Portobello Hotel

All is bello indeed behind a Doric portico at this one-time haunt of rock-and-rollers – it remains a veritable carnival of stylish eccentricity, occupying twin stucco mansions in raffish Notting Hill. Part of Peter and Jessica Frankopan’s Curious group, it is furnished with antiques, and miscellanea from Portobello market. The stuffy old reception has been scrapped, so you now step straight into a lounge, while bedrooms have been refreshed or completely refurbished. They range from bijou third-floor singles to splendiferous signature rooms, with great variety in between. Several have a four-poster (one is a ‘royal’, from Hampton Court Palace) and an in-room bath. Some have an exotic mural, maybe shelves of vintage Penguin paperbacks. Lower-ground-floor rooms have a private patio. All have fresh milk, Green & Spring toiletries. You can help yourself to a drink from the honesty bar and order from the sitting-room menu, maybe Caesar salad or chicken casserole, a sandwich or sharing platter. In the morning help yourself from a buffet on the Welsh dresser, while the kitchen can rustle up a full English or boiled eggs and soldiers.