Raffles London at The OWO: Extraordinary Building, Uneven Hotel — An Honest 2026 Review

The Entry Room — Honest

We stayed in a superior twin room — around 37 square metres. At this level, for more than £1,000 a night, I would have liked a slightly bigger room. The bed takes up most of the floor space. Honestly, at this price, I would enjoy something around 50 square metres. But if I ignore the size — and it is the one thing to ignore — there are no other mistakes. The room is immaculate. The bathroom is bright and well-equipped, beautifully done in marble. They have their own skincare brand, 1906, created in collaboration with Azzi Glasser, an award-winning perfumer. Everything is shiny, untouched, and perfectly clean. A fresh flower in the corner is a lovely touch. This is how a luxury bathroom should look.

They greet you with handwritten letters, aged cheeses, salty crackers, fresh fruits — and a cold bottle of wine. These are the gestures that matter. The iPad controls everything: blinds, TV, lighting, temperature, room service. Streaming services are fully supported. The tech is well-implemented — except for the baffling absence of USB-C and wireless charging, which at this price point is a daily inconvenience.

The room key, though, is the best I have ever seen. A small detail, but an important one. It is faux leather, engraved with your initials. It feels special, and it makes you considerably more careful about not losing it. Details like this are what separate a very good hotel from a great one — and Raffles OWO is full of them, even if the room footprint does not quite match.

The minibar is worth a mention: two champagne options — a rosé and a Collection — both good ones. Digging deeper, the rest of the drinks are not commercial brands either. The cups and utensils look genuinely nice. Someone has finally thought about the champagne glass: proper stemware, not the standard hotel tumbler. I know most guests don’t notice this. I do, and it matters.

Corner Suites — The Sweet Spot

The Corner Suites are where the hotel starts to make real sense. The circular living room — dark wood panelling wrapping the walls, a deep red sofa, a six-seat dining table, a fully stocked minibar — is theatrical in the best way. The bedroom is large and calm by contrast: cream tones, an enormous wardrobe, a Dyson hairdryer, and views directly over Horse Guards Parade. The suite can be configured as a two-bedroom with an adjoining room, which makes it practical for families or for a longer business stay. At around £3,000 a night, these are not cheap — but the gap between a standard room and a Corner Suite at Raffles OWO is wider than the price difference suggests.

“The circular living room — dark wood panelling, deep red sofa, six-seat dining table — is theatrical in the best way. This is where the hotel starts to make complete sense.”

Heritage Suites — London’s Finest Hotel Rooms

The five Heritage Suites are the centrepiece of the hotel, and there is nothing comparable in London. During the heritage tour, I was shown the Haldane Suite — the largest of all, around 180 square metres. Sir Winston Churchill himself used this space when he was Secretary of State for War. All the woodwork, the walls, the ceiling you see is original. The soft furnishings — rugs, curtains, furniture — are new, but the way the new mingles with the old is seamless. The antique fireplaces, the towering ceilings, those genuinely posh English cornices. Standing in there, I was suddenly in the mood to light a cigar, pour a cognac, and discuss the liberation of Europe.

The Churchill Suite (143 sqm) was the actual WWII command centre. Towering ceilings, antique fireplaces, wood panelling, wall-to-wall windows overlooking Horse Guards Avenue, a four-poster bed. The Granville Suite (161 sqm) is named after Christine Granville — Britain’s first female special agent, said to be the inspiration for Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale — and has a gleaming brass bathtub visible all the way from the bedroom through the living room. These rooms are not publicly priced. From what I know, they run around £20,000 per night, and some sources suggest £30,000–45,000 at peak. You have to contact the hotel directly. They are the reason this building became a hotel.

Arrival & Check-In

A few well-dressed gentlemen appeared to take our luggage as we arrived. The check-in itself is interesting — I am used to wider, more open hotel lobbies. This one feels private and exclusive, and I liked that very much. As soon as we sat down, we were offered a drink. That is always a good sign. Since it is me, I obviously asked for champagne — just to set the tone. This place deserves it. The staff act, talk, and move like real professionals. I felt like I was in a Bond film. Pre-arrival, the hotel had sent a preference form — pillows, dietary requirements, purpose of stay. Those answers were genuinely acted on. Butler service is standard for all rooms, and it is real: not a greeting gesture, but an actual available point of contact throughout your stay.

