The Standard London
by the TopOfHotel team
The Standard London is the most alive design hotel in King's Cross — a 10th-floor rooftop bar over the skyline paired with rooms that have real personality.
The Standard London is the most alive design hotel in King's Cross — a 10th-floor rooftop bar over the skyline paired with rooms that have real personality.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The rooms at The Standard don't look like anywhere else in London. They're designed to be bold — strong colour, hand-picked furniture, sculptural chairs, contrast cushions, and walls that show their texture instead of hiding it. The beds are comfortable, the linens are good, and the bathrooms hit a proper luxury standard. Reviewers say it over and over: the rooms look better in person than in the photos, and every detail feels considered. Some rooms have floor-to-ceiling glass that frames the London skyline straight from the bed, which guests call an experience they don't forget. The honest caveats: entry-level rooms have limited power outlets, and the smallest ones can feel tight in high season.
Food and amenities
Decimo, the Spanish-Mexican restaurant on the 10th floor, is a destination for Londoners as much as for guests — the cocktails score high, the tasting menu impresses, and the skyline view through dinner is a bonus you can't really price. The rooftop bar beside it is the feature reviews mention most, often as the best view in the area. Down at ground level, Double Standard runs lively and late. Free Wi-Fi covers the building, there's a fitness centre and full concierge service, and the staff get singled out for being friendly without being formal.
Location and getting there
The hotel sits on Euston Road, about a 5-minute walk from King's Cross St Pancras — close enough for daily Tube trips, far enough that you won't hear trains in the room. The streets around it are full of good cafes, restaurants and bars. Coal Drops Yard, the design-led shopping and dining quarter, is 7-10 minutes on foot, with Granary Square and Regent's Canal an easy walk beyond. The Tube links most of central London in 20-30 minutes, and the Eurostar terminal is the same 5 minutes away for trains to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.
Things to know before booking
Entry-level rooms come with few power outlets — bring a multi-plug if you travel with a laptop, phone and camera. Decimo books out far ahead; weekend walk-ins almost never get a table, so reserve two to three weeks in advance. Peak-season rates are high, and the smallest rooms can feel cramped, so consider sizing up a category if space matters. And the whole place is built around personality over polish — if you want something quiet and conventional, this isn't it.
Our take
The Standard London suits design-minded couples, solo travelers who want a hotel with a clear point of view rather than something cookie-cutter, and anyone after a proper rooftop bar with a skyline view. Rates from about $210 a night sit at the premium end, but with a 9.0/10 score it earns the money — especially measured against the similarly priced five-stars in the same patch of King's Cross.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Guest score hits 9.0/10 — the highest of any hotel we list in King's Cross, and ahead of several five-stars charging more. Reviewers single out the staff and the rooms again and again.
- Rooms are designed to have a point of view: clashing colours, sculptural chairs, exposed concrete texture, and bedding people actually rate. Several reviews say the rooms look better in person than in the photos.
- The 10th-floor rooftop bar gets called the best view in the area more than any other feature here — the London skyline at golden hour is the whole reason to stay up there.
- Decimo, the Spanish-Mexican restaurant on the 10th floor, is a destination in its own right: the cocktails score high and the tasting menu lands, all with the skyline behind your table.
- Staff get praised for warmth and personality rather than stiff formality, and Double Standard at street level keeps the ground floor busy and open late.
- Peak-season rates run high, and the smallest entry-level rooms come with very few power outlets — bring a multi-plug if you travel with several devices.
- Decimo's popularity means tables sell out far in advance; weekend walk-ins almost never get seated, so book two to three weeks ahead.
- The cheapest rooms can feel tight in high season, so size up a room category if you want space to spread out luggage.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near London
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around London — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
See activities in LondonAffiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Insider Tips
- Book a Decimo table at least 2-3 weeks out — it is a genuine local favourite and weekend walk-ins rarely get a seat.
- Go up to the rooftop bar in the golden hour before sunset; the skyline looks its best and the light makes for the best photos.
- If outlets matter for work, ask for a higher room category rather than the entry level, where plug points are limited.