Looking to add a dash of history to your London stay? Imagine drifting off to sleep in Winston Churchill’s former office, sipping cocktails in a Victorian prison cell, or unwinding in a vault that once held millions in gold bullion. London’s most remarkable historic hotels aren’t just places to rest your head – they’re living pieces of history that have been transformed from seats of power and justice into havens of luxury.
These architectural treasures tell fascinating stories of Britain’s past, expertly preserved and repurposed into some of the city’s most extraordinary places to stay. From former government offices to magistrates’ courts, each of these remarkable buildings has been thoughtfully transformed to offer guests a unique blend of historical significance and modern indulgence.
Corridors of Power: Raffles London at The OWO
Imperial grandeur meets world-class dining and landmark views
For those seeking the ultimate in historical prestige, Raffles London at The OWO offers the rare opportunity to stay in the very building where Winston Churchill orchestrated wartime strategy and where Ian Fleming found inspiration for James Bond. After an ambitious eight-year restoration project, this Grade II* listed Edwardian baroque masterpiece has been transformed into one of London’s most talked-about luxury destinations.
The former Old War Office building, completed in 1906, now houses 120 rooms and 39 suites, each meticulously designed to blend period charm with contemporary luxury. Nine restaurants and three bars, including venues by internationally acclaimed chef Mauro Colagreco, ensure world-class dining experiences. The crowning jewel is the Guerlain Spa, complete with a vitality pool and 20-metre indoor swimming pool.
What makes Raffles London at The OWO a ‘wow’ place to stay
What truly sets this hotel apart is its grand architecture and proximity to London’s most iconic landmarks. The Whitehall Ballroom, one of London’s largest, features modern theatrical rigging while maintaining its historic grandeur.
📍 Address: Whitehall, London, SW1A 2BX
🏡 Neighbourhood: Whitehall
🚇 Nearest Underground station: Embankment – Bakerloo, Circle, District and Bakerloo lines
🚍 Bus routes: 12, 24, 26, 87, 88, 109, 159 & 453
⭐️ Rating: 5 stars
🏨 Check rates & availability at Raffles London at The OWO
🏆 Awards: Tripadvisor 2024 Travelers’ Choice
🏆 Awards: 2024 Global Recognition Award for Exceptional Luxury Hospitality and four AHEAD Europe Awards in 2024, including the coveted ‘Hotel of the Year’
🤩 Tripadvisor: 4.5 – 217 reviews Google: 4.6 – 377 reviews
Law & luxury: NoMad London
Art-filled luxury in a Victorian courthouse where Oscar Wilde once stood trial
Step into the NoMad London, and you’re walking through the same doors that once saw Oscar Wilde and the infamous Kray twins face justice. This Grade II-listed former Bow Street Magistrates’ Court has been ingeniously transformed into a 91-room luxury hotel that perfectly balances its Victorian heritage with contemporary design.
The hotel’s restaurant, set in a light-filled atrium, serves seasonal European cuisine that would make any foodie verdict guilty of indulgence. The Library offers an intimate setting for evening drinks, while the NoMad Bar serves creative cocktails in surroundings that ooze opulence. History buffs will appreciate the Bow Street Police Museum, which chronicles the building’s fascinating past.
What makes NoMad London a ‘wow’ place to stay
Perhaps most impressive is how the former courtroom has been reimagined as an elegant events space, preserving its historic features while creating a truly unique venue for special occasions.
📍 Address: 4 Bow Street, London, WC2E 7AT
🏡 Neighbourhood: Covent Garen
🚇 Nearest Underground station: Covent Garden – Piccadilly line
🚍 Bus routes: 1, 9, 15, 23, 26, 59, 68, 76, 87, 91, 139, 172, 176, 188, 243 & 341
⭐️ Rating: 5 stars
🏨 Check rates & availability at NoMad London
🏆 Awards: Winner of five AHEAD awards in 2021, including the prestigious Hotel of the Year award.
🤩 Tripadvisor: 4.5 – 163 reviews Google: 4.5 – 782 reviews
Sacred stays: L’Oscar London
Theatrical opulence, peacock-feather motifs & butterfly details at a dramatically beautiful boutique hotel
In the heart of Holborn, L’Oscar London proves that heaven is indeed a place on earth. This former Baptist Church headquarters has been divinely transformed through a six-year renovation led by acclaimed French architect Jacques Garcia. The result? A theatrical and decadent hotel that would make its namesake, Oscar Wilde, proud.
