My friends and I will be flying into Stansted airport and need to get to Notting Hill where our hotel is located. What is the best way to get there? There are four of us and we will be arriving on a Thursday around 18:00.
British Rail from Stansted to Liverpool Street. From Liverpool Street change to the underground and take the Central Line to Notting Hill.
Because the Circle Line isn't a circle anymore (more like a lariat with the long end at Hammersmith and a change at Edgware for the northern half of the line) I'd take the Central Line between Liverpool Street and Notting Hill. By the time you get to Liverpool Street the evening rush will be almost over.