The Standard London Review: Is It a Good Hotel

A 1974 brutalist office block turned lifestyle hotel, The Standard, London opened in July 2019 with 266 rooms and an immediate reputation as a celebrity magnet (Martyn White). Housed in the former Camden Town Hall Annex, it sits a two-minute walk from St Pancras station (The Standard Hotels). This review digs into what really makes the property tick—its architectural reuse, rooftop bar, A-list clientele, and whether the reality matches the hype for travellers considering a stay.

Last checked: 2026-09-21

Year Opened: 2019 · Number of Rooms: 266 · Category: Upscale · Ownership: Standard International (Hyatt partnership)

Is The Standard, London a good hotel?

What guests say about cleanliness and design

TripAdvisor and editorial reviews consistently praise the hotel’s modern, clean interiors and the preservation of original Brutalist features such as exposed concrete and geometric lines. The property is described as “stylish” and “vibrant” by multiple reviewers (Country & Town House). One guest noted that the retro-chic lobby, with its warm wood and neon accents, feels more like a social club than a hotel reception.

Typical guest ratings

Across platforms, the hotel averages around 4.2 out of 5 stars. Positives centre on location, design, and rooftop bar; negatives often mention room size and noise from the ground-floor bars. A Head for Points review notes that the restaurants and bars are “popular with both hotel guests and Londoners,” adding to the energetic but sometimes crowded atmosphere.

Atmosphere and vibe

The Standard, London deliberately leans into a playful, nightlife‑forward identity. The rooftop’s colourful furniture and AstroTurf (The Standard Hotels) contrast with the brutalist exterior, creating what PORT Magazine calls “an unexpected anchor for a changing neighbourhood.” The trade-off: guests seeking quiet seclusion may find the constant hum of social activity a drawback.

Why is the Standard hotel famous?

Celebrity guest history

The Standard, London has hosted a parade of A‑listers since opening. A Belfast Telegraph feature names Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, Emma Stone, Paloma Faith, and Lily Allen among guests. The brand’s own culture page highlights the rooftop as a venue for live DJ programming and social events that attract a fashionable crowd.

Rooftop bar and nightlife

The Rooftop, which opened in May 2021 atop the 11th floor (Evening Standard), is arguably the hotel’s most famous feature. It offers 360‑degree views of central London, cocktails, and seasonal programming. Unlike the year‑round ground‑floor bars—Double Standard and Isla—the rooftop operates on summer‑focused hours, a point the brand itself acknowledges as seasonal (The Standard Hotels).

Iconic architecture and transformation

The building’s original local nickname, “The Egg Box” (Evening Standard), hints at its distinctive Brutalist form. Rather than demolish, the development team restored the structure and added a red pill‑shaped external lift that carries guests to the top‑floor restaurant Decimo and Sweeties club. The preservation was a deliberate choice: “We have always been fans of brutalist architecture,” a brand representative told PORT Magazine.

“To create an unexpected anchor for a changing neighbourhood.” — The Standard Hotels brand representative, quoted in PORT Magazine

Is the Standard a luxury hotel?

Amenities and services

The property is classified as “upscale” by Hyatt. It offers a 24‑hour gym, multiple dining venues (Isla, Double Standard, Decimo, The Rooftop), and a nightclub (Sweeties). Complimentary WiFi and a concierge are standard. Missing from its amenities list are a spa, pool, or dedicated business centre—features often expected in top‑tier luxury hotels.

Room categories and pricing

Rooms range from 20‑square‑metre Cosy options to larger suites. Pricing typically falls in the premium range (mid‑£200s to £600+ per night), but it does not reach the ultra‑luxury tier of nearby five‑star stays. The brand’s own description positions it as “playful” and “social” rather than hushed luxury.

Comparison with other luxury hotels in London

Compared to classic luxury hotels like The Connaught or The Savoy, The Standard, London trades white‑glove service for a vibrant, design‑led experience. It competes more directly with other boutique‑lifestyle properties such as Hoxton or Ace Hotel. The Wallpaper profile describes it as “a culture‑led project with in‑house programming from art events to music gigs.”

What did the Standard hotel used to be?

Original 1970s office building

The site at 10 Argyle Street was completed in 1974 as a Brutalist civic office building for Camden Council. It served as the Camden Town Hall Annex until the early 2000s, when council staff moved out (PORT Magazine).

Camden Town Hall annex

The building’s concrete façade, horizontal banding, and geometric windows are classic Brutalist features. Locals nicknamed it “The Egg Box” for its repetitive window pattern (Evening Standard). After the council vacated, it sat unused for several years before being acquired for conversion.

Renovation into The Standard in 2019

The £250 million conversion preserved the original concrete frame and added the red external lift and a glass‑enclosed top floor for Decimo and Sweeties. The hotel opened in July 2019 (Martyn White) as The Standard’s first property outside the United States. The rooftop bar followed two years later, creating a phased rollout that gave the ground‑floor venues time to establish a local following.

Pros and Cons

Best for segments

Alternatives in the area

If you like the idea of a converted landmark hotel, Telegraph Hotel Coventry follows a similar adaptive‑reuse story (former newspaper HQ). For a trendy rooftop bar experience in a different setting, L7 Myeongdong offers a comparable social vibe. Closer to King’s Cross, other options include Pullman London St Pancras and the Great Northern Hotel, both within a five‑minute walk.

Sample itinerary: A 24‑hour stay at The Standard

1. Check‑in – 15:00. Drop bags and grab a coffee at Isla on the ground floor.
2. Evening drinks – Head to Double Standard for a pint or a signature cocktail in the pub‑style bar.
3. Dinner – Book Decimo on the 10th floor for Spanish‑Mexican sharing plates (chef Peter Sanchez‑Iglesias).
4. Rooftop sundowner – Take the red lift to the 11th‑floor rooftop for sunset views and a slice of pizza.
5. Late night – Sweeties, the hotel’s discotheque, opens at 22:00 for dancing until late.
6. Morning – Work out in the 24‑hour gym, then grab a pastry and coffee at Isla before checkout (12:00).

This itinerary assumes the rooftop is open (typically April–October). In winter, prioritise Decimo and Double Standard.

Timeline: From council offices to celebrity hotel

• 1974 – Camden Town Hall Annex completed as a Brutalist civic office building (PORT Magazine).
• 1999 – The Standard hotel brand founded by André Balazs (Wallpaper).
• 2014 – Council staff vacate the building; site acquired for hotel development.
• July 2019 – The Standard, London opens as the brand’s first property outside the US (Martyn White).
• May 2021 – The 11th‑floor rooftop bar launches with panoramic views and DJ programming (Evening Standard).
• 2025 – Seasonal rooftop reopening promoted with summer social events (The Standard Hotels).