Raffles London at The OWO
Whitehall
London SW1A 2BX
United Kingdom
Thank you for your interest in Raffles London.
Please would you kindly provide us with details of your request using the form below.
Thank you for your interest in Raffles London.
Please would you kindly provide us with details of your request using the form below.
SUSTAINABILITY
Our commitment to the environment, our community and London's heritage
At Raffles London at The OWO, sustainability is woven into the way we welcome, serve and give back. The eight-year restoration of the Old War Office retained the majority of this Grade II* listed landmark, giving one of London's most storied buildings a new life rather than a new footprint.
Guided by our Sustainability Management Plan, we invite our guests, colleagues and partners to join us on the journey towards a more mindful future for luxury hospitality.
Sustainability shapes our vision of luxury, rooted in authenticity, refinement, and respect. Explore how we are shaping a mindful future.
The restoration of the Old War Office was designed to use less energy from the outset. High-specification glazing, secondary glazing and upgraded roof insulation reduce heat loss, while energy-efficient lighting and the latest building control systems manage comfort precisely. In the ballroom, a bespoke fresh-air system draws on energy only when it is needed. Together, these measures support our goal of reducing total energy consumption by 10% year on year.
We aim to reduce water consumption across the hotel by 10% year on year. Glass water bottles are used throughout the hotel in place of plastic, water dispenser stations are available in our outlets, and we are moving towards bottling our own water. Our Green Champions, colleagues dedicated to leading our sustainability initiatives, help the whole team use water efficiently day to day.
We are working to remove single-use plastic from our operations, introducing biodegradable takeaway cups and boxes and room keys crafted from leather. Our recycling programme aims to send zero waste to landfill, while data from our food waste bins helps our kitchens work towards a 20% reduction in food waste year on year.
We work with authorised suppliers who offer certified, eco-friendly products, and aim to source as much as possible from within 250 miles of the hotel. Plant-based dishes remain a fixture across our menus, while Chef Mauro Colagreco’s signature restaurant takes a hyper-seasonal approach that celebrates locally grown vegetables, bringing the very best of British produce to the table.
The most sustainable building is often the one already standing. During the restoration we retained the majority of the original structure, including masonry walls, the stone façade and many windows and doors. Timber flooring was salvaged for reuse, original steel trusses were adapted over our lightwells, and excavated clay and materials were given new purpose on other sites.
We partner with local environmental trusts, including London Wetland Trust, with colleagues dedicating part of their three-day charity benefit to clean-up days across the capital. We champion local talent, recruiting and developing colleagues from across Greater London, and our art collection features works by local artists. Throughout the year, we also take part in charity and donation events that give back to our community.
Discover the remarkable story of the Old War Office on a guided tour of the building, once home to legends such as Sir Winston Churchill and Lord Haldane and a hub of wartime intelligence. Learn how its restoration preserved the original architecture and craftsmanship, before settling into The Drawing Room for our Secrets & Spies Afternoon Tea.
In 1826, our namesake Sir Stamford Raffles founded the Zoological Society of London, the conservation charity behind London Zoo. Nearly two centuries on, ZSL continues his legacy of protecting wildlife around the world. Explore the historic zoo in Regent’s Park and discover the conservation work it supports, with our Concierge on hand to arrange tickets and every detail of your visit.
*Exclusive for in-house guests
At his Michelin-starred restaurant, Chef Mauro Colagreco places vegetables at the heart of the menu, with more than 70 varieties of vegetable and fruit, all grown in Britain. The kitchen works closely with small farmers and independent suppliers who care for the land sustainably, so every dish follows the rhythm of the British seasons and celebrates the very best of each harvest.
Thank you for your interest in Raffles London.
Please would you kindly provide us with details of your request using the form below.
Raffles Hotels & Resorts
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