11-15 Argyle Square, London, United Kingdom | (618) 248-8274
Budget-friendly, family-run hotel with decent rates for the area
Three-minute walk to St. Pancras station and the British Library
Lots of bars, restaurants, and shops within a five-minute walk
Rooms have flat-screen TVs and electric kettles
A home-cooked breakfast is included in the room rate
Free Wi-Fi throughout the property
The property has no elevator or air-conditioning
Rooms are small and outdated, and some lack en-suite bathrooms
Some of the bathrooms showed signs of mold
The basic, two-pearl European Hotel has 81 rooms and has been run by the same
family for over 30 years. It’s a budget and family-friendly property that's a three-minute walk from St. Pancras Station, which is ideal for anyone traveling by train, tube, or
Eurostar. There is free Wi-Fi, an electric kettle, and a flat-screen TV in every room, though some of the cheapest rooms share a bathroom and all rooms are simple and outdated. A good cooked breakfast
is included in the room rate. Tune Hotel Kings Cross offers similar no-frills lodging, but with far more style, though rooms will be more expensive.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Value hotel appealing to those on a budget
Within a row of 19th-century townhouses on a tree-lined street, the hotel
has an attractive exterior. Steps lead up to the door, which is flanked by
large potted plants, and the lobby is bright and welcoming. There are more plants,
a couple of leather chairs, and a stand of tourist information leaflets. The wooden reception desk is on the right, and a staircase straight ahead with a pine
banister and green-and-gold patterned carpet leads to the rooms. The hallways
have the feel of a youth hostel or student digs, with dated peach and green
patterned wallpaper, a pay phone, and a fire extinguisher. The breakfast room
is cheap and cheerful too, with basic cafe furniture and crockery. The hotel
appeals to those on a budget who are in the area short term and need to be near good transport links.
Location
Kings Cross area near excellent transport links, restaurants, and bars
The
hotel is on a side street just off busy Euston Road. It’s a quiet,
tree-lined road that's home to lots of other budget hotels. St. Pancras Station is just a five-minute walk from the hotel and is extremely convenient for those
arriving via the underground, overground train lines, or the Eurostar. The Kings Cross/St. Pancras area
is up and coming, and has benefited from investment in recent years.
There is a vast array of dining options within a five-minute walk of the
hotel, from fast food to the elegant Marcus
Wareing restaurant The Gilbert Scott or the trendy Plum and Spilt Milk. There are
plenty of places for drinks within a couple minute's walk as well, including traditional English pubs along the neighboring Euston Road, a great cocktail
menu at The Booking Office, and the popular Searcy's champagne bar within St. Pancras station. The famous British Library -- a Grade 1 historic building and the largest library in the world -- is an eight-minute
walk away as well. Heathrow Airport takes about 40 minutes to reach by using the tube and Heathrow Express, a trip that can take up to an hour by cab depending on traffic.
Rooms
Small and basic rooms, with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs
There are 81 small and no-frills guest rooms, which are available as Single,
Double, Twin, Triple, Quadruple, and Family. Triple rooms have a double and a
single bed, quadruple rooms have a double and two singles, and family rooms can
sleep five as they have one double and three single beds. While rooms are kept reasonably clean and are quiet, the curtains are very
thin, the bedding is dated (think late-90s bedspreads), and the oak veneer furniture
has a dormitory aesthetic. Some rooms have charming views of a leafy square across the road. There’s
no air-conditioning in the hotel, but the rooms do have free Wi-Fi, electric kettles for tea or coffee, and a small flat-screen TV. Hairdryers and irons are
available on request from reception. Most have a small and simple en-suite bathroom, although some do share one with other rooms, and we did spot a bit of mold in the stand-up showers. Soap is provided, but there are no other
toiletries.
Features
Free cooked breakfast and Wi-Fi throughout the property
A full
English breakfast is included in the room rate and the owners
try to accommodate guests with a quick meal when possible if they need to check out before
breakfast has officially begun. Coffee and fruit juice are provided,
and the breakfast portions are generous. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel,
although some guests find the connection a little spotty. There’s also a fax
machine in reception are that guests are welcome to use. It’s worth noting that
there’s no elevator in the building, just a narrow staircase, which can be a
challenge with luggage or for those with mobility issues.
