The Standard, London

Anything but conventional, Standard Hotels are renowned for their design-forward aesthetic, lively ambiance, and exciting restaurants and bars. Fittingly, the brand’s first hotel outside the U.S. is located in one of London’s coolest neighborhoods, King’s Cross, an area that has been transformed in recent years from humdrum transport hub to a destination for luxury shopping and hip dining. To wit: Coal Drops Yard, a once-derelict industrial site rejuvenated with indie boutiques, alfresco restaurants, and outdoor concerts. If you want to stay in the middle of London’s creative crossroads, this is your place.  

What You Need to Know

The Look of The Standard, London

The hotel is housed in a 1974 Brutalist building, the former Camden Town Hall Annexe, whose gray, scalloped façade is pierced by a red, pill-shaped elevator. Inside, the look is 1970s chic, with a playful primary color palette, geometric artwork, hanging plants, and invitingly worn-in leather seating. 

The kitsch-leaning design — the brainchild of London firm Shawn Hausman Design — continues in the guest rooms and suites, which feature curved walls, red- and baby pink tiles in the bathrooms, boldly patterned blankets and rugs, and wood and leather furniture. Suites offer private bars and soaking tubs, along with plenty of houseplants to keep you company. On the other end of the spectrum are entry-level Cosy Core rooms, whose sexy vibe helps compensate for the lack of windows.  

The Vibe of The Standard, London

In a word: buzzing. The open-concept ground floor includes Isla, an all-day restaurant with a garden terrace, and the cozy Library Lounge complete with its own recording studio. Around the corner, midcentury-inspired Double Standard, a bar best known for the build-your-own Bloody Marys at Sunday brunch. Decimo serves up flavorful Mexican fare like pork belly tacos and aguachile in a stylish space with floor-to-ceiling windows. The rooftop bar draws crowds for cold cocktails — the spicy margaritas are a must — and bao buns with views of the Kings Cross rooftops. End the night at , a late-night lounge where you can dance to live DJ performances under the disco ball.