Urban Retreat Hair Salon London (Knightsbridge)

A friend and I had a wonderful morning being pampered. First we had the Creme de la Mer facial - absolutley wonderful. Both Sarah and Shqipe were amazing. Next up a massage with Zelda while I had a hair treatment with Juliana. Both of us had our hair blowdried by Flavien.

The staff were very attentive and could not do enough for us. The only downside was having to listen to the rudeness and arrogance of some of the clients. In one case it was embarrassing to see a member of staff treated so badly.

by kview, 22 Sep 2008

Went to Harrods for a pampering day. Had a brilliant massage and a manicure with Ivona. I also had a blowdry with Carmen. It was the worst I've ever had. I asked for big, curly, bouncy hair. She tried to persuade me not to, as it wouldn't suit. I was really annoyed at this, as when I get my hair done anywhere else I always do it like this and it looks lovely. It seemed like she couldn't be bothered and it took her an hour and 20 mins. She couldn't be bothered to talk to me but had time to have a chat with another member of staff standing next to her. Really disappointed with my 1* hair, but the rest was 5*.

by berrys, 21 Jul 2008

Some people have written that they are shocked by the negative reviews about Urban Retreat, but the truth is so many people are not having a great experience there. Also, most of their old staff - who had loyal clients - have left. As it is now, you go there and end up regreting it. I myself have been a client at Urban Retreat, have seen it all and would not go back.

by lvtnj, 20 Jul 2008

Went to Urban Retreat this week expecting a fabulous treat. The shampoo was hurried (which was a shame, as this is my favorite part of a visit to the hairdressers), the salon was dirty (my stylist sat me down with a used tissue in front of me), I was offered a coffee which never arrived, the styist kept his hairy brushes in a carrier bag just to my left (surely Harrods can afford drawers or trollies or even a nice neat bag??). Feeling very uncomfortable and disappointed, I tried to have a conversation with my stylist. No. He wasn't into conversing and my hair was dropped into my face while he blow dried the rest.

All in all, the trip was a disappointing waste of my time and money. I will not be going there again. Another case of strong marketing and PR but establishment not able to deliver.

by nicoleleedesigns, 16 Jul 2008

Went to Urban Retreat today with my business partner (we run a hair salon together), where we both had a blow dry. It's good to realise we are doing so much better than this place. I was chucked a load of mags to read (clearly the guy didn't want to talk to me), my friend was offered a tea that never arrived, and the salon was filthy. Blow dry was just OK, but we both left feeling totally uncared for.

by louise1, 14 Jul 2008

I called into the Urban Retreat on a whim some time ago and had a cut by the creative director. She styled it perfectly and was charming throughout. Left the salon feeling fantastic.

by jl_weeks, 20 Jun 2008

Went into Harrods about a month ago, to find out they had a salon on the fifth floor. Was absolutely amazed at the size of the place. Greeted by nearly everyone, which was nice. Went upstairs to have a manicure. Chloe looked after me from start to finish. Amazing manicure and pedicure. Then Dee gave me a brilliant facial. The most relaxed I've been in over 18 years (I've got 3 kids!). Then off to get my hair done. Stylist Ruby gave me a thorough consultation on how I wanted my hair blow-dried. Let me tell you, I was amazed at the things she was saying she could do to my hair. A young guy called Shaheed washed my hair - including a fantastically relaxing head massage - before Ruby then worked her magic with my hair. Best blow-dry I've ever had. I went in looking like Tina Turner and left looking like Eva Langoria! Absolutely glamorous. All in all, I had a brilliant day and will certainly be back (when I can afford to be pamapered next). I'm just sorry I didn't know about this review site earlier.

by Scarlet Law, 05 Jun 2008

This is the worst salon I have ever been to. I sat at a wash basin to have my hair washed for over 1/2 an hour before someone came to do it. I then had a blow dry by the most rude, obnoxious woman. She bragged constantly about whose hair she did. Would never go back. Which is a shame, as the salon decor was fabulous.

by nicola.f, 26 May 2008

Last week I was desperately looking for a blowdry in Knightsbridge and thought I'd try Harrods. The great receptionists squeezed me in. I had my appointment with Ruby. She gave me the most amazing blowdry. Definitely recommend! She's also very fast.

