A Design-Led Stay With One of the Best Hotel Restaurants in the City
It’s the Brutalist block by King’s Cross with the red lift running up the outsideNot only does The Standard look iconic, the vibes more than match it. With DJs in the lobby, restaurant Decimo always busy, and the ground floor full of people working and drinking, it’s buzzing even during a midweek check-in.My premium View King room boasts big windows looking straight onto St Pancras. It’s a mega view – the clock tower’s basically framed for you – and it gets even better when the sun starts coming through. A perfect bottle-popping and people-watching spot. The interiors aren’t bad either, a bit playful and considered without feeling over-designed. The bathroom is especially impressive, with pink and black tiles, and pastel green taps – the kind of look you mentally bookmark for your own place.Dinner’s at Decimo, which is notably good for a hotel restaurant. The food leans Spanish and Mexican and the menu is fun. The tuna tostada is a standout; the pig taco does exactly what you want it to; the prawns are big and messy (and worth it); the grilled pork chop is solid; and there’s a little theatre to finish with the tableside chocolate mousse. Back upstairs, bath on, quick soak, then into a properly comfortable bed. No notes.I’m not really a go down for breakfast person, especially when it can be brought up to me, so ordering it the night before is a bit of a ritual. Right on time the next morning, the grab & go option of a breakfast bun with egg and avocado, yoghurt and granola, and strong black coffee is delivered with a knock at the door.Aside from the rooms and the restaurant, the constant buzz makes The Standard one of the best places to stay in the city.Rooms at The Standard start from around £250 per night, with the Mr & Mrs Smith weekend package available to book now if you want to make more of a stay.Key InfomationAddress | The Standard, 10 Argyle Street, London, WC1H 8EGWebsite | standardhotels.com/london
