“A luxury offering from the trendy American hoteliers set in a brutalist building in the equally cool Kings Cross. Rooms feature kitsch details while swanky suites offer epic city views and some have in-room bars and outdoor bathtubs. Complete with three restaurants and excellent cocktails. Very hip.”

Hotel review

Set in newly-gentrified Kings Cross in a former 1970s Camden Council building, The Standard is a playful, retro-style hotel catering to couples and groups of friends. One of its striking features is the view over another hotel; the grand St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel, especially from The Standard’s hip rooftop bar which is the place to be during the summer, or from its decadent Decimo bar and restaurant, which serves up fantastic mezcal cocktails and Mexican cuisine. Digital nomads will appreciate catching up on emails in The Library on the ground floor, which is popular with remote working locals, too. An array of books line the shelves and there’s plenty of desk space and cosy arms chairs. As with other hotels in The Standard portfolio, the decor makes reference to the 1960s and ‘70s with many Austin Powers-style features (the headache-inducing orange and blue patterned carpet in the corridor leading to the guest rooms might be a step too far, but other guests will appreciate such quirkiness). 

Guest rooms are clean and surprisingly spacious for a city hotel, plus quiet at night considering its prime location by a busy road. If you’re celebrating a special occasion you might want to book a suite with its own terrace for a more wow-factor experience. Service is friendly and laidback, and the hotel is a great base for exploring the chic shops at Coal Drops Yard, as well as The British Museum and for easy access to the Eurostar. Interesting fact: there’s a Banksy on the back of the building of a rat holding up a placard (look up from the Garden Restaurant).

Stephanie Reed
Stephanie Reed Review published: 2018-11-01

Recommended for

  • City Style

    • With swanky suites, seventies-inspired deco, and a well known hip group running the show — this is a stylish city choice
  • Romantic Break

    • For a sexy getaway book one of the suites with an in-room bar and outdoor bathtub
  • Restaurant

    • Two restaurants on the ground floor, one small plates and the other more casual. Upstairs is the very decadent Decimo
  • Hotel Entertainment

    • Look into the Sounds Studio booth where podcasts, DJ sets and live-music sessions are recorded
  • Museums

    • Visit the Wellcome Collection, a space filled with scientific and cultural oddities
  • Gym

    • There's a very well equipped gym and spin bikes can even be placed in some rooms
  • Great walks

    • Wander along Regents Canal stopping for a coffee or a pint along the way
  • Designer Shopping

    • Peruse the upmarket boutiques in Coal Drops Yard
  • Pet friendly

    • Small to medium size dogs stay for free
  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Family Suites

  • Disabled access

  • Child friendly

  • Luxury

  • Romantic

  • Lively

  • Designer

  • Chic

  • Opulent

Facilities

  • Rooms

    266 rooms in this hotel
  • Restaurant

    Two restaurants on the ground floor, one small plates and the other more casual. Upstairs is the very decadent Decimo
  • Gym

    There's a very well equipped gym and spin bikes can even be placed in some rooms
  • Pet friendly

    Small to medium size dogs stay for free
  • Concierge

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Library

  • Meeting Room

  • Bar

  • Family Suites

  • Wifi

  • Air conditioning

  • Disabled access

  • Room service

  • Child friendly

  • Garden

Activities

  • Hotel Entertainment

    • Look into the Sounds Studio booth where podcasts, DJ sets and live-music sessions are recorded
  • Museums

    • Visit the Wellcome Collection, a space filled with scientific and cultural oddities
  • Great walks

    • Wander along Regents Canal stopping for a coffee or a pint along the way
  • Designer Shopping

    • Peruse the upmarket boutiques in Coal Drops Yard

Map & Location

Other reviews

The Standard, London

The fun-loving Standard from across the pond finally has a home in London and it’s a fabulous new addition. Picture Seventies décor; kitsch bedrooms and swanky suites, some with private bars and outdoor baths; regular shindigs in the lobby lounge; and tip-top cocktails to imbibe.

Originally published by The Telegraph

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