The Brutalist concrete facade of the former Camden Council offices, now The Standard London hotel

The Standard London
King's Cross Hotel Guide

Rooms, restaurants and everything you need to know about the Brutalist landmark two minutes from St Pancras.

10 Argyle Street · London WC1H 8EG

Photo by Simone Hutsch on Unsplash

Detail of the Brutalist concrete geometry with glass windows
Photo by Ben Allan on Unsplash

A cultural destination, not just a place to sleep

Tucked behind St Pancras International in the heart of King's Cross, The Standard London isn't just a place to sleep — it's one of the capital's most talked-about cultural destinations, beloved by creatives, travellers, and locals alike.

That might sound like marketing copy. It isn't. The Standard London genuinely occupies a different category from most London hotels — the kind of place where the rooftop bar fills up on a Tuesday, and where the building itself stops people on the pavement.

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266

rooms and suites

5

distinct food & drink venues

360°

rooftop views across London

The Standard London at a Glance

This summary is here because navigational searches deserve immediate answers.

Address
10 Argyle Street, London, WC1H 8EG
Check-in
3:00 PM
Check-out
12:00 PM (noon)
Price range
From approx. £200/night (Standard rooms)
Pet policy
Dogs stay free
Gym
24-hour access included
WiFi
Complimentary throughout
Booking
standardhotels.com / World of Hyatt
Booking.com
8.5 / 10
TripAdvisor
4.5 / 5
Google
4.4 / 5

A Brutalist Icon Reimagined

Formerly a 1970s Brutalist landmark — the old Camden Council offices — the structure is one of London's most architecturally distinctive hotel conversions. The Standard London opened in 2019, becoming the brand's first property outside North America and marking a significant moment for London's design hotel scene.

For the London conversion, the design was led by Shawn Hausman Design and Archer Humphryes Architects, who worked together to preserve the building's raw Brutalist geometry while creating interiors that feel warm, playful, and entirely contemporary.

The raw concrete geometry, the bold cantilever, the sheer visual weight of the thing: it's a building that was designed to be noticed. The design team didn't try to soften it. They leaned in.

The interiors balance heritage with a deliberately irreverent contemporary aesthetic — warm lighting against raw concrete, unexpected colour choices, custom furniture, and a general sense that every detail was considered rather than specified from a catalogue.

One signature detail has become almost iconic: the custom Craig Green robes. That sensibility extends throughout — Bang & Olufsen speakers in every room, bespoke bath amenities, Italian linen. The amenity choices feel curated rather than cost-engineered.

Among London's design hotels, The Standard occupies a rare position. It has the architectural credentials of a heritage conversion, the fashion-world credibility of the Craig Green collaboration, and the cultural programming of a genuine arts venue.

Warm interior design detail contrasting with raw architectural materials
Brutalist concrete architectural detail
Photo by Ben Allan on Unsplash

266 rooms, from compact crash-pads to wraparound terraces

The range is wider than most people expect — and the full amenity package comes with every category.

Flagship suite interior with terrace access

Deluxe Studio Suite with Wraparound Terrace

Suite-level rates

The standout. The kind of room that gets photographed for design magazines — and delivers in person too. The wraparound terrace is exceptional for anyone visiting in warmer months.

Standard King room with bed and considered design details

Standard King & Queen

From approx. £200 / night

Compact but thoughtfully designed — this isn't a hotel where the cheapest rooms feel like an afterthought. Full amenity package included.

Deluxe King room with elevated view

Deluxe & Premium King

From £400+ / night

More space, better views, and in some cases higher floor positions that make the most of the building's Brutalist architecture. A solid mid-range choice.

Studio suite living space with expansive design

Studio Suites

Suite-level rates

More living space, more personality — the kind of room you'll actually want to spend time in rather than just sleep in.

Terrace room with private outdoor space and London views

Terrace Rooms

Suite-level rates

Outdoor space in the heart of King's Cross. A private terrace with London rooftop views is a genuinely special thing at this location.