The hotel’s 39 rooms are a masterclass in luxurious design, featuring rich jewel tones, embroidered peacock feathers, and Lalique butterfly-wing taps. The former chapel now houses the stunning Baptist Bar, where ecclesiastical architecture provides a dramatic backdrop for creative cocktails and live entertainment. The L’Oscar Restaurant, reminiscent of a Venetian café with its mirrored ceilings, offers a dining experience that’s nothing short of celestial.
What makes L’Oscar London a ‘wow’ place to stay
What makes L’Oscar truly special is its attention to detail – from the seven-story chandelier to custom fragrances by Roja Dove, every element has been carefully chosen to create an atmosphere of pure indulgence.
📍 Address: 2 – 6 Southampton Row, London, WC1B 4AA
🏡 Neighbourhood: Holborn
🚇 Nearest Underground station: Holborn – Piccadilly lines
🚍 Bus routes: 1, 8, 59, 68, 91, 188 & 243
⭐️ Rating: 5 stars
🏨 Check rates & availability at L’Oscar London
🏆 Awards: Tripadvisor 2024 Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best
🏆 Awards: Award of Excellence’ in the 2024 Afternoon Tea Awards and Europe’s ‘Leading New Boutique Hotel’ at the 2019 World Travel Awards.
🤩 Tripadvisor: 5 – 600 reviews Google: 4.7 – 448 reviews
Banking on splendour: The Ned
A roaring twenties banking hall transformed into London’s most spectacular social hub
Step into The Ned, and you’re entering a masterpiece of early 20th-century banking architecture. This Grade I-listed building, designed by Sir Edwin “Ned” Lutyens in 1924, has been transformed from the former Midland Bank headquarters into a spectacular hotel and members’ club through a £200 million renovation.
The 252 rooms channel 1920s glamour with vintage-style furnishings and period details. But it’s the public spaces that truly dazzle – the former banking hall, with its 92 verdite marble columns, now houses multiple restaurants offering cuisine from around the world. The piece de resistance? The Vault Bar, set behind the original 20-tonne vault door, where guests can sip cocktails surrounded by thousands of original safety deposit boxes.
What makes The Ned a ‘wow’ place to stay
The Ned’s Club Spa, complete with a 20-metre indoor pool, hammam, and traditional treatments, offers a luxurious retreat from the city’s bustle. For the ultimate experience, access to the rooftop pool provides spectacular views of St. Paul’s Cathedral and the London skyline.
📍 Address: 27 Poultry, London, EC2R 8AJ
🏡 Neighbourhood: Cheapside, City of London
🚇 Nearest Underground station: Bank – Central, Circle, District & Northern lines
🚈 Nearest DLR station: Bank
🚍 Bus routes: 8, 21, 25, 26, 43, 133, 141
⭐️ Rating: 5 stars
🏨 Check rates & availability at The Ned
🤩 Tripadvisor: 4 – 1,531 reviews Google: 4.5 – 7,069 reviews
Governing in Grandeur: London Marriott County Hall
Riverside grandeur with Big Ben views in London’s former seat of government
Perched majestically on the South Bank of the Thames, the London Marriott County Hall offers a stay in a piece of London’s governmental history. This Grade II-listed building, which served as the headquarters of the London County Council from 1922, still maintains its original grandeur with vaulted ceilings, wood-panelled chambers, and Belgian marble fireplaces.
The 206 rooms and suites offer some of London’s most coveted views – imagine waking up to Big Ben and the London Eye right outside your window. The hotel’s Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar, with its collection of over 120 gins, provides a taste of British excellence, while afternoon tea in The Library, surrounded by bookcases and antique Greek statues, offers a quintessentially English experience.
What makes London Marriott Hotel County Hall a ‘wow’ place to stay
What sets this hotel apart is its unparalleled location and careful preservation of historical details, from the Thames-printed wallpaper to the mosaic flooring that tells stories of London’s past.
📍 Address: Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7PB
🏡 Neighbourhood: Waterloo
🚇 Nearest Underground station: Westminster – Circle, District and Jubilee lines / Waterloo – Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern and Waterloo & City lines
🚇 Nearest station: Waterloo
🚍 Bus routes: 11, 12, 76, 77, 109, 148, 159, 381, 453 & C10
⭐️ Rating: 5 stars
🏨 Check rates & availability at London Marriott County Hall
🏆 Awards: Tripadvisor 2024 Travelers’ Choice
🏆 Awards: Winner of ‘World’s Leading Riverfront Hotel’ three times at the World Travel Awards and voted as one of the Top 40 Hotels in London by Condé Nast’s readers.
