Joanna Payne

The Standard London

  • Where:
  • Why:For a staycation
  • When:July 2021
  • Who:My boyfriend and I

"A retro design-lover's dream"

AT A GLANCE: In the heart of King’s Cross, The Standard London has more than just the location to brag about. The 266 key hotel stuns you from the moment you arrive at its brutalist façade, from an on-point interior design that evokes a retro vibe to abundantly stocked rooms — a massive bathtub, well-curated minibar, and even a peloton on request, not to mention the larger-than-life views. The food is exceptional, whichever restaurant you pick, and Decimo on the tenth floor is the hottest place to be in London on a Friday night. Perfect for a little solo soirée or a romantic city break,  The Standard does not disappoint.

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The Standard London The brutalist architecture

The brutalist architecture

The Standard London Up we go!

Up we go!

The Standard London Coziest room

Coziest room

The Standard London The gigantic in-room bathtub

The gigantic in-room bathtub

The Standard London Little details making the welcome even sweeter!

Little details making the welcome even sweeter!

The Standard London View form the room

View form the room

The Standard London The Queen

The Queen

The Standard London Enjoying drinks on the rooftop before dinner

Enjoying drinks on the rooftop before dinner

The Standard London The rooftop

The rooftop

The Standard London Checking out the views!

Checking out the views!

The Standard London Design details on point

Design details on point

The Standard London The view from our room

The view from our room

The Standard London Decimo restaurant

Decimo restaurant

The Standard London Getting the party started with scallops and mezcal margaritas

Getting the party started with scallops and mezcal margaritas

The Standard London The most delicious pork I've ever eaten

The most delicious pork I've ever eaten

The Standard London The gorgeous library

The gorgeous library

Highs & Lows

  • The 10th floor restaurant, Decimo — one word: wow. The views, the glamor, our brilliant waiter — Lucio; the most delicious scallops I’ve ever eaten; black bean tacos and mezcal margaritas — just a few of the highlights. Absolute heaven.

  • The most incredible interior design — every detail is so considered. It's a retro design-lover’s mecca.

  • The late 12 noon check out meaning you don’t have to rush your morning pancakes in Double Standard.

  • The huge bath in our room and the brilliantly stocked minibar to accompany a late night dip.

  • The rooftop bar gets busy so be sure to book a table if you want to head up there for drinks before dinner.

The Barometer

  • Design
  • Location
  • Future Forward
  • Night's Sleep
  • Service
  • Amenities
  • Takeable Treats
  • Refer a Friend
  • Overall Value
  • Life Changing
Total: 48/50

Important Bits

  • Type

    Design Hotel

  • Vibe

    Uber cool and unbelievably chic

  • Location

    In the heart of King's Cross

  • Rooms

    266

  • Pre-Arrival & Arrival Experience

    Smooth

  • Future Forward

    The hotel recycles, composts, uses locally sourced ingredients where possible, and ensures its cleaning products are Earth-kind

  • Music

    Cool and vibey

  • Year Opened

    2019

  • Designed By

    Exterior architecture by Orms, interior design by Shawn Hausman Design, and interior architect Archer Humphryes

  • Health & Wellness

    There's a hotel gym but sadly we weren't feeling quite active enough to try it out

  • Food

    Head to the rooftop for cocktails and light bites, Double Standard for burgers, or Decimo for a Spanish/Mexican fusion by Michelin-starred Chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias

  • Bar, Events & Nightlife

    Floor-to-ceiling windows and dramatic views across the London skyline, as well as an impressive roster of DJs, make Decimo one of the hottest places to be in London on a Friday night

  • Minibar & Retail

    The minibar is excellently stocked

  • Accessibility

    The hotel is wheelchair accessible throughout

  • Pet Friendly

    Yes

  • Children

    Yes

  • Price

    Reassuringly expensive

  • Tel.

    +44 20 3981 8888

  • Website

    Visit website

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