Italian sheets · Down pillows · Bang & Olufsen Bluetooth speaker · Custom Craig Green robes

Complimentary WiFi · 24-hour gym access · In-room dining · Bespoke bath amenities

Virtual 3D room tours available on the website before booking

DDA-compliant accessible rooms are available and can be requested at the time of booking. Lift access throughout the building.

Five venues, five distinct personalities

Most hotels have a restaurant. The Standard has five distinct venues, each worth visiting on its own merits — not just because you happen to be staying.

Double Standard all-day restaurant and bar interior

Double Standard

The all-day anchor

The hotel's all-day restaurant and bar sets the tone from the moment you walk in. Loud, laidback, and consistently good — hearty classics done properly, a drinks list that doesn't take itself too seriously, and a beer garden that's arguably one of the best in King's Cross when the weather cooperates.

The Rooftop

London from the top

If there's one reason non-guests make the journey to The Standard London, it's The Rooftop. The 360-degree views across the London skyline are genuinely stunning — on a clear summer evening, with a cocktail in hand and Champagne on tap, it's hard to think of a better spot in the city. Reservations are strongly recommended; smart-casual dress code applies.

Aerial view of the London skyline at night
Photo by Sean on Unsplash
Atmospheric restaurant interior with warm pendant lighting
Photo by Rohan G on Unsplash

Decimo

The destination restaurant

The hotel's live-fire destination restaurant, and it's earned its reputation. Vanity Fair described it simply: 'every single bite is as delicious as the setting.' Reservations are essential — this isn't the kind of place you'll walk into on a Friday evening without one.

Isla

All-day, every day

The more relaxed option — an all-day café and dining space that handles everything from breakfast through to dinner in a setting that's comfortable rather than showy. The right choice when you want good food without the occasion of Decimo.

Relaxed all-day dining space
Late-night bar with moody lighting and dance floor energy

Sweeties

After dark

The hotel's late-night bar and club — and it leans into that identity without apology. Dancing, after-dark misbehaviour, and the kind of atmosphere that makes a Tuesday feel like a Saturday.

You don't need to be a guest to enjoy most of it — which is both a testament to the quality and a practical tip for Londoners who want to experience the hotel without booking a room.

Location, culture and whether it's worth the premium

King's Cross has spent the last decade becoming one of London's most genuinely exciting neighbourhoods. The Standard London sits right at the centre of it all.

The Neighbourhood

A five-minute walk from The Standard's front door puts you at Granary Square and the Regent's Canal. Coal Drops Yard is eight minutes on foot, the British Library six. Islington's Upper Street is a fifteen-minute walk east.

Transport

For Eurostar travellers, the location is almost absurdly convenient. St Pancras International is a two-minute walk. King's Cross St Pancras station serves six tube lines — Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria — so you can reach virtually anywhere in central London within 20 minutes.

Culture & Events

A lot of hotels describe themselves as 'cultural hubs.' The Standard London actually is one. DJ sets, live music, art installations and cultural events are woven into the weekly rhythm rather than bolted on. The Happenings programme reflects the hotel's genuine connection to London's creative community.

Undulating architectural roof of Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross
Photo by Nathan Langer on Unsplash

What earns the premium

  • Exceptional design and Brutalist architecture
  • Five distinct F&B venues, all worth visiting
  • Unbeatable transport links (St Pancras 2 mins)
  • Genuine cultural programming and events
  • Dog-friendly without caveats or hidden fees
  • Craig Green robes and Bang & Olufsen speakers

What to weigh honestly

  • Premium price point not suited to all budgets
  • Smaller entry-level rooms may disappoint space-seekers
  • Active late-night scene — not ideal for light sleepers
  • King's Cross less central than Mayfair or Soho for some itineraries
The honest verdict — if the design-led, culturally engaged hotel category is what you're looking for, The Standard London is the best version of it currently operating in the city.

It's probably not the right choice for travellers whose priority is proximity to Mayfair, Knightsbridge, or the South Bank — King's Cross is excellently connected, but it's not in those neighbourhoods.

Practical answers before you book

The questions travellers ask most often about The Standard London — answered honestly and in plain English.

Yes — The Rooftop is open to non-guests. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly on weekends and in summer when it fills quickly. Smart-casual dress code applies.