Hotel of the week

Ruby Zoe London Notting Hill Gate WHERE AND WHY

Only six months old, the trendy Ruby Zoe London commands a location that’s hard to beat, situated at the top of Notting Hill Gate. Our top-floor room offered stunning views across London, stretching as far as the Shard and the London Eye.

Simple decor with whites and wall panellings made the room easy on the eye while high-end soaps and shampoos provided added luxury.

The hotel’s German owners have aimed to reflect the Caribbean history of Notting Hill – home of the famous late-summer carnival – in the interior design of the bar and reception area taking inspiration from island life with bold prints, sun-bleached wood and a nod to its musical heritage.

The bar area is a highlight. Complete with a 1950s Ford sitting at its heart, it has a sunshine holiday vibe that is complemented by an array of vinyl records that can be bought. Whether you fancy a rum punch, a coffee, or a live gig, it’s definitely a place to sit and relax.

Nibbles are available but there’s no restaurant here. A buffet breakfast is provided at the bar with hot and cold offerings and bottomless barista coffee. The hotel is part of the group’s Lean Luxury range, which aims to dispense with the expendables, so don’t expect chocolates on your pillow.

Check-in and check-out couldn’t be simpler. Register online before your trip – similar to an airport check-in – and on arrival just tap your name into a keyboard on the bar and your room key is dispensed.

When leaving, drop the key into a container on the bar. Job done.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE

It’s 25 years since that Richard Curtis rom-com put Notting Hill on the global map. And if you’re a devotee, you can visit that bookshop with the blue door on Blenheim Crescent, where it all began for Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant.

While you’re in the area you should not miss out on visiting Portobello Road market itself.

The Ruby Zoe is also close to two of London’s delightful parks. Five minutes’ walk away is Holland Park featuring formal gardens and a distinctly informal area that’s home to plenty of wildlife. Ten minutes’ walk in the other direction is Hyde Park with its array of walkways, cafes and water features.

The Ruby Zoe is also a stone’s throw from two Tube stations, enabling you to be whisked into the heart of London in minutes.

WAKE-UP CALL

Rooms at Ruby Zoe London cost from £180 a night, excluding breakfast. ruby-hotels.com