At last! A hotel that's as original, exciting and coolly stylish as the neighbourhood it sits in. Named after Rhaune Laslett, one of the founders of Notting Hill Carnival, this townhouse hotel was much hyped before opening, and on both our visits has lived up to expectations.
In large, The Laslett has it all: 51 rooms and suites spread across 5 stuccoed townhouses in one of Notting Hill's most exclusive streets, minutes from the tube. The renovation was by Waldo Works, but it’s the small things that make this place really special: staff wear Levis and DMs; signage is creative; there are curated art collections by local artists and piles of Penguin classics in the bedrooms. Simplicity rules the design but things are complex beneath, every clever detail agonised over and perfected. From the moment smiling staff greet you in the open-plan reception/lounge/bar area, you feel instantly at home.
Highs
- Clean lines and super-comfy beds in the beautiful bedrooms
- A celebration of all things local and British: all designers and suppliers are from the UK, many are (famous) locals
- Staff are absolutely charming and service is top notch
- Despite the top-quality furnishings, we felt very comfortable and relaxed; no standing on ceremony here
- A great central location yet no traffic noise, a pretty neighbourhood and an easy walk/tube ride from London's main sights
Lows
- No twin rooms
- Basement rooms lack natural light and views
- Making use of your in-room 'Big Bar' can be pricey and in-room tea- and coffee-making facilities need to be requested on arrival
Best time to go
Any time of year. The hotel is fully air conditioned so a nice refuge from London's summer muginess, and it's a cosy base in winter. There is a lovely little terrace at the front of the hotel with deckchairs for alfresco drinks. Book months ahead for Notting Hill Carnival (last weekend of August).”
Our top tips
If you're here on a Saturday head to Waterstone's car park behind the tube station, where there's a weekly farmers' market: home-baked goodies, fruit and veg, cheeses, the works.
- Boutique Hotel
- 51 rooms
- Breakfast and light meals (restaurants nearby)
- Allowed but not ideal
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
The 51 rooms are spread across 5 townhouses, some facing the mansioned street, others, quieter, facing the back. All are clean-cut and flooded with natural light from big windows. Walls are a gorgeous light grey; perfectly pressed bed linen is snowy white. Colour comes from velvet chairs, raspberry bed blankets and modern pieces by local artists.
There's a uniformity to the décor, but each room is individually styled with a handful of Penguin classics and a wall of curated art. Groovy lamps are by Nocturne Workshop but, refreshingly, all technology is simple. Lights have a switch! Curtains don't need a remote control!
Other things that delight: sleek bathrooms with grey metro tiling, gleaming silver taps and toiletries by REN. A 'Big Bar' with retro sweets and bottles of Sipsmith Gin (plus shakers and an encouragement to call down for ice and a slice). Pretty preserved ferns. Heavy blackout curtains. There is much to admire.
Room categories range from smallest Spare Rooms up to vast Master Bedroom Suites. The main difference is square footage, plus suites feature Roberts Revival DAB digital radios and Nespresso machines (with fairtrade organic CRU Kafe capsules).
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Minibar/fridge
- WiFi
Eating
The Henderson Bar offers an evolving all-day menu in the attractive bijou dining room. Continental breakfast includes fat pastries, Bircher muesli, and PRESS London juices (the kale, spinach, apple and celery mix is divine). Poached eggs and smashed avocados, smoked salmon bagels or pancakes dripping with maple syrup are also made to order. If you want a lazy morning, get a tray delivered to your room and wake up over mugs of delicious organic CRU Kafe coffee.
Cakes, cocktails and light meals are served up throughout the day; all use seasonal British ingredients. We tucked into sharing boards of charcuterie and cheeses, a delicious salad of kale, cauliflower, dates and hazelnuts with feta cheese dressing, and an indulgent dark chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream.
Alternatively, the neighbourhood teems with great restaurants; ask the team for their recommendations. Especially popular is Ottolenghi (Middle-Eastern sharing plates, packed with fresh flavour) and The Shed (stunning quality farm produce).
Features include:
- Minibar/fridge
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Wander down Portobello Road, past an eclectic selection of shops (antiques, tat, chi-chi boutiques) and the famous pastel-coloured houses. Weekends are market days (Friday-Sunday); an early start is advised
- Catch a film at the Electric Cinema, a 100-year-old institution. Leather armchairs and double beds make for a unique viewing experience!
- Don't miss Les Couilles du Chien ('The Dog's Bollocks'), an amazing emporium of antiques and objets d'art
- A pint at The Churchill Arms is a must - built in 1750 and loved by Winston Churchill. The exterior is festooned with floral bouquets and hanging baskets, some of which won awards at the Chelsea Flower Show
- You're 10 minutes' walk from Hyde Park; picnic on the grass, stroll around the lake and go boating on the Serpentine
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
Kids
Children are welcome and staff were extremely kind to our 1-year-old daughter, but it's not an obvious choice for families. There is no space for kids to run around; automatic front doors open almost straight onto the road, and furnishings are expensive.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years)
Family friendly accommodation:
Master Bedroom Doubles can fit a baby cot; Master Bedroom Suites can fit an extra bed or baby cot. There are 4 interconnecting rooms, which families will find useful.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Baby listening:
A baby monitor will stretch from some bedrooms to the dining room; enquire when booking.
Baby equipment:
Baby cots and high chairs.
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The Laslett 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 book a transfer or take a taxi from the airport, but this will be expensive and London has excellent public transport links from all airports.
By Train:
International Eurostar trains arrive at St Pancras station; the Heathrow Express connects the airport to Paddington station. Both of these stations connect to the tube network. The Laslett is a 2-minute 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 (some with EV charging) 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.
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