COMO The Halkin, London — resort evaluation

Belgravia is probably not as well-known as neighbouring Mayfair and Knightsbridge, however this elegant district of the UK capital is a gem in its personal proper. The space’s terraced Georgian townhouses and picturesque backyard squares are house to billionaires, diplomats and celebrities who search solace whereas nonetheless remaining near the center of the motion.

But Belgravia’s standing as a coveted enclave wasn’t at all times a given. The space was as soon as often called the Five Fields — a muddy, down-and-out searching floor for 18th-century highwaymen. Over centuries the district remodeled from a lawless hinterland to considered one of London’s most prestigious addresses, now enjoying host to dozens of embassies and sprawling multi-million pound properties.

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COMO The Halkin – tucked discreetly on a quiet one-way avenue throughout from the unique Caledonian Club and Forbes House, town’s most costly mansion – serves as the best base to discover not solely the world, however London at massive. Buckingham Palace is a 15-minute stroll away, whereas Hyde Park Corner not solely provides entry to 350 acres of inexperienced area however a useful Underground station connecting to Bond Street and Mayfair in minutes by way of the Piccadilly Line.

The resort’s prime location, together with its boutique strategy and knack for understated luxurious, has lengthy made it a go-to for enterprise and leisure travellers. Now, after greater than 30 years on the coronary heart of London’s luxurious scene, a current refresh brings airiness, pure mild and a tranquil vibe that’s becoming of the world.

Middle East Traveller checked in to a Studio Suite to find COMO The Halkin’s new look and expertise the resort’s timeless mix of magnificence and trendy luxurious.

The Hotel

When COMO The Halkin swung open its doorways in 1991, it laid the foundations for what would in the end grow to be a luxurious and wellness empire spanning the globe. Spearheaded by Singaporean mogul Christina Ong, this as soon as humble petrol station was remodeled right into a five-storey haven of opulence, with the assistance of Milan-based architects Laboratorio Associati.

The funding was monumental, with room fit-outs tipping the scales at over $1 million apiece, however the gamble has lengthy paid off. In the three a long time since, a single resort has flourished into an expansive assortment of COMO properties on the planet’s most coveted corners — from secluded jungle hideouts in Indonesia to smooth metropolis oases in Singapore and high-end mountain hideaways within the Italian Dolomites.

Yet amid this worldwide unfold, The Halkin holds tight to its Asian roots. The corridors are adorned with antique-style sculptures, the menu boasts a singular Balinese afternoon tea, whereas the foyer is infused with a scent that whispers of distant shores.

The current revamp at The Halkin is greater than only a nod to its 30-year historical past — it’s a reinvigoration. The rooms have seen a classy improve, however know-how has been introduced bang updated, making certain The Halkin not solely preserves its legacy of luxurious but additionally strides confidently into the longer term.

The Arrival

With its putting purple brick Georgian façade framed by grand arched home windows and white Portland stone, COMO The Halkin effortlessly catches the attention amid the stuccoed magnificence of its tree-lined Belgravia avenue. This standalone gem bathes its stylish foyer in pure mild, promising a heat welcome that contrasts superbly with the extra uniform terraces close by.

Just throughout the highway, glimpses of the Grade II-listed Forbes House trace on the space’s unique attract, with vigilant safety guards conserving watch over gates that sometimes inch open to disclose manicured gardens and a grand ground-level entrance with no fewer than three units of French doorways.

Back at COMO The Halkin – after a welcome drink and scorching towel scented with the model’s signature Invigorate mix (youngsters get teddy bears) – rooms are reached via curved wood-panelled corridors lit by gentle spotlights, resulting in doorways that meld seamlessly with darkish, corrugated columns. Each flooring homes a comfy, fashionable workplace nook hidden behind beaded dividers — good for stealing a second of solitude or diving into a very good e-book.

The Room

At COMO The Halkin, the boutique really feel is unmistakable, accentuated by an unique assortment of simply 41 rooms — every providing views that both sweep throughout town’s skyline or gaze onto serene gardens.

The resort’s current transformation has preserved the unique heat of Pommele Sapele wooden panelling whereas subtly introducing extra color via characteristic partitions and plush furnishings in hues of aquamarine, sand, russet, slate, and blue – a nod to the pure components of earth, water, fireplace and sky.

Spacious open-plan Studio Suites include beneficiant seating areas, full with large TVs that swing out from the wall with a Netflix-style interface providing the most recent films and exhibits at no additional cost. The suite’s décor, a creamy palette enriched with accents of brown and gold, guarantees by no means falling out of style for years to come back.

