensurate with the levels of service and accessibility involved, but it is important to note that launch prices may be subject to increase, so making enquiries now is a wise option to take.
Now is the time for The OWO
The wellness experience at The OWO looks to be in a commanding position for the highest end of spa suites in the city. With such a restorative and industry-leading collection of services to choose from, this could be the one to watch for wellness in London for a very long time to come.
