Review of COMO The Halkin

Halkin Street connects the leafy Belgrave Square to the bustling Grosvenor Place (a border of Buckingham Palace). However, the only sounds you will ever hear in The Halkin is that of melodic bagpipes being played outside the famous Caledonian Club - that sits opposite.

COMO The Halkin enjoys a prime location in London’s affluent Belgravia. Guests find themselves a short stroll away from Hyde Park (Tube), and Victoria Station, with its fast rail link to Gatwick Airport. Heathrow Airport is a mere 45-minute taxi ride, making The Halkin ideal for both Londoners and international travellers. 

The hotel’s proximity to Piccadilly’s theatres and Mayfair’s dining scene further underscores its coveted position. It is just a stone’s throw away from the shopping district of Knightsbridge (Harrods and Harvey Nicols), and Sloane Street and the King's Road beckon with its haute couture boutiques. 

COMO The Halkin offers a selection of just 41 rooms and suites. In 1991, an unprecedented £1 million was - reportedly - spent on each guestroom - rooms, that have largely stood the test of time. From the airy City Rooms and Garden Rooms to the spacious Belgravia Suites, each category is a showcase of Italian elegance, originally designed by the Verona-based agency - Laboratorio Associati. 

The contemporary interiors feature Pommele Sapele timber panelling, complemented by wall colours that draw inspiration from the natural elements — earth, air, fire, water, and space.

Guests can choose from a variety of accommodation options tailored to personal preferences. The City Rooms (27-33 square metres) offer a serene space punctuated by king-size beds and expansive marble bathrooms. For those who wish to gaze out at the manicured greenery, the Garden Rooms (34-38 square metres) provide garden-facing views and feature indulgent bathrooms with both a deep bath and walk-in shower.

The Halkin Rooms (42-45 square metres) are ideal for guests who appreciate open-plan living, complete with a cosy sitting area. Each room is adorned with design flourishes that echo the natural world, enhancing the already soothing ambiance. For a more spacious experience, the Studio Suites (47 square metres) deliver an elegant layout, complemented by generous dressing areas and marble-clad bathrooms.

Those seeking the height of luxury will find it in the Belgravia Suites (58 square metres) and the grand COMO Suites (64 square metres). The Belgravia Suites feature high ceilings and unique, curvilinear walls. Some boast private balconies furnished for relaxation.  The COMO Suites elevate this further with light-flooded conservatory-style windows and dining tables for six.

Guests are treated to the finest of comforts, including plush goosedown duvets and pillows, and COMO Shambhala bathroom amenities. 

Spacious marble bathrooms offer both walk-in showers and bathtubs, while in-room COMO tablets allow easy control of lighting, curtains and temperature. The tech is state of the art (televisions, Wi-Fi) and is just so easy to use. The Japanese TOTO toilets (no hands) is a welcome addition to the bathrooms. 

For all its impeccable offerings, it must be noted that while the soft furnishings remain refreshingly modern, the overall look has changed little over time. Yet, it is this steadfast nature that endears The Halkin to its loyal clientele. One in four Guests to The Halkin are repeat.

They know what they love, and love what they know. COMO The Halkin. 

With just 41 rooms & suites, COMO The Halkin does not feel the need to fill the building with showboat facilities. Instead it offers service that is hard to beat - faultless, anticipatory, and discreet.

The 24-hour Concierge team is legendary. From a small desk close to Reception, the Team secures exclusive dining reservations, private shopping experiences, and can arrange personal drivers for sightseeing tours.

For Guests who wish to maintain an active lifestyle, the hotel’s 49 square-metre gym offers natural light and state-of-the-art equipment. Furthermore, guests receive complimentary access to COMO Shambhala Urban Escape at the nearby COMO Metropolitan London, known for its Asian-inspired wellness treatments, including Reiki, Thai massages, and revitalising facials.

Hyde Park, Green Park and St. James's Park are close by - ideal for long walks or just enjoying the “lungs” of London. 

