The Pullman St Pancras London Hotel, England

While researching new hotels in London prior to my trip there recently, this was one which caught my eye. Besides a trendy new look, and an ideal location close to Kings Cross and Euston Stations, it's also in an area which has transformed significantly since I used to live in London. I had an opportunity to check it out for the day before flying back to Sydney, and as I quickly discovered, it has some stylish rooms, a vibrant bar scene, and great views if you're located on an upper floor.

The hotel is located in a 16-floor building which was formerly a Novotel, and rebranded and renovated to become a Pullman, opening its doors a couple of years ago. From the moment you walk into the cavernous open-plan lobby, you know you're in for a contemporary experience. It's ultramodern with lots of polished wood, soft lighting, nooks and crannies for relaxing including easy chairs and indulgent cabanas, interesting artwork, and design features such as the large screens showing elements of a glamorous lifestyle, and a row of huge chandeliers. The colour scheme is all earth tones, browns, muted greys and creams, with different areas for different purposes fusing seamlessly with each other in perfect harmony.

The Rooms

My deluxe room was on an upper level, and even though it was a miserable day weather wise, the view was nonetheless enchanting; it was London. The room was spacious at 25 square metres in size, fusing functionality with a contemporary and uncluttered style. Its decor had a somewhat masculine feel, with a colour scheme of metallic purple, silver and grey; there were also crisp white linens, striped carpets and curtains, and a leather padded headboard which extended beyond the bed to the window to an adjoining sofa.

Features of the room included a really comfortable king sized bed - which I got to relax on for an hour or two before heading to the airport. Also included was free high speed internet, on demand movies, local calls, and other perks included a Nespresso machine, a Bose docking station, daily mineral water, and a fluffy bathrobe and slippers in which to relax. The bathroom was compact but nicely styled, the shower enjoying a rainwater head shower head, nice amenities and a hand held hairdryer.

Other Facilities

In the lobby there's a Connectivity Lounge which is essentially an open-plan workspace for finishing a report, or just checking your email, and there's also a pretty glamorous bar with an unusual collection of rare whiskies; I could imagine that being a bit of a hip scene at night. There's also an airy restaurant in a space just off the lobby to the rear of the hotel and near the bar, where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner, with an international menu and wines by the glass courtesy of an Enomatic system. If breakfast is included in your stay, it's a bountiful buffet. And for those who have the time or inclination, there's a well-equipped gym on the fifth floor, which is open 24-hours, has nice skyline views, as well as a sauna.

The Verdict

The Pullman is a welcome addition to London's premium hotel lineup, and its ideal for both business and leisure travellers alike, thanks to a convenient location and impressive facilities. It made for a hugely welcome pit-stop to use for the day before flying home, especially in bad weather, and it was super convenient for Kings Cross station and the Heathrow Express. Next time I visit, I will hopefully get to stay the night for the full experience.

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