Review: The Hari, London
Review: The Hari, London
Stylish contemporary hotel in the middle of the capital’s most upscale neighbourhoods
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Straddling Belgravia and Chelsea, five-star boutique hotel The Hari has earned quite the reputation for being a stylish bolthole with all the luxuries you’d expect for this part of town but with a relaxed unpretentious vibe.
While the modern exterior might be hard-pushed to compete with its handsome white stuccoed neighbours, the entrance has been transformed with a striking floor-to-ceiling glass façade: copper-toned lighting highlights dramatic foliage, and the double-height reception is all contemporary style with design details that add personality without screaming ostentation.
Staff are friendly but professional, and there’s no stuffiness so you are instantly at ease. We were shown up to our room: a studio king suite on the eighth floor. The stunning dual aspect space has commanding views of the capital’s skyline – gaze one way and you can see across the trees to the London Eye and Battersea Park. Peer out in the opposite direction towards the Royal Albert Hall.
The 85 guest rooms were updated a couple of years ago, with Tara Bernerd returning to undertake a sustainably-minded refurb. The hotel opened back in 2016 and is owned by the Harilela family, which operates several hotels globally, and launched a sister hotel The Hari Hong Kong in 2020. The family supports the annual Hari Art prize, a rolling art programme with £10k for the winning artist. As you might expect, there’s a range of interesting art all around the hotel.
We went for a wander around the locale. The chichi neighbourhood is home to mansion blocks, complete with their own private garden squares. A couple of residents were playing tennis in the late afternoon sunshine. We meandered down Pavilion Road where a young affluent crowd filled coveted tables at pavement-side cafes and bars.
After a little shopping on King’s Road, we returned to watch the sunset from the room. Glass of bubbles in hand, I settled into a bath full of bubbles in the ample marble bathroom – the views are incredible from the tub. So much so that I chose not to shut the blinds: you’re (hopefully) high enough up not to give the near neighbours an eyeful.
We could have gone out for the evening, there are great restaurants a short walk away. But there’s no need to venture from the hotel, with a bar on the mezzanine level, a small terrace with a retractable roof if you fancy a cigar, and the well-regarded Italian restaurant il Pampero on the ground floor. It’s a lovely-looking spot with black and white geometric tiled floors and cosy nooks with leather banquettes.
Having recently returned from Calabria, I couldn’t resist paccheri with nduja to start, which proved to be as punchy as any I’d had on my recent trip. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the salami paste plentiful. Osso buco Milanese is also a favourite of mine, so that had to be my choice for main course. The tender veal fell of the bone and the saffron-infused rice was deeply flavourful. It was perhaps a carb too far with my choice of starter and I wondered if I should pass on dessert. But I was tempted by the tiramisu trolley doing the rounds. The dessert is made in front of you, which is a fun touch and you can also choose which alcohol you’d like in the mix. It was super-fresh and lovely but I am of the school of thought that tiramisu benefits from a good few hours to sit to let all the flavours mingle.
Too full for the bar, we retreated to our room to enjoy the London skyline all lit up for the evening.
After breakfast (an excellent full English), we planned our day ahead. Decisions, decisions. You’re close to Kensington’s fine museums, you could go shopping in Knightsbridge. But perhaps inspired by the art, we took a wander to the Saatchi Gallery.
The location of The Hari is perfect and there are so many nice touches, such as a fleet of bicycles you can use. Also impressive is its emphasis on sustainability – since 2024, the hotel has been running on 100% renewable electricity. There are also UK-made products from Jo Loves in the bathrooms and a range of ethically-sourced drinks in the bar.
A great spot to know.
- Rates from £550 per night
- The Hari, 20 Chesham Place, London UK, SW1X 8HQ
