The gateway to the capital for tens of thousands of people every day, West London is one of the best-connected parts of the city thanks to Paddington Station – but it’s also a destination in its own right. The famous markets and Carnival of Notting Hill, the shopping and nightlife of Shepherd’s Bush, the trendy bistros of Little Venice, the legendary live music venues of Hammersmith are all here, with the attractions of Kensington, Mayfair and the West End just a short distance beyond. Add the surprisingly leafy walks and waterside restaurants along Paddington’s stretch of the Grand Union Canal, and you have plenty of reasons to linger.
Hotels in West London range from slick digs designed for quick city breaks, to designer houseboats, elegant townhouses and cosy pubs with rooms. Excellent transport connections and reasonable prices make many West London hotels a budget-friendly choice, too – with the bright lights and big sights of central London only a short hop away.
The Laslett
Notting Hill
9/10
Named after Rhaune Laslett, founder of the Notting Hill Carnival, and set across five interconnecting Victorian townhouses, The Laslett is part of Tracy Lowy’s Living Rooms collection. Expect boutique bedrooms with spacious en suites, plus a relaxed restaurant and charming staff – all in the heart of W11.
The Lost Poet
Notting Hill
8/10
This swish Victorian townhouse captures the spirit of Notting Hill with bold colour palettes, quirky furnishings, antique knick-knacks and eye-catching art. Plump for The Muse and you’ll be rewarded with a seductive freestanding bath and a roof terrace so good you’ll consider missing dinner to spend sunset hour here.
The Boathouse London
Paddington
8/10
A super-stylish barge in Paddington Basin with Scandinavian-chic interiors. Picture neutral colours, faux-fur cushions, industrial floor lamps, and wood-panelled walls. There’s plenty to keep you entertained too, with bicycles to borrow, board games and a rooftop adorned with festoon lighting and wicker chairs.
Dorsett Shepherds Bush
Shepherd’s Bush
8/10
A sophisticated haven housed in an old Grade ll-listed cinema in the heart of Shepherd’s Bush. Tinted windows block out the traffic while interiors display Asian influences, a nod to Dorsett’s Hong Kong roots. The elegant Jin bar is a spot where guests and locals alike head for expertly shaken cocktails.
White City House
Shepherd’s Bush
8/10
West London’s outpost of Soho House is housed in the eminently recognisable old BBC Television Centre and pays homage to its 1960s heyday. Like its east London counterpart, there’s a sceney rooftop pool, plus an indoor one with a wellness room, not to mention plenty of prime spots in which to work, socialise, drink and eat.
The Portobello Hotel
Notting Hill, London, England
8/10
Two neo-classical mansions on Stanley Gardens form this charming hotel where no two rooms are alike. Packed with character and yet balanced with practicality and comfort, this homely hotel wraps you in a warm embrace the moment you step through the door.
Brook Green Hotel
Hammersmith
8/10
Part of the Young’s pub chain, this west London property offers 17 boutique rooms featuring individual William Morris prints, a friendly, unpretentious pub whose menu of old-school favourites – the Sunday roast is a winner – packs in the locals, and a hidden basement bar replete with an extensive drinks menu.
K West Hotel & Spa
Shepherd’s Bush
8/10
Once the home of BBC Kensington House, K West has a musical heritage that is scribbled all over its walls. Legends including David Bowie, Bob Marley and Amy Winehouse have all played here, and the hotel continues to be popular with musical fans thanks to its proximity to the Hammersmith Apollo.
High Road House
Chiswick
7/10
One of the smaller and more low-key Soho House locations, tucked in a sleepy and bucolic part of West London. Many of the members’ club’s signature touches – trendy décor, a buzzy bar – can be found here, but the intimate townhouse setting means facilities are more pared down.
Grand Hotel Bellevue London
Paddington
7/10
A Paddington address whose name accurately reflects its French ownership and management but gives the impression of a larger and statelier establishment than what is in fact a beautifully designed, boutique London townhouse hotel.
Dao by Dorsett West London
Shepherd’s Bush
7/10
This fresh offering brings a collection of aparthotel-style accommodation to the Dorsett hotel in Shepherd’s Bush. It shares the Dorsett’s drinking and dining offering too, which means a cool, plant-filled bar for craft cocktails, and a stellar Chinese restaurant.
Hotel Indigo Paddington
Paddington
7/10
Part of a boutique franchise of the InterContinental group, Hotel Indigo Paddington is mainly frequented by those on business, with a sprinkling of leisure travellers, although the hotel’s businesslike feel has been softened with tasteful design features.
St Paul’s Hotel
Hammersmith
7/10
On busy Hammersmith Road, this historic red-brick hotel is popular with corporate guests due to its proximity to the Olympia Exhibition Centre and access to West London, but its friendly service and restaurant lend it a much wider appeal.
The Colonnade Hotel
Little Venice
7/10
A lovely location by Little Venice and the hotel itself, with its pleasing exterior and various historical connections, draw a devoted following, although some might find the gilt-heavy interiors overwhelming. They’re certainly grand, but a little faded now.
La Suite West
Paddington
7/10
This good-value boutique hotel in West London is not one for gluttonous weekends, given its raw and vegan restaurant, a gym, and Hyde Park a few trainer paces away. There is a Japanese influence to the interiors, by designer Anouska Hempel, and the severe monochrome look may be a little gloomy for some.
Additional reviews by Sophie Campbell, Rachel Cranshaw, Fiona Duncan, Lizzie Frainier, Kaye Holland, Simon Horsford, Lizzie Porter, Penny Walker and Venus Wong.