HOTEL OF THE WEEK
THE STANDARD LONDON
It’s the brand’s first hotel outside America and across the road from St Pancras station – London hotels don’t come more convenient or edgy than this.
Housed in the Brutalist former Camden Town Hall Annex, The Standard is too cool for school. From receptionist uniforms which wouldn’t look out of place on the Starship Enterprise, to achingly cool 70s decor.
The former council library has been turned into a cosy lounge. Uninterrupted views across London through the floor-toceiling windows in our classy junior suite were all the better for being enjoyed from a slipper bath in the bedroom.
ON THE MENU
You can enjoy a posh burger and chips with cocktails in the Double Standard bar, or avoid the carbs in Isla, which has shagpile walls and an outdoor space to complement the healthy menu.
We bagged a coveted window table at Decimo, the 10th floor restaurant of Michelinstarred chef Peter SanchezIglesias. There you can dine on fine food while enjoying 360-degree views of the capital.
A small army of attentive staff explain dishes, such as the £150 caviar tortillas. We opted for the £14 version and a marinated red pepper dip served on a marble pillar, two tasty tacos (£7 each), leeks Romesco (£10), perfectly crunchy fried potatoes, aioli (£6), melt-in-the-mouth sliced fillet of beef (£38) and meaty monkfish (£30).
The full English for breakfast had artisan sausages and homemade hash browns to die for.
WHILE YOU ARE THERE
Forget the rather murky reputation of King’s Cross of yesteryear, these days it’s rather upmarket. The shops and eateries at trendy Coal Drops Yard are just 10 minutes away.
WAKE-UP CALL
Rates start at £261 a night. standardhotels.com