Standing ten stories tall The Hari Hotel protrudes proudly out onto the streets. It’s located in Belgravia, renowned for its grand white stucco terraces and one of London’s two most elite residential neighborhoods. It’s an intimate, boutique hotel bang in the middle of ‘Embassy-land’. It’s an easy walk to both Knightsbridge (an area with the world-famous department stores of Harrods and Harvey Nichols) and to Sloane Square which is the start of the luxury shops of Sloane Street. But it’s nicely cut off from the area’s hustle and bustle, this five-star luxury modern bolthole.
It opened in 2016 and has a sister property in Hong Kong. Outside glass booths stand out from the façade and plants both climb and tumble down the smoked glass. All heralding the earthy décor within where I am instantly struck by the signature chandelier in the foyer and the long low leather lounge sofa. The reception has lovely floral arrangements of pink orchids, a fire, and a scattered selection of Taschen books. Throughout are metal and wooden curiosities and objets made from Arabescato marble (extracted from near the famous Carrara quarry in Italy).
The interior is a brilliant confection of textured walls, patterned tiled floors, and exposed brick. The chairs and lamps have natural earthy colors in greens and browns. There are velvet couches and the funky carpets come in geometric shapes or diagonal stripes. So uber-cool and eclectic and yet very homely. The lobby has an urban edge reminiscent of the renovated industrial sites in Shoreditch and New York. Hip and happening and yet warm and welcoming.
There are 85 bedrooms with a starting rate of $362. Mine utilized its space in a cool way. It had Scandinavian natural elegance with earthy hues of different woods and greens, muted greys, and taupe. I loved the Corderoy headboard and the chic console table, the huge mirrors and the wooden furniture, and the plump and plush velvet window seats. The prints on the walls were by artist Tracey Emin and by the photographers Mario Testino and Juergen Teller. My bathroom had luxurious grey and white Italian marble, an indulgently deep bathtub, and classy Soigné toiletries. Such distinctive modern glamour.
All the chefs are Italian which makes the hotel’s Il Pampero restaurant truly authentic and sophisticated. At night the lighting is busy with gorgeous amber and golden hues emanating from the foyer. It’s set in trattoria-style with a back-lit island bar. The hanging photographs give an unusual take on life with a guardsman shouting orders from beneath his bearskin and a row of racegoers staring at me through their binoculars. My leather banquette in my crescent booth was perfect for an intimate dinner and set beneath a lovely reflective golden domed lamp. Classy yet unique.
The choice from the excellent menu was both modern and traditional and covered all dietary needs. When I told the manager Claudio that on my menu “all looked delicious” he replied that it “tasted even better”. How right he was. I loved starting with my seasonal mixed leaves, prawns, avocado, and cherry tomato with honey mustard dressing. To follow I enjoyed a seared tuna steak, aubergine purée, roast tomato, and Stracciatella cheese with a side dish of Cavolo Nero, garlic, and chili. For desserts, I recommend the flourless lemon and almond cake served with rum and raisin ice cream. Such a treat.
Up a sweeping copper staircase from the reception and past romantic nooks is the mezzanine Hari Bar. Here an American was ordering his Woodford Reserve Kentucky Bourbon Straight Whiskey while I preferred the hotel’s own brand of Gin, distilled with cardamon, cloves, and cassia bark.
There’s a selection of cigars to enjoy under the retractable roof of the Garden Terrace. There’s a fleet of royal blue bicycles on offer to guests to explore London. And the hotel has just launched its own art prize in keeping with its arty, design-driven vibe.
Though not really child-friendly the hotel’s website declares itself “a sanctuary for modern travellers and connoisseurs of luxury”. Indeed The Hari means in Sanskrit “the one who takes away sins” and certainly any stress I came with had completely disappeared by the time I left.