Notting Hill-North Kensington Hotels
Notting Hill-North Kensington is a district in west London. Avoided by tourists for many years, it is now attracting more and more visitors and you can today find an eclectic mix of hotels in Notting Hill – North Kensington.
Notting Hill was rural until the 1800s when upper middle-class families began erecting large homes here, in what was then the outskirts of London. During the early 1900s, many of these large homes were divided into cheap apartments and the area got a bad reputation. In the 1960s, the availability of cheap living quarters turned Notting Hill, and especially Portobello Road, into a mecca for English hippy culture. In the decade before, many immigrants from the Caribbean had settled in Notting Hill and in 1964 they staged their first carnival. The carnival has survived into our days and is arranged in August every year.
Notting Hill became heavily gentrified during the 1980s, and in 1999 the area became world famous due to the film “Notting Hill” starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. Today, visitors and residents alike enjoy the lively market at Portobello Road, the carnival, the beautiful architecture and the inspiring mixture of cultures. West of Notting Hill is the Holland Park, probably the least well known of London's Royal Parks. In North Kensington, you can visit Kensington Palace, a royal residence which is still used by some members of the royal family but open to visitors Nov-Feb 10AM-5PM, Mar-Oct 10AM-6PM.
Notting Hill Hostels
At Holland Walk you will find the YHA London Holland Park Hostel, located in a charming old building near the High St Kensington tube station. This hostel is set in the grounds of Holland Park, a former Jacobean mansion built during the 1600s. It is possible to find accommodation for less than £20 at this hostel.
Budget hotels
Blue Bells Hotel is an old Victorian building that has been converted into a budget hotel with 30 rooms. As one can expect from an old Victorian building, there are four stories and no lift, something to keep in mind for disabled visitors to the Notting Hill area. Blue Bells Hotel is located on 14 Pembridge Square, a five minute walk from this Portobello Road and close to the tube station named Notting Hill Gate.
Just like Blue Bells Hotel, Notting Hill Hotel is a converted Victorian building on Pembridge Square, near the Notting Hill Gate tube station. It's popular among families since family rooms are available and it is located in a fairly quite part of Notting Hill. Single rooms and double rooms are also to be found here.
Mid-range hotels
As the name suggests, The Gate Hotel is located near Notting Hill Gate, just a few steps from the Portobello Market. The nearest tube station is of course Notting Hill Gate. A perfect choice for anyone who intends to visit the market and is prepared to pay mid-range prices for London accommodation.
Westland Hotel is situated on 154 Bayswater Road, near the Bayswater tube station. You can get to Kensington Garden in no time from this hotel and Notting Hill Gate is just a five minute walk away.