Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Hindujas teams up with Raffles to open luxury hotel in London's

The Hinduja group has signed a deal with Europe's largest hotel chain to transform the UK's iconic Old War Office building, once occupied by Britain's war-time prime minister Winston Churchill, into a luxury hotel.

Raffles Hotels and Resorts, the luxury brand that is part of France's Accor Hotels Group, today announced the signing of an historic partnership with the Hinduja Group and Spanish firm Obrascon Huarte Lain Desarrollos (OHLD) to transform the Old War Office building in Whitehall into the most unique hotel and deluxe residences in London.


The Raffles Hotel in London will be the heart and soul of this exciting landmark destination, a statement said.

Raffles Hotels and Resorts is delighted to complete its already stunning portfolio with such an exclusive asset in such strategic city and location, the group said in the statement.

Steeped in history, the first Raffles Hotel was opened in 1887 in Singapore, named after the British statesman and founder of Singapore, Thomas Stamford Raffles.

The Old War Office, with its 1,100 rooms across seven floors, and two miles of corridors, was completed in 1906.

It was the office to many of the UK's most important and influential political and military leaders of the twentieth century, notably Churchill, David Lloyd George, Lord Kitchener, Herbert Asquith and T E Lawrence.

It was also the haunt of the British Secret Service who had their own, more discreet, entrance.

Close to 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, the Old War Office was bought by Hinduja Group and OHLD in December 2014 following a public bid.

Planning permission was granted for a multi-purpose development including 125 rooms, of which 40 per cent are suites, 88 private residences, restaurants and other amenities. Completion of the project is expected in just over three years.

Commenting on the new partnership, Sebastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of AccorHotels said, "I am delighted to announce this long-term management contract with the Hinduja Group and OHLD."

"This is the start of an important partnership for Raffles Hotels and Resorts and will create a new and vibrant landmark for London. This is a significant step for Raffles and a strategic addition to the group's luxury portfolio. We remain committed to providing guests with unparallelled service and experience," Bazin said.

Gopichand P Hinduja, the Hinduja Group's Co-Chairman, said the new partnership with Raffles Hotels and Resorts was a significant milestone in their vision to transform the Old War Office into London's finest luxury destination.

"Raffles brings a unique understanding of British heritage and tradition that will help revive this great British landmark," Hinduja said.

Sanjay G Hinduja, President of the Hinduja Group, said, "We are delighted that after the completion of the Grade I listed building in Carlton House Terrace, we can now apply this valuable experience to a greater challenge and create what will become the most iconic place in London"

Juan Villar-Mir de Fuentes, Chairman of Group OHL, said the group is extremely proud to be part of, in partnership with the Hinduja Group, this exciting project which, reinforced with the Raffles brand, is now fully aligned with OHL Desarrollos's strong commitment and strategy to develop unique projects around the world.

The Hinduja Group is India's foremost privately-owned group with a global footprint across 100 countries, employing over 100,000 people.

Founded in 1914, it has become an international multibillion group active in ten business sectors encompassing automotive, energy, banking, IT, power generation, real estate, project development, media, healthcare and trading.

More For You

Streeting: Health deal signals new era in UK-India ties

Foreign Office minister Catherine West, health secretary Wes Streeting and equalities minister Seema Malhotra during the Holi Reception in London.

Streeting: Health deal signals new era in UK-India ties

THE recent health and life sciences agreement between the UK and India will strengthen cooperation on healthcare innovation and security in both countries, health secretary Wes Streeting said.

Speaking at the Holi reception organised by the India All-Party Parliamentary Group and the 1928 Institute in London on Monday (24), he added that the contribution of British Indians has been pivotal in the growth of the NHS since its inception in 1948, and a robust partnership between the two nations will ensure we have a healthcare provider 'fit for the future'.

Keep ReadingShow less
british-steel-iStock

An aerial view of Steel Plant Industry in Scunthorpe. (Photo: iStock)

British Steel to shut blast furnaces, up to 2,700 jobs at risk

BRITISH STEEL, owned by Chinese group Jingye, confirmed on Thursday that it will shut down its blast furnaces and steelmaking operations in England, attributing the decision to market challenges, tariffs, and rising environmental costs.

The closures, first proposed in late 2023, could lead to the loss of up to 2,700 jobs at the company’s main UK site in Scunthorpe, northern England, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Keep ReadingShow less
Just Stop Oil

Just Stop Oil has garnered significant media attention with its direct action protests

Getty Images

Just Stop Oil ends direct action campaign after major policy success

The environmental activist group Just Stop Oil has announced an end to its disruptive direct action protests, declaring a significant victory in its campaign to halt new oil and gas developments. In a statement released by the organisation, the group confirmed it had successfully influenced government policy to abandon new fossil fuel exploration, marking a major turning point in the movement’s goals.

“Just Stop Oil's initial demand to end new oil and gas is now government policy, making us one of the most successful civil resistance campaigns in recent history,” the group’s statement read. It went on to claim responsibility for having kept over 4.4 billion barrels of oil in the ground, while legal victories in the courts have ruled new oil and gas licences unlawful.

Keep ReadingShow less
submarine-crash-reuters

People walk next to an ambulance in front of the hospital where the bodies of foreigners who were killed when a tourist submarine sank off Egypt's Red Sea resort city of Hurghada, and whose nationalities are still unknown, are kept. (Photo: Reuters)

Six foreign tourists die after submarine sinks off Egypt’s Red Sea coast

SIX tourists died on Thursday when a submarine carrying visitors sank near Hurghada, a resort city on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, state media reported.

According to the state-owned Akhbar Al-Youm newspaper, all the deceased were foreigners. The report also said 19 others were injured in the incident.

Keep ReadingShow less
EU Warns Citizens to Stockpile Essentials Amid War Concerns

Not all EU countries currently have the same level of preparedness

Getty Images

European Union urges citizens to stockpile food and supplies amid risk of war

The European Union (EU) has advised its 450 million citizens to stockpile essential items, including food and water, to prepare for potential emergencies. This call to action is part of a broader strategy to improve disaster preparedness across the 27-nation bloc, as it faces increasing risks from war, cyberattacks, climate change, and public health crises.

The EU’s recommendation comes in light of recent global developments that have raised concerns about security and stability. Citizens are encouraged to have enough food, water, medicine, and other essential supplies to last at least 72 hours during a crisis.

Keep ReadingShow less