The Halkin

On arrival
Beneath the elegant, arched, stone porch that protrudes slightly compared with the beautiful brick façade, the entrance to the hotel opens into a lobby decorated with shades of pink and terracotta mosaic with slivers of Venetian marble.

To the right: the reception; to the left: the bar and, opposite the entrance, lifts and access to the restaurant. The hotel’s Asian roots are exemplified in a Khmer Buddha statue placed on a glass shelf behind reception. The statue’s face welcomes visitors with closed eyes and a mysterious smile playing on its lips, as if entreating visitors to relax.

Opposite the Buddha, and separated from the entrance by a net curtain, is the bar with its claret benches, pale wood tables and rugs with beige chevrons. A quiet place during the day, in the evening it becomes popular as a place to sip cocktails before being shown to one’s table.

Standing opposite each other the two lifts arrive on each floor on a circular corridor that features wood panels on the inner side and lots of black painted wooden strips on the outer. Lit by narrow beams of light and furnished with Asian antiques and large vases, these corridors are a particular feature of this hotel.

Rooms
Walls decorated alternately in white, mirrors and large burr walnut panels make the rooms light, spacious and elegant in design.  Lines are clean and uncluttered and the furniture dark, except the armchairs and bed whose head board and cover are natural linen.

Carpets are lightly patterned and a different colour on each floor. The ensuite marble matches the main room colour.  COMO Shambala toiletries are provided and the mostly quite large bathrooms, with several shelves, fitted with both bath and separate shower, are pleasant and functional.

With their business guests in mind, most rooms have fax machines, large work area and all have internet access. Bedside tables come with a touch screen control panel that adjusts the air-conditioning, the lighting in the room, the morning alarm and can even call a member of staff or the housekeeper. Wireless connection is available throughout the building at no extra charge.

Although rooms have similar facilities, the various sizes, positions and layouts give each one a different atmosphere.

Types of room
The 41 rooms in the hotel are categorized according to six large types. Rooms are: Double, Superior and Deluxe. The difference between them being size, layout and number of windows in each. There are also Suites called: Studio, Belgravia, Conservatory and Two Bedroom.

The largest of the Two Bedroom type measures 60 square metres. Conservatory types have a small dining room where meals can be served. The other suites have a sitting area which is either separate from or an extension of the bedroom. It depends whether you want space or privacy. Rooms overlook either the street or blocks of flats although none can see straight in.

Services
All rooms have their beds turned down in the evening. Room service delivers food round the clock. However the restaurant menu is only available when the kitchens are working. Mobile phones can be hired and secretarial services available.

A knowledgeable, helpful and enthusiastic concierge service can book restaurants and shows in London to suit guests’ tastes.