The Best Hotels in Westminster

Westminster sits at the centre of London’s political and historical landscape and is home to institutions such as Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. Bordered by the River Thames and extending towards St James’s and Victoria, the borough also connects directly to the West End which makes theatres, galleries and restaurants easily accessible on foot.

Many of the hotels in Westminster occupy historic buildings, from former government offices to late 19th-century townhouses, while newer openings tend to adopt a more residential or private-club approach.

In this guide, we profile a handful of the best hotels in Westminster.

Raffles London at The OWO

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Few openings in Westminster have carried the same presence as Raffles London at The OWO. Set within the former Old War Office on Whitehall, the hotel occupies a Grade II* listed Edwardian Baroque building that has been restored and converted into a large-scale luxury property. Its location places it firmly within walking distance of Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Horse Guards Parade and the River Thames, while remaining well connected to transport hubs such as Charing Cross and Waterloo.

Guests are able to unwind in the Guerlain Spa, where treatment rooms offer a range of therapies, or spend time relaxing at the 20-metre indoor pool before using the fitness facilities, which includes a state-of-the-art Technogym, a movement studio and a juice bar. The rooms and suites at Raffles London at The OWO reinterpret Edwardian design through the lens of Thierry Despont, who aimed to preserve much of its original detailing. Suites range from characterful corner and turret residences with views across Whitehall and St James’s Park to expansive, wood-panelled interiors that have been enriched with Art Deco accents, antique fireplaces and bespoke furnishings. The most storied Heritage Suites, set within former offices of figures such as Winston Churchill, combine meticulously restored architectural features with generous proportions.

Dining spans nine restaurants and three bars, from Mauro Colagreco’s Michelin-starred celebration of the English garden to the Japanese rooftop restaurant Kioku by Endo, alongside more relaxed options that are perfectly suited for extended meals or late drinks. A roster of internationally regarded chefs underpins a breadth of cuisines, from Mediterranean all-day dining to Milanese and Italian fine dining.

St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel

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Housed within a series of late 19th-century red-brick townhouses, St. James’ Court sits close to St. James’s Park and within walking distance of Victoria Station. The site dates back to Elizabethan almshouses founded by Lord Dacre, later becoming schools before Major Charles Pawley redeveloped it in 1897 into townhouses for London’s elite political and social circles. Acquired by the Indian Hotels Company in 1982 and meticulously restored in 2014, the hotel still remains centred around its original courtyard and fountain.

Across its 329 rooms and suites, historic features are retained and rebalanced with a quintessentially English aesthetic. The Premium Rooms and suites, which were designed by Dexter Moren Associates in collaboration with Sue Freeman, introduce a townhouse-inspired finish and a palette of pale tones to enhance natural light that create a distinctly residential feel. The J Wellness Circle spa, the first of its kind in Europe, integrates Indian wellness practices with modern facilities, including treatment rooms, a vitality pool, steam and sauna, alongside a fitness centre with Technogym equipment.

Dining spans from the globally minded TH@51 and Kona’s inventive afternoon teas to the regional Chinese cooking of House of Ming and the Michelin-starred south-west Indian cuisine of Quilon, with Bombay Brasserie a short cab ride away. For something more relaxed, there are evening cocktails at the Hamptons Bar and alfresco dining in the TH@51 Courtyard during the warmer months.

St Ermin’s Hotel

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Set within a courtyard in Westminster, a short walk from St. James’s Park and Victoria Station, St. Ermin’s Hotel occupies a late-Edwardian building that includes well-documented links to wartime intelligence since its opening in 1899. Voted the UK’s No.1 hotel in 2025 by Tripadvisor, it forms part of the Marriott International Autograph Collection and has remained closely tied to Westminster’s political and social life, aided by its proximity to the Houses of Parliament.

The hotel’s 331 rooms and suites range from compact doubles through to larger family rooms and suites with separate living areas. Interiors follow a restrained interpretation of British style, favouring neutral palettes and functional layouts. Beyond the guestrooms, a broad selection of meeting and event spaces, including the Crystal Ballroom and Cloisters Suite, positions the hotel as a consistent choice for corporate functions, private events and weddings.

Dining is centred around the Caxton Grill, where seasonal European dishes are served, alongside the Caxton Bar and a Tea Lounge offering traditional afternoon tea. Elsewhere, the hotel’s rooftop is put to practical use, with a kitchen garden supplying produce and a third-floor terrace housing approximately 350,000 Buckfast bees, whose honey is used across the menus. Guests are able to observe the hives from behind glass, while the surrounding garden provides a quieter space to step away from the pace of central London.

The Savoy

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Located on the Strand overlooking the River Thames, The Savoy was opened in 1889 as the first purpose-built luxury hotel in Britain and has remained synonymous with London's theatre and social life ever since. Its position, adjacent to the Savoy Theatre and within easy reach of the West End, has made it a natural base for performers, audiences and visiting figures, with figures such as Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin and Frank Sinatra among those associated with the hotel.

The hotel comprises 267 rooms and suites, many of which overlook the Thames or the London skyline. Accommodation follows a consistent balance between period character and modern, with detailing and large windows. Suites and speciality rooms include 24-hour butler service and bespoke Savoy furnishings, while the Royal Suite, occupying the entire fifth floor and introduced in 2016, offers expansive views across landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and the London Eye. Guests staying here are supported by an exclusive “Savoy Royal Entourage”, including a private chef, bartender, stylist and concierge.

With a number of long-established restaurants and bars, guests are able to explore British seafood at Kaspar’s at The Savoy, while Simpson’s in the Strand has built a reputation around traditional roast dining, alongside the Savoy Grill and afternoon tea in the Thames Foyer.

Wellness facilities include a Beauty & Fitness area with a swimming pool, sauna and steam room, alongside spa treatments and a concierge team able to arrange theatre tickets, dining reservations and tailored city itineraries.

The Guardsman

Tucked just off Buckingham Gate on Vandon Street, The Guardsman operates on a smaller, more controlled scale than most of its Westminster neighbours. Opened in 2020, it follows a private club-style model, with an emphasis on discretion and a more tailored stay. Buckingham Palace and St James’s Park are both within walking distance and the hotel remains well placed for access across central London without feeling exposed to it.

Rooms are compact but carefully finished, with parquet flooring, marble bathrooms and a restrained take on British design. There are 59 rooms in total, alongside six self-contained pied-a-terres designed for longer stays, each with private kitchens, dining areas and space to work. Underfloor heating and well-stocked personal bars come as standard — while higher levels of service, including private chefs, valet and 24-hour room service, can be arranged.

That approach carries through to how the hotel is run. A pre-arrival concierge allows guests to set preferences in advance, from room details to dining, while on-the-ground teams handle transport, reservations and day-to-day planning. The Dining Room and Bar are reserved for residents and their guests, with menus that are shaped by seasonal produce and no fixed service times. A substantial whisky list, which runs to around 250 bottles sits alongside a broader drinks menu, while afternoon tea is served in quieter spaces such as the Drawing Room or Library.