Great Northern Hotel, London
The Kaya Great Northern Hotel is a historic landmark located right in the heart of King’s Cross. Originally opened in 1854, it holds the distinction of being London’s first railway hotel. It was designed by the renowned Victorian architect Lewis Cubitt, who was also the mastermind behind the adjacent King’s Cross station.
The building is easily recognized by its striking, slender curve of robust brickwork, which was crafted to complement the bustling transport landscape. Following a massive £14 million restoration, the Grade II-listed property reopened in 2013, successfully blending its original 19th-century Victorian grandeur—such as soaring ceilings and sweeping wrought-iron staircases—with stylish, 21st-century boutique interiors designed by Archer Humphryes Architects.
One of the hotel’s most charming features is its clever homage to the golden age of steam travel. The guest rooms are divided into four styles, including “couchette” rooms that mimic the layout of classic railway sleepers. Each floor also features a communal guest pantry stocked with treats, creating a cozy, home-like atmosphere that contrasts with the hotel’s grand public spaces.
Positioned perfectly for travelers, the hotel sits right between the international gateways of King’s Cross and St. Pancras. You are just steps away from the iconic Platform 9 ¾ of Harry Potter fame and the trendy Coal Drops Yard, a revitalized industrial area packed with shops and restaurants. With its prime location, you are perfectly placed to explore both the immediate station hub and the rest of central London.
Expert reviews
“With an air of history and quick access to the Underground, this stylish hotel provides a great base for exploring London. The theme of rail travel is present in the hotel’s stylish décor: ‘Do not disturb’ signs bear antique illustrations of railway signals, and ‘Couchette’ rooms, with built-in beds, take their design cues from sleeper cars.”
“The slick regeneration of King’s Cross is encapsulated in the beautifully refurbished Great Northern Hotel. Juxtaposed between the clean lines of the station’s contemporary architecture and the grande dame grandeur of the Renaissance Hotel, the Grade II-listed building serves to fuse the two with understated elegance.”
What guests liked
- Boutique style
- Friendly staff
- Excellent Wifi
- Top location
- Comfortable beds
- Kings Cross
Location
Recent guest reviews
3 May 2026
Good spot for a Lobdon stay
Great location
Some repair works going on I’m room nearby during the day - so drilling noise a bit annoying. But quiet at night.
30 April 2026
Surprisingly quiet for such a busy location! We had a great stay. Loved the breakfast also.
Location, breakfast and room
Room was dark - but on top floor so to be expected.
30 April 2026
Very clean comfortable and a quiet room.
It was covenient .
The catering facilities were closed that night but plenty of other places to go to.
30 April 2026
Super hotel
Great location, staff welcoming & attentive. We had to stay an extra night last minute which wasn’t an issue & was greatly appreciated. Lovely spacious room & very quiet!
29 April 2026
Will be staying again.
Location as using Eurostar. Good food both at Dinner and Breakfast.
Bedrooms quite small but cosy.
27 April 2026
Excellent
A very well appointed room with an excellent breakfast.
27 April 2026
Wembley disappointment
The location was perfect for my arrival at King's Cross station with the hotel almost in the station itself,the room was on the top floor it was a double and was per fact for 1( i travelled alone)it was spotlessly clean and well appointed,breakfast was beautiful cooked to order the staff were exceptional and I would stay again and avoid central London.
No kettle in the room it was at the other end of the corridor with cakes and fruit which is ok if your near that end of the hotel I was at the far side which is not ideal,however there was a coffee machine in the room with pods but I prefer tea.
27 April 2026
Great experience
The staff were amazing. The breakfast was amazing.
The bed so high and hard to get in and out as one side blocked off
26 April 2026
Great start to international rail trip
We stayed for an early Eurostar train. Perfect location, comfortable quiet room and friendly staff.
