The Portobello Hotel

Notting Hill, London, United Kingdom
Book from GBP Book from £185 per night

The Portobello Hotel

Notting Hill, London, United Kingdom

Rock 'n' roll spirit amongst the antiques at this iconic hotel in boho-glam Notting Hill

Rock 'n' roll spirit amongst the antiques at this iconic hotel in boho-glam Notting Hill

The Portobello Hotel first opened in the 1970s, but the team behind Canal House have taken over this showbiz favourite, bringing it bang up-to-date yet embracing its old-school elegance and colourful past. This is the place where Alice Cooper kept his boa constrictor in a bathtub; where Johnny Depp and Kate Moss filled their bath with champagne and holed up for several days; where Damon Albarn was a barman. This is a place of legend.

Spread across 2 neo-classical townhouses on a quiet street off Westbourne Grove, it is prime people-watching territory; glamorous boutiques, historical boozers and chic eateries are within a short stroll. All 20 rooms are unique and choc-full of beautiful antiques (you're a stone's throw from Portobello Market), plus crisp linens and fancy coffee machines. Service is charming but discreet, and the team will make sure your stay is perfect - no matter what the request. Tina Turner loved it so much she bought the house next door.

Highs

  • Location, location. This is a prime west London spot
  • The eclectic decor and unique history - there's no other hotel quite like it
  • Many rooms look out onto leafy Stanley Gardens, a rarity in a city hotel
  • Warm, friendly staff, and a refreshingly unpretentious vibe

Lows

  • No parking; everything is metered locally and the price is high
  • Breakfast is simple, and there's no restaurant (hardly a problem in this neighbourhood, though)
  • Some outdated features but these are gradually being replaced
  • No wheelchair access

Best time to go

Perfect at any time of year - air con throughout in the summer and heated and cosy in the winter. A great base for a Christmas shopping trip.

Our top tips

Pick up a pre-loved designer bargain in the charity shops on Westbourne Grove; Oxfam and Save the Children shops are loaded with high-fashion bargains.

Great for...

City Style
Romantic
  • Boutique Hotel
  • 20 rooms
  • Breakfast and light snacks (restaurants nearby)
  • Allowed but not ideal
  • Open all year
  • Pool
  • Spa Treatments
  • Beach Nearby
  • Pet Friendly
  • Disabled Access
  • Car not necessary
  • Off-street Parking
  • Restaurants Nearby
  • WiFi
  • Air Conditioning
  • Guest Lounge
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Gym
  • Snack menu
Room: Outstanding

Rooms

The 20 rooms are all different, with a mix of delicate antiques, elegant swathes of curtain and retro button-back chairs. There are delicious Green & Spring spa products and Nespresso machines in each room.

Good Rooms are the smallest, but they still have a feeling of space compared to other city hotels, and amazing wall-to-wall murals. Larger rooms (Great, Marvellous etc) have gilded mirrors and roll-top Victorian baths with heavy gold taps; several face onto Stanley Gardens.

Our room (an Outstanding) had a vast four-poster bed originally from Hampton Court Palace. There were 3 easy chairs and a sofa (we spent a lot of time sitting, bliss when you normally have small children in tow), and our bathroom was like a Tardis, with thick robes and hidden cupboards. Another Outstanding Room has an incredible round bed, romantically wrapped in gauze curtains.

Features include:

  • Bathrobes
  • Hairdryer
  • In room treatments available
  • Minibar
  • WiFi

Eating

Breakfast is a small continental selection of buttery croissants, fresh juice and delicious local breads, served on pretty vintage china. They have a few hot options for an extra charge (try the scrambled eggs and smoked salmon). No other meals are served, though there's a limited snack menu available 24 hours (club sandwiches, olives, that sort of thing).

Start your evening with a drink from the honesty bar in the lounge, then head to one of the excellent restaurants nearby: Beach Blanket Babylon (chic modern European), The Electric Diner (American classics), The Ledbury (sensational gastronomy) and Granger & Co. We managed to bag a table at Granger (it doesn’t take reservations so can be hard to get into) and can heartily recommend it for healthy Sydney-style food that makes you feel good. The hotel reception team are available 24 hours to help guests find what they want.

Features include:

  • Breakfast
  • Coffee / tea making
  • Family friendly
  • Restaurants nearby
  • Room service
Eating:
Activity:

Activities

  • Portobello Market is a few minutes' walk away, with stalls stretching over 2 miles. As well as incredible antiques there are vintage clothes, ceramics, music, even fruit and veg. The main market days are Friday and Saturday
  • Westbourne Grove is a mecca for Parisian chic boutiques and organic food shops
  • The hotel has created a guided walking tour of the area so you can learn where Hendrix penned 'Purple Haze', where Hugh Grant's bookshop was in Notting Hill; basically, who did what where!
  • Borrow a Boris bike at Notting Hill Gate and cycle around the neighbourhood like a local
  • The hotel has mates' rates at the nearby Bodyworks West gym and pool (first visit free), and can arrange treatments at local spa, Cowshed
  • Stay over Carnival: the annual world-famous event takes place on August Bank Holiday weekend and draws huge crowds and flamboyant processions

Activities on site or nearby include:

  • Cycling
  • Historical sites
  • Language courses
  • Museums / galleries
  • Nightlife
  • Plantlife / flora
  • Private guided tours
  • Shopping / markets
  • Wine tasting

Kids

Children are welcome, but as the hotel is filled with priceless antiques, it's not a great option for toddlers / active little ones.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Baby cots can be added to Great, Marvellous and Outstanding Rooms free of charge. A sofabed (double) is available in some of the Marvellous rooms at a (steep) extra charge - enquire with the hotel for availability.

Babysitting:

On request

Kid Friendly:

Location

The Portobello Hotel is in the heart of Notting Hill, west London.

By Air:
Most scheduled airlines fly into London Heathrow (24km) or London Gatwick (56km). London Stansted and London Luton are also well serviced. You could take a taxi from the airport, but it's expensive and London has excellent public transport links from all airports.

By Train:
International Eurostar trains arrive at St Pancras station; national rail services tend to arrive at London Paddington station; both are a short tube ride from the hotel. The Portobello Hotel is an easy walk from Notting Hill Gate tube station (on the Central and Circle/District Lines).

By Car:
Driving around London is generally best avoided, however, car hire is possible. There are car parks/metered parking near the hotel but they are expensive and you may be affected by the London congestion charge.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to the UK and getting around

Airports:

  • London Heathrow 24.0 km LHR
  • London Gatwick 56.0 km LGW

Other:

  • Beach 90.0 km
  • Shops 0.2 km
  • Restaurant 0.2 km

Our guests' ratings...

Based on 4 independent reviews from i-escape guests

9/10
Room
8/10
Food
9/10
Service
9/10
Value
8/10
Overall

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Rates for The Portobello Hotel

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