Wellness is taking on new and further-reaching meaning
– Emlyn Brown

Raffles' debut London property Raffles London at The OWO will be home to a brand new destination spa and health club partnered with beauty and wellness brand Guerlain and movement and nutrition specialist Pillar.

Opening Q4 2022, the first Guerlain spa in London will offer a holistic wellbeing experience, focused on restorative wellness and active training.

The Guerlain Spa at Raffles London will be situated at the heart of the landmark Grade II* listed former Old War Office on Whitehall, completed in 1906 by British architect William Young.

The building was formerly the site of the original Palace of Whitehall, home to Henry VIII and other monarchs. It’s also witnessed world-shaping events while influential political leaders – including Winston Churchill – held office.

Designed by interior design studio Goddard Littlefair, the spa and wellness space will span four levels.

Exclusive to Raffles London will be a signature wellness menu created by Guerlain, in addition to Pillar’s bespoke training, nutrition and recovery programme.

The Guerlain Spa will feature nine treatment rooms, a barber and salon, beauty treatment spaces and a Guerlain boutique, as well as a separate VIP area and two couple suites.

Guests will be offered a comprehensive menu of Guerlain treatments in the comfort of the two couple’s suites, as well as private training and nutritional menus by Pillar. They will also feature an open space for yoga as well as light training equipment.

Véronique Courtois, CEO of Guerlain, says: “Our new Guerlain flagship in London is set to be a world-class spa.

“To introduce Guerlain to London will be a very special moment for us, especially in a space with such incredible heritage, countless stories and such a meaningful history.”

Now operating 40 branded spas and institutes worldwide, the Guerlain company was founded in 1828 and ran as a family business up until 1994 when it was acquired by the luxury goods conglomerate Möet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH).

Open to guests at Raffles London, residents of The OWO Residences by Raffles, as well as spa members and day guests, the spa will join the hotel’s 120 rooms and suites, 85 branded residences and 11 destination restaurants and bars.

Emlyn Brown, Accor’s global VP of wellbeing, says: “Serenity, harmony, relaxation, recovery and pleasure are the touchstones of wellness at Raffles Hotels & Resorts. They will be infused within every inch of the Guerlain Spa experience at Raffles London.

“With societal habits shifting and wellness taking on new and further-reaching meaning in a post-pandemic world, the desire and need for overall wellbeing and its positive effects cannot be understated. True luxury is not about what you do, but how you feel.”

Hospitality veteran Philippe Leboeuf has been selected by Accor to helm the property as managing director, bringing over 30 years’ experience operating luxury hotels to the role. Most recently, he was regional VP of operations for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (MOHG) and GM of Mandarin Oriental Paris.

Prior to joining MOHG, he was GM of Claridge’s in London for three years, and held various senior management positions in the luxury hospitality sector including with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, The Carlyle in New York, Leading Hotels of the World and Hôtel de Crillon in Paris.

Fitness and movement

Movement specialists Pillar will launch a members’ health club and oversee the training and health programming at Raffles London. The active wellness spaces, driven by Pillar, will comprise a gym and yoga studio, juice bar and a swimming pool complete with a vitality pool, saunas and steamrooms.

Founded by elite performance coach Harry Jameson, Pillar will offer a distinct service that places equal emphasis on movement, recovery and nutrition.

Dedicated programmes for members, delivered by expert trainers, will focus on strength and stress relief.

In addition, therapists will offer a range of recovery experiences with a tailored nutritional offering created by Pillar chef Joey O’Hare, available from the ground floor PillarKitchen.

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