Rafayel on the Left Bank

Great experience, room was large and accommodating and staff were very friendly and professional.

Not up to five star standard.. Have cruised many times the standard is much better. Put out breakfast menu ,for in room service on door at 11.00 pm this was not delivered , did'nt realise the menu was still on the door handle at 10.00am next day which was too late

Staff were very nice and helpful, lovely hotel would definitely go back there!

A great hotel and very convenient for the London Heliport

Clean and quiet with a lovely spa. Great for stay before exam at RAD which is 3 mins walk.

Upon arrival, staff were BEYOND helpful, caring. They made me feel like i was the only one there. The room was SPOTLESS, clean as if i was the first person to use it. They were funny, and made sure that my stay was a vacation. They offered to order my dinner and have it delivered. Only problem. Which was my error for not saying anything, was the air condition could of been cooler, but they stated they could've fixed that. Besides that, BEST stay. What impressed me the most was that it being the first ECO friendly Hotel in the UK. That right there was and will make me return back to this establishment. The surrounding area wasn't so safe, but that's something that they can't control. A short drive, literally 15-20 min drive, and your in the central area of shops, restaurants, and lots of parking and not far from Parliament Square and Buckingham Palace. As being a reviewer for multiple things, including food, hotels, movies, toys, etc.. I'm giving this Hotel an 👍 👍 A. EXCELLENT JOB....

This property is an excellent price point which is due to it being out of central London. But there are transport links directly outside the hotel that allows you to be within central London in 20minutes. Comfortable sleep and spacious modern rooms.

Very nice hotel and quiet area. Clean and well kept. Food choices were limited, but it was very interesting space.

Stayed here on 16 July for one night. Pleasantly surprised although the building is a bit of a mish-mash of hotel and apartments. My room was clean and opulent compared to what I expected. Quite large and comfortable. Gym was tucked away through a warren of corridors and behind some of unused bar (shades of the Shining). On the face of it the hotel is located smack bang on the Thames but honestly it is well away from the action and not served by an underground station, so not a great location for exploring London. I will say I had a meal in the restaurant and it was really good and decent value too. I may not stay there again but would definitely eat there. Only drawback (and my rating) is based on the staff who weren't particularly welcoming or helpful. Disappointing really.

This is not even remotely a 5 star hotel
Staff are sparse and reception is a weird conglomeration of random items.
Restaurant is basic at best with tired menus and furnishings.
Our room was a decent size but fixtures were tired and old.
Good air conditioning
Would never stay there again
By the way says on Trip Advisor it has a shuttle bus to the tube station
It doesn't
My advice avoid !!

The hotel has a classic style, but it’s showing its age — a bit tired around the edges. If we had planned a proper spa weekend, this probably wouldn’t have been our top choice. The pool and spa area exist, but feel worn and far from luxurious. When we arrived, the staff were warm and welcoming, which gave a good first impression. Unfortunately, that was where the service seemed to stop. The follow-up during the stay was minimal, and we didn’t quite feel looked after. Overall, not a bad place if you’re just looking for a base, but don’t expect full-on pampering or five-star standards

It’s just really hard to understand how this hotel received a 5-star warning…it just feels misleading.

I am not accustomed to writing critical reviews but here goes. So to start...this is a three star review for misrepresentation....this is NOT a 5 Star hotel..At the best 3 Star.

The review
This was a last-minute booking for a business trip, so I went in with some expectations that this was a 5 star hitel. The hotel provided a clean room and a side view of the Thames. So overall, it served the purpose for an overnight business stay. However, The Raphael on the Left is NOT a five-star hotel, regardless of how it is marketed.

What Worked:

1. The room was clean and quiet, with a river view. And well laid out with a comfortable bed.

2. Furniture is modern looking.

3. Location is convenient for central London meetings.

4. Staff though sparse, were polite, but not especially attentive or polished for a claimed 5 star hotel.

What Did Not Work:

From the lobby to the corridors. The interior is filled with random memorabilia that creates a confused and cluttered atmosphere. It feels more like a badly themed Premier Inn than a luxury property. (I would akin the lobby to an upgraded Days Inn Motel in some outskirts poorly town in the USA)

The gym is poorly maintained, with several pieces of equipment broken or worn out.

The spa area is dated and uninviting. It looks like something from a low-budget film set in a roadside motel.

The overall atmosphere lacks focus. It is not clear what experience the hotel is trying to offer.

This is not a hotel for couples or anyone looking for a romantic or refined stay.

Why It Is Not a Five Star Hotel

A genuine five-star hotel typically offers st least:

1. Impeccable service from well trained staff
2. Stylish and cohesive interior design using high quality finishes
3. Modern, fully equipped gym and spa facilities
4. Luxury touches such as concierge support, turndown service, and premium amenities
5. A clear identity with a consistent sense of brand and ambience
6. Valet service for parking
7. Automatic turndown service

The Raphael does not meet these criteria. Service is basic. The décor is inconsistent and cluttered. Facilities are below standard and, in some cases barely usable. The hotel lacks any real sense of luxury or purpose.

Final Verdict

If you need a last-minute place to sleep for one night while on business, this will suffice. Price wise, it should be on par with a premier inn, so be careful what you pay. The room is clean and the view is a bonus if you have been allocated the right room. Beyond that, there is little to recommend it as a 5 star hotel.

So to reiterate It is not five star and not worth considering for anything more than a functional overnight stop.

Really good sized room. Had lots of space. Needs a little update in room decor but would go back.

Good location

Just spent a week at hotel rafayal fantastic hotel fantastic staff reception,restaurant staff extremely polite and helpful.Bed really comfy and cleaning staff do an excellent job. Every request answered within minutes. Would highly recommend. IF using public transport bus stop right outside door and St Mary's Wandsworth pier about 5 to 10 mins walk to take uber boat to the centre of London. Only 1 complaint didn't like the breakfast sausages but I am really fussy.Would definitely return.

Amazing stay at the Rafayel

Best hotel we hzve stayed in for years

Lovely hotel with great staff who are aupper helpful and friendly.
A bit of a trek from Clapham Junction or Battersea (neareat stations) but you can alao get the bus.
Facilities are good, jnclusing a comfy bed, and rooms size is fantastic.

We selected the hotel as it was near to where we would be working, but it was an unexpected surprise as we absolutely loved it. The location, room, food and service were all fab, and would highly recommend it. We can't wait to come back again!