The Portobello Hotel first opened in the 1970s, but the team behind Cowley Manor and Canal House have recently 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 19 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
- Our dreamy 'Princess And The Pea' bed; so high, it had steps up to it
- 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- Some outdated features but these are gradually being replaced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.
- Boutique Hotel
- 19 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
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Snack menu
Rooms
The 19 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, plus lovely Alexeeva & Jones artisan chocolates at turndown.
Cosy 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 (Comfy Double, Jolly Good etc) have gilded mirrors and roll-top Victorian baths with heavy gold taps; several face onto Stanley Gardens.
Our room (a Signature) had a vast four-poster bed originally from Hampton Court Palace, which was so high it had steps up to it. 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 Signature Room has an incredible round bed, romantically wrapped in gauze curtains.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Minibar/fridge
- 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:
- Minibar/fridge
- Restaurants nearby
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
- Nightlife
- 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 an extra charge - enquire with the hotel for availability.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
On request
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
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 1 independent review from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape