Location: in the heart of London’s Notting Hill, near Portobello Road and its famous market.
Accommodation: a quiet townhouse with 24 beautiful and eccentrically decorated suites and bedrooms. Each has a different theme with examples including a mysterious Moroccan room and The Cabin which has a ship bunk as a bed.
Innovations: two new suites – The Colonial Suite and The Japanese Water Garden Suite – added in November. I stayed in the latter which was tastefully decorated with Japanese furniture and even boasted its own tiny conservatory and yard with a statue of Buddha. The large bath had so many settings, I spent around an hour trying to work out which one did what – steam, whirlpool, foot massage. etc
Facilities: fax/phone/photocopier for business travellers, plus use of the nearby health club. Every room has a telephone, cable TV, VCR, CD player, mini bar and hair dryer.
Food/beverage: the cooked English breakfast was superb and substantial – excellent value at £7.95, especially compared with some of the large hotels in London which charge £12 for a croissant and toast. Also 24hr room-service menu which includes sandwiches from £5.95; main meals from £12.95; and bottles of wine from £15. There is also a mini bar and tea and coffee making facilities in room.
Unusual facts: Alice Cooper left his boa constrictor in the bath with a tenner and a note for the maid saying “please feed on mice from the pet shop”. Other famous guests include Johnny Depp who allegedly filled one of the hotel’s famous baths with champagne before taking a dip.
Cost: single rooms from £115; double rooms from £145; twin rooms from £170 and special rooms from £220.