The Portobello Hotel

I love the Notting Hill neighborhood. This trip I tried the Portobello Hotel as both of my usual hotels were booked. When the cab pulled up out front I knew I would love it. It's off Portobello Road by a couple streets so feels like a neighborhood and is much quieter away from the throngs of tourists. There was a cheerful, helpful presence at the desk by the front door at all hours of the day and night. I chose one of the smallest rooms, perfect for me as a solo traveler. It might prove quite tight for a couple. The shower is small and opens into the room. The W/C and sink are in a separate very small room. Blackout shades, a very comfy bed, and blissful quiet helped me easily sleep through the night. Quirky, fun decor included antiques and kitschy details. The minibar is ensconced in an old suitcase. Refrigerator, cups, glasses, water bottles, coffee maker provided everything I needed. Housekeeping and cleanliness were excellent. I loved being close to my favorite restaurants and shops. I went with room only as I like going out for breakfast, so cannot speak to breakfast at the hotel. I am already planning a return visit here in the fall.

A true gem in a wonderful location, the rooms have a super neat style and the hotel has a great vibe! The staff were incredibly helpful and friendly. Our room was nice, beds were comfortable and sheets were soft. We had a few small issues like rust on one of the shower heads and the WiFi not working for most of our trip. Would recommend this hotel.

Lovely compact, stylish hotel. Great friendly staff and room was a good size with lots of room and everything thought out. Very central to everything, especially Nottinghill. Bed quality and linen was great and we slept like babies - quiet outside.

An unassuming facade. The inside feels like a page out of Charles Dickens boarding house. The concierge is helpful. Tiny elevator, but the room is large. I would say it is comfortable, but not luxurious. The bathroom has a good rain shower. All the furniture is antique. The breakfast area is small. There is a good selection of both hot and cold items. And there is a self help bar. The Notting Hill Station is about a 10 minute walk. Overall charming.

Honestly, the only reason I'm giving 2 stars is because of Naeem, the night porter, who was exceptional. We returned for drinks on our anniversary and ended up chatting with Naeem, thoroughly enjoying the conversation. He was professional yet approachable and authentic. Initially, the hotel said they couldn't arrange a cab to the airport at 6:30am due to Carnivale, despite an earlier email promising they'd arrange one if needed. The day staff told us to just 'figure out the tub I guess' even though we needed to leave very early. But Naeem saved the day and managed to get us a cab on our last night. He is, without a doubt, the best employee they have and deserves a promotion. Otherwise, this hotel was a huge disappointment and just ******. I don't say this lightly, as I'm not one to leave such a directly negative review, but the experience felt like a bait and switch. We booked a 'Marvelous' room, which looked nothing like the photos on their website—not even close to the images of their basic rooms. Ours was a dark, damp basement room, lacking any charm. The bathtub was an antique, and not in a good way—it was rusted and non-functional. It came with detailed instructions, warning that if you didn't release the pressure in the valves correctly, it could break. Talk about stressful! The shower barely got warm, the ceilings were low, and the bed was ridiculously lumpy. The rest of the staff, aside from Naeem, were nearly incompetent. When I asked the front desk if we had been mistakenly placed in a lower-level room, the staff member replied, "Yes, it's 'marvelous,' and you're not the only one to complain about it." She did offer to move us to a better room the next day, but at our own cost. We declined due to the hassle as we only stayed two nights. It's clear they know this room disappoints guests but aren't interested in fixing it. While waiting for my husband, I overheard another guest frustrated over having to switch rooms during his four-night stay in an 'Outstanding' room, their top option. The employee blamed the reservation team, who wouldn't be back until the following week. Other front desk staff were no better: one forgot to call a cab for our theatre show, and another was overly chatty, making entering or exiting the hotel awkward. I'm extremely disappointed we spent money on this hotel. It was a huge letdown, especially at this price. The room was such a let down that we would have switched hotels, but we had family meeting us in the area. Unless you're a celebrity staying in one of their 1 or 2 genuinely nice rooms, you'll end up paying hundreds for hostel-level accommodations. Pros: Great location, close to 'Core' restaurant (3 Michelin stars, and the food was amazing) Nicely decorated small lobby with a 24/7 honesty bar Some celebrities stay here, as the staff eagerly pointed out, if that’s of interest Cons: Our room was in the basement, dark, and extremely damp Uncomfortable, lumpy bed Shower was barely functional, leaked al

This is by far my favorite boutique hotel in London! From the moment I arrived, I was warmly welcomed by the incredibly friendly staff, especially Nain, who made my check-in experience truly delightful. Staying here felt like living in the heart of Notting Hill rather than just visiting as a tourist. The ambiance, service, and attention to detail provided an authentic and charming experience that I absolutely loved. If you're looking for a place that captures the essence of Notting Hill, this is the one!