Editor Pick
The Ultimate One Stop Shop!
- July 17, 2009
- Rated 4 of 5 by
katykicker from Harlow, Essex, United Kingdom
Harrods is a department store located on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge, London and is part of the Harrods brand which have several other enterprises under it's belt such as Harrods Aviation & Air Harrods.
The store itself is something that I find to be instantly recognisable as it is currently one of the largest department stores in the word and is one that I thoroughly visiting, even if just for a browse.
The store itself occupies a 4.5 acre site and has around 300 different departments within. It really would be quite possible to spend several days exploring the different areas of the store and spending enough money to clear all third world debt! Several of the departments within Harrods are world famous for their displays such as the Christmas department and the world class Food Halls.
You really could buy almost everything possibly to own within this store with departments such as beauty, clothing (men's, women's, children's & infant's), electronics, bridal, pets & pet accessories, food, drink, toys, gifts, stationery, home wares etc. The list really is endless and you could probably buy at least one of everything you could ever need to furnish a home including sofas, beds, curtains etc.
There are two memorials within the Harrods store dedicated to the life and love of Dodi Fayed & Diana, Princess Of Wales who died in a car crash in 1997. The first memorial contains photographs of each of them, a candle for each of them and some mementos such as a wine glass from their last dinner, with Diana's lipstick & an engagement ring supposedly purchased by Dodi the day before they died. The second memorial is a bronze statue of the two dancing underneath an Albatross to symbolize 'holy spirit' and it is entitled 'innocent victims'. Both of the memorials are quite moving and it's possible to visit them and pay respects to Dodi & Diana while at the store.
Harrods is always seen as a real luxurious store and this is exactly how I would describe it, however, it is possible to visit here with some budget restrictions and still pick up some lovely items, especially when they have a sale on. The store will also sometimes host exclusive designer pieces or collections such as the recent Paul Smith Greene Street bag which is exclusively available for purchase in Harrods stores.
As well as being able to shop instore it's also possible to shop online at the Harrods.com website but I would always advise a visit to the flagship store if possible as it's just something that's really not to be missed, even if just to find something cheap to purchase to get a Harrods carrier bag (yes, I am one of THOSE people!).
There is a slight dress code in Harrods. The majority of people will be granted access but anyone not wearing a shirt, or with their chest hanging out etc may be denied entry to the store and this is usually enforced quite rigidly.
The store is always well decorated, whatever time of year, and there is plenty of staff on hand to help with whatever your needs or requirements are. There is a rumour that whatever you want as a customer Harrods can get for you (within the reaches of the law of course) but whether this is true is probably not available information until you are a multi-million and having a spending spree in store.
Harrods offer many services in store including wedding lists, registering for gifts, in-store beauty treatments, financial advice and personal shoppers to help you find anything you could ever need.
It's not unusual for the store to be very busy at all times of the day all year round because of the many tourists that flock to the Knightsbridge store to try and pick up something quintessentially English and you will find lots of pieces like this in addition to the many Egyptian pieces showing Mohammed Al Fayed's natural heritage.
Opening Times are as follows:
Main Store
Monday to Saturday: 10am - 8pm
Sunday: 11:30am* - 6pm
SUMMER Opening (Monday 20th July – Saturday 22nd August)
Monday to Saturday: 10am – 9pm
Sunday: 11:30am* - 6pm
From Monday 24th August: normal Main Store opening hours
Selected Food Halls open
Monday to Saturday: 9am – 8pm
Sunday: 11:30am* - 6pm
* Browsing only between 11.30am and 12 noon on Sundays
I would advise a visit any day of the week as it's always going to become crowded in some areas as they are just so hugely popular with all different nationalities. A visit to London is never quite complete without a visit to Harrods so why not stop by yourself and spend a few thousand on that gorgeous telephone table or just buy yourself a packet of cigarettes and ask for a bag.
I am going to rate Harrods 5/5 as the store is magnificent and there should be something for all ages to marvel out. Whether it's the latest toy, the delicious fish on offer in the Food Hall or the gorgeous bed linen everyone in the family is catered for so get out your credit card today and treat yourself, you deserve the best. The only reason I have marked it down by 1 star is because some of the everyday household items are drastically overpriced.
From journal Tourist Time in London!
Editor Pick
Harrod's
- September 19, 2006
- Rated 5 of 5 by
amber02 from chicago, Illinois
If you love to shop, then go to London. Even if it is only to visit Harrod's.
Harrod's is the worlds largest shopping mall. It is extravagant and really magnificent, boasting so many different levels of designer clothing, accessories, make-up, jewelery, furniture, home goods, and so much more. The entire store literally sparkles and everything is so inviting.
If you are going to Harrod's, plan to spend a good amount of time here—this is not your average store. There is a lot to look at and many different levels to visit. The customer service here is excellent and there are people around every corner to help you in any way. If you are a girl especially, make sure to visit the make-up counters! They have so many and you can have so much fun testing and trying out the different lines.
When shopping makes you hungry, there's no need to leave the store!! Just walk down to the basement and you have a whole market featuring all different types of foods. My absolute favorite thing here was the bakery, which sold some really tasty chocolate croissants.
Overall, this is a place you must visit if you in London. It is an experience of its own!!
From journal A Trip to London
Harrods
- May 4, 2006
- Rated 5 of 5 by
Igraine from Houston, Texas
This is most definitely the coolest department store in the world. It's HUGE and carries everything from clothes to caviar. You can go from a room full of fine china to a room full of washing machines in just a few steps.Despite the enormous size of this store, signs are plentiful to direct you to specific departments. The staff is also extremely helpful and willing to direct you to what you need. What departments are on what floors are also well-thought out and make logical sense.This is a high-class store, and has the cleanliness and service to match its high status. If the store doesn't have something in stock, they'll special order it for you. Harrods rightfully prides itself on its reputation for classy, personalized, and attentive service.Every once in awhile, you'll even run into famous people here. The Queen and Prince Charles both have shopped here. When I visited, Sir Bobby Charleton, who kicked the winning Gold Cup goal for Britain in the 1960s, was signing autographs. Not a huge celebrity, but it was a cool experience and I still have his autograph.This is a store that you could spend hours in just looking at the sheer volume of merchandise on display. Even if you aren't looking for something specific, Harrods is a great tourist attraction in its own right, just to see the largest and best department store in the world.
From journal London Days