In short: Tripplo’s analysis covers a sample of 52 guest reviews of Raffles London at The OWO. Guests in the sample highlight Service & staff, Location and Food & restaurants. The most common complaints: Breakfast disappoints some, with a limited buffet and slow service. Many feel prices for rooms and food are high for what you get.
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Raffles London at The OWO in London offers a 5-star experience with spa facilities, a wellness centre, sauna, indoor swimming pool, and free WiFi. Guests enjoy private check-in and check-out, a 24-hour front desk, and concierge services.
The family-friendly restaurant serves British, Mediterranean, and European cuisines with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Breakfast includes champagne, local specialities, warm dishes, fresh pastries, and more. Additional amenities include a bar, fitness room, and yoga classes.
Located in the city centre, the hotel is a short walk from Trafalgar Square and The National Gallery. Nearby attractions include Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and London City Airport, 14 km away. Boating is available in the surrounding area.
Tripplo’s hotel summary
Tripplo’s analysis · Updated 20 October 2026 · How we review hotels
Raffles London at The OWO suits travellers for whom the building is part of the trip. The hotel fills the restored Old War Office on Whitehall, and guests talk as much about the restoration, the decor and the tour of the building's history as about their rooms. Those rooms are described as elegant and spacious, with very comfortable beds, and the service is praised as friendly and first class. A spa with an indoor pool, four restaurants and a secret Spy Bar give plenty of reasons to stay in, while Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery and Big Ben are a short walk away. The weak spots lie in the details. Breakfast draws the most complaints, from slow service to a buffet that fell short of expectations, and housekeeping sometimes falls behind. Some guests also feel the price is hard to justify. For history, comfort and a central base, the hotel delivers; if the price weighs heaviest, look elsewhere.
Guests score it 9.5 out of 10 — the average across the 31 hotels we list in London is 9.3.
- Guests keep coming back to the building itself: the restoration, the decor and the attention to detail. The hotel offers a tour of the Old War Office's history, which several guests single out as a highlight of their stay.
- Service is the most frequent reason for praise, with staff described as friendly, efficient and first class. Guests also note that the public spaces never feel crowded.
- Breakfast draws the most criticism: some guests found service in the breakfast room slow, while others felt the buffet did not meet their expectations. A few also thought the food in general could have been better.
- Several guests mention housekeeping that came late or let the stay down, and one guest found the room not ready at check-in. A few felt that some staff did not reach the level the hotel otherwise sets.
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- Pros and cons in every category guests mention
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Should you book it?
Raffles London at The OWO is worth booking for travellers who want history and polished service in the heart of Westminster — but pick somewhere else if value for money matters more to you than the setting.
Book it if you want
- Travellers who want history and polished service in the heart of Westminster
- Couples who like to pair sightseeing with time in the spa and pool
Pick somewhere else if
- Value for money matters more to you than the setting
- Breakfast is the meal that makes or breaks a stay for you
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What guests actually say
Tripplo’s analysis uses a sample of 52 guest reviews. Texts may be shortened. Mentions are counted after automated classification and describe the sample, rather than every guest’s experience.
The sample follows how Booking.com and Google sort reviews, which puts satisfied guests first, so criticism is under-represented. Read the drawbacks below and the latest reviews on Booking.com before you book.
Food & restaurants
- +Excellent restaurants, with afternoon tea and the set lunch menus singled out
- +The secret spy-themed bar is a highlight for many
- +Beautifully decorated, cosy dining rooms
- –Breakfast disappoints some, with a limited buffet and slow service
- –A few find the food average for a hotel of this level
”The restaurants were all beautifully decorated and very cosy too.” — guest, translated
Service & staff
- +Warm, attentive staff who go out of their way
- +A tour of the building's history is offered and widely recommended
- +Personal touches, such as a surprise for a birthday
- –Service is uneven, with some staff curt or unhelpful
- –Slow service at breakfast
- –Rooms not always ready on time at check-in
”A luxury experience defined by service that consistently goes beyond what customers expect.” — guest, translated
Pools, beach & aquapark
- +An impressive spa with a large swimming pool
- +The spa and pool area are seen as a real asset
”Facilities, especially the spa and pool area, are amazing.” — guest, translated
The rooms
- +Elegant, spacious rooms with very comfortable beds
- +Large bathrooms with extra towels and good toiletries
- +Beautifully designed and furnished bedrooms
- –Standard rooms can feel small and plain for such a grand building
- –Some rooms are cold, with heating that falls short
- –Mattresses are too soft or too firm for some
”Bed really comfy. Large bathroom and extra towels supplied with good bathroom products.” — guest, translated
Condition & cleanliness
- +Impeccably clean, with a careful restoration
- +Great attention to detail throughout the renovated building
- –Housekeeping can let the stay down
- –Parts of the building feel cold or draughty
”Impeccably clean, service is perfect.” — guest, translated
Location
- +A central location close to many major sights
- +A historic building with a fascinating past
- –The surrounding area can be crowded and touristy
”Location, history, staff, services were all excellent.” — guest, translated
Noise levels
- +A quiet, relaxing place to stay
- –Sound insulation could be better
- –Some corridors feel echoey
”There was not good enough sound insulation in the building, which caused a lot of noise.” — guest, translated
Value for money
- –Many feel prices for rooms and food are high for what you get
- –Unexpected extra charges on the bill
”For the cost, the rooms were a little small and basic compared with other London hotels.” — guest, translated
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Frequently asked questions
How far is Raffles London at The OWO from Heathrow Airport (LHR)?
Raffles London at The OWO is approximately 23 km from Heathrow Airport (LHR) in a straight line, calculated from map coordinates. This is not a road distance or transfer time; check the route and transport options before booking.
How do guests rate Raffles London at The OWO?
On Booking.com it scores 9.5/10 from 232 guest reviews.
How many stars does Raffles London at The OWO have?
Raffles London at The OWO is a 5-star hotel.
What amenities does Raffles London at The OWO offer?
Raffles London at The OWO offers indoor Swimming Pool, spa, sauna, fitness Centre, free Wifi and 4 Restaurants.
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57 Whitehall, Westminster, London, SW1A 2BX, United Kingdom