Review: The Hari Hotel in London

The Hari in London is an upscale five-star hotel in Belgravia with a cool, mid-century groove. It offers snazzy rooms with views over the rooftops of which Mary Poppins would approve, exceptional service, top notch Italian food and complimentary bicycles to get you zipping around the city. And did I mention it’s got the best arty cocktails in town?

There are 85 bedrooms of which 14 are luxury suites. The rich and super-stylish interiors are by London-based designer, Tara Bernerd.  You’ll be impressed by all the design flourishes from the moment you walk past vertical gardens flanking the entrance, through to the art gallery-esque mezzanine lobby and up to your pad in the sky. The Hari London is a hotel which really lives up to its five-star status.

Rooms at the Hari Hotel

Hey good looking. My daughter Eloise and I stayed in a Studio King Suite.

My room at the Hari was both chic and cosy, a glam and comfy space that made me feel at home. The elegant furniture was complemented by two picture windows in which you can sit and soak up the rooftop views.

And speaking of soaking, the bathtub was a winner. You can play with the blinds switch as much as you want, but I decided to go for the full monty: blinds up, a glass of bubbly and views, views, views. Let’s hope no Peeping Toms were invited to this party!

Il Pampero restaurant

On the ground floor is Il Pampero restaurant, a chic room with a central bar at its heart and a mix of deep greens, blues, leather, brick and brass. I loved the intimate banquette window seats, and this was my pew of choice for our evening. The menu is Italian and so are the wines, although if it’s champagne you’re after, there are some Frenchies on the bubbly menu.

Fancy getting drunk on truffle? Il Pampero has a seasonal truffle menu (October and November) into which you dive with four courses for £105. Eloise had the divine Fontina cheese, poached eggs, walnut bread and black truffle to start and the ravioli filled with potato and egg to follow. It was light as a feather and not too rich.

Chef prepared a special menu for me as I am gluten-free. The zingy, garlicky porcini and artichoke spaghetti were creamy deliciousness. A whole salt-baked seabass followed, expertly undressed by our wonderful waiter at the table. It was juicy and flaky with just the right soaking of salmoriglio.

We were both stuffed, so instead of puddings, we opted for the cheese plate with its heavenly drizzle of sweet and earthy truffle honey.  Desserts on offer included a Rocher-style pud with chocolate sauce and ricotta and caramel cheesecake with coconut ice cream.

For breakfast, we returned to Il Pampero. My poached eggs were a tad overcooked but I wasn’t going to grumble when there were so many other goodies to tuck into including crunchy hash browns, a satisfying carrot and ginger perk-me-up and terrific service.

The hotel also offers Italian brunch with a menu that includes eggs, pastas, pizzas and chef’s Tiramisu. The risotto with courgette flower, lime, mint & goats cheese grabbed my beady attention.

The Hari Bar

The Hari Bar offers all sorts of cocktails – from Amazon-inspired drinks to mocktails and Haritinis. But for the artiest cocktails in London, this is where you want to perch.

There were eight art-inspired cocktails on the menu, including nods to Bansky, Botticelli, Magritte, Pollock and Warhol. It was hard to choose but choose we did, with yours truly a Van Gogh’s Stargazer, a stellar blend of Ketel One vodka cherry brandy, lemon and lychee. Eloise chose Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul, a smoky mix of tequila, mezcal, aloe vera, honey, smashed berries & strawberry powder.

Well-behaved pooches are allowed in the bar, so I’ll definitely be coming back with my dachshund Snoop Dogg. Speaking of which, the Hari is dog-friendly, and judging by the way they spoiled us, I am pretty sure the four-legged guests get pampered too.

Garden Terrace

The Garden Terrace with its retractable roof offers an alternative al fresco dining area where you can get your Cubans out for an after-dinner puff. It does smell of smoke though, so if that’s not your thing, stick to Il Pampero or the Hari Bar for your meals.

Art at the Hari Hotel

A Long Long Time Ago by Woo Jin Joo is one of the artists shortlisted for the Hari Art Prize

The Hari and its owner, Aron Harilela, are big supporters of the arts. Since 2016, students who are UK college graduates or who are self-taught are invited to enter the prestigious Hari Art Prize. From an initial 400 applicants, 17 shortlisted artists get to show their works off in the hotel’s public spaces.

Three finalists will be announced on the 17 November at the hotel. The winner is awarded £10,000 whilst the two runners up become the next Artists in Residence at the Hari – not a bad consolation prize if you ask me. You can see the 17 artists and their striking pieces until February 2023.

Sustainability at the Hari

I had a good nose around, and the hotel seemed to be playing its bit, with bamboo and paper where you would normally see plastic. With the exception of plastic soap and shampoo bottles in the bathroom and individually-wrapped sugar packets in the Pampero restaurant, I couldn’t really fault it. The Hari Hotel has received Bronze Accreditation by EarthCheck Certified, the world’s leading environmental certification and benchmarking program for the travel and tourism industry.

Hari Hotel Location

The Hari Hotel is located in Belgravia, one of London’s ritziest areas. It’s only a short stroll to Knightsbridge, Harrods, Harvey Nichols (or Harvey Nicks as it’s known to Londoners) and the open spaces of royal Hyde Park. It is equidistant to both Knightsbridge and Sloane square tube stations.

Things to do when you’re visiting the Hari Hotel

Walk over to Wellington Arch and climb to the top for some of the best views in London and visit Apsley House, the Duke of Wellington’s deluxe London pad next door. The teens will love a visit to Peggy Porschen’s cake parlour in Belgravia together with a wander down Motcomb and Elizabeth Street for some retail therapy. Listen to some top notch music at Cadogan Hall or catch a play at the Royal Court Theatre. The Saatchi Gallery is only a 12-minute stroll and so is one of London’s most famous bookshops: John Sandoe. If you’re a fan of the TV series, Absolutely Fabulous, take a peek inside the St Columba’s Church on Pont Street where Saffy’s ill-fated wedding is supposed to take place. And if you like hidden gems, the Grenadier pub is famed for being one of London’s most haunted pubs.

The Hari, London, 20 Chesham Place, London SW1X 8HQ. Website.

I was a guest of the Hari Hotel, London. As always, views are entirely my own.