Perfectly toeing the line between fashionable and family-friendly, the always stylish Hari in London’s Belgravia neighborhood always catches the eye. Throughout the years, the hotel has displayed innovative art and photo installations in its windows and public areas. Variations on a theme, these past displays have included rare photos of the Beatles, walls of kaleidoscopically hued fresh flowers, and even a classic Christmas tableau that somehow manages to be epically cool. 

Currently, the hotel is partnering with Art Vinyl to display its incredible collection of record cover artwork in the street-facing window. While the staff always has a new window display project in the works, we wanted to highlight a few of the past installations that definitely caught our own eye.

Santa’s Toy Shop with God’s Own Junkyard

For a recent holiday celebration, The Hari’s public areas harkened back to yesteryear with a dazzling display by the famed artist Chris Bracey (AKA the Neon Man) in collaboration with a Space For Art. Bracey and his team are known for the God’s Own Junk Yard gallery, a brilliant space of salvaged and reclaimed neon signs, old movie props, and retro displays. 

Inspired by Santa’s Toy Shop for this holiday window installation at The Hari, the collaborators used 90% recycled items, in keeping with the hotel’s environmental and sustainable policies. Guests were enchanted by neon designs, festive garlands, North Pole snow, and a collection of classic toys purchased from local charity shops interspersed with a remote-controlled train and a few mischievous elves. 

Linda Bracey, founder of God’s Own Junkyard states: “It is wonderful that the whole window design at The Hari is 90% recycled. We even managed to make the little helper elves from recycled material and stuffing. It has been an absolute pleasure to work on this window theme and show just what can be done from cast-offs and the magical medium of neon and to support The Hari Hotel’s environmental and sustainable endeavors and celebrate the Christmas period.”

The Hari, partnered with luxury fashion brand, DAKS and internationally recognized flower designer, Amie Bone, to create a scent-sational floral installation for Grosvenor’s annual floral festival, Belgravia in Bloom. In keeping with the 2019 theme of “The Language of Flowers”, Amie Bone and her talented team used bright summer flowers, rich textured foliage, and an immersive photographic display to adorn the front of The Hari. Depicting two mannequins wearing DAKS’ new season attire, a male stands within a heart of red roses, offering a female mannequin a bouquet of white flowers; symbolizing love and innocence.

The Hari Dressed in DAKS for Belgravia in Bloom

The installation stood for several days during the annual Belgravia in Bloom floral festival, featuring two mannequins wearing DAKS new season attire. A male mannequin was staged standing within a heart of red roses while offering a female mannequin a bouquet of white flowers to symbolize love and innocence. A seat for passersby to sit and enjoy the floral wall was incorporated into the installation. 

To top off the week, an artist painted a floral scene live on a white DAKS blazer, inspired by the brightly colored flowers. To celebrate DAKS’ 125th anniversary, the limited-edition jacket was placed within the luxury clothing brand’s hall of fame.

The Hari was delighted to once again, have Art Vinyl display an incredible collection of record cover artwork in their window, ahead of the Best Art Vinyl Award for 2022. The finalists were announced at a VIP awards event, selected amongst a diverse and striking shortlist of 50 nominations, including winner Simon Monk for Black Country, New Road’s album ‘Ants From Up There’.

A Limited Edition Beatles Exhibition 

The Hari had the distinct pleasure of hosting a one-off exhibition featuring never-before-seen images of The Beatles. Fortunate guests and passersby were treated to 48 candid photos by renowned pop culture photographer, the late Tommy Hanley. 

A prelude to his memoir, “With a Little Help from My Lens,” the display was curated by Art Vinyl, known for celebrating record cover art and design. Yoko Ono Lennon kindly granted permission to include a number of Tommy’s iconic images of John Lennon from her private collection. 

Andrew Coney, General Manager at The Hari, said, “We were thrilled to exhibit such a fantastic collection of historical images at The Hari. I have long been a fan of The Beatles and I was so excited to be able to showcase Tommy’s work in our hotel.”

Tommy Hanley was one of the few to spend time with the Fab Four over a span of 30 years and his remarkable collection showcases his close relationship with the band from their humble beginnings to intimate images shot in the Apple Offices at the end of their career together. The archive reflects his close relationship with the band, as he was very much a part of their inner circle. 

Founder of Art Vinyl Andrew Heeps says, “This is an amazing opportunity for us, diversifying from our usual record cover art exhibitions, to deliver our first ever photography installation – and what a talent we’ve had the chance to work with. Now looking at the multiple photographic artworks on each side of our giant installation, you can almost hear the soundtrack in one’s head, the immediate connection these familiar faces have made on our collective music history.”

Artwork has long been at the center of The Hari, and as such, we partner with A Space For Art, which has curated the hotel’s public spaces since its opening in 2016. This window display features Benjamin Thomas Taylor, renowned for his bright, pop art-inspired pieces, fueled by a sense of joy. His detailed paintings and prints cross from reality into a parallel world of unlimited possibilities, full of color and creation.

Connect with The Hari

The Hari is a stylish retreat in the heart of Belgravia, and the perfect home-away-from-home in London. For those seeking an upscale, unpretentious sanctuary in one of the most classic London neighborhoods, this family-owned hotel checks all the boxes. 

Eighty-five designed bedrooms and suites include interconnecting rooms, a sought-after option in the city and ideal for families (dogs welcome!). Known for its exceptional value, The Hari is close to London’s leading attractions, from Hyde Park to The Royal Albert Hall, and is convenient to Chelsea, Kensington, and Knightsbridge. 

What we love best about The Hari, an homage to Hari Harilela – and with personal touches throughout – is that feeling that when you’re here, you’re family. 

We’d love to connect you with the team at The Hari. Please reach out.