NYT Compares 2 London Luxury Hotels in a Five-Star Face-Off
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 12
NYT Compares 2 London Luxury Hotels in a Five-Star Face-Off
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 12
Two nights at each property formed the basis of a New York Times comparison of London’s Chancery Rosewood and Raffles at the OWO, with rooms booked anonymously at full rate to test the guest experience.
Both hotels delivered the expected ultra-luxury package—turndown service, spas, 24-hour gyms, breakfast, cocktails and concierge help—while occupying landmark buildings in Mayfair and Whitehall.
Raffles opened in 2023 in the former Old War Office, while the Chancery Rosewood debuted in 2025 in the old U.S. Embassy, making the matchup a test of two of London’s newest high-end arrivals.
The review frames the contest against London’s crowded market for ultrahigh-net-worth travelers, where historic conversions and premium service increasingly define the city’s top hotel tier.
Are London's new £1,000-a-night super-hotels enriching the city or just creating gilded bubbles for the global elite?
In London's luxury hotel war, does Churchill's legacy or an all-suite modern marvel ultimately win?
When every hotel offers opulence, what intangible service truly separates the best from the rest for elite travelers?