Raffles close to clinching deal for London hotel

London

RAFFLES Hotels & Resorts is the preferred operator of a hotel in London's Old War Office, once occupied by Winston Churchill, according to two people familiar with the plans.

The building in Whitehall, which is being redeveloped by the Hinduja Group and Spain's Obrascon Huarte Lain SA (OHL), will become the first Raffles hotel in London if the agreement is signed, said the people, asking not to be identified because the plans are private. The Raffles brand was bought by Accor SA, Europe's largest hotel operator, earlier this year.