Getting to Raffles London at The OWO: Whitehall, Westminster and a discreet arrival

Opened in 2023 as the UK's first Raffles, Raffles London at The OWO occupies the Old War Office — a magnificent Grade II* Edwardian Baroque building of 1906 in the heart of Whitehall, transformed over a six-year restoration into a destination of 120 rooms and suites, 85 residences, nine restaurants (including Mauro Colagreco's three-Michelin-starred room), three bars, a Guerlain Spa and the 600-seat Whitehall Ballroom. Once home to Churchill, Lord Haldane and the wartime intelligence world that inspired James Bond, it's a hotel steeped in history — and this guide covers exactly how to reach it.

01 / LOCATIONWhere exactly is Raffles London at The OWO?

Raffles London at The OWO is at 57 Whitehall, London SW1A 2BX, in the City of Westminster, occupying the trapezium-shaped Old War Office block in the heart of Whitehall — opposite Horse Guards and a short walk from Trafalgar Square, St James's Park and the river. The hotel's main entrance is on Horse Guards Avenue. It sits within the Congestion Charge zone and the ULEZ, with no public car park — so for arrivals, a clean drop-off at the entrance is the sensible approach.

02 / THE SETTINGThe Old War Office, reborn

The OWO's magic is its sense of history made luxurious: handsome state rooms and grand offices, where the nation's defence was once coordinated, transformed into opulent guest rooms and suites with views over Whitehall and Horse Guards. The dramatic interiors — by designer Thierry Despont — host nine restaurants and three bars, including the atmospheric Spy Bar and Guards Bar, with the magnificent Whitehall Ballroom, seating 600, reached by a grand staircase. Add the Guerlain Spa and Pillar Wellbeing club, and it's a hotel built for occasion. The point for arrival is simple: the OWO is a stage for grand entrances, so the journey to its door deserves the same composure.

03 / STATIONSNearest stations and getting around

Whitehall is exceptionally well connected:

• Westminster (Jubilee, Circle and District lines) is about five minutes' walk.
• Embankment (Circle, District, Bakerloo and Northern lines) is a similar distance, with Charing Cross (Bakerloo and Northern lines, plus national rail) around seven minutes.
• The Horse Guards Avenue bus stop is opposite the hotel for routes 3, 12, 159 and 453, and Embankment and Westminster Piers are a short walk for river services.

For getting around day to day, the location is hard to beat. The familiar catch applies on arrival: easy travelling light, far harder with luggage and a Tube change or two after a long flight.

04 / AIRPORTSAirport transfer times to Raffles London at The OWO

The OWO is reachable from every London airport, but the journeys — and how relaxed they are with luggage — vary. The board below gives realistic door-to-door driving times for a pre-booked private hire car. Treat them as a planning guide; central London traffic has its own ideas.

From London City & Heathrow

London City is the closest airport, just to the east — convenient for business arrivals. Heathrow is the gateway for most international guests; by rail it's the Elizabeth or Piccadilly line with a change towards Westminster or Embankment. A direct Heathrow airport transfer by car removes the changes, with the driver meeting you in arrivals and taking you straight to the Horse Guards Avenue entrance.

From the other airports

Gatwick connects by rail towards Victoria or Charing Cross; Luton and Stansted sit further out. From each, the rail route ends in a Tube ride and a walk with bags; for anyone with luggage, one car and one fixed price is the gentler option.

A hotel built for grand entrances — the arrival should feel just as composed.

05 / THE EASY WAYArriving in style — train, Tube or private hire?

There is no single right answer. Travelling light from elsewhere in town? The Tube to Westminster or Embankment and a short walk works well. A pre-booked private hire transfer tends to win when arrival matters most:

• You are arriving with luggage after a flight and want to step out at the entrance, not navigate Whitehall on foot.
• You are travelling as a family or group who would value a saloon, executive car or MPV.
• You want a fixed fare known before you travel — no surge, no meter ticking in central traffic.
• Your flight time is uncertain — a tracked driver simply adjusts and waits.

06 / NEARBYWhat's around Raffles London at The OWO

Some of London's most famous sights are on the doorstep:

• Horse Guards & Horse Guards Parade — directly opposite, with the changing of the guard.
• Trafalgar Square & the National Gallery — a short walk north up Whitehall.
• St James's Park & Buckingham Palace — the royal park and palace a few minutes west.
• The River Thames & Westminster — the Embankment, the London Eye and Parliament close by.

07 / FAQFrequently asked questions