Beautifully connected and effortlessly stylish is the perfect description of The Great Northern Hotel – the capital’s oldest railway hotel standing proudly in a Grade II listed landmark building in the heart of King’s Cross.
With over 88 en-suite bedrooms, a bar and terrace area ideal for pre-dinner cocktails, the newly relaunched Rails Restaurant formerly Plum + Spilt Milk and a variety of private dining options, The GNH ticks every box for event planners and PAs/EAs looking for an all-in-one venue.
Carefully designed to celebrate the architecture and heritage of the building whilst meeting the needs of the modern traveller, the 88 bedrooms fall within four different room categories.
- The ‘Couchette’ rooms pay homage to the classic continental railway sleeper.
- The ‘Edwardian’ bedrooms, found on the top floor tucked into the eaves, feature rich walnut panelling and shades of plum as a nod to the most luxurious railway carriages of old.
- The ‘Heritage’ rooms feature bespoke leather and walnut furniture and views across King’s Cross station through the bedroom’s tall sash widows.
- And finally, The ‘Victorian’, the largest room category, are spaciously bright, boasting high ceilings and custom-made furniture, designed and handcrafted by Italian and British artisans, and a large bathroom featuring a stylish standalone bath or double dual shower.
We checked in for the night to a corner room in the Victorian category and it did not disappoint. A king-size bed, a bath big enough for two and views over King’s Cross station and the piazza made it a superb location for a 1 night stay.
In addition to the in room facilities including a Nespresso coffee machine and sustainable Cru coffee capsules, in-room dining and a HD TV with Google Chromecast streaming facilities, deeply comfortable Hypnos beds, plus robes and slippers with bathrooms stocked with luxury toiletries you will also find located at the end of each corridor a fully stocked pantry, where guests can enjoy quintessentially British treats along with tea and coffee facilities. Fitness enthusiasts can also breathe a sigh of relief receiving complimentary access to the local gym, with classes and facilities including a pool, sauna and steam room.
Supper that evening was in the former Plum + Spilt Milk restaurant newly opened as Rails Restaurant, an all-day dining destination with elevated yet accessible dishes made using only the finest seasonal ingredients.
Signature highlights include a salad of roasted red, yellow and candied beetroot topped with a tahini yoghurt dressing, finished with pomegranate seeds and lamb lettuce; baked St Marcellin – a French goat’s cheese – drizzled with truffle honey and served with crisp sourdough toast and a selection of prime cut meats from the grill.
Our personal recommendations? The artichoke soup (if it’s still on the menu when you visit!!) and the impressive chateaubriand for two – perfect for sharing. Picky wine connoisseur’s – TRUST the team to make the best choice for any accompanying bottle at dinner, you will not be disappointed.
So what about the meeting spaces?
The Meeting Room situated almost next to Rails Restaurant is a newly dedicated intimate meeting and event space, embracing classic, comfortable and characterful furnishings and interiors. Flooded with natural light, the room overlooks the iconic station’s canopy, providing a dramatic backdrop to your meeting or private dinner. The Meeting Room can also be booked with exclusive use of the lounge section located right outside the meeting room – an ideal spot for a drink’s reception.
Interested in a venue tour or looking to book The Great Northern Hotel for your next away day, venue for an overnight stay or hire of the private meeting space? Click here to visit their website.