The best hotels in west London

A strikingly modern, eight-storey hotel, fashioned out of what was the Pavilion cinema overlooking Shepherds Bush Green. The W12 location means you get four-star quality at very reasonable rates in 317 rooms that have contemporary, Chinese-influenced decor, and masses of mod-cons, including free wifi. As well as a small spa and a gym, there’s a restaurant and a cocktail bar. Westfield shopping centre is close by, offering many more dining options as well as myriad shopping opportunities.

This modern hotel in Ealing, close to North Ealing tube (Piccadilly line) and handy for Heathrow, has bright and contemporary rooms with  L’Occitane bath products, flat screen TVs and free wifi; individuality is provided by the modern canvases of Indian artist Sudhir Deshpande. Some of the bedrooms look out onto a lovely landscaped garden. Suites come with a living room and a kitchenette and can accommodate four people. Momo, the in-house Japanese restaurant, is a big asset. Limited (free) parking is available.

The Shepherd’s Bush location makes K West a great place to rest your weary head after a gig at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (and a fitting one too, having once been a BBC recording studio for the likes of David Bowie, Roxy Music and the Kinks). Smart, plushly upholstered rooms are nicely unfussy, with a muted colour palette, and the spa is a great place to relax if you’ve had a day of shopping at nearby Westfield or the West End.

This swanky boutique hotel is named after Rhaune Laslett, who organised the original Notting Hill Festival (now the Carnival) back when an upscale hotel in this area was unheard of. Set across five impressive Victorian houses, the Laslett has 51 rooms, an interesting art collection, and the Henderson – a bar, restaurant and coffee shop in one. Bedrooms are elegantly decorated in muted tones, and have lots of lovely touches, such as one-off artworks, vintage artefacts and Penguin Classics; the brilliantly tiled bathrooms are stocked with goodies from Neal’s Yard Remedies.

The civilised townhouse exterior and quiet Notting Hill backstreet location of the Portobello gives no hint of its past as a celebrity crashpad. Johnny Depp, Kate Moss and Alice Cooper have all stayed here, but these days it’s a quieter sort of customer who appreciates this intimate gem. The 21 rooms all have their own ‘distinctive personality’, but all are charmingly decorated and stylishly equipped with Nespresso machines, Green & Spring bath products and free wifi. On the ground floor there’s a lounge, with a bar, for guests.

What was London’s best-located YHA building has been nicely revamped as a 368-bed hostel. The Holland Park setting is glorious and inside the decor is light, bright and modern. Accommodation comes in the form of dormitories, plus a few private and family rooms. There’s a 24-hour front desk, a lounge, a games room and luggage storage, not to mention a garden and a terrace. The newly opened Design Museum is close by, and it’s a short walk to the shops in either High Street Kensington or Notting Hill.

A nice change from fusty old lodgings, Stylotel offers a more futuristic look – white furnishings, shiny surfaces and lots of glass. The 40 standard bedrooms are small and neat, with shower-only bathrooms; a hot buffet breakfast is included in the (very reasonable) room rates. Eight Stylosuites offer more space, and have kitchenettes. They’re in an annexe building, where you’ll also find the Sussex Arms pub, newly renovated by the hotel. Very handy for Paddington station.

The minimalist, Far Eastern-inspired look at Bayswater’s La Suite West was designed by Anoushka Hempel and gives this sleek townhouse hotel a calm atmosphere. The 79 rooms have the same aesthetic, accessorised with the likes of Frette slippers and White Company toiletries; wifi, a newspaper and breakfast are included in the price. There’s an emphasis on healthy living, with a gym, and a vegan restaurant, RAW. Even the afternoon tea is vegan – enjoy this on the pretty outdoor terrace in fine weather.

A cosy, inexpensive choice on a leafy square in Earl’s Court. Rooms in this former Victorian townhouse come in all shapes and sizes, and some are a lot more appealing than others, but all are equipped with TVs and iPod docks, and there’s free wii. Decor is East meets West; one room has a four-poster bed, another has a terrace. Don’t skip breakfast, a splendid continental spread served buffet-style in a smart dining room.

The Ilse Crawford-designed rooms at High Road House in Chiswick are easy on the eye and very comfortable. The style is an appealing blend of Shaker-meets-Scandi, and there are Cowshed toiletries and free wifi throughout. It’s part of the Soho House group, and the place has the laidback friendliness of the rest of the stable. The ground floor brasserie is deservedly popular, or you could splash out on a meal at nearby Hedone or La Trompette.