Portobello Hotel
Esther Selsdon
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A truly idiosyncratic private house transformed into a series of individually decorated rooms delighting in the antique, the exotic and the eccentric. Small and independently owned, this has been a rock star haunt for over 20 years.
Off Ladbroke Grove, this hotel contains 24 smallish but highly decorated rooms - each filled to the brim with velvety materials, drapes and antiques. Many of the free-standing, clawfoot bathtubs are in open alcoves next to original four-poster beds, but I particularly liked the round one in room 16 which had genuine Victorian plumbing and fittings.
So, as it turned out, did Kate Moss and Johnny Depp, as the achingly cool guy who showed me around pointed out, since this was the very tub in which the couple famously sprayed each other with champagne. Personalised service is crucial here, and manageress Hanna, who's had everything under control for years, told me that she even managed to locate a certain rock star's snake's favourite food (but she wouldn't tell me whose). The restaurant is tiny, so the ever-helpful Hanna suggested Julie's, 10 minutes away but owned by the same couple, as an alternative option. Similarly extravagant décor rules there, too.
Rooms have cable and internet access but that's not the point. This is for rock stars and Americans and preferably both. I'm neither but still enjoyed looking out at the garden and feeling indulged.
Room rates :
£160 regular double to £275 'special' double (continental breakfast included)
Rooms to ask for :
Room 16
Number of rooms :
24
Phone :
020 7727 2777
FAX :
020 7792 9641
Address :
22 Stanley Gardens, London W11 2NG
Website :
www.portobello-hotel.co.uk
Map :
link to Multimap
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