One of West London’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, Shepherd’s Bush offers plenty in the way of culture, food and drink. With impressive credentials – it’s home to two of the city’s most famous music venues (the Shepherd’s Bush Empire and Bush Hall) as well as the largest shopping centre in Europe (Westfield) – it offers visitors a truly local snapshot of London life. Here, Culture Trip has picked the best hotels in Shepherd’s Bush to book now.
Located between iconic areas such as Notting Hill, Kensington and Chelsea, Shepherd’s Bush is best known for its enormous mall and O2 Empire. Offering up some of the best shopping in London – with almost everything you could want under one roof – Westfield Shepherd’s Bush is the largest shopping centre in Europe. Get there first to beat the crowds with a stay at one of these notable hotels.
Given its chic interiors and cosmopolitan vibe, it’s hard to believe that the K West Hotel used to be a BBC office and recording studio. Though it’s shaken off the corporate demeanour, K West has honoured the space, with even the smallest room treated to a cool 23 square metres (250 square feet) and almost an entire floor dedicated to the in-house spa. There’s a smartphone in every room full of information about local points of interest, and the bathrooms are kitted out with White Company products. Whether you’re looking to put a dent in your credit card at the nearby Westfield Shopping Centre or simply de-stress with a hydrotherapy session in the spa, K West is a must for the luxury-loving traveller.
Once home to a cinema then a bingo hall, the Grade II listed Pavilion building (in which the Dorsett is housed) is something of a local legend. Though each room has been demurely decorated with a fusion of Chinese elegance and British grandeur, the bar is the real star of the show here – with its glass roof, Art Deco carpentry and seven-floor vaulted ceiling, it perfectly showcases China’s sleek industrialism and offers a truly spectacular spot for a morning coffee or pre-dinner cocktail. Loosen up with a massage in the top-floor spa before heading for a feast of Asian cuisine down in the hotel restaurant.
Named after the founder of the Notting Hill Carnival, this community-focused hotel comprises five merged townhouses on a quiet street just moments from Notting Hill Gate. Rooms remain true to the sleek and contemporary Notting Hill that many know today, with parquet floors, grey-toned interiors with pops of colourful art by local artists and chequerboard bathrooms with free-standing tubs. Literature lovers will appreciate the range of classic and modern novels found in the rooms.
No one likes a spoilt story, so all you need to know about this hotel’s most infamous tale is that it involves a supermodel, an actor and a bathtub full of champagne. Having hosted a number of notable guests over the years, it’s no great surprise that the rich and famous still favour The Portobello today. Inside, it’s like a cross between a classic period home and a modern townhouse, with details like mahogany four-poster beds and turquoise chandeliers. Eschew pre-dinner drinks elsewhere in favour of a beverage from the well-stocked honesty bar, and ease any morning hangovers with a freshly cooked breakfast delivered via room service.
Holland House is certainly not your average hostel. Located in a former aristocratic home, it features private rooms with en-suite bathrooms, as well as classic dorms. This makes it a great budget option for the penny-conscious traveller – and yet also for those looking to avoid noisy hostels, thanks to the quiet courtyard and absence of an on-site bar. The historical house has been renovated in the hostel chain’s typically flamboyant style, with splashes of colour and humorous paintings like a riff on Van Eyck’s Girl With a Pearl Earring adding plenty of character. Holland Park is literally on the doorstep, so you barely have to move to spend a sunny afternoon relaxing on the grass.
This chic, townhouse-style hotel makes for a luxe base from which to explore London. Earl’s Court Tube station is just a short walk away connecting you with both the District and Piccadilly lines. The surrounding area, however, is well worth more than a few moments of your time. One of London’s best-kept secrets, Addie’s Thai, is right around the corner and, according to locals, serves up some of the best Thai food outside of Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, nearby Evans & Peel Detective Agency is a speakeasy-style cocktail bar where you’ll have to offer a good story to get through the door. Next morning, start the day right with a healthy al fresco breakfast in the hotel’s comfy courtyard.
