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houses) is seriously hip and attracts scores of celebrities. It’s a quirky place, decorated with utter abandon. In your (small but stylish) room, you’re likely to find an assortment of antiques, luxurious fabrics, statues, and bizarre bric-a-brac. Some rooms have balconies and claw-foot bathtubs. Room 16 has an extraordinary Victorian “bathing machine” that actor Johnny Depp is said to have once filled with champagne for Kate Moss, a former flame. Pros: stylish; great for celebrity-spotting; good location. Cons: most rooms are quite small; may be too eccentric for some. TripAdvisor: “colonial decadence,” “really quirky,” “on the shabby side of chic.” | 22 Stanley Gardens, Notting Hill | W11 2NG | 020/7727–2777 | www.portobello-hotel.co.uk | 24 rooms | In-room: no a/c (some), safe, refrigerator, Internet. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bar | AE, MC, V | Closed 10 days at Christmas | Breakfast | Notting Hill Gate

Portobello Gold.

£–££ | This no-frills B&B in the heart of the Portobello Road antiques area is on the floor above the pub and restaurant of the same name; flat-screen TVs are mounted on the wall, and the beds take up almost the entire tiny room in the doubles. The best of the bunch is the split-level apartment (£££; sleeps six) with roof terrace, small kitchen, and soothing aquarium. The casual restaurant serves international food and has a great wine list, all at reasonable prices. There’s free Wi-Fi in guest rooms as well as an Internet café that charges £1 per half hour. Pros: great location; laid-back atmosphere; good advance deals. Cons: rooms are tiny; can be noisy; no elevator. TripAdvisor: “atmosphere was great,” “ideal for solo traveler,” “small but cozy.” | 95–97 Portobello Rd., Notting Hill | W11 2QB | 020/7460–4910 | www.portobellogold.com | 6 rooms, 1 apartment | In-room: a/c, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bar | MC, V | Breakfast | Notting Hill Gate

BAYSWATER

Colonnade.

££££ | Near a canal filled with colorful narrow boats, this lovely town house rests in a quiet, residential area known as “Little Venice.” From the Freud suite (Sigmund visited regularly in 1938) to the rooms with four-poster beds or balconies, you’ll find rich brocades, velvets, and antiques. It’s a former home, so each room is different; some are split-level. Extra touches in each include bathrobes and slippers, bowls of apples, and CD players. The 1920s elevator and the Wedgwood fireplace in the lobby add to the historic style of the place, but the new tapas bar is pleasantly modern. Pros: beautifully decorated; Frette sheets; frequent online sales that can cut the price by £100. Cons: a bit far from popular sights; rooms are small. TripAdvisor: “always feel spoiled when I go,” “very comfortable and elegantly furnished,” “all in all a lovely room.” | 2 Warrington Crescent, Bayswater | W9 1ER | 020/7286–1052 | www.theetoncollection.com | 15 rooms, 28 suites | In-room: a/c, safe, Internet. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bars, laundry service, parking (paid), some pets allowed | AE, DC, MC, V | Warwick Ave.

Europa House Hotel.

£ | This modest family-run B&B near Hyde Park is a decent, unfussy alternative to overpriced, impersonal chain hotels. Don’t expect much more than the basics here, but rooms are cozy—and small, but frankly that’s to be expected in this price range. The owners have been running the place since the 1970s, and are adept at directing visitors to the area’s best pubs and restaurants for supper. Breakfasts are hearty enough that you may not have room for lunch. Pros: bargain price; close to two Tube stations. Cons: dated decor; few amenities; no elevator. TripAdvisor: “very small space,” “shower had very limited space,” “would definitely stay again.” | 151 Sussex Gardens, Bayswater | W2 2RY | 020/7723–7343 | www.europahousehotel.org.uk | In-room: no a/c | AE, DC, MC, V | Paddington, Lancaster Gate

Garden Court Hotel.

£–££ | This small hotel is formed from two 19th-century town houses in a quiet garden square; rooms with toilet and shower cost an extra £30, and a hot breakfast also ups the