Shrouded by its verdant, foliage-clad exterior, The Hari hides in plain sight in the heart of Belgravia.
Perfectly situated between Sloane Square and Knightsbridge, the stylish boutique hotel offers quiet luxury for discerning travellers. We slept over to test it out for ourselves.
The Vibe
The Hari, as you’ll soon discover, is free of pomp or ostentation. On arrival, you will be offered a cup of tea – or champagne – to revive you following your journey here; a rather lovely touch to instantly set the tone of your stay.
The Rooms
The suites have a distinctly masculine feel, decorated in a muted palette of aubergine, grey, and glossy black. Fabrics are decadent: velvet, chrome, and leather, with a signature cow-hide rug taking centre stage. Smoked-grey oak floors make the already spacious suites feel even roomier, whilst the smart storage solutions make even the messiest of travellers appear organised. A plump velvet love seat is perched, overlooking the leafy square below, so you can happily sit and watch the world go by outside – pre-requisite glass of champagne in hand, of course. Still, the real showstopper is the dazzlingly light marble-clad bathroom, where an XXL tub, and equally capacious shower, make it near impossible to resist a revitalising soak (complete with Noble Isle products).
If your stay consists of more work than play, a compact desk sits snug in an alcove overlooking wedding cake-esque townhouses, bearing plaques from famous poets and playwrights. In between Zoom calls, pause to take note of the hotel’s eclectic art collection – the walls are lined with Mario Testino and Tracey Emin prints.
The Little Extras
If you can bear to tear yourself away from your suite to work off last night’s cacio e pepe (we’ll come to that), The Hari’s whizzy gym is a great place to put you through your paces. Or, if a more scenic workout is your preference, the affable hotel staff can advise on the best running routes around Belgravia, taking you past quintessential landmarks like Buckingham Palace. Guests can also make use of the charming branded bikes perched outside the hotel’s entrance for a leisurely lap around the neighbourhood.
The Food + Drink
Yes, there may be stellar restaurants and bars on your doorstep, but why fly the coop when you have a host of dining options available to you at your hotel? The best of Italian fare awaits at il Pampero, overseen by new head chef Matteo D’Elia. With a distinct Southern-Italian influence, there are excellent meat and fish options to choose from, but the pasta offering is the biggest draw. You can’t go wrong with a decadent cacio e pepe (made to taste somehow creamy yet light) or their re-imagining of a carbonara, which sees the carbonara sauce poured into ravioli parcels. il Pampero’s riff on a traditional tiramisu is the perfect way to round off your meal – theirs is more like a feather-light mille-feuille.
Do save room for cocktails on the beautiful al-fresco Garden Terrace. Currently playing host to a pop-up with No. 3 Gin for the summer, this sun-trap by day, and romantic snug by night, attracts a well-heeled crowd as the night wears on. If members of your party didn’t make it to dinner, the Terrace offers a relaxed dining menu where they can nibble on burrata and a charcuterie board, or opt for something more substantial like The Hari club sandwich, whilst sipping on a negroni with a twist – theirs is topped with prosecco and orange foam.
Fancy a nightcap somewhere more discrete? The discerningly smart Hari Bar, located on the first floor, is a good option. The drink to order: The Hari – a sweet concoction of gin, masala chai, and honey.
The To-Do List
If an afternoon of pampering is on the cards, The Hari is metres away from some of London’s best salons. Neville Hair & Beauty is the go-to for a sun-kissed highlight refresh, swishy blow-dry, or simply an excellent mani/pedi. Next up is an A-lister-approved facial at Teresa Tarmey – the discreet clinic is renowned for turning out the glowiest of skin in Belgravia.
Situated between Sloane Square and Knightsbridge, it would be impossible to avoid a spot of shopping during your stay at The Hari. While away an afternoon with a potter around the independent shops on Elizabeth Street: Summerill & Bishop do excellent glassware, whilst Mungo & Maud is a great spot to pick up treats for the beloved family pet. Harrods, Harvey Nichols, as well as a litany of high-end boutiques from Cartier to Fendi, are also dangerously close by.
Cultural vultures will be glad to note that the Saatchi Gallery, the V&A, and The Natural History Museum are all within walking distance too.
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