The Portobello Road Market, a fruit and vegetable market during the week and possibly the world's most famous Saturday antique and bric-a-brac market, is now such a popular tourist attraction that serious shoppers get to the market armed with their pain au chocolat and coffee by 8am, even before the 8.30am kick off.
Base yourself at The Portobello Hotel. It is just a short walk around the corner from Stanley Gardens into Portobello Road and head to the market even before you enjoy the hotel's complimentary continental breakfast (served until 11am). The best people watching spot is from one of the low tables next to the fireplace in the hotel lounge, although breakfast is also happily served in your room.
Think of the hotel's interior as a catalogue for what you might find at the market. I was keen on a silver drinks tray and heavy Edinburgh thistle-cut crystal glasses similar to the ones in our room until the challenges of bringing it home in my carry-on luggage prevailed. It wouldn't surprise me if the hotel's friendly and helpful reception staff were able to arrange the shipping of purchases.
The Notting Hill Carnival, taking place on 30 and 31 August 2015, is billed as London's biggest street party and from The Portobello Hotel you'll easily be able to access the action at the same time as having a refuge away from the hubbub. Do be sure to ask for a room that overlooks the private garden rather than the road if you're sensitive to street noise.
Even without its colourful history, The Portobello Hotel is a fine place to visit and a comfortable stay. I, however, was rather thrilled at the shenanigans in the hotel's recent past: the oval bed we slept in in room 16, for example, Robbie Williams tried to purchase.
The Victorian tub, with its steam-punk shower and more brass knobs than I could work out to use, was once filled with champagne - 36 bottles of it and then allowed to drain away by a hapless chambermaid before being enjoyed. Although Kate Moss and Johnny Depp are believed to have shared the bath (and the oval bed) media reports of them denying this are as plentiful as reports about it.
That said, The Portobello Hotel has had a long history of celebrities - especially those in the music industry and rag trade. Rocker Alice Cooper stayed there while in London and the hotel even arranged room-service mice for his pet python which stayed in the room with him.
In 2013, the hotel was acquired by A Curious Group of Hotels. Owners, Peter and Jessica Frankopan, have upgraded the hotel to deluxe standards but kept its quirky, Bohemian decor and, of course, the furniture items, like the oval bed and free-standing baths.
The acquisition of a 21-roomed London hotel fits in with the groups other properties: Cowley Manor in the UK Cotswolds, L'Hôtel in Paris and Canal House in Amsterdam.
Green & Spring, the 100% botanical (and paraben and petrochemical free) range of bathroom amenities is also owned by A Curious Group of Hotels and consequently full-sized products are available in the bathrooms.
Opening its doors in 1971, The Portobello Hotel quickly became the spiritual home for the fashion, music and show business crowd. An astonishing roster of guests have made the hotel their home in the past, including the Rolling Stones, Patti Smith and others.
According to a media handout: "The Portobello Hotel is the perfect addition to the Group - the history, size, location and spirit is completely in sync and to have a London base is incredibly exciting. We love its bohemian charm and look forward to introducing it to a new generation whilst very much keeping its original spirit alive," said Peter Frankopan adding "We have loved the Portobello for years, and are thrilled it has become part of the family."
For more, go to www.curioushotels.com
