Review of The Hari - London

The Hari sits on the corner of Chesham Place and Pont Street in Belgravia in arguably the most affluent postcode in London. The hotel is the beating heart of a community that boasts some of the richest people in the world, Embassies and the most important premium shopping thoroughfares in Europe.

There has been a hotel at 20 Chesham Place since 1972. 

The hotel does offer bicycles (with helmets) if you wish to zip around town but it is just a few minutes walk to the fashionable boutiques of Knightsbridge, Sloane Street, Sloane Square and Chelsea. Within 10 minutes, by foot, you can get to Harrods and 5 minutes more to the awesome museums of Kensington.

Hyde Park is around the corner, as is the legendary Kings Road.

The nearest Underground stations are Hyde Park and Knightsbridge, linking you to the rest of London in a matter of minutes. 

There is nothing better than waking up early at The Hari, grabbing a takeaway tea or coffee from Reception and going for a stroll. It would be fair to say that this part of London is kept spiksplinternieuw!

The Hari has just 85 rooms - including 14 suites. There are 5 guestrooms available for those with special needs.

Most guestrooms are child and pet-friendly - both are supplied with beds and treats!

There are three things that I love immediately about The Hari guestrooms 1) the welcome amenities  2) the mini bar 3) the bathroom products

• For repeat Guests, The Hari knows your preferences. If not, they will ask  and will surprise you with gifts on arrival (in my case whisky and cake).
• The mini bar is complimentary and is filled to bursting with fabulous goodies - mostly organic and sustainable.
• iiuvo (Latin for: to please) - outrageously trendy. Delivered in refillable “large” dispensers, they smell great & are refreshing on the skin! Perfect!
   

20 Chesham Place has been a hotel since the early 1970s. In 2010, it became part of the Harilela Group which appointed Tara Bernerd & Partners to oversee the building's complete interior renovation and refurbishment. The result was a design masterpiece. In 2016, the hotel became family-managed by the Harilela Family and when it was time for the guestrooms to undergo a “soft refurbishment” - re-imagining and reinventing - once again Tara Bernerd was hired.

There is so much to love about the refurbishment - the lightening of the wood floors rather than their replacement, bed frames now in dark ivory leather, newly upholstered headboards, the gorgeous bay-window banquette seats (some “hiding” beds) have been re-covered in honey-caramel velvet, cream & navy or chocolate brown rugs sit under the beds, sheer curtains - light neutral colour installed, and new marble-top tables complete the offerings. 

From the Twin Premium Rooms, through to the Library Suite and up to The Hari Suite - the only real change is size. The levels of detail are infinite.

The beds, duvets, pillows, sheets, throws, lighting, storage, mini-bar, coffee machine, artwork (some quite “teasing”) – all quite perfect, contemporary but accessible …  and “personal”. 

The bathrooms are a masterpiece of Arabescato marble, AXOR taps & fittings, huge mirrors, walk-in rainforest showers, deep bathtubs and sustainable amenities.

Height matters at The Hari. Beg, plead, appeal, implore a guestroom on an upper level … and one with views over south London. During the day, you can see The Shard … The Eye … and so much more … at night, the skyline is a wave of red dots (from the cranes) and it's simply spectacular.

If you are lucky enough to win a bathtub with window overlooking the “world's greatest city” … bathe during the day and night … and feel regal!

Oh, by the way: 

Mini Bar Contents - complimentary:

• Two Farmers crisps with 100% compostable packing
• Organic and fair-trade chocolate from Seed & Bean
• Awfully Posh baked peanuts with biodegradable pots
• 100% organic drinks by Gusto Organic (voted the no.1 ethical soft drinks brand in the UK)
• Plastic-free and 100% recyclable Mallow Tree sweets
• Sustainable Belu water
• Organic and Ethical Coffee from CRU Kafe (compatible with Nespresso Machines)
• Selection of organic tea from JING Tea
• Coca Cola

As a true boutique hotel (under 100 rooms), you cannot expect the same level of facilities as one of London's larger properties. However, what The Hari has, is perfectly perfect.

The snug 24-hour Fitness Centre features free weights, cardio machines and a Peloton bike. Yes, you can cycle round London, New York or Paris without leaving the hotel. However, you could just borrow one of the hotel's “real” bikes and cycle around the City instead! Just ask Concierge for a bicycle & helmet and off you go … and it's complimentary too!

