Raffles London at The OWO has been ranked No.28 in The 50 Best Hotels 2026, securing a place on the global list for the third consecutive year.
The result was announced on 15 September during a ceremony at Les Salles du Carrousel in Paris. The fourth edition of the awards featured hotels across six continents and 22 territories, chosen through votes from more than 800 anonymous industry experts.
Raffles London rose three places from No.31 in 2025. The hotel made its debut at No.13 in 2024, a year after opening within the restored former Old War Office on Whitehall.
Four UK properties appear in the 2026 ranking. Claridge’s is the highest placed at No.13, followed by Raffles London at No.28, Estelle Manor in Witney at No.43 and The Connaught at No.49. Rosewood Hong Kong retained the No.1 position for a second year and was also named The Best Hotel in Asia.
Three consecutive years among The 50 Best Hotels
The ranking was presented as a live countdown from No.50 to No.1, alongside special awards and the extended 51–100 list. Europe supplied 21 of the main list’s hotels, while Asia had 18 and North America had six. South America and Africa had two entries each, with one from Oceania.
“It is a moment of special celebration for Raffles London to be ranked in The 50 Best Hotels for three years running,” Olivier Thomas, managing director of Raffles London at The OWO, said.
“For a relatively young hotel, which is located in a truly historic building, this gives us all an extra sense of purpose and pride.”
The ranking is produced by The 50 Best Hotels Academy, whose panel comprises hotel professionals, travel writers, educators, business travellers and seasoned luxury travellers. It is divided into 13 geographical regions, maintains a 50/50 gender balance and renews at least a quarter of its members annually.
Each voter selects seven hotels, while properties cannot apply, pay to enter or nominate themselves. The voting period was expanded from two years to three for the 2026 edition, allowing academy members to consider a broader selection of previous stays. Further information is available in The 50 Best Hotels methodology.
The organisation also shortened the ranking’s name from The World’s 50 Best Hotels to The 50 Best Hotels in September 2026, following the introduction of a unified master brand. It said the change did not affect the voting process or the ranking’s independence.
Inside Raffles London at The OWO
Set at 57 Whitehall, Raffles London at The OWO occupies one of the capital’s most recognisable government buildings, overlooking Horse Guards and the official entrance to Buckingham Palace.
The Grade II* listed Edwardian Baroque landmark served as the Old War Office for more than a century. Winston Churchill held office within the building, while its rooms were used by Britain’s military leadership and intelligence services.
The property also has links to espionage. Candidates for the Special Operations Executive attended interviews and briefings there during the Second World War, while personnel linked to Operation Mincemeat worked inside the building. Novelist Ian Fleming was a regular visitor, and Raffles says the setting helped inspire elements of his James Bond stories. The building later appeared in Bond films.
An eight-year restoration converted former government offices into 120 rooms and suites while preserving much of their original character. Grand ceilings, ornate stucco, oak panelling and historic fireplaces now sit alongside contemporary furniture and custom lighting.
Other restored details include mosaic floors and the central marble staircase. Geometric carpets reference the building’s Roman mosaics, while crimson fabrics and window treatments draw on the uniforms worn by the Horse Guards outside.
Accommodation begins with Classic rooms measuring 31 square metres and extends to the 181-square-metre Haldane Suite. The wider collection includes the Westminster, Ministerial, Corner and Turret suites, alongside several historically themed options.
Five Heritage Suites occupy rooms once used by senior political or military figures. The Churchill Suite retains wood panelling and antique fireplaces, while the Granville Suite has a gold bathtub. The Haldane Suite looks across Whitehall and accommodates up to three guests in two king beds.
Guests staying in the Heritage Suites receive personalised butler service, flexible arrival and departure times, airport transfers and complimentary fitness classes. Stocked minibars are also included.
Mauro Colagreco’s restaurants and The Spy Bar
Dining is a central part of the hotel, with five restaurants and two bars operated within Raffles London. The broader OWO destination contains additional venues managed separately.
Chef Mauro Colagreco oversees three of the hotel’s dining experiences. His flagship restaurant, Mauro Colagreco, focuses on hyper-seasonal dishes and vegetables grown in Britain. Colagreco is best known for Mirazur on the Côte d’Azur, which was named The World’s Best Restaurant in 2019.
Mauro’s Table offers a more intimate chef’s-table format, with an open kitchen and views towards Whitehall. Saison by Mauro Colagreco serves Mediterranean-inspired food throughout the day beneath a restored glass ceiling.
The Drawing Room pairs afternoon tea and all-day dining with a grand piano, historic fireplace, Whitehall views and an extensive Champagne selection. Its current afternoon tea draws on the building’s intelligence connections through a Secrets & Spies theme.
Below ground, The Spy Bar provides a more secluded setting for cocktails. The Guards Bar and Lounge overlooks Horse Guards and the entrance towards Buckingham Palace.
The hotel organises its wine list into British trade route wines from former British territories and a global trade route category covering countries historically connected through commerce. It says preference is given to estates using sustainable growing and production methods.
Four floors of spa and wellbeing facilities
The hotel’s 2,510-square-metre wellness area extends across four floors, combining Guerlain treatments with training and recovery programmes from Pillar Wellbeing.
The hotel has an indoor swimming pool measuring 20 metres, alongside a vitality pool, sauna, steam room and experience showers. Guests can also use the fitness centre and access tailored programmes covering movement, nutrition and physical recovery.
For celebrations and larger events, the hotel has a 678-square-metre double-height ballroom. The space can accommodate up to 700 guests in a theatre layout or 600 for a banquet.
A new Gruffalo family stay arrives in September
The ranking comes shortly before the hotel launches a Gruffalo family experience on 21 September 2026. Created around Gruffalo Granny, the first new Gruffalo story in more than 20 years, it includes a children’s afternoon tea in The Drawing Room and themed additions for overnight stays.
Available through early January 2027, the tea is priced at £50 per child. Overnight guests can receive themed gifts, family breakfast and a Toniebox audio player with a Gruffalo figurine. Those booking a room can reserve a second room at 50 per cent off, while suite bookings include a complimentary second room. Full details are included in our guide to the Gruffalo afternoon tea and family stay.
The hotel also provides service to 85 private OWO Residences within the same building.