Nothing
24 April 2026
Exceptional
Everything was excellent. Highly recommend. Robes slippers, breakfast larder next to the room with tea , coffee . little cakes, fruit and chocolates. milk/barista iat milk in the fridge. free of charge. Wide choice of breakfast. delicious. Staff as you would expect in such a lovely hotel.
Nothing excited didn't like
24 April 2026
Any closer to St Pancras and you’d be sleeping on a train - just fabulous!
Fabulous niche hotel literally across the road from St Pancras International Departures. You won’t get closer than this unless you sleep in the station!! Cozy room, king size bed, great ensuite. Room service options limited but available. Exceptionally friendly, positive staff who are eager to help. We couldn’t believe how insulated the room is sound wise. Fabulous!! Full temperature control is also a great added bonus. We’d absolutely stay here again.
The room is small but functional - they are definitely making the most of the space.
21 April 2026
Exceptional
Exceptionnel
A bit expensive
18 April 2026
a good located hotel to start your journey on eurostar.
location was ideal for st.pancras train station
it would have been nice if there was a kettle and tea making facilities.
14 April 2026
Great location, very nice bar area and nice staff
All of it
N/a
13 April 2026
Fabulous
Great location, staff were so helpful and polite. Room well equipped and very comfortable
13 April 2026
Very good
Had a great one-night stay at the hotel. Perfect location for catching the Eurostar in the morning. The room was very clean, the bed was comfortable, and it was impressively quiet despite the busy surroundings. Staff were friendly, and the room service was really convenient — the food was lovely too.
13 April 2026
A quiet oasis in a fabulous location. Beautiful room, large bathroom and well cooked breakfasts.
Beautifully appointed. Welcoming. Quiet.
10 April 2026
Perfect overnight stay before our Great Rail Journey!
Proximity to St Pancras. Stayed in Edwardian Room...stylish decor, luxurious bedding. Pantry at the end of the corridor had free tea and coffee, cookies and fruit. Felt secure and safe in busy dustrict of London. We loved our 1 night stay at the Kaya Great Northern Hotel, and would definitely stay again.
Nothing.
10 April 2026
Fabulous
Perfect location when using as a stopover between travel in/out of St Pancras. Rooms fairly small but nicely styled, as is the hotel throughout and great bar.
9 April 2026
Very good
Very nice place to stay. I especially loved the breakfast room, & all staff were very nice.
The shower- it wasn't strong enough
6 April 2026
Very good
Very convenient for onward travel
5 April 2026
Exceeded expectations
Clean, convenient, friendly
It has everything you need
5 April 2026
Fabulous
Perfect place for eurostar trains travelers, just cross the street. Nice staff
4 April 2026
Very enjoyable
Excellent location, very nice room
So comfortable , friendly staff
4 April 2026
I had a lovely overnight stay, very convenient for the station.
A lovely quiet room in the heart of London
3 April 2026
Great Hotel and amazing location
Excellent location. Staff were amazing, always available and helpful.
The small rooms are great for a single but crowded for a double
3 April 2026
Exceptional
Great boutique hotel, would definitely stay there again!
3 April 2026
Fabulous
Ideal location for Eurostar travellers. Love having windows that open
2 April 2026
Lovely hotel, fantastic location right next to King’s Cross station
I really like this hotel, very clean, nice decor and a fantastic location right next to King’s Cross
It’s all good. The bed was very slightly less comfortable than my own but that’s very minor
30 March 2026
Exceptional
Warm welcome from staff; comfortable room; delicious breakfast; superb location. We will stay here again.
Nothing.
29 March 2026
Very convenient and pleasant
Nice atmosphere, well decorated, very good restaurant and excellent location specially for those who travels by train.
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28 March 2026
Supportive of acessibility needs and perfect location for that too
Location was perfect for us!
