Great Northern Hotel
Victorian railway heritage meets contemporary boutique cool. Wide curved corridors, wrought-iron staircases, floor-to-ceiling sash windows and soaring ceilings — but with acoustically lined walls so quiet you'd never know you're at one of Europe's busiest rail junctions. Calm and understated inside, dramatically connected outside.
Book direct for turndown service — it's only included with direct bookings
Why It Matters
The original 1854 London railway hotel, Grade II listed, designed by Lewis Cubitt who also built King's Cross station. Now the flagship European property of Turkish hospitality group Kaya, and one of the best-positioned hotels in Europe — 25 metres from the Eurostar, six Underground lines directly below, trains to Edinburgh, Cambridge and Paris all within walking distance of the door.
London's oldest railway hotel, built in 1854 by Lewis Cubitt (the same architect behind King's Cross station), this Grade II-listed Italianate brick building sits literally between King's Cross and St Pancras International. Acquired by Turkish group Kaya Tourism in 2024 and rebranded in September 2025, it got a £14 million restoration in 2013 that kept the sweeping curved facade and lofty interiors intact while fitting out 88 individually designed rooms with bespoke Italian and British-crafted furniture. And the location is genuinely unmatched — the Eurostar terminus at St Pancras is 25 metres from the front door.
Where You'll Stay
4 room types available
Couchette Room
The entry-level room and the smallest in the house, the Couchette pays direct homage to the classic Continental railway sleeper berth. Small it may be, but there's no compromise on quality — a Hypnos double bed sits snug next to a bespoke leather banquette, and high ceilings prevent any sense of claustrophobia. The bathroom has a walk-in shower (no tub). Good for solo travellers or couples on a tighter budget who want the heritage experience without paying for space they won't use.
Double (140cm x 200cm Hypnos)Edwardian Room
Tucked into the eaves on the top floor, the Edwardian rooms are a nod to the most lavish railway carriages of the era. Rich walnut panelling, shades of deep plum and ingenious storage make these cosy rooms feel like a private compartment in the finest train ever built. Bright, vintage-style bathroom with walk-in shower. A calm sanctuary when you want to shut out the city.
European King (160cm x 200cm Hypnos)Heritage Room
Bespoke walnut and leather furniture, a European queen-size Hypnos bed and vintage-style bathrooms complement the building's high ceilings and tall sash windows. These rooms are filled with light and celebrate the building's architecture directly. Extra storage space and baby cot availability make them a practical choice for families, too.
European King (160cm x 200cm Hypnos)Victorian Room
The largest and most impressive rooms in the hotel. High ceilings, handcrafted furniture, and an inviting king-size Hypnos bed (200cm x 200cm — the biggest in the house). Some Victorian rooms have fabulous roll-top bathtubs in addition to a walk-in shower, which is what you want to request when booking. Extra storage and baby cot availability round out the practicalities. If you're going to do it, do it here.
King (200cm x 200cm Hypnos)The Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Use a hotel room from 9am to 5pm without an overnight stay. Starting from £165. Useful for travellers with long layovers at King's Cross or St Pancras.
Live jazz, soul and good vibes every Wednesday from 6-8pm in the GNH Bar, featuring Jodie Shankland. Free for bar patrons.
Live DJ sets every Saturday from 3-8pm at GNH Bar, covering funk, jazz and dance genres. Free for bar patrons.
Dedicated package for runners and supporters during the London Marathon, with thoughtful touches designed around the race. Bookable direct from the hotel website.
Fully licensed by Camden Council for civil wedding ceremonies. Four event spaces on the first floor: The Carriage, Lounge 1 & 2, The Mezzanine and exclusive hire of RAILS Restaurant (up to 90 banquet guests). AV equipment available.
Afternoon tea served at RAILS Restaurant & Little Bar on Fridays to Sundays (1-5pm), inspired by the iconic railways of the UK. Includes seasonal pastries, sandwiches and loose-leaf teas.
A Harry Potter-themed hotel package — the Platform 9¾ shop at King's Cross station is a 1-minute walk from the hotel. Package details vary seasonally; check the experiences page for current inclusions.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Business centre available for guests. Additionally, four private meeting and event spaces on the first floor: The Carriage (16 seated boardroom, 30 standing), The Mezzanine (8 seated, 15 standing), Lounge 1 & 2, and RAILS Restaurant (up to 90 banquet guests).
Available throughout the hotel including all guest rooms.
Each floor has a communal pantry stocked with Nespresso coffee, teas, homemade cakes and newspapers — available to guests at no charge, any time.
In-room dining available from the RAILS Restaurant menu.
Outdoor terrace seating associated with GNH Bar, opening onto King's Cross Western Concourse.
Pets accepted; additional charges may apply.
On-site laundry and dry cleaning service available.
Round-the-clock reception with concierge services.
Dedicated concierge for bookings, tours, and city guidance.
Available on request. Standard check-in 15:00, check-out 11:00.
Paid airport shuttle service available to London City Airport (approx. 27 minutes).
Free bikes available for guests to borrow and explore the city.
Electric vehicle charging available on-site.
Fitness facility noted by multiple sources; aerobics classes referenced. Details and pricing not confirmed from official sources.
BUILD YOUR KAYA GREAT NORTHERN HOTEL PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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