Nothing brill in Notting Hill? Relief for festival-goers finding Carnival accommodation

Price Consort Village, in nearby Goldhawk Road, offers upmarket student accommodation just 1.4 miles away from Notting Hill.LONDON, UK, 2024-Aug-1 — /Travel PR News/ — Most people remember this dialogue between Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts in THAT movie:

William: I live in Notting Hill. You live in Beverly Hills. Everyone in the world knows who you are, my mother has trouble remembering my name.

Anna: …I’m also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.

Since Notting Hill was filmed in 1999, William might no longer live in Notting Hill. That’s because it has become an increasingly expensive place to live, thanks in part to the increasing popularity of the spectacular annual Carnival. This means most festival-goers no longer live locally and many will be looking for accommodation in the area at the end of August, when the Carnival takes place.

Lily Smith, a travel expert from the specialist accommodation finder UniversityRooms.com, says: ‘This year, the Notting Hill Carnival kicks off on Sunday 25 August with colourful events and stands. The main Parade takes place on Monday 26 August, getting underway at midday. It’s a huge, free, street celebration celebrating the culture of the local Caribbean community.

‘In the entire world, only Rio’s carnival is bigger and every year lots more people flock to experience the sights, sounds and delicious smells of Notting Hill’s famous street parade and stalls.

‘The Carnival first danced its way onto London’s streets in 1966 and has since become a family favourite, particularly on the slightly quieter Sunday. People of all ages now flock to see the great costumes, hear the music and enjoy sizzling street food such as jerk chicken.

‘Notting Hill Carnival mainly takes place in Notting Hill, of course, but also parties into a wide area, including neighbouring Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Park, Westbourne Grove and Bayswater. There’s no denying hotel accommodation in these areas of west London can be far from cheap. The local boutique hotels may be chic but they are also pricey. Finding an available hotel, let or B&B for the Carnival dates is also challenging.

‘Fortunately, there is a handy and often inexpensive solution. Using the revolutionary service UniversityRooms.com, visitors can choose from nearby university single, twin or double ensuite rooms, on a bed & breakfast or self-catering basis. Best of all, you can stay in them even if you are not a student.

‘Price Consort Village, in nearby Goldhawk Road, offers contemporary and comfortable rooms for £112 a night during the Carnival. It’s a lot more upmarket than typical student accommodation, complete with acoustically treated rooms, a cinema, courtyard and even a gym. It’s just 1.4 miles away from the centre of Notting Hill and 8 minutes from the Tube.

‘For people on a tighter budget, Ifor Evans Hall is just 3.9 miles away and is near Camden Town Tube. Rooms costs from just £49 a night during the festival period, which is quite a bargain for London. Self-catering premises are also available. With prices this low, why not arrive a day earlier and watch Saturday’s wonderful Panorama Steel Band Competition as well?

‘Somewhere in the middle, price-wise, is Ian Baker House in Fitzrovia. Located just off Tottenham Court Road in central London, it was opened in 2008. It’s just 3.1 miles from Notting Hill, near the Tube and boasts 90 rooms with shared kitchens. There are also a small number of ensuite rooms available, subject to availability. Prices start from just £72 during the Carnival period.

‘It doesn’t take an educated guess to realise that university accommodation is likely to get fully booked as awareness of this relatively inexpensive alternative grows. For more information and to book your stay now, see https://www.universityrooms.com/en-GB/city/london/home/

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