The Standard, London has always been the cooler, younger sibling of the London luxury hotel world. A place that feels aspirational in a cultural sense, rather than in price. Of course, most of the time a room will set you back just as much as The Savoy or The Dorchester, but it feels like an entirely different experience to the old guard in the capital, somewhere that feels built with one eye on the future rather than as an ode to the past.

The design is flawless, as brutalist architecture meets crayon-bright pops of colour, while the outdoor lifts feel positively space-age (is there a more Instagrammed elevator in the UK?). Meanwhile, the restaurant and bar options each have their own individual personalities and vibe, from cocktail haunt Sweeties, which feels playful and seductive, through to The Rooftop, which holds court over some of London’s best views. On the food side, Decimo delivers high-end Mexican cuisine on the hotel’s 10th floor, and Isla commands the ground floor and terrace with a focus on seasonal fare and low-intervention wines.

With all of the above in mind, it’s actually quite remarkable how The Standard offers so much in a relatively compact space, whether you’re a solo traveller looking for a base for the weekend, a couple looking for a sexy getaway, or a group of mates just looking for a nightcap and don’t want to go to O’Neills on Euston Road.

It makes sense, then, that they are embracing their position at the heart of London culture with the ‘Weekend Standard’ deal. Instead of just offering a room, the deal allows the hotel team to flex their cultural muscles, curating a weekend package that truly gets you under the skin of the King’s Cross area. It’s almost best to think of it like your cool mate has told you the best places to go when visiting London, but then also sorted you some bonuses like room upgrades, discounts and breakfast as a treat.

Room upgrades vary based on occupancy rates, but in our case we were put in the Premium King. Taking up 37 sq m of prime Zone 1 real estate, you’re instantly met with the best natural light of any hotel in the city, thanks to the massive bay window with views across to the station (and the rather imposing ‘other’ 5-star hotel in the area). The room is incredibly well equipped and ergonomically designed; the super king bed doesn’t feel overwhelming, particularly due to the desk that is well-placed behind it (also hiding the mini bar and further storage).

The open-plan layout keeps a solid flow between the bedroom and the bathroom (complete with a walk-in shower and a gloriously deep tub) yet isn’t so open that any romance is gone when you or your partner needs to use the toilet (what is it with glass doors in hotel bathrooms!?). The star of the show for these rooms, however, is the sofa that occupies the entire length of the bay window – the perfect place to people-watch from above and enjoy a complimentary bottled Sweeties Negroni. The latter providing the perfect warm-up before we head down for dinner at Isla.

Positioning itself as a neighbourhood wine bar, Isla know how to do the right things well. The drinks list is hefty but varied, focusing on low-intervention wines alongside more interesting selections such as sparkling wines and ciders made from different production and fermentation methods. The staff are knowledgeable without being condescending, offering guidance on pairings based on the small plates we chose and passionate storytelling about each selection, including a non-alcoholic rosé from Moderato that has become a staple in our house since this visit. The food at Isla takes a similarly detailed approach; a small but mighty selection of Mediterranean-inspired dishes with some British flair, made for sharing.

We kick things off with freshly made bread with Cobble Lane Smoked Speck and Fennel Salami, a showcase of British meat butchered and cured just down the road in Islington. Jersey Oysters with Yorkshire Rhubarb bring a glorious mix of salty and tart flavours, and the Stracciatella Anchovy Toast brings an oily, creamy sense of indulgence into play.

The main courses thrive in their simplicity, allowing the main components of each dish to shine through rather than overcomplicating things. We opt for a Red Mullet paired with Vadouvan Mayonnaise that almost feels like a boujie fish and chips with curry sauce, while the Corn-Fed Half Chicken with Three-Cornered Leeks is the ultimate comfort food – juicy meat, crispy skin, beautifully prepared and leaves you wondering why you can never get chicken to taste like this at home.

Chips are rarely worth dedicating paragraphs to; however, we would feel remiss to not add them here, as the restaurant has seemingly managed to perfect the shoestring fry. Served diner-style in a portion that honestly resembles a mountain, they’re salty and crunchy; you want to grab them by the handful and see any sense of decorum leave the room.

Isla offers a laid-back elegance that sets it apart from anything else in the area; it’s an escape from the hustle and bustle of Euston Road yet feels so at home in The Standard. It’s a rare find for somewhere that sits as a prime date night spot but is also relaxed enough for those impromptu nights with friends over some wines and cocktails, and there lies the beauty.

As much as some areas of The Standard are designed as an escape, the ‘Weekend Standard’ offers some fantastic guidance on what to eat, do and see as a local. Curated in partnership with Mr & Mrs Smith, the list provided is thorough, varied, and best of all off the beaten track.

As much as we love a doom-scroll, TikTok has ruined travel in so many ways, due in no small part to everyone wanting to go to the same places once there is a modicum of any hype. Thankfully, The Standard’s Neighbourhood Guide eschews anything that will require you to queue for hours for an underwhelming wrap or photo op and instead focuses on what makes Kings Cross one of London’s most underrated cultural hotspots. Highlights include the UK’s only LGBTQ+ museum, infrared saunas, face gyms, and a whole host of culinary adventures and spots for the perfect cocktail.

The Weekend Standard feels like the most innovative way to ‘do’ London yet also indulge in some luxury. Too much time can be spent going to underwhelming places or paying through the nose for a hotel room that won’t deliver. This takes away the pain, both mentally and on the bank balance (for a 5-star stay at least), and most of all will give you ultimate cultural bragging rights. Win win in our eyes.

For more information on The Standard, London, see here