The Spy Bar — The Best Hotel Bar in the World

Before we even walk through the door, they put a sticker on the camera lens and on our phones. All right, then. Keep your secrets. The Spy Bar is a tribute to all the spies who served the glory of England. It sits in two rooms numbered 006 and 007 — they were formerly high-security vaults for MI5 and MI6 identity papers and mission reports. You can enjoy the famous Bond cocktail, the Vesper Martini. Shaken, not stirred. There are plenty of other drinks inspired by the Bond universe that are absolutely worth a try. I absolutely loved it. If you ever come here, do not miss it. This is not a gimmick — this is the real thing, and it is the single best hotel bar experience I have had anywhere in the world. I went back the following evening.

“Before we even walk through the door, they put a sticker on the camera lens and on our phones. All right then. Keep your secrets. The Spy Bar is a tribute to the spies of the Old War Office — and it is the best hotel bar I have been to anywhere in the world.”

The Heritage Tour — Do It First

There are guided heritage tours you can sign up for — that is exactly what we did, like proper tourists. Our guide was a marvel. I won’t describe the full tour — it is more than two hours long — but here is the short history. The Old War Office was designed by Scottish architect William Young. After five years of construction and £1.2 million, it was finished in 1906. For nearly a century it was the centre of British military administration, including MI5 and MI6. Sir Winston Churchill was Secretary of State for War from 1919 to 1921, and later led the country here through the Second World War. Interesting fact from the tour: this was the first building in the UK to have phones installed. I didn’t know that either, but now we do. This tour is highly recommended. I could do it all day. Do it on your first morning, before anything else.

The Guards Bar — Churchill’s Champagne

After the heritage tour, it was time for a drink. The Guards Bar is a lovely space and the live music is always a win for me. Sir Winston’s favourite champagne was Pol Roger, and I like it too — so if I am already here, that is what I order, just to set the right tone. There is even a dedicated Pol Roger tasting experience available at Raffles if you are inclined. I skipped it on this trip — we still had a lot to do — but it is definitely tempting. The bar staff are cheerful and energetic, yet you can feel that certain English elegance. They do not joke when it comes to drinks.

Mauro Colagreco — One Michelin Star, Going Higher

One of the best chefs in the world, Mauro Colagreco, brought his signature restaurant here. It holds one Michelin star — but I don’t think it will stay at one for long. The menu is vegetable-forward and hyper-seasonal, built around British produce with Mediterranean technique. Over seventy varieties of British fruit and vegetable appear across the dishes. The room is elegant and hushed — plush carpet, thick drapes, soft acoustics. The service is exceptional. The tasting menu is the right choice. There is a detailed review of this restaurant on my other channel — go and check it out after you finish reading here. It deserves its own full treatment.

Kioku by Endo — Rooftop Sushi with St James’s Park Views

On the roof sits Kioku by Endo — the hotel’s rooftop restaurant run by Chef Endo Kazutoshi, who holds three Michelin stars at his White City restaurant. Edomae sushi tradition, a robata grill serving wagyu beef and line-caught fish, and panoramic views over St James’s Park. Private dining is also available in the building’s turret. The ground-floor Kioku Bar is a 25-seat izakaya-style room with the longest sake list in the UK — 140 sakes, 25 by the glass — and a record player that makes it feel like a proper nook rather than a hotel bar add-on. I didn’t get to Kioku on this visit, which is my one genuine regret. It books up — plan it before you arrive, not after.

Afternoon Tea at The Drawing Room

We are in England, so it would be a capital crime to miss the afternoon tea. The Drawing Room is a beautiful space — mahogany sash windows overlooking Whitehall, a grand piano, and the Household Cavalry visible from the window. The menu looks great with some nice champagne options, but it was a bit early for me on that afternoon, so I skipped the bubbles. Highly unusual, I know. The tea selection is lovely — exactly what you would expect in a place designed for English high society. I ordered the Churchill tea: notes of bergamot, ginger, and a tiny bit of smokiness. Lovely scent, and the taste followed exactly — energetic and spicy. Somehow it connected to cigars as well. Appropriate. The gentleman who took care of us was infinitely polite and a real professional. The service was excellent, just like the tea and snacks. We had a genuinely wonderful time.

