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The Halkin by COMO
5 Halkin St, London, England, UK
Neighborhood: Knightsbridge
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Many of the world’s most stylish hotels are heavy on the public spaces, pouring money into lounges, libraries, drawing rooms, even private cinemas, while relegating the paying guests to cramped, uninspired rooms. How this works as a business proposition is quite beyond our understanding, but in this case it’s irrelevant—London’s Halkin hotel turns this stereotype inside out. Here the public spaces amount to little more than a small but handsome lobby and bar (and of course a restaurant, of which more later), while the rooms get the star treatment.
And what rooms they are, outfitted in what can only be described as Milanese Zen, rich leathers and soothing muted colors doing their best to expand the already generous space (which in London counts as a real luxury). Each floor takes on as its theme one of the four ancient elements (five, if you count sky), but the differences are subtle enough to avoid gimmickry; all four are as unassumingly elegant as can be. The marble bathrooms are expansive, and the COMO Shambhala bath products add to the culture shock—you may have to walk outside and see the building’s Georgian facade to reassure yourself that this is indeed London.
The location, in quietly upscale Belgravia, is a perfect match for this chic yet grown-up hotel—attractive yet not too ostentatious, and providing easy access to Knightsbridge, Hyde Park, Sloane Street and Picadilly. It also affords easy access to the Halkin’s sister hotel, the Metropolitan, whose spa is open to Halkin guests, as is its restaurant, Nobu—and repeat guests should note that the Halkin's new gym makes a trip to the Metropolitan's health club unnecessary.
But while Nobu is nice, the Halkin has its own restaurant, the pure-Thai (as in decidedly un-fusion) Nahm. This is London’s only Michelin-starred Thai restaurant, which means the French approve; though presumably the Thai do as well, given chef David Thompson’s reverence for tradition and authenticity. Not to be flip, but you could have sushi anywhere—this is possibly the best Thai food west of the Andaman Sea.
So there you have it—a haute-couture Italian-style boutique hotel, owned by Singapore’s Christina Ong, serving obsessively authentic Thai cuisine just steps from Hyde Park Corner tube station. If it’s Union Jacks and bangers and mash you’re after, this is clearly not your place—but for those with global tastes, it’s hard to top.
How to get there:
The Halkin hotel is a 5-minute walk from the Hyde Park Corner tube station. If you’re arriving from Heathrow Airport the most convenient transfer option to central London is the Heathrow Express train, which leaves Heathrow Airport every 15 minutes and takes 15 minutes to arrive at Paddington Station. One-way fares are available from £18 and round-trip fares from £32. By black cab, The Halkin is approximately a 45-minute ride from Heathrow Airport (depending on traffic) and can cost upwards of £50.
- Complimentary upgrade upon hotel check-in, based upon availability
- Guaranteed 4pm check-out
- One complimentary glass of champagne or one cocktail, per guest, upon arrival
- Complimentary fruit on arrival
- *Tablet Plus Benefits cannot be combined with the "Extend That Feeling" offers and "Ultimate Savings" offer
- 41 Rooms
- Style: Modern Design
- Atmosphere: Quiet
- 64 Guest Reviews
- The Halkin by COMO
- 5 Halkin St
- London, England, UK
- Neighborhood: Knightsbridge
Hotel amenities and services
- 100% non-smoking hotel
- 24 hour concierge
- 24 hour front desk
- 24 hour gym
- 24 hour room service
- Bar
- Central air conditioning
- Free wi-fi
- Lounge
- Luggage storage
- Multi-lingual staff
- Pet Friendly
- Restaurant
- Spa treatments (on request)
- Valet parking (charges apply)
- Wake-up service
Other London hotels
64 Guest Reviews
All reviews are from Tablet guests with verified stays.
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- sharon
- Stayed October 2010
- Rating: Excellent
What I liked:
Service especially the conciege was outstanding. The rooms were spacious by European standards and there was careful attention to all details and amenities.
What the hotel could do better:
Nothing, had a wonderful stay!
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- Henry
- Stayed March 2010
- Rating: Excellent
What I liked:
The mark of good hotel is how much they remember about you from your last visit, or whether they have prepared for your upcoming stay. By that measure The Halkin exceeded expectations. I have stayed there a number of times, so at this point it was nice to see---for example---that they remembered which newspaper I like in the morning without having to ask. In addition, I have recently discovered that I am gluten intolerant, so I emailed them ahead using the Tablet customer support group to ask for gluten free bread at breakfast in the morning. The first morning they had it ready, and the second morning it arrived warm on my table without having to request it. Now that's good!
In addition the central location near Hyde Park Corner is very convenient if you have business to do in Mayfair, museums you want to see, or friends who live in town. The tube is two blocks away, and Harrods is a 10 minute stroll. I never had trouble getting a taxi, only getting over the sticker shock when it came time to pay the meter rate!
What the hotel could do better:
I am not a fan of the Thai Restaurant in the hotel, although the website proclaims it is one of the best in London. The breakfast, which is not asian themed by the way, is glorious, especially after a night flight from NY!
The bar area is not particularly inviting or functional. If I were their designer I would rethink the space and ask guests what they'd like to see there instead. This is not the kind of place that people are coming to in order to hang out at night, although that does happen at the Metropolitan not far away. I'd like to see a real Lounge where you can relax, refresh, or wait for your friends to pick you up before going out to lunch or dinner.
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- Cathie
- Stayed December 2009
- Rating: Excellent
What I liked:
Great rooms, great gym, great location.
What the hotel could do better:
Nothing; Had a wonderful stay!
