Excellent Northern Lodge
The resort is wedged between the King’s Cross and St. Pancras railway stations.
From £264, or $ 412 at $ 1.56 to the pound.
The Essentials
An updated traditional positioned at one particular of London’s principal transit details. Following numerous several years of renovation, this ninety one-room resort reopened this spring, wedged between the King’s Cross and St. Pancras railway stations. Built in 1854 by Lewis Cubitt, a single of the great architects of Victorian London, the Excellent Northern was 1 of the city’s initial railway accommodations, serving travelers on the Wonderful Northern line. The new incarnation echoes that before position at today’s British terminus for Eurostar connections from Paris, Brussels and Lille, and the theme of rail travel is current in the hotel’s trendy décor: “Do not disturb” indicators bear antique illustrations of railway signals, and “Couchette” rooms, with built-in beds, take their style cues from sleeper vehicles.
Spot
The previously operate-down spot of King’s Cross has experienced a rebirth in latest years, with awesome new bars, galleries and dining places complementing cultural sights like the British Library and the close by Bloomsbury district. Two railway stations and six Underground strains are inside a handful of minutes’ stroll from the resort, generating it a normal meeting level on the north side of central London, as properly as an effortless landing location for attendees on European flights arriving from Luton Airport.
The Place
Quieter than anticipated, offered the area’s traffic, with double-glazed windows that nearly entirely blocked the outside sound and presented lots of natural light-weight, with views of St. Pancras Station, a Victorian brick and masonry masterpiece. My modest “Cubitt” area, the hotel’s premier-dimension classification, was adorned in relaxing avocado green and cream, with retro chrome lamps and an engraved mirror above the headboard that produced the snug space appear roomier. Although the hotel gives free Wi-Fi, I was happy I did not have significantly work to do: There was no desk, and a tiny, kidney-shaped love seat presented the only seating. Storage, as effectively, felt quite restricted, with nowhere to stow my suitcase. But the space arrived by means of the place it counts: The king-dimensions mattress was possibly the most cozy I have at any time slept on.
The Lavatory
Oddly proportioned, with a narrow sink region and a double-dimension shower that incorporated wall-mounted and rain shower heads. Aromatic toiletries from Malin + Goetz provided rum entire body clean, peppermint shampoo and cilantro hair conditioner.
Eating
However the resort has no place service, its cafe, Plum + Spilt Milk, is helmed by the well-regarded Mark Sargeant, and the road-degree GNH Bar is one particular of the area’s popular evening assembly spots. Vacationers, nonetheless, will probably favor the resort sandwich counter, called Kiosk, which packs up traditional salt beef sandwiches and other prepare-pleasant fare.
Amenities
In addition to quite a few Tv channels and on-demand films, entertainment involves a library of audiobooks to engage in in the area. But taking into consideration all of London is outside, it doesn’t seem to be that several friends will make it via the eighty three-minute reading of “The Wonders of Beekeeping.” More practical is the pantry at the stop of every ground with free of charge cakes, espresso and tea.
Bottom Line
With an air of history and rapid access to the Underground, this stylish hotel provides a great base for exploring London, whether or not or not you prepare to use the several nearby railway strains.
Great Northern Hotel, King’s Cross St. Pancras Station, Pancras Highway 44-twenty-3388-0800
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