HOTEL OF THE WEEK
JANET HUGHES
The Standard, London WHERE AND WHY
It’s the brand’s first hotel outside America and is just across the road from St Pancras station, so London hotels don’t come much more convenient or edgy than this.
Housed in the Brutalist former mid-century Camden Town Hall Annex, The Standard is simply too cool for school. From designer receptionist uniforms which wouldn’t look out of place on the Starship Enterprise, to achingly cool 70s decor and customised lighting, the vibe couldn’t be more hip and happening.
The former council library has been turned into a cosy lounge with book cabinets creating intimate little nooks. Uninterrupted views across London through the floor-to-ceiling windows in our classy junior suite were all the better for being enjoyed from a slipper bath in the bedroom.
As far as I’m concerned you can keep the Peloton bike, but I wanted to take the Craig Green bath robes, pleated navy curtains, Italian sheets and comfiest bed I’ve ever slept in home with me.
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 were lucky enough to bag a coveted window table at Decimo, the 10th floor restaurant of Michelin-starred chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias. There you can dine on fine food while enjoying 360-degree views of the capital through macrame-style curtains.
A small army of attentive staff glide between the different levels taking orders and explaining 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 home-made hash browns, which were particularly good.
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 and old favourites such as Camden and Islington are easily doable on foot.
The British Museum is a 20-minute walk and if you want to go further afield, King’s Cross-St Pancras tube station is on the doorstep, so getting around the capital couldn’t be easier.
WAKE-UP CALL
Rates start at £261 a night. standardhotels.com