Great Northern Hotel, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, London

Hotel Description

Honestly, when I first walked into the Great Northern Hotel, I wasn’t sure what to expect – I mean, it’s literally built into King’s Cross station, which sounds like it could be a recipe for chaos. But you know what? They’ve actually pulled off something pretty remarkable here. The building itself is this gorgeous Victorian railway hotel that’s been completely transformed, and there’s something almost magical about stepping from the bustling station concourse into these elegant, surprisingly quiet interiors.

The location is – well, I hate using the word “convenient” because it sounds so boring – but it’s genuinely brilliant if you’re doing any travel around London or beyond. You’re steps away from the Eurostar platforms (perfect if you’re planning a Paris day trip), the tube connections are endless, and King’s Cross has become this unexpectedly cool neighborhood. Coal Drops Yard is right there with all these interesting shops and restaurants, plus you’ve got the whole Granary Square area by the canal where people actually hang out and have picnics when the weather’s decent. I loved being able to walk to Camden Market in about fifteen minutes, or catch a quick tube to central London without the usual faff.

What really got me though was how they’ve managed the noise situation – because let’s be real, sleeping above a major transport hub could be a nightmare. The rooms are incredibly well soundproofed; I was genuinely surprised how peaceful it felt, especially at night. The design feels thoughtfully British without being stuffy about it, lots of rich textures and that sort of refined industrial vibe that works so well in converted railway buildings. The staff actually know the area too, which sounds obvious but you’d be amazed how often hotel people have no clue about their own neighborhood. They pointed me toward this little coffee spot on Caledonian Road that I never would’ve found otherwise, and gave proper directions to avoid the tourist crowds around the British Library. Service felt genuinely helpful rather than just polite – check-in was smooth even during what must be their busy period with all the Eurostar traffic. Sure, you’re paying five-star prices and the 8.2 rating suggests it’s not absolutely perfect, but I’d honestly stay here again. There’s something quite special about falling asleep in a beautifully restored piece of London’s railway history, then waking up with the whole city (and continent, really) at your doorstep.

Rooms

• Couchette, Guest room, 1 Double with 1 double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Queen Room – Edwardian/High Floor with 1 large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Large Queen Room – Heritage with 1 large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Large King Room – Victorian with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Victorian, Larger Guest room, 1 King with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child

Facilities