If you are feeling particularly energetic, you can get a list of running routes (Concierge) and take in some of the local parks - Hyde, St James's or Green are all close by. 

The Hari Team can also book/hire a local personal trainer if you so wish. 

There is no spa, hairdresser or swimming pool at The Hari but if you need a blow-dry or a facial, Errol Douglas and Teresa Tarmey respectively are just around the corner - offering The Hari Guests preferential rates. 

The Concierge and Front Desk Teams can deal with any trips you need to organise - from shopping at local boutiques to sightseeing. 

The Bar and The Garden Terrace are ideal as meeting spaces but The Muse (first floor) is the hotel's private meeting room - which can host up to 24 people. By night, it can be turned into a private dining room. 

My favourite facility is the hotel library. I spent hours poring over the incredible collection of books that Guests are encouraged to read and indeed to add to! 

20 Chesham Place was once a white stucco mansion, synonymous with Belgravia. The building was converted into a hotel in the early 1970s. It was run by Sheraton and underwent just one refurbishment in 1997. It would be fair to say that by the early 21st century, the building had become an eyesore and the hotel itself was becoming more & more desperate by the month. By the end, it was ghastly!

The Harilela Family rescued 20 Chesham Place and with the help of local, international interior designer, Tara Bernerd transformed the building into a masterpiece. Bernerd has designed for Thompson - which managed The Hari as “Belgraves” in the early 2010s - Four Seasons, Rosewood and Belmond. She knows hotels, what works and what doesn't … The Hari works! 

The hotel changed in every way - banished was the 1970s bland and depressing exterior and in its place, glass walls, mood lighting and a welcoming entrance. The stunning interior has been filled with fabulous sofas, chairs, artwork, exposed brickwork … and an overwhelming tsunami of soul & love. 

The Hari hosts an annual Art Prize. The winner receives £10,000 with smaller amounts for second and third. The competition is open to recent UK art college graduates. The hotel loves it art (and of course books) - whether it be pieces by Tracey Emin or Mario Testino … or recent graduates!

You don't have to be a fashion/art hound to stay at The Hari … but it helps!

London is filled with restaurants boasting beautiful rooms that often serve mediocre cuisine and dire rooms with superb cuisine. Thankfully, il Pampero - The Hari's fine-dining Italian restaurant - has both a stunning room and thoroughly enjoyable, authentic cuisine.

Locals are spoilt - with the likes of Zafferano around the corner -  but have been flocking to il Pampero since its inception in 2016. 

Born & raised in the Italian town of Casale Monferrato, Head Chef Angelo Albera brings authenticity to il Pampero. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with an added brunch at the weekends. 

For breakfast expect anything & everything from a Full English to freshly prepared croissants & rolls. The smoothies are delicious but nothing beats a traditional Italian breakfast Bellini!

Enjoy an Italian lunch or brunch. Kick off with burrata or Crudo de Parma, slide into a pizza, branzino or pasta, and finish with a gelato … washed down with a cocktail or two!

The main event is la cena - dinner!

Here Chef Albera excels - with classic cosy, comforting, intimo Italian cuisine. Soups, salads, starters  - homemade pasta and to top it all off, a tableside-made dessert that rivals The Ritz's crêpe suzette. il Pompero Chef’s Tiramisù is a riot of Italian flavours, textures and theatre. A must!

il Pampero was designed - again - by Tara Bernerd. She has managed to mix Belgravia chic with Italian style and flair - while still making it comfortable, appealing and inviting. 

The artwork on the walls are highly entertaining!

The Hari Bar is a lovely place to meet in Belgravia. Out of public eye, it serves up seriously delicious all-day dishes and of course, drinks. 

The Hari prides itself on its vast drinks menu. Yes, there are wines - mainly Italian and of all budgets - but the cocktails are super! The Haritinis (mixing The Hari Gin) is a fan favourite as are the eight Art Cocktails. My favourite is Studio 54, an alcoholic homage to Andy Warhol's “Campbells Tomato Soup”. It's a Bloody Mary but made in The Hari way!

The Garden Terrace is one of London's best kept secrets. 

It boasts living walls, a retractable glass roof and if it gets chilly, no worry, heaters are on hand. Located just a few steps up from the Bar, The Hari Garden Terrace is ideal for lunches, long cocktail-fuelled afternoons and for an after-supper cigar and whisky. There is a cigar sommelier and humidor after all!