For over 152 years, our wonderful 5 star London hotel has helped create joyful and memorable experiences for our guests. Every stay is crafted to evoke moments of magic in a refined and splendid environment that reflects our remarkable history.
In 1865, a dream took form – a vision of a 5 star hotel in London that would stand as a beacon of Gothic splendour beside St. Pancras station. On May 5th, 1873, Sir George Gilbert Scott’s masterpiece opened its doors, and the Midland Grand Hotel was born.
The hotel’s story starts in 1865 when Midland Railway ran a competition for th design of a 150 bed hotel. Construction of the Midland Grand Hotel, as it was originally known, took place between 1868 and 1876. The hotel opened to the first guests in May 1873.
Nine stonemasons were employed to carve the legion of capitals, head stops and gargoyles that decorated the building inside and out. In the Dining and Coffee Room (now The Gilbert Scott Restaurant), pillars of polished limestone lined the walls, their golden capitals carved with conkers, pea pods and bursting pomegranates. The Ladies’ Smoking Room – the first public room in Europe in which women were permitted to smoke – boasted a breath-taking painted ceiling as well as granite pillars, carved stonework and a magnificent terrace overlooking the hustle and bustle of New Road.
The costs of heating the hotel and maintaining it with an army of servants led to year-on-year losses, and in 1935 the London, Midland and Scottish Railway accepted the inevitable; the hotel closed. Against all the odds, the building remained standing despite determined attempts by the Luftwaffe and London’s modernising planners to knock it down. During raids in World War II, the hotel was bombed three times within a month, but its sturdy construction saw it through almost unscathed. After the war, St Pancras Chambers (as it was now known) was used as offices by British Rail and its hospitality business, British Transport Hotels.
In the 1960s, city planners sought to sweep away what it saw as dated, inefficient swathes of London’s architectural heritage and erect streamlined, system-built blocks, and the ageing Gothic pile on the busy Euston Road was in their sights. It was seen by some as the epitome of Victorian bombast and indulgence: over-decorated, impossible to maintain and an obstacle to the capital’s future development. Plus, it was attached to a rail terminus that had also had its day: St Pancras Station was wedged between the now much busier King’s Cross and Euston stations.
But one prominent, much-loved voice was raised in protest. Sir John Betjeman called the plan to demolish St Pancras “a criminal folly”. He adored the building’s extravagance. As a founding member of the Victorian Society with architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner, Betjeman was able to mobilise a popular campaign against the demolition plans.
The hotel building was eventually abandoned by BR in 1985, and it stood empty and neglected for almost 20 years. In 2002, a consortium led by property developer Manhattan Loft Corporation (MLC) won the project to breathe life back into the building with a proposal comprising a high-quality hotel with luxury loft-style apartments on the upper floors. The station was re-opened as St Pancras International, by Her Majesty the Queen in November 2007. The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel formally opened on 5th May 2011, exactly 138 years after the Midland Grand Hotel originally opened. It is the final piece of the St Pancras regeneration project, which includes a £800 million restoration of the Station.
The gothic building reopened its doors in 2011 after a twelve-year renovation, as it allowed people from all over the world to once again visit and stay at the luxurious hotel and explore the historic rooms. The iconic façade linking London to Paris, Brussels and beyond, gracefully rebranded as St. Pancras London, Autograph Collection, on 3 June 2025. With the ambition to celebrate the timeline of this building in a newly reimagined future, and new experiences available to guests. St. Pancras London launched a QR code guided hotel tour, allowing guests to embark on a self guided journey through the historic building, putting the history and magic of the hotel into the hands of a new generation.
ICONIC LONDON LOCATION
Time cast shadows, and in 1935, the hotel fell silent. Yet, the spirit endured. In 1967, voices rose in its defense, and the building was granted Grade 1 listed status, preserving its soul for generations to come. Today, it stands renewed, a harmonious blend of history and modern elegance.
Located in the heart of London’s King’s Cross, St. Pancras London is in the hub of a thriving fashion, art, design and gastronomic destination. To explore further afield, rail connections on our doorstep can take you to Cambridge, Rye, Paris, Brussels and beyond in just a short hop.
Our People
Behind every smile and gesture, our dedicated team weaves the tapestry of your stay. With warmth and grace, they ensure each moment is as seamless as it is memorable, turning your time with us into a cherished tale.
The St. Pancras London hotel originally opened as the Midland Grand Hotel on 5 May 1873 and was completed in 1876. Designed to be one of the most luxurious hotels in the world, it featured innovations such as revolving doors, hydraulic lifts, and fireplaces in every room. However, due to high maintenance costs, it closed in 1935 and was repurposed as railway offices and storage space for the adjacent station. The building was nearly demolished in the 1960s but was saved thanks to the poet Sir John Betjeman. After a significant restoration, the hotel reopened in 2011 and in June 2025, it was officially rebranded as the St. Pancras London, Autograph Collection.
The hotel was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, a renowned Victorian architect celebrated for his Gothic Revival style. His vision brought to life one of London’s most iconic façades, constructed from red brick, detailed stonework, and grand architectural proportions. The adjoining train shed was engineered by William Henry Barlow. Interestingly, Sir George’s son, Giles Gilbert Scott, would later design another beloved British icon—the red telephone box.
Yes, the hotel is one of the best-connected locations in the city. It sits directly above St. Pancras International Station and is adjacent to both King’s Cross and Euston. Guests can access six major Underground lines—Victoria, Piccadilly, Northern, Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan—as well as national and international train services, making it ideal for both leisure and business travellers.
Yes, the hotel St. Pancras London offers limited on-site parking for guests, subject to availability. Guests are advised to contact the concierge team at concierge.stpancras@autographhotels.com in advance if arriving by car. Please note that while parking is available, the hotel does not currently offer valet parking services.
The hotel’s central location places guests within walking distance of the British Library and a short Tube ride away from Camden Market, Regent’s Park, and the British Museum. Landmarks such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Harrods, Leicester Square, and Piccadilly Circus are easily accessible by public transport. The hotel is also within reach of West End theatres and makes for a perfect starting point for exploring London’s cultural highlights.
Yes, the hotel’s St. Pancras Spa is open to both residents and non-residents. It features a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room, six treatment rooms (including a couples’ suite), a relaxation lounge, and a range of luxury treatments. Booking in advance is recommended; for more information visit https://www.stpancras-spa.com.
