MILLER'S RESIDENCE

Bohemian boutique extravaganza in trendy Notting Hill

HOW MANY CURIOS, pictures, trinkets and objets trouvés can you cram into a square foot? If you’re Martin Miller, the man behind the famous antiques bible, it’s hundreds. Climb the narrow stairs (walls muralled Chinoiserie-style by his wife Ioana and strewn with Old Curiosity shop pieces), push past the sedan chair and enter the magnificently quirky first floor drawing room, glittering under dozens of candles at dusk. Welcome to Miller's.

This feast of Georgian and Victoriana could  almost be a film set – which is probably why it's a big hit with fashion photographers and their models. There's so much to look at (over 200 oil paintings and almost as many candlesticks)  that it could take you all afternoon to even reach your room. So pour yourself a glass of Miller's gin (it's their own brand) at the complimentary guest bar, sink into one of the William Morris sofas by the fire (shades of shabby chic here) and bliss out before bedtime.

There's nothing quite like this place in the whole of London, so give in to your inner bohemian and trawl a cornucopia of objets d'art without even leaving your seat. You'll lose track of the lashings of porcelain, sculptures, books and bric a brac adorning every surface.

Sleep with the romantic poets

Individually and antique-packed bedrooms (one even boasts a genuine Chippendale four-poster) are named after the romantic poets. Each has a verse stencilled on the back of the door – be it Keats (probably the most lavish), Coleridge (our second favourite), Wordsworth or Byron.

Miller’s positively bristles at times with showbiz, film and fashion folk. It's also a hit with the Notting Hill set, effortlessly capturing all the area's theatrical and rakish charm. You can scour nearby Portobello Road for antiques almost without getting out of bed, while trendy neighbourhood bars and brasseries are all around.

Complimentary drinks laid out on a George I table are available round the clock (yes, it's a free bar), and the owners often join their guests for a snifter. You may be in for a late night.


Miller's Residence was reviewed by Tasha Munro

Click on any picture to enlarge it and move through the gallery.

Dining in
Only breakfast is served – but you’ll have fun meeting fellow guests around the table.

Breakfast
Continental breakfast is served until 11am

Room service
No

 


See & Do
Portobello Road’s Saturday antique market is on your doorstep, attracting tourist and trinket-seekers alike. Hyde Park and the Serpentine are not far away (seize a rowing boat or call into the art gallery) and you’re just a hop from London’s West End.

Diary Dates
August Bank Holiday
Rio comes to London with the Notting Hill Carnival – parades, steel drums and reggae

GETTING THERE

Location
Westbourne Grove, London W2 4UW

Parking
There’s covered NCP parking five minutes away, or metered parking right outside which is free at weekends.

Trains and tubes
Mainline – Paddington station (for the Heathrow Express) – five minutes by cab.
Tube – Notting Hill Gate (Central line) and Bayswater (Circle) – both within walking distance.

Taxis
Around GBP 6 from Paddingon station.

Airport
Heathrow Airport – 45 minutes away via Paddington.

ESSENTIAL INFO

Rates guide
GBP 175 – 270 (includes free bar).

Open/closed
Closed 23-27 December

Check-in
1pm

Check-out
12.00 midday

Minimum night stay?
Two nights at weekends

Children
Welcome, but not in the drawing room after 8pm

Pets
Small dogs accepted

Air conditioning
Yes

Wedding license?
No – though receptions are held for up to 16