Indian eatery Dishoom, recognized for its cult status, unveiled a two-suite hotel in Notting Hill, London, as a tribute to Bombay's culture, dubbed as a heartfelt missive dedicated to the city's allure.
In the heart of London's vibrant Notting Hill, a new cultural landmark has emerged. The Permit Room Portobello, a joint venture by Dishoom's food and beverage sibling business, has opened its doors, offering a unique blend of hospitality, dining, and accommodation.
The space that now houses the Permit Room Portobello was once the Colville Hotel and a beloved Irish-West Indian public house. Now, it has been transformed into a boutique hotel with a restaurant and bar, drawing inspiration from the warm and vibrant cultural aesthetic of Bombay (now Mumbai).
The design of the Permit Room Portobello is a captivating fusion of nostalgic elements from 1970s Bombay Art Deco and mid-century modern design. The interior boasts parquet floors, antique Bombay furnishings, arched windows, and a curated selection of South Asian artwork. Vinyl records, books, and magazines adorn the space, reflecting a love for music and literature.
The decor is reminiscent of a quintessential Bombay country club, with checkered tables and vintage wood-carved chairs that evoke nostalgia. More than 30 original furniture pieces sourced from across the city are reunited in an immersive dialogue between East and West.
The Permit Room Portobello embodies the vibrant multicultural spirit of London and Mumbai, offering a unique cultural immersion experience rather than a traditional hotel stay. Inspired by Bombay's Irani cafés, the space fosters a sense of community, warmth, and cultural exchange.
The Permit Room Lodgings offers two en-suite bedrooms with a chic, boutique feel. Guests can enjoy breakfast in bed, unlimited house chai, and priority access to dinner at the restaurant below, along with other perks like the 'Key to the City' guide.
The art collection in the Permit Room Portobello includes zestful portraiture contributions from NYC-based artist Maya Varadaraj, San Francisco painter Nibha Kireddy, and Brooklyn-based everyday reteller Mustafa Mohsin. The selection is curated by Los Angeles gallery Rajiv Menon Contemporary, gathering vivid depictions of domesticity, relationships, and fantasy worlds, grappling with themes like identity, migration, mythology, and the body.
Dishoom, an Indian restaurant with a cult following in London, has expanded to over a dozen locations across the UK since its launch in 2010. The latest Permit Room is a crossroads of stories, people, and cultures, continuing Dishoom's mission to celebrate the rich heritage of Indian food and culture.
The Nottingham-based firm Macaulay Sinclair collaborated on the project, reviving the establishment's decades-old hospitality legacy by fusing British eccentricity with the stylistic influences picked up during visits to Mumbai's Lodging Houses, private homes, and classic Deco hotels.
The Permit Room Portobello aims to transport guests to a romantic Bombay residence, offering an authentic local experience that highlights insider recommendations and exclusive perks. It's a warm Indian embrace in the heart of London, inviting guests to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of cultures that make up this vibrant city.
In the transformed Colville Hotel, now the Permit Room Portobello, a fusion of 1970s Bombay Art Deco and mid-century modern design is showcased, featuring parquet floors, antique Bombay furnishings, and arched windows. The South Asian artwork, vinyl records, books, and magazines create an ambiance that reflects a love for music and literature.
The decor, reminiscent of a Bombay country club, boasts checkered tables and vintage wood-carved chairs, with more than 30 original furniture pieces from across the city. The Permit Room Lodgings offer a chic, boutique feel, and guests can enjoy special perks like breakfast in bed, unlimited house chai, and priority access to dinner.
The art collection in the Permit Room Portobello includes contributions from various artists such as Maya Varadaraj, Nibha Kireddy, and Mustafa Mohsin, with themes like identity, migration, mythology, and the body. This collaboration with Rajiv Menon Contemporary adds to the establishment's aim to provide a unique cultural immersion experience.
Dishoom, the Indian restaurant with a cult following in London, is part of this venture, expanding to over a dozen locations across the UK. The Permit Room Portobello combines the rich heritage of Indian food and culture with British eccentricity, thanks to the collaboration with Nottingham-based firm Macaulay Sinclair.
The Permit Room Portobello offers more than just a hotel stay, inviting guests to experience the vibrant multicultural spirit of London and Mumbai. It's a warm Indian embrace in the heart of the city, transporting guests to a romantic Bombay residence with insider recommendations and exclusive perks.
This cultural landmark in the heart of Notting Hill continues to draw inspiration from the warm and vibrant cultural aesthetic of Bombay, creating a tapestry of cultures that makes the Permit Room Portobello a must-visit for travelers and home-and-garden enthusiasts alike.
