Eat & Travel

A Summer Solo Parent Break in London – Kaya Great Northern Hotel Review

Bonjour lecteurs!  Mini break solo with only one of your children? Is it the new thing?  The ‘two adults and all the kids’ package doesn’t always work for families. I’ve been sharing family-friendly reviews and solo adventures on my channels for a decade,  but I’d never booked a room on my own with Stanley. I had my first-ever solo parent break in London with him this summer, and it was such a treat! Save this Kaya Great Northern Hotel Review if you are looking for a stylish London break with or without the children!

Kaya Great Northern Hotel

Situated just 25 metres from Eurostar at St Pancras International and right within King’s Cross Station, the Kaya Great Northern Hotel is la place parfaite to explore London with style.

White little boy with a white cap and a yellow mustard tee standing by the taxi bay opposite the Kaya Great Northern Hotel in Central London.

With over 88 rooms available, you can choose what works best for you. Go for a cosy room if you travel solo with your child. Or opt for a heritage room with a king-sized bed for a romantic getaway.

White little boy in a room at the Kaya Great Northern Hotel in Central London. He's lying on the bed, watching TV while we can see people outside the window.

Either way, you will be wowed by the hotel’s rich architectural heritage.

White little boy seating at the Little Bar of The Rails Restaurant in Central London. He's holding a phone right by the menu.

Designed by Lewis Cubitt (who also designed the adjacent King’s Cross Station), the Kaya Great Northern Hotel features an impressive crescent-shaped façade within the famous train station.

View of the Kaya Great Northern Hotel in Central London through the bay in King's Cross Station

L’Atmosphère

L’hôtel est un mélange sophistiqué where modern touches naturally blend with the original features. As soon as you enter the Grade II listed building, you can sense a nod to its history.

White little boy with a grey tee-shirt and black shorts sitting in a leather armchair in the corridor of the Great Northern Hotel in Central London

The property feels like stepping back into a more glamorous era of travel with its tamisee shades and elegant décor.

Interiors of the Rails Restaurant in Central London with high ceiling lights right above a set of table in a Parisian setting

Add to this the high ceilings, the sweeping staircases, and the large sash windows… It’s visually quite something with its distinct Art Deco style and the luxurious furniture. La place parfaite to shoot the next adaptation of the Great Gatsby!

Collection of wines and champagnes in a window chest of drawers at the Rails Restaurant in Central London.

The Italian furniture, the dark wood panelling, and the rich textures make the perfect sanctuary to relax with style in the heart of Central London.

White little boy with a dark grey tee standing sitting by a painting in the Rails Restaurant at Kaya Great Northern Hotel in Central London.

Room With a View

Our room served as a chic pied-à-terre for exploring the town. We loved the light décor, the huge mirror above the bed and the sofa.

Room at the Kaya Great Northern Hotel in Central London, made of a king-sized bed and a chair with table space. You can see St Pancras International in the background

What a beautiful spot by the window to observe the world go by.

White little boy in a green tee in a room at the Kaya Great Northern Hotel in Central London. He's looking through the window, where people are catching a train at King's Cross Station.

As you walk into the en-suite, you can still leave the doors open and watch some TV while chilling in the bath.

King-sized room at the Kaya Great Northern Hotel in Central London with view of the bathtub in the en-suite

It felt cosy, but so luxurious. We had a lie-in and read in our robes before heading for breakfast to start the day right.

White little boy in a robe sitting on in a hotel room at the Kaya Great Northern in Central London

Both train stations nearby were buzzing, but we were just in our little bubble, just the two of us.

Photo of an English breakfast with Eggs Royal and a coffee, plus extra salmon slices on the side

RAILS Restaurant & Little Bar

Even if you don’t stay overnight,  you still need to stop by and try some food at the RAILS Restaurant.

Interiors of the Rails Restaurant in Central London with high ceiling lights right above a set of table in a Parisian setting

You might have seen its beautiful afternoon tea on Instagram.

White little boy in a green adidas tee shirt eating chicken and fries at the Rails Restaurant opposite St Pancras station

But the set menu will make you salivate. Think modern British cuisine in a cosy retreat with Parisian vibes.

Lamb croquette cooked in a orange sauce and some parsley as a dressing in a white plate

First, we shared some lamb croquettes before I tried the Spinach & Burrata Ravioli and he enjoyed some chicken and chips.

The restaurant is stunning, featuring modern lighting and vibrant paintings that bring a gorgeous splash of colour to the original space.

Interiors of the Rails Restaurant in Central London with high ceiling lights right above a set of table in a Parisian setting

Not peckish? You can also order a glass of wine and enjoy it in one of the comfy chairs at the bar. What do you think? Is it the kind of spot that is made for dreaming?

Interiors of the Little Bar at Rails Restaurant in Central London with modern lightings and two large beige velvet sofas below modern art portraits

The cherry on top was probably that view of St Pancras International by night…

View of St Pancras International and the St Pancras Hotel by night from a window at the Rails restaurant

London Adventures With My Mini Me

We made the most of our London adventure. We stopped by the Science Museum in Kensington. I met an old friend of mine who came over from Spain with her family, and it was heaven!

White little boy with a green tee-shirt squeezing a huge teddy in the space section at the Science Museum in London

We also stopped by Covent Garden for a wander and the South Bank. If you stay at the hotel with your children, you obviously need to stop by the fameuse Platform 9¾. The kids would love it.

white little boy in a yellow mustard tee and black shorts posing in front of a pictural painting of Paddington on a giant wall by Waterloo Station in London

But you are only a short walk from the British Museum and only a short ride from Camden and its beautiful canal. There is so much to explore in the area!

Kaya Great Northern Hotel Review – Le Verdict

The Kaya Great Northern Hotel makes a stunning pied-à-terre to visit London. We fell in love with the building and the décor. It was absolutely sumptuous. The 1850s Victorian exterior mixed with the contemporary interiors is just spot on.

Interiors of the Little Bar at Rails Restaurant in Central London with modern lightings and velvet chairs in a corridor with wooden flooring

The hotel is elegant and feels refined. I think what made our experience even plus spéciale was the attention to detail. From the complimentary guest pantry where you can grab a drink and snacks before exploring the town, to the service, everything was on point.

Guest pantry at the Kaya Great Northern Hotel, where you can help yourself with drinks and snacks

We had a beautiful time just the two of us. The Kaya Great Northern Hotel is truly a gem in Central London. I can’t wait to come back, maybe for a romantic weekend with Grumpy Boyfriend? I highly recommend you stop by this stylish hotel next time you are in town.

 

The Kaya Great Northern Hotel, London, Pancras Rd, London N1C 4TB.

Prices at the Kaya Great Northern Hotel for 2 adults start from £180.

I received a complimentary stay, with no obligation to share. As always, all opinions are my own.

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