The lack of pantry supplies
27 March 2026
Perfect stay for an early train
Beautiful hotel perfect for a night before an early train, clean and everything needed in cute well designed rooms. Room service and breakfast both excellent
Nothing
24 March 2026
Historic railway hotel, ready to catch an early morning Eurostar
Chosen for the location at Kings Cross, perfect for boarding an early Eurostar! We were given an upgrade at no extra charge on check-in: thankyou! The room was lovely, comfortable and with all the special 'extras' overlooking the grand St Pancras station. There was live jazz in the bar downstairs and the 'Rails' serves good food. Staff were all attentive, helpful and friendly over all aspects of our stay. Highly recommended as a London location.
Nothing - it was excellent.
24 March 2026
Fab hotel very close to KX and underground.
Our 2nd time staying here. 3 minute walk from KX station. We love sitting having a drink on the outside terrace. Close to Coals Drop Yard.
Not such a great window view this time.
23 March 2026
Perfect situation
Excellent service and kind staff
Nothing
23 March 2026
Exceptional
A great place for an overnight stop before getting the train. Nice comfortable room and the hotel were kind enough to let me check in early.
23 March 2026
Perfect for 1 nights would but would stay longer next time
Superb location, so easy to get everywhere on the tube or walking, lovely room, queen executive, loved the electric blackout curtains, we were on the station side, and it was so peaceful, the staff were really friendly, and I loved the tea and coffee party at the end of the corridor.
23 March 2026
A great weekend topped of with a great hotel
Everything was super
Nothing
22 March 2026
Exceptional
So close to main line stations.
Had an issue with payment it was taken twice but it was quickly returned to my account.
20 March 2026
Recommended if you have to catch an early Eurostar....a minutes walk to the station!
The whole ambience of the hotel, and the helpful staff. Would recommend if you intend to use St Pancras for Eurostar the next morning!
We had to wait quite a while for our breakfast, about 30 minutes, though we realise it was a busy time of the morning. Next time we stay we'll order our meal immediately on arrival in the restaurant, at the same time as our tea and coffee. 🙂
20 March 2026
Simply Superb
Breakfast was excellent although I'd expect toast included in price to be honest.
Nothing
19 March 2026
Exceptional
Great location for Eurostar
19 March 2026
Gorgeous hotel
The staff were friendly, the room was gorgeous and the location perfect.
Nothing
18 March 2026
Emergency stop over London
Location to the station, great breakfast
Reception is a bit cramped
18 March 2026
Perfect nights sleep
No noisy
Nothing
18 March 2026
Emergency stop over in London
Brilliant Breakfast, great location for the train
Check in took longer than anticipated but not too the point it annoyed me
18 March 2026
Perfect
Everything. This hotel has thought of everything. I want to especially mention the housekeeping staff who were so friendly and accommodating.
Nothing
17 March 2026
A great hotel.
This might be the best hotel I have ever stayed in. All was clean and fresh and light. The staff was very kind and helpful. The breakfast very good with lot’s of choices, good coffee and in a beautiful room.
I cannot think of anything
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Restaurant
- - Bar
- - Breakfast in the room
- - Snack bar
- - Special diet menus (on request)
- - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
- - Fruits (additional charge)
- - Coffee house on site
General
- - Room service
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Lift
- - Safety deposit box
- - Soundproof rooms
- - Heating
- - Allergy-free room
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Air conditioning
- - Designated smoking area
- - Airport shuttle (additional charge)
- - Pet bowls
Reception services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Express check-in/check-out
- - Luggage storage
- - Concierge service
- - Invoice provided
Business facilities
- - Business centre
- - Fax/photocopying (additional charge)
Cleaning services
- - Laundry (additional charge)
- - Dry cleaning (additional charge)
- - Ironing service (additional charge)
- - Daily housekeeping
Outdoors
- - Outdoor furniture
Miscellaneous
- - Key access
- - Key card access
- - Security alarm
- - Smoke alarms
- - CCTV in common areas
- - CCTV outside property
- - Fire extinguishers
- - Delivered food is securely covered
- - Access to health care professionals
Activities
- - Bicycle rental

More photos

4 May 2026
Super City Break location