The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel is really a cool building! In 2011, 200 million was put into a renovation of this spectacular hotel. The history and details were beyond impressive! The location is so great for someone wanting to combine London with another city (most popular is London/Paris) because the hotel is connected to St Pancras International Station (location of the Eurostar). If you plan on arriving or departing by Eurostar, I HIGHLY recommend staying in a Chambers Suite. This area of the hotel comes with the perk of a butler escort to or from the train making the transfer super easy!
If you are a Harry Potter fan, this hotel is for you! St Pancras International Station is located right next to King’s Cross Station, and its huge façade was used for exterior shots. It is the location from which Harry and Ron take to the sky’s in the Weasley’s enchanted Ford Anglia in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Also, just across the street at Kings Cross Station where you will find Platform 9¾. You will also come across a trolley belonging to a former Hogwarts’ student disappearing into the wall. It’s a perfect photo opportunity...expect to wait in a line. Also, right there is the location of a Harry Potter store with some items that you can only purchase at this location! This is also a great location, if you plan on visiting the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio. The double decker Harry Potter Bus has a stop at Kings Cross Station. For the HP fan, I recommend combining your stay at this hotel with the Harry Potter tour throughout London with the company Small Car Big City.
The area of this hotel is totally “up and coming”. It is the location of Google, which I feel really brought revival to this area.
Compared to NYC, it reminded me of TriBeca or the Meatpacking District. The vibe of the stores, restaurants, and even a walking area that looks so much like the High Line.
Restaurant Recommendations in Walking Distance:
Granary Square Brasserie: A “hot spot” in Kings Cross. Bustling and Lively atmosphere. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights DJ 7pm-Closing. Sunday 5-8pm Live Music from Emerging Artists.
Sister restaurants Ivy Collection throughout the UK and Ireland
German Gymnasium: Historic former gym. Grand Cafe on the first floor. 2 Bars and an Outdoor Terrace.
Part of D&D London, a group of restaurants and bars predominantly in London, but also with locations in Leeds, Manchester, Paris and New York. Also a hotel: South Place Hotel in London.
Dishoom: Dishoom pays homage to the Irani cafés and the food of all Bombay. Concept: Last century Zoroastrian immigrants from Iran broke down barriers in Bombay to bring people of any culture, class and religion to break bread together.
Locations: Carnaby & Kings Cross (walking distance to St Pancras), Kensington, Shoreditch, Covent Garden, Manchester and Edinburgh.
I recommend buying an Oyster card upon your arrival in London to take advantage of the Tube to navigate the city from this area. Less expensive than cabs and quicker!
A few more fun facts about this hotel...The Spice Girls shot their “Wannabe” video at this hotel. Google the video and see them walking into the hotel and dancing on the famous staircase. Taylor Swift and Zayn Malik shot the “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” video at this hotel. You see Zayn walking into the hotel, Taylor walking the beautiful hallway of the Chambers Suites, and both of them each in a hotel suite.
Check out the Highlights on my Instagram page @jetsetgetaways for the coverage of photos and videos I worked on throughout my stay. It really helps give you visuals about staying at this hotel and in this area.
There is so much to do and see in London but it is even a great destination even if you only have 3-4 nights. I spent 1 night on the flight and 3 nights in London. I traveled on a late flight the evening of Thursday and landed back home mid afternoon on Monday. It’s truly so easy and doesn’t need to be complicated.
Getting There - Flying to London:
Daily flights into Heathrow Airport (LHR) from most major US cities.
I flew Nonstop on United Airlines, EWR - LHR/ LHR-EWR (Approx 7 hours)
I flew on the 9:00pm getting me into London 9:10am+1. I prefer the overnight flight. When traveling to London,I try to sleep on the flight and wake up in London to take advantage of the full day in the city.
There is also an option on United to fly during the day. 8:30am departing EWR and arriving LHR at 8:35pm. This can also be a nice option if you want to arrive, have a late dinner, go to sleep and wake up hopefully well rested to begin your time in the city.
Weather:
I’ve traveled to London 3 different times of the year: February, July and November. Each time the weather was wonderful and sunny! I never experienced the stereo-typical London weather.
