Urban Retreat Hair Salon London (Knightsbridge)

I booked an appointment to have my eyebrows shaped by Saloni at Urban Retreat after reading a recommendation on this website. I must say, I was not disappointed. I would definitely recommend seeing Saloni if you are considering having your eyebrows done.

by AliC, 22 Feb 2010

I have been to the Shavata Eyebrow Studio at Urban Retreat a couple of times through the recommendations of magazines. However, on my last visit they had messed up my appointment and the gentleman at reception offered me a general beauty therapist instead. As I was desperate, I accepted.

The therapist, a lady named Saloni, was as professional and as experienced as can be. She treated me in a private room and shaped my eyebrows (without the painful thread) to perfection. Plus, seeing her was cheaper than Shavata!

1* for Urban Retreat's Eyebrow Studio and 5* for Saloni (a true hidden talent) and the kind receptionist that fitted me in with her.

by msjean, 30 Dec 2009

Yesterday I went to Urban Retreat for a 'me' day and was pleasantly suprised by both the staff and the surroundings. To be truthful I was a little apprehensive after reading some of the reports on here, but I have to say I had a fantastic day.

I started off with a massage with Sophie, who I can only describe has having healing hands. The room was warm and inviting and Sophie was quiet and attentive. I went on to have a shampoo and blowdry with Natasha, who is very friendly and accommodating.

My overall experience was amazing. I can honestly say that everyone I encountered was warm and friendly I felt like a Hollywood starlet.

by Jo-Jo, 12 Feb 2009

Awful place. I wanted to dye my brown hair blonde. I was told I needed to come in for a strand test, so I booked an appointment. When I came in to have it done they left me waiting for an hour. Nobody said anything about it or apologised. When I enquired as to what was going on they said someone would be with me soon (for God's sake, I'd booked an appointment!). After another twenty minutes of silence I gave up and walked out. My only regret is that I'd stayed so long. Useless and arrogant. Don't bother!

by sbk, 05 Feb 2009

What can I say? This was the worst experience I have EVER had in a salon. I spent a total of about 5 minutes in Urban Retreat after being told by Symon that my hair is a mess and there's simply nothing he can do, the haircut that I want is the one I already have so he didn't know why I wanted my hair cut... Oh yes, and when I said that I eventually wanted to grow my hair longer, his response was "Well grow it then". Yes, well done - you are an absolute genius. I AM NEVER GOING HERE EVER AGAIN. I don't even want to give it one star, but apparently I have to rate it.

by C.E.B, 20 Jan 2009

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

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

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