London Hotels near Notting Hill

There are six arenas that make up the London Carnival: Calypso, Soca, Sound Systems, Steel Bands, Mas, and Samba. Calypso music was a form of communication for enslaved Africans, and now there are Calypso singing competitions held each year at the Notting Hill Carnival.

Notting Hill Carnival Arenas

Soca music is a melding of calypso and Indian rhythms and is heard throughout Carnival. There are over 40 static sound systems positioned around the arena for DJs to demonstrate their skills, whether the music is latin, jazz, hip-hop, reggae, or garage. Steel Bands, or pan bands as they are referred to, use steel drums and spread their music through Notting Hill.

Mas bands, or Masquerade bands, are traveling sound systems with dancers in elaborate costume and masks. This is one of the most colorful and exciting arenas because of the attention to detail in the beautiful costumes, and the dance that accentuated them. Lastly, Samba was originally heard in Latin America in northern Brazil by enslaved Africans. It can now be heard in London at the Notting Hill Carnival.

Notting Hill Hotel

The Blue Bells Hotel is situated in Notting Hill within walking distance of Kensington Palace, Notting Hill Underground, and the Portobello Market. The rooms are small and clean. While this hotel is not extravagant, you will find everything you need and a friendly staff willing to help whenever necessary. The Blue Bells is good hotel with low nightly rates.

The London Notting Hill Carnival is a fun 4 day festival where the streets of London come alive in music, dance, and colorful costumes in celebration.