Whitehall London, the road connecting Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square, is home to the British Government. Just a short distance from Buckingham Palace, St James's Park and Westminster Abbey stands one of the capital's most exclusive addresses: Raffles London at The OWO. Opened in 1906 as the former War Office, this monumental Edwardian Baroque building was once home to more than a thousand rooms and corridors frequented by Prime Ministers and military leaders, including David Lloyd George, Lord Kitchener and Sir Winston Churchill. It was here that decisions were made that helped shape the course of history. Following an eight-year restoration, Raffles London at The OWO opened its doors in 2023, transforming one of London's most historic landmarks into a vibrant destination where heritage, contemporary design and exceptional hospitality come together. Known for its high-profile partnerships with world-renowned organisations such as Roland-Garros and Paris Saint-Germain, ALL Accor offers access to a curated collection of hotels and exclusive experiences around the world. This year, it is the official partner of the Rolex SailGP Championship, one of the world's most exciting sailing championships. For the British stop, the first European event of the season, ALL Accor offered members far more than a seat at the race, providing access to an exclusive lounge experience. As guests of ALL Accor, we join Franco Masini for the SailGP event in Portsmouth on a journey that begins at Raffles London at The OWO before moving to the high-octane excitement of SailGP. Franco is an Argentine actor and singer who has built an international career spanning Latin America and Spain, establishing himself as one of the most exciting young talents of his generation.
From the moment he arrives in the Range Rover, the hotel's official vehicle, complete with its bespoke OWO number plate, every detail of the welcome reflects Raffles London at The OWO's highly personalised approach to hospitality. The building's original architecture has been meticulously restored, blending historic character with contemporary elegance. Today, Raffles London at The OWO features 120 rooms and suites, extensive event spaces and the 27,000 sq ft Guerlain Spa dedicated to wellbeing, beauty and longevity. The wider OWO destination also includes 85 private residences, nine restaurants, including three by acclaimed Argentine chef Mauro Colagreco, and three bars. Yet the hotel's most distinctive luxury is its butler service. Accompanying guests from arrival to departure, the butler role extends far beyond fulfilling requests; it is to anticipate them. From organising every aspect of a guest's stay and attending to every detail within the suite to coordinating schedules, preparing spaces and creating a completely bespoke experience, the butler ensures everything unfolds with effortless ease.
Franco's arrival at Raffles London at The OWO is British elegance at its finest. The welcome is made even more personal with a bespoke luggage tag and a room key presented in a beautifully crafted hammered leather holder, embossed with Franco's initials, FM. It is a thoughtful touch that perfectly reflects the discreet elegance and meticulous attention to detail that define the Raffles experience. The butler opens the car door in the hotel's private Cour d'Honneur. Framed by the imposing monumental facade, the arrival feels more like entering a grand aristocratic residence than a hotel. Upon entering, the eye is drawn to the luxurious marble lobby and its historic details, with soaring ceilings adorned with elegant stuccowork. After check-in, it is time to make the journey to the suite via the building's beautifully preserved vintage paternoster lift. Riding it feels like stepping back into the early twentieth century. The second floor is home to four of the hotel's five exclusive Heritage Suites, each occupying the former offices of some of Britain's most influential political and military figures: The Haldane Suite, The Churchill Suite, The Raffles Suite and The Granville Suite. The Turret Suite sits on the fifth floor, directly beneath the building's iconic turret. Each suite retains its original architectural features while offering guests a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in the extraordinary history of the Old War Office. Franco is staying in The Churchill Suite, one of the hotel's most prestigious accommodations. Today, this elegant 143-square-metre residence occupies what was once the Army Council Room, where Winston Churchill chaired pivotal meetings and major decisions concerning the governance of the British Army were made. During the Second World War, it also hosted strategic discussions that helped shape the Allied victory. Original wood panelling, ornate ceilings and grand windows have been meticulously preserved, blending seamlessly with contemporary furnishings and bespoke comforts. The result is a residence that offers guests the rare privilege of experiencing British history from an extraordinary perspective. Awaiting Franco is a personalised welcome note prepared especially for his arrival. Only then is it finally time to unwind—but not before calling his father, with whom he shares a particularly close bond, to let him know he has arrived safely.
At Raffles London at The OWO, the afternoon is an invitation to slow down and embrace two of Britain's most cherished traditions. The first is Afternoon Tea, served in the timeless elegance of The Drawing Room, a refined lounge that evokes the atmosphere of an English aristocratic residence. Here, the tradition first introduced by the Duchess of Bedford in the 19th century is reimagined with the sophistication that defines Raffles. A carefully curated selection of fine teas is served alongside delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and preserves, and an exquisite collection of "Secrets & Spies" pastries. Inspired by The OWO's rich intelligence heritage and the extraordinary story of Operation Mincemeat, each creation weaves historical references into an immersive reinterpretation of the classic afternoon tea experience. For Franco Masini, it is a welcome pause that gently slows the rhythm of the day. The afternoon unfolds with another ritual deeply rooted in British culture: a grooming experience at L'Atelier Guerlain, where the traditional wet shave is reimagined as a refined moment of wellbeing. Delivered with expert craftsmanship and a highly personalised approach, the treatment is designed for the modern gentleman, combining impeccable grooming with the understated luxury of taking time for oneself.
