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Raffles London at The OWO
London, United Kingdom · Raffles · Apex Luxury
It was within the Old War Office's two and a half miles of corridors, where Winston Churchill and T. E. Lawrence both worked, that Ian Fleming conceived James Bond, drawing on the building's resident intelligence operatives. Raffles opened the first UK property of its Singapore-born brand here in 2023, after a six-year restoration of the neo-Baroque Edwardian pile at 57 Whitehall, completed in 1906 on the historic site of the Tudor Whitehall Palace.
- 120 rooms
- Opened 2023
- Neighborhood: Whitehall
- Architect: William Young
- Interiors: Thierry Despont
About Raffles London at The OWO
- Raffles London at The OWO opened in 2023 as Raffles' first UK hotel, inside the former Old War Office on Whitehall, originally built in 1906.
- The building served as a center of British military and intelligence activity through the 20th century before a six-year restoration.
- It holds MICHELIN Three Keys and ranked 31st on the World's 50 Best Hotels 2025 list.
History
Raffles London at The OWO opened in 2023 as Raffles’ first hotel in the United Kingdom, within the former Old War Office on Whitehall. The Old War Office was originally built in 1906 and served as a center of British military and intelligence activity through the 20th century. A major six-year restoration transformed the Grade II* listed Edwardian landmark into a hotel, residences, restaurants, and public spaces. The property is notable for preserving historic features while introducing a contemporary luxury hotel program.
The setting
Raffles London at The OWO occupies 57 Whitehall — the Old War Office, a neo-Baroque Edwardian pile completed in 1906 on the historic site of Whitehall Palace, where kings held court from Henry VIII to William III. The building's 1,000 rooms and two-and-a-half miles of corridors were at the centre of British military history from the Somme to D-Day; Winston Churchill, T. E. Lawrence, and Ian Fleming — who conceived James Bond here — all worked within these walls. Trafalgar Square is six minutes on foot, Big Ben eight, and the Palace of Westminster nine minutes, making this the most historically charged hotel address in London. 10-minute walk to Westminster Abbey.
Restaurants and bars
- Saison — Restaurant · French · Chef Mauro Colagreco
- Mauro Colagreco — Restaurant · French · Chef Mauro Colagreco · One MICHELIN Star
- La Dame de Pic — Restaurant · French · Chef Anne-Sophie Pic
Experiences
- Raffles London Butlers — Butlers curate distinctive journeys and exceptional experiences throughout the stay.
- Guerlain Spa — Nine treatment rooms offering traditional and innovative spa and beauty therapies for body and mind.
- 20m indoor pool & vitality pool — A cathedral of relaxation, with hydrothermal facilities to foster a sense of escape.
- State-of-the-art gym & movement studio — Active wellness spaces with one-to-one coaching and juice bar, supporting movement, nutrition, recovery and mental fitness.
Amenities
- Spa
- Indoor pool
- Sauna
- Steam room
- Hot tub
- Fitness center
- Pet-friendly
- Butler service
Awards
- Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star (2026)
- MICHELIN Three Keys (2026)
- World's 50 Best Hotels (2026)
- AA Five Red Stars (2025)
- AHEAD Europe Accessibility (2024)
- AHEAD Europe Hotel Conversion (2024)
- AHEAD Europe Hotel of the Year (2024)
- AHEAD Europe Suite (2024)
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