Sitting in a quiet residential street close to Hyde Park Corner and within walking distance to Buckingham Palace and leafy Green Park – COMO The Halkin is surrounded by Belgravia’s beautiful architecture, providing an unrivalled base for the international traveller. Just a stone's-throw away from famous luxury shopping destinations Knightsbridge and Mount Street – home to exclusive boutiques and some of London’s most sought-after restaurants and cafes.
COMO The Halkin’s Georgian-styled façade of bricks and beautiful Portland stones paired with arching windows gives little away, blending comfortably into its surroundings. However, inside, the supremely contemporary and innovative design of Italian architects, Laboratorio Associati of Milan, has created a hotel where every detail is tailored to meet the demanding needs of the most discerning traveller.
When COMO The Halkin first opened in 1991, its aim was to offer uncompromising standards of service and style. Since then the hotel has become the benchmark for contemporary hotels around the world.
The concept at the heart of the hotel’s design was the ‘Expansion of Space’, a sensation that can be experienced throughout COMO The Halkin. Above the light and airy lobby soars an atrium ceiling decorated with a mural ‘skyscape’, created by the Italian painter Valentino Vago.
The hotel has 19 suites including the sought-after COMO Suites, located on its third and fourth floors
Ametsa with Arzak Instruction is the hotel’s award winning restaurant from Michelin-starred chefs Elena and Juan Mari Arzak which debuted in February 2013. The approach is rooted in the traditions of ‘New Basque Cuisine’, pairing the earthy flavours and techniques of Spain’s Basque region with modern, surprising twists.
There are just 41 guest rooms and suites at COMO The Halkin, all generously proportioned and individually designed and decorated. These are reached from a striking corridor of black, corrugated-wood panelling which flows in a powerfully sculptural curve on each level. All rooms are furnished to superlative standards in an uncluttered and elegant style which uses pale cream fabrics and warm Pomelé Sapele veneers. Exceptionally comfortable beds are fitted with Egyptian cotton sheets and sumptuous goose down pillows.
Many rooms have separate seating and dressing areas, and all offer fabulous marble bathrooms with deep tubs, separate walk-in showers, anti-mist mirrors and plentiful COMO Shambhala amenities, exclusive to COMO Hotels and Resorts. Suites on the fifth floor feature stunning, high curved ceilings that follow the arch of the barrel-vaulted roof, and large dormer windows allow light to flood in.
The hotel has 19 suites including the sought-after COMO Suites, located on the hotel’s third and fourth floors. Each features a king-sized bedroom as well as separate sitting area with a dining table for six. Large conservatory-style windows fill the rooms with light. COMO Suites are available with a second bedroom on request and ideal for families. Some of the suites feature a spacious private balcony equipped with tables and chairs, perfect for London’s summer months.
Central to the original concept for COMO The Halkin was the desire to offer guests technically sophisticated services – with control panels to operate lighting and room temperature fitted as standard. This attitude is still at the core of the hotel’s philosophy. Situated on each side of the beds are state-of-the-art touch-screen consoles. These enable guests to adjust their room’s lighting and temperature, set the alarm clock, see world times, and activate the ‘do not disturb’ sign (activating this also mutes the doorbell). In addition, the consoles allow access to numerous guest services and facilities such as alarm calls, world time information, requesting room service, or calling the butler – they also dim the lights. The consoles operate in six languages – English, French, German, Italian, Arabic and Japanese – and automatically dim to minimise glare when not in use. All rooms and suites are also equipped with complimentary high speed internet access as well as interactive TVs including an extensive music jukebox and on-demand movie selection.
A 49 sq m gym offers Life Fitness exercise equipment including two treadmills, a cross trainer, two exercise bikes, various hand weights, a bench and stretching area.