Franco returns to The Churchill Suite to prepare for the evening, choosing a timeless black-tie look for dinner. On his way to the restaurant, he descends the magnificent Grand Staircase, one of the hotel's most iconic architectural features. Beautifully restored, with its original marble and intricate decorative details meticulously preserved, it leads to the Juliet Balcony, where Winston Churchill once addressed War Office officials during his daily briefings. Today, the staircase remains the symbolic heart of the building: a place where history and contemporary hospitality seamlessly converge. Dinner is served at Mauro's Table, the intimate chef's table created by Mauro Colagreco. With just twenty seats overlooking the open kitchen, the restaurant offers a tasting menu inspired by the Knotted Garden, the historic garden of the British Royal Family. Here, nature dictates the rhythm of the menu, with vegetables, aromatic herbs, edible flowers and seasonal botanicals taking centre stage in dishes that combine technical precision with creativity and artistry. Each course tells its own story, accompanied by a series of thoughtfully curated rituals, from a welcome hand-washing ceremony infused with the scent of wild thyme to expertly paired wines, transforming dinner into a truly immersive gastronomic experience. After dinner, the evening continues at The Guards Bar & Lounge, Raffles' contemporary lounge overlooking Horse Guards, the ceremonial entrance to Buckingham Palace. Surrounded by rich wood panelling, velvet armchairs and an elegant cocktail menu featuring both timeless classics and original house creations, it is the perfect setting to enjoy a drink while watching Whitehall come alive after dark. Here, Franco savours two of Raffles' signature cocktails: the London Sling, the signature cocktail of Raffles London, and the legendary Singapore Sling, first created at Raffles Singapore. Together, they celebrate the heritage of the Raffles collection and reinforce the hotel's status as one of the flagship properties within the ALL Accor portfolio. The evening's true finale is reserved for those who know the hotel's best-kept secret. Behind a discreet door marked simply 007 lies The Spy Bar, where photography is strictly prohibited. Hidden within the underground corridors of the Old War Office, this intimate speakeasy occupies the former Rooms 006 and 007, once used to store confidential MI5 and MI6 documents and to brief intelligence agents before their missions. Today, the space pays homage to the world of espionage through its atmospheric interiors, subdued lighting and cocktails inspired by the people, operations and stories that once unfolded within these historic walls.
The day begins at an unhurried pace. Breakfast is served in The Churchill Suite by the butler, with a selection of sweet and savoury dishes accompanied by freshly brewed tea and coffee, turning the morning into a moment of quiet indulgence. It is the perfect final taste of the Raffles experience, made even more memorable by an unexpected surprise: a handwritten note from Franco's father that changes the course of the day. Before departing, there is time for one final coffee in the spectacular Poppy Room, an intimate lounge created for moments of quiet contemplation—whether reading a book, enjoying a game of chess or backgammon, or simply pausing before the journey ahead. Particularly enchanting at sunset, when it is bathed in the shimmering reflections of Poppies, Petra Šošťáková's monumental glass installation for Lasvit, the room reveals its beauty at every hour of the day. Comprising 117 handcrafted glass petals, the artwork honours the heroes of war while offering a contemporary interpretation of the Old War Office’s legacy through a striking composition of red, black and white. A poetic dialogue between memory, art and design, it provides one final unforgettable moment before the journey to Portsmouth begins. The journey continues to Portsmouth, on England’s south coast, for the British round of the Rolex SailGP Championship, where Franco is reunited with his father. Ahead of the racing, Franco enjoys an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of SailGP Technologies, the state-of-the-art facility where the revolutionary F50 catamarans are designed, built and tested, accompanied by Olympic gold medallist Eilidh McIntyre. As the racing gets underway, Franco and his father experience the spectacle together, with Franco stepping aboard the Chase Boat to witness the action from the closest possible vantage point.
From this privileged position, the F50s skim across the water just metres away, rising effortlessly onto their foils and delivering an exhilarating display of speed, wind and precision. It is an unforgettable experience that places him, and his father, at the very heart of the action. The day concludes in the ALL Accor private area of the Adrenaline Lounge, that combines refined hospitality with the thrill of world-class competition. With exceptional food and beverage offerings by Potel & Chabot, attentive service and a prime waterfront vantage point, Franco experiences SailGP from a truly privileged perspective, alternating moments of relaxation with the exhilaration of watching the F50s race just metres away. It is the perfect finale to what Franco describes as an extraordinary journey: “From the moment I arrived, I felt genuinely welcomed, cared for and surrounded by an outstanding level of hospitality from the entire team. Every detail had been thoughtfully considered, creating moments that felt both personal and unforgettable. Experiencing the history and elegance of Raffles London at The OWO, before sharing the excitement of SailGP with my father, made the journey even more meaningful. The SailGP experience was unlike anything I had imagined. It was my first time attending, and being part of the Adrenaline Lounge elevated the experience to another level. Watching the race from the water, surrounded by the energy and precision of the F50s at such close range, created a truly unique and unforgettable moment. To share that moment with my father, surrounded by such an incredible atmosphere, created a truly unique and unforgettable memory.”
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