The Hari

WHAT’S ITLIKE? A new name for a hotel that has been through several incarnations and now is a member of Preferred Hotel and Resorts’ Lifestyle Collection. Glassfronted, it normally has a smart doorman on duty and bikes lined up for guests’ use. It has an intimate, almost nightclub feel, and features eclectic furniture and art by Mario Testino and Tracey Emin. Located in the centre of Belgravia but away from its main roads, on the corner of Chesham Place and Pont Street, it’s between Knightsbridge and Sloane Square stations, and about five minutes’ walk from Hyde Park.

FACILITIES There are 85 rooms starting from 23 sqm, plus 14 suites. My secondfloor Studio King Suite (44 sqm) featured wood panelling, good blackout blinds and soundproofing, a Nespresso machine, free and fast wifi, and a Handy phone for free calls and data. Italian restaurant Il Pampero is a well-designed space with a central bar and plenty of booths. Upstairs, the Snug bar offers afternoon tea and late-night drinks. Behind it is the Garden Terrace with lots of greenery and a retractable roof. There’s a meeting room for 24 people, and a small gym.

VERDICT Many hotels in this area are corporate or have a mannered, “townhouse” feel – the Hari is very different, and all the better for it, with good staff and amenities. Tom Otley