ACROSS the road from London’s St Pancras International Station, lies one of the capital’s most talked-about hotels – The Standard. The hotel group, originally founded in 1999 by André Balasz, a well-known hotelier with the likes of Chataeu Marmont and Chiltern Firehouse on his CV, the Standard hotels have already established themselves in Los Angeles, New York and Miami and now London thanks to CEO Amar Lalvani. So, with a reputation that precedes its four walls, my invite to stay was met with a very enthusiastic yes!
The exterior of The Standard
Housed in the former Camden Town Hall with an exterior design that dates back to its 1974 brutalist architecture, The Standard is as every bit retro on the outside as it is inside. A red pill elevator was a new addition to the exterior that takes guests to one of the three restaurants, Decimo by Michelin-starred Peter Sanchez-Iglesias on the tenth floor (set to re-open on 1 October 2020). Above the original construction, three additional floors were added encapsulated in a black box like shape where the restaurant and suites overlook north London.
The Lobby
The Library Lounge
Upon entering The Standard, you are immediately immersed in an interior that is both reminiscent of the era it was built in, yet equally futuristic in design. The interior style and exterior addition are courtesy of Shawn Hausman Design – a close collaborator of the Standard Hotel Group. The backdrop to the timber infused reception area is a mural by Lubna Chowdhary in tones of blue, giving guests their first taste of the retro inspired decor.
Walking past this area, you enter into a low-lit Library Lounge where shelves of books are available at your dispense whilst on your left is the seating for the all-day restaurant Isla (known for their English dishes that change seasonally) that has an outside sheltered terrace with heaters and greenery to hide the hints of central London.
This was unfortunately closed during my stay due to Covid-19. During the day, the hotel remained quiet with a calm ambience blocking the hustle and bustle of the surrounding commuter environment and instead transported guests with the music in every room on the ground floor and in the corridors.
Double Standard
In the early evening, before my dinner at Double Standard, I was greeted by a charming and chatty waiter named Mo who recommended I try the Aperol Slushy, a twist on the classic Aperol Spritz; which I highly recommend ordering when you visit – I had two! By this time, the hotel had gone from a serene quiet atmosphere to a buzzing crowd made mostly up of creatives from music to fashion inadvertently making it the place to be.
Double Standard Terrace – courtesy @charliemckay
My evening was spent at the Double Standard, the street facing casual dining area that is akin to a classic American dive bar, serving burgers, hot dogs and salads with an exciting array of cocktails such as the G & Tea: an Earl Grey infused gin with tonic – collectively accumulating to a dangerously good place to relax for a drink and bite to eat after work.
Queen of Queens Room
The 266-room hotel has eleven different options of rooms that play within three categories of design: the main category is centred around the colour scheme of London’s Underground Transport by Wallace Sewell. Red, purple and blue are are the core of most of the rooms mixed with geometric prints and bold tiled bathroom designs – highly recommend using the large bath to relax in at the end of the day.
Cosy Core
Suites at The Standard
The Cosy Cores and the rooms on the eight and ninth floor are a juxtaposition to the previous theme by focusing on woods and crisp white tones. Suites on the top floors have terraces giving you views over London that most tourist attractions fail to show, with free-standing bathtubs – some outside – and boldly coloured sofas surrounded by plants. A standout accessory in every room are the specially designed Craig Green brown robes giving a nod to the alumnus of the nearby Central Saint Martins.
Having lived in London all my life, I did not think it was possible to stay in a hotel in the city that you call your home and feel as if you are somewhere completely different. With life changing due to the global pandemic and travel opportunities becoming a rarity, the new staycations are becoming an increasingly more popular option. Saying all that, if that is The Standard, the standard has been set very high.
by Imogen Clark