From history to hospitality. To consolidate public finances in the wake of the 2008 crisis, David Cameron's government put up for sale several Crown jewels in the early 2010s, some of which will be the talk of the London hotel industry in the future. For example, the Ministry of Defence sold the Old War Office, which was in the process of being transformed into a Raffles hotel. Used by the British government from 1906 to 1964 and frequented by Winston Churchill during the war, the Old War Office will give way to a luxurious complex of 120 rooms and 11 bars and restaurants. The European counterpart to the legendary Raffles in Singapore, its opening was announced for late 2022, but is now scheduled for spring 2023.
Another landmark of British royalty, theAdmiralty ArchIt is also on the list of historic monuments in the process of being converted into hotels. Spanning the Mall, the iconic silhouette of this "Admiralty Arch" stands in stark contrast to its opposite, Buckingham Palace, both designed by Sir Aston Webb.
Commissioned by Edward VII in memory of Queen Victoria, this monument stands out on the path of official ceremonies - yesterday the funeral of Elizabeth II, tomorrow the coronation of Charles III - and is also preparing to move into the hotel ranks. It's not too radical a change of function for a place that was once the capital of the British Empire. official residence of the leading figures in the British Admiraltyincluding Lord Mountbatten and Winston Churchill.
This project, which will see the prestigious Waldorf Astoria brand Hilton Group's move to the epicentre of the British monarchy was no mystery. This metamorphosis had already been presented in 2017, when Prime Investors bought the Admiralty Arch. The billionaire family Reuben Brothers, once a partner of Prime Investors, took over the transformation project last summer and have given further details of the venue's future offering. " Transforming and restoring Admiralty Arch - a true London landmark - into a five-star luxury hotel with restaurants, bars, ballroom, spa and residences is an incredible honour for us." said Jamie Reuben.
The updated plans include more rooms than originally planned, and the addition of an exclusive spa, as well as numerous bars and restaurants in partnership with world-renowned chefs. Other features unveiled include two outdoor spaces, one on the ground floor overlooking St James' Park, and a rooftop terrace on the sixth floor. But the highlight of the hotel will undoubtedly be a new two-bedroom suite in the centre of the building, on the fourth-floor deck. From where a dream view of Buckingham PalaceThe Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch is a luxury hotel, whether for one night or for ultra VIP events. Luxury accessible to an elite clientele, but not before 2025, the year in which the Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch is due to open.