🤩 Tripadvisor: 4.5 – 3,926 reviews Google: 4.4 – 1,582 reviews
From justice to indulgence: Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch
Contemporary luxury meets crime history with cocktails in converted prison cells
In the heart of trendy Shoreditch, the former Old Street Magistrates’ Court and Police Station has been transformed into a unique luxury destination. Built in 1903 and operating until 1996, this Grade II-listed building once hosted the trials of the notorious Kray twins and served as a filming location for popular series like Luther and Spooks before its 2016 metamorphosis into the Courthouse Hotel.
The hotel’s 128 rooms and suites seamlessly blend historical features with modern luxury, some even featuring private bars and mini cinemas. For a truly unique experience, the Jailhouse Bar incorporates original holding cells into private dining spaces, while the main restaurant occupies a former courtroom. The crowning glory? A rooftop terrace bar offering spectacular views over East London.
What makes Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch a ‘wow’ place to stay
Beyond its historical charm, the hotel boasts modern amenities including a luxury spa with a heated indoor pool, a two-lane bowling alley, and even a 196-seat cinema – perfect for those seeking entertainment beyond the usual hotel experience.
📍 Address: 335 – 337 Old Street, London, EC1V 9LL
🏡 Neighbourhood: Shoreditch
🚇 Nearest Underground station: Old Street – Northern line
🚇 Nearest Overground station: Hoxton – Windrush line
🚍 Bus routes: 26, 55, 149, 242 & 243
⭐️ Rating: 5 stars
🏨 Check rates & availability at Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch
🏆 Awards: Tripadvisor 2024 Travelers’ Choice
🏆 Awards: Named as ‘Hotel of the Month’ by Hotel Magazine in December 2024.
🤩 Tripadvisor: 4 – 1,037 reviews Google: 3.9 – 954 reviews
Scotland Yard’s new chapter: Great Scotland Yard Hotel
Sleep in Scotland Yard’s historic headquarters with criminally good cocktails
From catching criminals to catching some Z’s, the Great Scotland Yard Hotel has undergone quite the transformation. This historic building, which served as the Metropolitan Police headquarters from 1829 to 1890, now offers a luxurious escape in the heart of Westminster.
Each of the 153 rooms tells a unique story, blending historical references with modern comfort. The attention to detail is remarkable – from concealed closets to electronic light switches styled to resemble those from a century ago. Dining options include the innovative “Ekstedt at the Yard” offering Scandinavian-inspired cuisine, while the 40 Elephants Bar pays homage to a notorious all-female crime gang from the 20th century.
What makes Great Scotland Yard Hotel a ‘wow’ place to stay
What makes this hotel truly special is how it weaves London’s rich police history into every aspect of the guest experience, from the artwork to the cocktail menu, creating an atmospheric stay that’s both luxurious and educational.
📍 Address: 1 – 5 Great Scotland Yard, London, SW1A 2HN
🏡 Neighbourhood: Embankment – Bakerloo, Circle, District and Bakerloo lines / Charing Cross – Bakerloo and Northern lines
🚇 Nearest station: Charing Cross
🚍 Bus routes: 12, 24, 26, 87, 88, 91, 109, 159 & 453
⭐️ Rating: 5 stars
🏨 Check rates & availability at Great Scotland Yard Hotel
🏆 Awards: Tripadvisor 2024 Travelers’ Choice
🤩 Tripadvisor: 4.5 – 1,014 reviews Google: 45 – 508 reviews
Practical tips for your stay at these historic hotels in London
When planning your stay in one of London’s historic hotels, timing can be everything. Consider visiting during shoulder season (spring or autumn) for better rates and fewer crowds. Many of these hotels offer unique experiences that shouldn’t be missed – from vault dining at The Ned to historical tours at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel.
For history enthusiasts, consider creating a themed stay by combining hotels in similar areas. Westminster offers a cluster of options with Raffles London at The OWO, Great Scotland Yard Hotel, and the London Marriott County Hall all within walking distance.
A night for the history books
London’s historic hotels offer more than just a place to rest your head – they’re a chance to be part of the city’s continuing story. Whether you’re sleeping in Churchill’s former corridors of power, dining in converted prison cells, or sipping cocktails in a former chapel, these remarkable transformations prove that the best of London’s past can be experienced in the most luxurious of present-day settings.
Remember, these aren’t just hotels – they’re living museums where luxury meets legacy, and every stay becomes a story worth telling. Cheers to London’s remarkable historic hotels, where every night is a journey through time.
I moved to London in 1991 ‘for a couple of years’ in search of a new career. More thirty years later I continue to enjoy being in the city, sometimes seeing it through the eyes of a local and sometimes with eyes of a tour guide as I share places I love with family & friends. From bar food in Borough to Michelin-starred meals in Mayfair and from market stalls in Soho to the shameless extravagance of Selfridges, I love the rich variety London has to offer and sharing that with others.