Renaissance London St. Pancras

"Having seen a documentary about this hotel's architecture, I decided to stay here for one night (October 21st). While the architecture is magnificent, the stay was disappointing. The entrance lobby is a cavernous barn of a room, which was noisy and not relaxed. The receptionist kindly allowed me to check in early, for which I was grateful. However, the room I was given (318) was particularly gloomy and depressing. The window faced out on to a very close brick wall that meant there was almost no natural light. Oddly, the room shook from time to time. I assume this was from departing trains. I slept poorly. Being anxious therefore to get home early, I decided to skip the breakfast I had paid for. In view of the reviews suggesting slow service, this proved to be wise. I checked out at 0705hrs. The receptionist did not inquire why I was not taking the breakfast I had paid for. He did say the invoice would be emailed to me, but over three days later it has not arrived. The overall impression was of a "room shed" that was far more expensive than justified. The Premier Inn across the road would have been a better choice. The breakfast served on the Avanti West Coast train was excellent."

"The 5.05 punch experience was informative and fun. Very theatrical. Bar staff all lovely. Cocktails interesting and delicious. Staff remembered us from earlier in the day - nice touch. Breakfast was cold. Part of the shower support fell off during my shower and landed on my foot. It didn’t do any damage but was something of a surprise to say the least. The management were informed and an acceptable deduction made. It’s our second stay and our second negative room experience- will we try it a third?"

"I’ve been a long-time visitor to the St Pancras Autograph Collection, so it’s been interesting to see how the hotel has evolved over the years. The location remains one of its biggest strengths. It’s incredibly central for exploring London, with the vast Underground network practically on your doorstep, while Granary Square is also just a short walk away with plenty of restaurants and bars. Dishoom is always a great shout if you’re looking for a good Indian meal, while The Lighterman is another decent option with great food. For anyone travelling on the Eurostar, the location really couldn’t be more convenient, which makes this hotel particularly appealing for a short London stay. That said, as a regular guest, I have found it disappointing to see some of the Marriott Bonvoy benefits gradually erode over the years. In particular, the lounge experience and breakfast arrangement have changed, with breakfast now being served in Booking Office 1869, behind the cocktail bar area in the main lobby where check-in takes place. For me, this has taken away some of what previously made the Bonvoy experience here feel a little more special. On a more positive note, I’ve noticed some recent improvements in the overall guest experience. Customer service at check-in was particularly good on this stay, with a welcome drink offered, and there also seem to have been improvements to the rooms, particularly around cleanliness. The guest corridors and facilities for getting drinks and refreshments also appeared to have received some attention. My Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status was recognised, and I was fortunate enough to receive an early check-in, which was much appreciated. Overall, while I do miss some of the benefits and service elements that the hotel offered in the past, there are encouraging signs of improvement. The location is hard to beat, especially if you’re travelling on Eurostar or planning to explore London by Tube, and I’d still consider it a solid choice if you’re staying in the St Pancras/Kings Cross area."