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5-star hotel Check-in 15:00 · Check-out 12:00

Raffles London at The OWO

Elegant hotel in London’s historic district with 5 restaurants, spa, indoor pool & near Big Ben. Rated 4.7 with 843 reviews for a refined stay experience.

57 Whitehall, London SW1A 2BX, United Kingdom View on map
9.4/10
Exceptional Based on 967 recent guest reviews
Free Wi-Fi Paid breakfast Parking Accessible Indoor pool
What recent guests emphasize

Exceptional service and historic luxury in central London

Guests highlight the elegant restoration of the historic building alongside modern amenities, with outstanding hospitality and memorable dining experiences contributing to a refined stay near iconic landmarks.

Guests often praise

  • Impeccable, friendly, and professional service from staff across all areas.
  • Luxurious and spacious rooms featuring tasteful, elegant decor.
  • Unique historic tours and engaging heritage atmosphere within the Old War Office building.
  • High-quality dining options, especially standout experiences at specialty restaurants and bars.
  • Well-appointed spa and pool facilities offering relaxation in a chic setting.

Worth knowing

  • The high tea experience received mixed feedback, with some guests finding the food less impressive compared to the setting and service.
  • Occasional busy periods can lead to popular public areas, such as the main staircase, becoming crowded with guests taking photos.
  • Paid breakfast and parking options are available but not included in the room price.
  • Reservations for some dining venues, like bars and specialty restaurants, are recommended for a seamless experience.
  • Free Wi-Fi and pet-friendly policies add to practical convenience during the stay.

Best for

  • Travelers seeking a blend of historic charm and modern luxury in a prime London location.
  • Cultural visitors wanting proximity to landmarks like Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, and Westminster.
  • Guests who appreciate attentive service and personalized hospitality touches.
  • Food and drink enthusiasts interested in diverse, upscale dining and bar experiences.
  • Wellness seekers who enjoy spa, pool, and fitness amenities during their stay.
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About this property

Welcome to Raffles London at The OWO

Raffles London at The OWO is an elegant hotel located in the historic Old War Office building in the heart of London's government district. Guests can enjoy a blend of classic architectural details and modern amenities, with features such as air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and accessible facilities. The property includes five refined restaurants, two stylish bars, a luxe spa, an indoor pool, and a fitness center, catering to a range of preferences and needs.

The hotel’s setting offers convenient access to prominent landmarks, including Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament, making it well suited for visitors interested in exploring London’s rich history and culture. Nearby attractions like The National Gallery and the London Eye enhance its appeal for those seeking a central base for sightseeing. Reviewers often highlight the attentive service and the well-preserved character of the 1850s building, noting the attentive and professional staff throughout their stay.

Visitors also appreciate the unique experiences offered by the hotel, such as historical tours and intimate dining options like Café Ciel, which serves as both a restaurant and a cocktail bar. The property accommodates families, pets, and guests requiring accessible services, adding to its versatility. Check-in time is from 15:00 with a 12:00 checkout, typical for luxury accommodations in the area.

While the overall guest sentiment is highly positive, with a 4.7 rating from 843 reviews, some mention that food offerings like high tea may not stand out as strongly as other aspects of the stay. However, the combination of location, heritage, and service quality makes Raffles London at The OWO a fitting choice for travelers seeking refined luxury within walking distance of London's iconic sights.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Facilities & essentials

What's on-site and what you should know before you arrive

The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.

Most popular facilities

Free Wi-Fi
Paid breakfast
Parking
Accessible
Indoor pool
Air-conditioned
Laundry service
Pet-friendly
Room service
Kid-friendly
Restaurant
Hot tub
Spa
Fitness center
Bar
Smoke-free
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

JE
Joseph Edwards Apr 15, 2026
10

Incredible room, incredible building, wonderful staff and just a fantastic experience. Everything you want out of a luxury hotel. They even gave us a free late checkout until 4 pm because it was our wedding night! It made such a difference and we’re really grateful :-)

DO
Derrick Ong Mar 14, 2026
10

Unmatched hospitality and experience in Raffles London OWO. Everybody is so professional and friendly. I absolutely love the historical hotel tour too. The journey to the spy bar experience is so cool and fun! I recommend watching the netflix movie: Churchill at War before enjoying your stay in this marvelous hotel to better immerse ourselves in this heritage hotel! Will definitely be back in my next London vacation!