February was “spring like”. 50-60 degrees. Sun shining. Flowers sprouting.
July was mild 70’s. Very comfortable to walk around the city.
November was mid 40’s. Brisk but refreshing and comfortable.
My Itinerary:
November 14-Travel Day
EWR - LHR
9:00pm
November 15:
Arrived LHR 9:10pm
Private Transfer to St Pancras Hotel
Lunch at the St Pancras Champagne Bar
Leisure Time
6:00pm Welcome Cocktails with GM
7:30pm Dinner at the Booking Office
November 16:
12:00pm Walking tour of the local area (St Pancras and Kings Cross) with Michal Beneda, Assistant Head Concierge
Brunch at Granary Square
Shopping
Dinner at Gilbert Scott
November 17:
9:15am Breakfast at Booking Office
10:30am Hotel Historical Tour
Leisure Time in Chambers Club
2:30pm Site Inspection followed by Afternoon Tea at Hanson
4:30pm Depart for Camden Town
5:00pm Camden Town Walking Tour
6:00pm Canal Tour from Camden to Little Venice
7pm Transfer to hotel
Evening at Leisure (dined again at Booking Office)
November 18: Travel Day
6:30am Private Airport Transfer
10:10am - 1:06pm LHR-EWR
1:00pm arrived EWR
My Review of St Pancras Renaissance Hotel:
Represented by Destinations Of Distinctions
Member of Marriott Bonvoy.
Pet Friendly
I LOVE the Smoke Free Policy
Located 1 hour from LHR.
Joined to St Pancras International Train Station including fabulous restaurants and shops.
I LOVED lunch at the champagne bar which is located parallel to the Eurostar. Known as the longest champagne bar in London.
Walking Distance to King's Cross Station, Royal Opera House, British Library, Regents Canal, Granary Square, Canopy Market, and Coal Drops Yard.
Complimentary Hotel Historical Tour (Guided complimentary tour. Available Saturdays & Sundays: 10:30, 12:00, 14:00 & 15:30 )
EXCELLENT 5 Star Service throughout the hotel
Spa area included six treatment rooms (one couples suite), sauna, steam room, relaxation room, indoor pool and separate male/female locker rooms. I noticed the blow dryers in the ladies locker room were high quality Dyson.
Fitness Center had high quality Techno Gym equipment but no spectacular window views.
Excellent Event Spaces
There are 2 Wings of the Hotel: Barlow and Chambers Club.
Barlow:
Barlow Double Room
Ranges from the Entry Level Deluxe Queen Bedded Room - Superior King or Twin Bedded Rooms - Premier King Bedded Rooms
Modern and well lit rooms.
42 connecting room options available
Chambers Club:
Chambers Lounge
Historic part of the hotel.
Includes VIP Fast Track Eurostar Butler Service
High ceilings
Victorian beautiful detailed hallways and rooms.
All Suite room product with Chamber Club Access. The King Bedded Suite Product ranges from (21) Junior Suite - (11) Grand Junior Suite - (6) Speciality Suites including a 2 & 3 bedroom option.
Junior Suite: The Junior Suite I stayed in:
Junior Suite
Overall I LOVED the historic charm and location of my suite. Even walking the hallways with the massive high ceilings, beautiful moldings and details made me feel luxurious.
Overlooked the Eurostar Platform: Very cool and unique feature. Would be so fun for families to have this view.
The doors to the room are historic and absolutely beautiful.
Dining Within the Hotel:
Booking Office Bar and Restaurant: Originally the station’s ticket hall has a wonderful menu of local inspired dishes and cocktails.
Gilbert Scott Restaurant: Formal ambiance managed by acclaimed one-Michelin-starred British chef, Marcus Wareing.
Hansom Lounge: A nice place to lounge, enjoy Afternoon Tea or evening cocktails.
MI + ME: Located on the upper concourse of St Pancras International Station. Gourmet burgers, shakes, and salads. living in this area.
My ideal client for this hotel:
Families
Couples
History Buffs
Girls Getaways
Travelers who have been to London a few times and want to be in a less touristy area.
Parents of Students Studying Abroad as a lot of the housing is in this area (I recommend reconfirming the students address to be sure they are living in this area.)
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