The lavatory, an opulent retreat in itself, boasts floor-to-ceiling marble, a beneficiant bathtub, and a separate bathe, including a contact of opulence to the area — plus a high-tech Japanese Toto bathroom. Signature COMO Shambhala lavatory facilities mix premium-grade important oils together with refreshing eucalyptus with cooling peppermint, lavender and geranium.

Convenience is at your fingertips right here too, with room features together with temperature, TV, and lighting effortlessly managed by tablets and complete management panels scattered across the suite. If you’re sleeping in, it’s even doable to activate the Do Not Disturb signal on the contact of a button.

For these in search of the head of luxurious, the resort’s high suites dazzle with conservatory-style home windows, whereas some supply spacious personal balconies. This suite may connect with an adjoining room, providing an excellent answer for households and bigger teams.

The Service

Service shines with the form of polish you solely get from 30 years within the recreation. Reception workers are all heat and smiles, and able to leap into motion for any request — even going to nice lengths to fetch an merchandise we’d left behind at one of many resort’s sister properties.

The service throughout afternoon tea is a spotlight, with our enthusiastic server taking the time to share the story behind COMO’s distinctive twist on a British basic (extra on that later). When we let slip our love for one of many bite-sized treats on the menu, she rapidly reappeared with three extra whipped up only for us by the chef.

But the true check of service? Those middle-of-the-night moments, like when the room become a sauna late on a stuffy London night and we have been determined for a breeze. A fast name to the entrance desk and, sooner than you’ll be able to say “open sesame”, an engineer was unlocking our window, ushering within the cool of evening.

The Restaurants and Bars

Wave goodbye to conventional three-tiered stands and crustless sandwiches – The Halkin Bar, simply off the foyer, is rewriting the afternoon tea playbook with considered one of London’s most progressive takes on this quintessentially British ritual. Served day by day from 2pm to 6pm, it brings a slice of Bali to Belgravia, serving up vibrant, enzyme-rich dishes that promise to energise somewhat than induce a post-tea hunch.

Pair the resort’s daring, gingery signature tea — or one other of the six blends on the menu — with an array of mouth-watering, typically uncooked, creations. From zesty wild rice salads to healthful banana waffles, every dish is impressed by the COMO Shambhala wellness philosophy.

The marinated rooster lolly sprinkled with pomegranate seeds may appear modest at first look, but it surely’s so flavourful we eagerly polish off the extra three servings introduced over by our waitress.

At evening, the area transforms right into a moody cocktail bar the place martinis – somewhat than inexperienced juices – are the order of the hour. An all-day eating menu is served till 11pm, providing bigger variations of a few of the afternoon tea dishes plus consolation meals and Arabic favourites like labneh, hummus and rooster shawarma.

The Activities

While COMO The Halkin itself is mild on actions, the resort greater than makes up for it with a concierge group that stands able to unlock London for you. But it’s their knack for arranging distinctive native experiences that really stands out — assume adorning your personal biscuits in a Belgravia boutique or masterclasses at Twinings, town’s oldest tea purveyor.

For these trying to sustain their health routine, the resort provides a small health club outfitted with all of the necessities — treadmills, a cross coach, stationary bikes and free weights. Each room has yoga mats for private stretch classes, and TVs are outfitted with follow-along movies that may be referred to as up on demand.

Guests are additionally given complimentary entry to the Shambhala Urban Escape spa on the close by COMO Metropolitan London, 10 minutes’ stroll away. Here, you’ll discover a further health club, steam rooms, and an distinctive vary of massages and coverings that draw on Asian-inspired methods. From reflexology and facials to Thai therapeutic massage and Reiki, it’s an invite to bask in some critical self-care.

Why Stay?

COMO The Halkin has simply emerged from a classy makeover, radiating magnificence with its refined decor and a spotlight to element. With a comfy tally of simply 41 rooms, it nails that discreet, boutique vibe — completely in tune with the understated luxurious of its Belgravia setting.

But regardless of the resort’s tranquil, tree-lined location, you’re by no means removed from the motion, with London’s high sights only a stone’s throw away by taxi or Tube. And for these wet British days while you’re inclined to remain indoors, the resort’s afternoon tea provides a pleasant Balinese twist on a basic, transporting your style buds straight to the tropics.

The Essentials

• Rates: Halkin Rooms begin at £380 per evening on the COMO Early Bird price, which features a 20 per cent low cost on the standard worth
• Phone quantity: +44 20 7333 1000
• Website: comohotels.com/london/como-the-halkin
• Address: 5-6 Halkin Street, London SW1X 7DJ, United Kingdom