GP
Graham Patterson Mar 01, 2026
10

Luxury hotel in the middle of Whitehall, just a few steps from Trafalgar Square and Westminster attractions. It is obvious that a lot of money has been spent on this hotel. The 1850's building has been restored with elegant wood panelling and chandeliers. At the same time the amenities have been modernised. We only went for a meal so I can't comment on the rooms. There are several bars and restaurants and the ones I saw looked suitably luxurious. Service was as you would expect from a top of the range hotel. Discreet and unobtrusive. It was just before Christmas and the hotel was decorated ready for the day. This did lead it a lot of groups having photos taken on the main staircase. It is very impressive.

J&C
J & C Feb 10, 2026
10

Stayed at Raffles London in June for a celebration dinner. Amazing service and really friendly, knowledgeable staff. The building is full of history, and it was great being shown around. This is ultimate luxury in central London. The room was excellent and beautifully decorated. The pool and spa were very impressive and relaxing. The highlight was the Chinese breakfast - absolutely delicious and very authentic. A really special stay!!

CM
C M Feb 02, 2026
10

One of the best experiences in my life. The historical tour was totally slay and the resident guide was a historian. That day must have been my lucky day! He was very knowledgeable and entertaining. The room was of very high quality like every thing else. It’s a very fine hotel. Even the most basic room was roomy. The high tea was an experience. It was a nice space for the purpose but the food was borderline. The best part of this hotel was the service. I just loved it.

AH
Amy Hashim Jan 15, 2026
10

I had the pleasure of having Iftar dinner at Paper Moon and it was truly an amazing experience from start to finish. From the very beginning everything felt warm and welcoming.The staff member who recommended the restaurant made such a great suggestion — and it absolutely exceeded our expectations. The ambience is spectacular, elegant yet comfortable making it a perfect setting for a special Iftar. What really made the evening memorable was the exceptional hospitality.The team was genuinely friendly and attentive-always ready to accommodate any request with a smile.Even the bellboy gentleman took the time to have a lovely conversation with us,sharing interesting insights about The OWO and kindly recommending we try The Bond Bar on our next visit — such a thoughtful touch. The level of service was truly impressive.It’s rare to find a place where both the food and hospitality shine equally.I’ll definitely be coming back.

TF
TS F Dec 29, 2025
10

I popped into the bar for a quick "lift" and previously taken a family member for afternoon tea as a treat! Always impeccable service & incredibly high standards: polite and prompt service. Interiors to die for too. Highly recommend & well worth it in terms of a unique / treasured experience!

JY
Jay Yao Dec 25, 2025
10

The rooms at the Raffles in London was very luxurious and full of modern features. Had a very pleasant drink at the drawing room with the pianist/singer who sounded amazing. Alexander was very generous to show me around the hotel. Michael from the Drawing room was amazing and made my drink very enjoyable with his company Can't wait to come back in the future.

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find Raffles London at The OWO

London, United Kingdom

Historic government district with Big Ben, Houses of Parliament & monuments on Trafalgar Square.

  • St Pancras International 51 min Walk
  • Tottenham Court Road 21 min Walk
  • Bond Street 35 min Walk
  • Heathrow Airport 50 min Car · 1 hr 4 Transit
  • London Gatwick Airport 1 hr 26 Car · 1 hr 14 Transit
  • London Stansted Airport 1 hr 4 Car · 1 hr 38 Transit
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in London. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

The National Gallery 61,299 reviews

The National Gallery

Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN, United Kingdom

4.8 · Art Museum
London Eye 200,283 reviews

London Eye

Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB, United Kingdom

4.5 · Tourist Attraction
Big Ben 97,849 reviews

Big Ben

London SW1A 0AA, United Kingdom

4.6 · Cultural Landmark
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