The Standard, London

"A venue near King's Cross hosting culinary events like a barbecue series with rising South Asian chefs."

"Having cracked Manhattan, Miami, and Hollywood since it was founded 20 years ago, when The Standard London opened in 2019, it brought a much-needed edge side to King's Cross. Its Brutalist building and former annex of Camden Town Hall was much maligned by locals who nicknamed it the egg box. Now, with its red-pill-shaped lift that scales the Euston Road façade, it more than squares up to the splendid Gothic Revival St Pancras station nearby. Inside, American designer Shawn Hausman, a long-time Standard collaborator, created all the spaces with a decade-switching look that is mind-boggling and fabulous. Utilitarian civic signage meets Seventies Milanese terrazzo and tiling: Transport for London’s color palette inspired the loud carpets; and the colorways, shapes and humor of Italian design movement Memphis permeate everything. Rooms range from about $250 for a single, aimed at students and early-bird Eurostar travelers, to about $927 for a terraced room with an outdoor bathtub overlooking St Pancras. Expect Memphis design meets Miami with a mix of bright colors and pastels, crazy carpets and tiles. Furniture is both vintage and bespoke and all the rooms have great views. The hotel's 10th-floor restaurant Decimo continues to be one of the hottest tables in town, where Michelin-starred chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias highlights Spanish dishes with a Mexican twist and a cocktail menu full of margaritas. The downstairs cocktail bar Double Standard serves burgers, fish and chips and pints, while next-door Isla offers seasonal British small plates. Price: Rooms from around $304 per night.Address: 10 Argyle St, London WC1H 8EGClosest tube station: King's Cross" - Condé Nast Traveller, Steve King

"Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe?The Standard, London, the brand's first location in Europe, opened in July 2019 in a distinctive Brutalist building. A pill-like red elevator, visible from the exterior, sets the tone for the bright interiors with outlandish decor and greenery. What's the backstory?Standards are renowned for their always-on-the-verge-of-a-party vibe, and by locating the London outpost in a unique building in a rapidly regenerating part of the city, they’ve established, yet again, their signature edgy tone. The building was once part of Camden Town Hall—so both the interiors and the conversations used to be much more subdued. Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book?Pod-like rooms come in an array of sizes, from train carriage–style singles to spacious suites with terraces and outdoor bathtubs. The style is varied, too, from kitsch '70s-style swirly carpets to pink-and-black-tiled bathrooms in the smaller rooms to wood paneling and emerald leather in the suites. All come with a cocktail shaker and local mini bar snacks, such as Camden Hells lager. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi, and how is the quality?It's free and fast. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at?Isla, the funky, ground-floor restaurant with carpeted walls and leafy alfresco tables in summer, offers small plates and natural wines. For something a bit grittier, you’ll find gherkin martinis and oozey burgers in the mosaic-tiled bar. Up on the roof, Michelin-starred chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias serves Mexican tapas alongside glittering city views. What type of travelers will you find here?The sort of people who describe themselves as "creatives"—exactly who might conceivably use the in-house recording studio. What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene?The Standard crowns this young, rapidly changing part of London with its signature brand of hip. Nearby, you’ve got the chic students of Central Saint Martins, the designer shops of newly developed Coal Drops Yard, and St. Pancras station, which offers quick trips to Paris. Any other hotel features worth noting?There’s a DJ booth in the lounge—don’t come for an early night. Or bring earplugs. Bottom line: Worth it? Why?This is the hippest place to sleep in a newly cool part of town." - Laura Goulden

"Besides my guest bedroom, I'd love for my family to stay at The Standard." - Edward Barsamian

"The first Standard Hotel outside the US, The Standard London, is set in the impressive brutalist former Camden Town Hall annex. This striking hotel is worth a visit for one of the many restaurants or bars, let alone a stay in the ever evolving King's Cross neighbourhood. " - PRINT_COLLECTIVE