Saison — Simple, Vibrant, and Exactly Right

For our second dinner, we went to Saison — Mauro Colagreco’s casual all-day brasserie. It is a mix of Mediterranean and British flavours and ingredients. The interior is one of a kind. Wide and bright space, gorgeous furniture, walls that are simply beautiful. A charming interior that immediately sets the mood. We started with a glass of champagne — yes, please — and I made an unexpected choice for my main: a croque monsieur. After several days visiting two and three-star restaurants, I was in the mood for something more casual. A simple dish where there is no possible way to hide. We also ordered Mediterranean classics: focaccia, fish carpaccio, spaghetti, and a few more. Everything was fresh and beautiful. The flavours were simple but vibrant and sharp. The ingredients were clearly carefully selected and high quality. No big magic — just absolutely perfectly made food. And in a setting like this, that is all you need. The croque monsieur arrived and I was not disappointed. Cheese outside, ham and cheese inside. Creamy, tasty, just perfect. Probably the best croque monsieur I have ever had. The sweets were also very good — we ordered one portion for two, and it was so good we had to order another.

“No big magic here. Just absolutely perfectly made food — and in a setting like this, that is all I need. The croque monsieur is probably the best I have ever had.”

Café Ciel — The Courtyard Has Changed

The glass pavilion in the courtyard now houses Café Ciel, which opened in August 2025 — replacing Café Lapérouse, which closed in early 2025 after a difficult two-year run. Café Ciel is from the team behind Miel bakery in Fitzrovia: seasonal pastries and brunch by day, cocktails and small plates by evening. It is independent — you cannot charge to your room. For a casual coffee or an afternoon break, it works well. It is not a reason to book the hotel, but it is a pleasant spot to sit on a clear day with the courtyard around you.

Langosteria — Opening Late Spring 2026

Langosteria was announced at the hotel’s original 2023 opening. It is finally arriving in late spring 2026 — three years delayed. This is the Milanese seafood group’s first UK outpost: 3,828 sq ft at Whitehall Place, with charcoal grilled Dover sole, octopus with chorizo, spaghetti with clams and urchins, an oyster bar, robata, and a private dining room for 18. In Milan, Langosteria is a fashion-world institution. If it translates successfully, it will be the most significant new London restaurant opening of 2026. Confirm the opening date with the hotel before your visit — as of April 2026 it has not yet opened.

The Pool — One of the Biggest I Have Seen in a Hotel

I targeted the pool first — it is always good to start the morning with a swim. The size is massive. You could train for the Olympics here. The water is crystal clear. The temperature is just right. The whole space is designed to be calm and peaceful, yet you can feel the high quality in every single detail. The double-height ceiling, the fireplaces alongside the pool, the spiral staircase connecting the two levels — it is cinematic. There is also a vitality pool, which runs at a higher chemical concentration and is not accessible to children, which keeps it quiet. The practical downside: the pool can get crowded on Sunday mornings from around 9am. If you want it to yourself, go on a weekday morning.

Sauna, Steam & Hair Salon

The sauna is great, and small details like the marble wall are fantastic — the quality in every corner of this spa is evident. The steam room was also in good order on our visit. You can get hair treatments or skincare, makeup, and whatnot, all supported with the best available Guerlain beauty products. SALON64 operates the hair salon within the spa. Then we checked the spa bar — I had heard it serves the best coffee in the whole building. It is a good one. Time flies if you are at a good place.

The Gym — Well Equipped

I started the third morning at the gym, as if it made any difference. It is well equipped — perfect for a hotel like this. Technogym machines, a movement studio, yoga classes available. But like the true gym hero I am, I skipped leg day. Some things are sacred.

Breakfast — Good, with a Standout Coffee

Breakfast is held at Saison. Lots of baked goods, fruits, ham, eggs — everything you love for breakfast. Beautiful pastries, pistachio items, crispy bacon. We were fine. The coffee, though, is the best I have ever had in a hotel. They work with Kinto, one of my favourite coffee chains in London, and the result is exceptional. The croissant was not the best to be honest — it felt slightly like a store-bought one, lacking crispiness. But the butter made up for it. The bacon and eggs are, as they should be in England, like a perfect opposite of a stormtrooper: they never miss. I can say it is a good hotel breakfast overall — but the coffee takes the crown.

When to Book for Best Value

January through March are the quietest and most competitive months — rates are down from opening levels and the spa is less crowded. Avoid July and August if your dates are flexible. Book through American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts or Chase The Edit for complimentary breakfast, room upgrade, and a property credit — this changes the value equation materially. Accor ALL members should book direct for preferential rates.