Unique to The Halkin are the COMO Rituals: thoughtful touches such as an afternoon shot of 'Green Clean' juice or an evening cacao drink paired with a restful musical playlist.

The nearby Belgrave Square features tennis courts for racquet-swinging Guests - subject to availability. The hotel can also arrange bike tours of London. Best enjoyed in the summer months on a warm day! Finally, for those who love “icing” … why not visit the  Biscuiteers' School of Icing. It's a masterclass on how to ice - presented at the Belgravia branch of the Ministry of Biscuits! Tasty!

Intimacy, and an air of nature’s spirit are the characteristics of COMO The Halkin. The interiors of the hotel are influenced by nature - the five elements - spread over five floors, weaving  air, fire, water, space and earth into the fabric to deliver a serene experience. 

Comfortable furnishings, soft lighting, warm materials – it’s an effort at calm. Looking at the COMO portfolio - peace & harmony are consistent threads. 

Timber Pommele Sapele panelling gives warmth and character, while luxurious soft furnishings add contemporary excitement while still staying true to the hotel’s tradition of traditional luxury. Thematically linked to the natural world outside the rooms, and in the communal rooms as well, the neoclassical colour scheme and handmade details lend the space a sombre quality which is perfectly offset by the hustle and bustle of London Town outside.

While the 1991 original look & feel - especially in the bathrooms - is still visible, Mrs Ong has more recently collaborated with interior designer Linzi Coppick - who has also worked on other COMO properties including The Metropolitan London and the wonderful COMO Parrot Cay (Turks & Caicos). The corridors and guestrooms have been modernised but in-keeping with the COMO way. 

The Halkin Bar (and lobby) has enjoyed a recent renovation and is now a destination for Guests and locals alike. 

Here you can enjoy a sumptuous English breakfast, an all-day menu of popular dishes - including Caesar Salad, COMO Club Sandwich, Nasi Goreng, Scottish Cod Fish & Chips - and of course evening drinks. 

The hotel loves its gin. So much so, that is boasts its own The Halkin Gin … AND Mediterranean Tonic! The Gin Flight is a must for any fan … try the raspberry infusion - deliciously sweet!

The highlight of any culinary day at The Halkin is the unique COMO Shambhala Afternoon Tea.  It's a London experience like no other. The service is tagged “from Bali to Belgravia” and that exactly describes it. A diner is taken on a geographical-culinary journey of a few thousand miles in just over an hour. 

Expect sweet and savoury dishes from Italy, Bali, Thailand, Bhutan, Australia, Maldives, Singapore and England! Basically, every place COMO has a footprint. Of the five savoury dishes, the “tuna tatare with avocado, radish and Japanese-inspired Champagne dressing" - from COMO Metropolitan Singapore is a highlight … as is the sweet, “Sphere of coconut textures” from COMO Cocoa Island Maldives. These are washed down with a “berry quencher” or indeed a flute of Champagne!

Five truly memorable savoury treats followed by five sweet treats! Just brilliant!

Of course, it being tea time, you are offered chai or Earl Grey or the delicious COMO Shambhala Signature Ginger Tea. Go wild!

In-room dining caters to all tastes, presenting classic dishes and healthy alternatives - think all-day menu … sitting on your comfy bed … watching a movie on your big screen television!

It's expected that The Halkin will announce news on a restaurant opening within the hotel sometime soon. 

COMO The Halkin’s commitment to sustainability is as integral as its luxury offerings. The hotel’s partnership with The Felix Project highlights its dedication to community and corporate responsibility, redistributing surplus food to local charities that support London’s undernourished. Beyond community engagement, COMO The Halkin takes a thoughtful approach to its operations, sourcing ingredients locally and seasonally, reducing transport emissions and supporting small-scale producers. An innovative touch is their recycling of residual cooking oil into biofuel, aligning with a forward-thinking ethos that keeps the ecological footprint minimal without compromising on luxury.