A very Hollywood Brunch at The Laslett
By Donna Richardson
Many will remember the nineties movie “Notting Hill,” where Hugh Grant plays a bookshop owner whose life changes when a famous American actress, played by Julia Roberts, arrives. Notting Hill, located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, is known for its diverse community, the annual Notting Hill Carnival, and Portobello Road Market. It has become an affluent area with beautiful Victorian townhouses, high-end shopping, and dining. The movie is on most people’s minds when they visit The Laslett, a luxury townhouse hotel in Notting Hill, for a leisurely brunch.
But with the upcoming release of another Hollywood movie, Gladiator II, guests could experience a Hollywood-like treat of savouring wine from a vineyard owned by filmmaker Sir Ridley Scott on the sunny terrace of this luxury hotel in West London’s Notting Hill. This summer, the hotel hosted a unique collaboration with Mas des Infermières, a respected Luberon wine estate owned by Sir Ridley Scott, whose latest film, Gladiator II, is about to hit cinemas on 23 November 2024.
Guests could enjoy wines from the respected Luberon wine estate owned by the maker of the original Gladiator, Blade Runner, House of Gucci, and the recent Napoleon. He is also behind Thelma & Louise, Alien, Black Hawk Down and Blade Runner.
After carefully perusing the menu, I ordered salmon on sourdough bread with smashed avocado while my partner opted for a full English breakfast. Our daughter enjoyed some delicious pastries, and we had fresh juices, all while reading the morning newspapers.
But as soon as the clock struck 11 a.m., we decided to try some of the Mas des Infermières’ wines, including the UK debut of the Sparkling Rosé Perle du Mas. Surrounded by lemon trees, we savoured each special glass of wine from the film director’s vineyard, which is bee-friendly and very moreish.
The stylish black-and-white terrace is adorned with playful artwork by Ridley Scott, creating an engaging atmosphere. The estate has been in Ridley Scott’s family since 1992, and now, thanks to the special partnership, guests can savour each of his specialities.
Sir Ridley Scott reminisced throughout the launch, saying, “My family and I have been coming to Mas des Infermières for over three decades to paint, read, and write. We’re extremely proud of the wines we produce at the estate, and we’re delighted to bring a taste of our beautiful pocket of Luberon to The Laslett this summer.”
What better place than the terrace at The Laslett to sample these delicious wines? It is the perfect place to unwind. As we enjoyed our wine flight, we sampled source blanc, which we found to have floral notes of the lime tree, white fruits, and citrus that paired perfectly with the smoked salmon & avocado. In contrast, the source rouge, which has an aromatic complexity with fresh spices, ripe black fruits, and refined, elegant tannins, accompanies a crispy duck. The source rosé is made of red and exotic fruits with a gourmet palate of fresh fruit and citrus, which perfectly complements The Henderson Toastie for lunch and chilli garlic prawns.
The hotel is an 18th-century townhouse spread across five stunning Victorian mansions in Pembridge Gardens. It is named after Rhaune Laslett, a local activist who organised the original Notting Hill Festival. The hotel is inspired by the area’s vibrant cultural heritage while also capturing its new wave of creative cool.
The 51 bedrooms are a ‘home-from-home’ decked out with modern furniture from British designers alongside more personal quirks – well-chosen books for bedtime reading, curiosities from local antique dealers, and curated photographs and artworks on the walls.
The owner, Tracy Lowy, styles the design, which is also key. Limited edition artwork by Barry Kamen, Toby Mott, Brian David Stevens, Harland Miller, Caroline Walker, and Becky Beasley adorns the walls.
The Laslett’s library lounge is stocked with British art and design books, while the lobby and restaurant house works from new and emerging artists—particularly those who have forged a personal or artistic connection with the area—with a rotation of exhibitions throughout the year. The Lalsett also offers its ‘Recharge Rooms’ to guests—a space offering bespoke facials, an Ozone sauna, and vitamin drips.
This partnership with the esteemed film director shows how The Laslett fosters a genuine connection with the artistic world. It is a sought-after destination for the city’s most innovative minds in music, fashion, and art.
The hotel’s design is also key, styled by Tracy Lowy, the owner. Limited edition artwork by Barry Kamen, Toby Mott, Brian David Stevens, Harland Miller, Caroline Walker, and Becky Beasley adorn the walls alongside more personal quirks—well-chosen books for bedtime reading and curiosities from local antique dealers.
Step into this diverse world and witness the convergence of creativity and the film industry in one place.
Make a booking at https://www.living-rooms.co.uk/the-laslett/the-henderson-bar-and-kitchen/
Mas des Infermières x The Laslett Pop Up was on until 2 September 2024.
Rates at The Laslett start from £483 per night.