Location, location, location!! You will not regret booking this place. It is a 5 min walk to the eclectic and fresh Portobello Market. There are bus stops all around, and the Westbourne Park station is 5-10 min walk (depending how fast you walk). If you arrive via the tube and arrive at the Westbourne Park station, go up the stairs, turn right at the exit, walk all the way down until you reach Westbourne Park Road, a dead end (T intersection), turn right. Helena's place is on the left of the road, next to Bumpkin. Eat at Bumpkin at least once -- yum!
Helena is extremely friendly, helpful, generous, and obviously well-traveled. She is flexible and responsive. Her place has character and was spacious enough for 4 adults. My family enjoyed immensely staying at her place because of the location. Sure, there is the latch and staircase to get into her place, but that's part of the charm. The latch is easy to use -- don't worry, Helena walks you through it.
The notable food places we tried that I would definitely recommend: Le Pain Quotidien (breakfast is superb there), Dishoom (went for breakfast, try the egg & sausage naan roll, chai tea & house porridge is unlimited!), sketch (afternoon tea), itsu (dinner, not bad for a quick bite), Thai taste (dinner), granger & co. (breakfast), ottolenghi (bakery). Visit Borough Market during the day, would recommend grabbing lunch there.
My family would book this home away from home again!
Thank you Helena! :)