New English hotel named among best in the world despite being open less than a year – with incredible secret 007 spy bar

THE world’s best hotels for 2024 have been revealed and three English hotels have made it on the list.

They include the Raffles London at The OWO boasting links to 007 and Winston Churchill, which has only been open since September last year.

Coming in at number 13 out of 50 hotels that made the cut, the Whitehall-based hotel has been quick to make a name for itself. 

Its history, style and range of amenities have helped it earn its place as a new entry on The World’s 50 Best Hotels list. 

The hotel occupies the Grade II listed former Old War Office building on the famous street. 

It opened its doors after an extensive eight-year renovation that managed to preserve the original floors and staircase where Winston Churchill once stood to deliver his wartime announcements.

Heritage and history are paramount to many of its design features, such as the crimson uniforms of the Horse Guards’ Household Cavalry inspiring the fabrics that have been used. 

The hotel’s signature suites are also named after some of the most notable people who once occupied the building, including Winston Churchill and Lord Haldane. 

There are 120 suites in total, all designed to honour the building’s Edwardian heritage, with marble fireplaces, chandeliers, and geometric carpets. 

Some memorable suites include the Nearne Suite, which has a vaulted-ceiling bedroom with a skylight, and the Corner Suites, which are named after notable women and female spies.

The Raffles hotel’s dining options include nine restaurants, offering cuisine from around the world.

Three of its nine restaurants are headed up by Argentinian chef Mauro Colagreco – the man behind French restaurant Mirazur, which has achieved three Michelin Stars and was crowned number one on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2019.

The hotel’s three bars include a speakeasy in the former interrogation rooms of MI5 and MI6, called The Spy Bar. 

Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond, was a regular visitor to the Old War Office building, which is where he conjured the idea for 007.

The Spy Bar is located in two rooms that were numbered 006 and 007 in the early 20th century. They acted as high security storage vaults for identity papers and mission reports of MI5 and MI6 agents. 

As such, The Old War office building featured in three James Bond Films at the headquarters for M16 – Octopussy, A View to a Kill, and Licence to Kill.

A multi-level Guerlain Spa and health club with a 65-foot swimming pool, a cutting-edge gym and movement studio, a vitality pool, and steam and sauna room is also on offer for guests.

A stay at The OWO is on the pricey side – a room for a night for two adults will set you back around £3,496.

There’s clearly a price to pay if you want to stay at one of the world’s best hotels.

The two other English hotels that made the list were Claridge’s (11th place) and The Connaught (46th place) both located in Mayfair, London.

The Gleneagles Hotel in Auchterarder, Scotland also made Britain proud coming in at 41st place.

Capella Bangkok in Thailand has come out on top thanks to its location overlooking the Chao Phraya River, its culturists curating unique experiences for guests, and a Michelin-starred chef serving up fine dining.