by harrods, 23 May 2008

I'm a total pain wimp when it comes to waxing. I have tried so many salons but this one surpasses all of them by miles. Maybe it was the waxer (can't recall her name but she is going to Canada anyway), but I don't think so. This is why it's worth paying a little extra - hardly any pain as they insist on using hot wax, which is far less painful than strip wax. She did Hollywood, underarm, full leg in 45 minutes and I left feeling happy enough to book in for another treatment in the salon upstairs! Which is also pretty good by the way (pedicure with lovely foot massage). I'm now thinking about trying their hair salon...

by louinlondon (2 reviews), 10 Dec 2007

I thought a hairdresser could do everything from color to cuts. But a specialist in color or cut makes the difference. Amy and Flavien are real experts.

by mariannesultana, 18 Nov 2007

I've had my eyebrows done at the Shavata studio, which was great. No problem with red patches, so happy with this. However, I then enquired about Yuko hair straightening, and I found the guy who does Yuko (Daniel, I think) to be really quite dismissive and not friendly at all. It was almost like he couldn't be bothered... They did make me wait a while for my eyebrows as well, despite having booked an appointment.

by VeronicaSE22 (3 reviews), 05 Oct 2007

An awful experience in the eyebrow studio. After a 20 minute wait for the appointment, eyebrows were waxed as she didn't have time for threading. For 4 days afterwards people were asking me what was wrong with my eyes because of the awful red patches. Had tried out on recommendation - hugely disappointed.

by alts, 16 Sep 2007

Having read the comment by 'justme' I can understand the frustration, but I have also been a very loyal client for over a year and can understand that sometimes mistakes do happen, since they have happened to me. However, ALL the staff have been excellent in their service, especially the reception team. So if you're unhappy with something, please don't moan to others but move on and find somewhere else, because happy and loyal clients are there for the right reasons!

by delight888, 22 Jul 2007

Was a regular for over a year in the hair salon. Stylist and colourists are all very good, very friendly. Problem is reception, who went from bad to worse. They could not find me on their computer several times. Since they want credit card details I had to give it back again several times, 15 minutes on the phone each time.

That on its own would be fine if they at least wrote down the appointments correctly. I booked for a colour and blow dry. They could not find my appointment but I was offered a blow dry FOLLOWED by my colour!! It was eventually sorted out, only thanks to my regular stylist. However, last time I called and booked with her I was given an appointment just to come to the salon and was left to wait for 15 minutes until another stylist informed me I was booked with her instead, since my regular stylist was off. Spoke to the manager who basically implied I was a liar and said that all the clients were called to be warned of the stylist's lengthy absence. How I was given an appointment with her, and how at check-in when mentioning her name no one told me she was absent, is typical from the reception staff who are totally inefficient, slow and (as far as the manager is concerned) extremely rude! From such a place you would expect better service. I am never going back!

I put a rating of three, as I would give top marks to the stylists and colourist but a big zero for everyone else!

by justme, 13 Jul 2007

I am a regular visitor to Urban Retreat - from waxing to nails, haircuts, eyebrows, facials, the works! The service is great, the treatments are super, and staff are lovely and make you feel really special. It's also very private and discreet.

by NSpaul, 29 Jun 2007

I visited Urban Retreat for the first time yesterday, having read about the brow shaping. Admittedly, I was kept waiting for 15 minutes and felt anxious because I was meeting a friend in another department for tea. However, when my therapist arrived, she was courteous and apologetic and did such a fantastic job (shape and tint) that it really transformed my face. Will definitely return. Am also tempted to use the salon - while I was waiting, I was able to observe the results. I also liked the luxurious treats that were on offer - glasses of champagne and strawberries - it all seemed very glamourous and great fun!

by Sophie Bostock, 08 Jun 2007

I recently had the Yuko hair straightening treatment at Urban Retreat, Harrods. From my initial enquiry over the phone to my consultation, the service I received was first class. Everything was thoroughly explained to me before I made any decision to proceed with the treatment, and the result was amazing. Having had frizzy, curly hair all my life, after the treatment (which took 4 hours) my hair was so straight, smooth and silky - and this was without a brush or irons! I've never experienced customer service like it; I was even watching a DVD throughout the process, which made the time fly. I'll definitely be back in six months' time.

by E Power, 20 May 2007

Urban Retreat is fabulous for waxings and eye brow shaping and for a maintenance facial, but don't go to Harrods for pampering. It is not that type of place. Pamper days should be reserved for a day spa with spa facilities, which Harrods doesn't have.

by Quinn, 15 May 2007

Great salon, with friendly people. I bought a friend a gift voucher for Harrods and she also had a great experience at the salon. I am sure with the amount of clients they have every day they cannot please everyone, but I will most certainly return.

by Anonymous, 24 Apr 2007

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