Megaro Hotel

The rooms are spacious, unlike a lot of five-star places I've stayed, and the bar comes with two free beers and soft drinks, which I haven't come across in my travels. It isn't paid. I only stayed one night because of the easy access to trains, so I couldn't take photos. Take my word for it. This is one of the best hotels you'll find in London, and I hope they keep up the service.

Chiara's kindness is what I'll remember most. She was there both when I arrived and when I left, and asked about my trip to Kew Gardens. I had badly underestimated how big it was and how far the Orchid display was from the gate. With my very limited mobility, the long walk from the tube station was painful too. I told her it was my own fault, but she was genuinely sorry I hadn't enjoyed the visit. The hotel staff helped make up for the difficult day by arranging a bath when I'd requested one instead of a shower. That bath was huge and deep, almost like a swimming pool, and the water got properly hot. By the time I got back from Kew Gardens, I was in so much pain I nearly didn't make it back to the Megaro. A very hot soak brought my spinal and hip pain down to a manageable level, and helped me recover enough to catch my train to Leeds the next day. I've had plenty of London baths that were too small for my six-foot frame, too shallow, too cold, or all three, so this one was a real relief. A mobility scooter hire scheme might help at stations like that, like the e-bike hire outside key stations, Mr Mayor! The room worked very well for me. I hate the cold and can't sleep if a room isn't warm enough, and the Megaro's heating actually heats. It was clean and had more than enough complimentary items. As a Yorkshire lad, I wasn't expecting the Megaro Larger to be so tasty either, bonus point! There were a couple of small drawbacks. There wasn't a luggage rack, which made unpacking on the floor painful as I'm registered disabled, and I don't put luggage on a bed. A rack would have let me sort through my case while sitting on a chair. I also noticed the shower had weak pressure when I turned it on, though I didn't use it. Still, Jason checked me in with rare efficiency and kindness, and Chiara listened with genuine empathy and sent me off with a warm smile. I had a good time in London and thoroughly enjoyed staying at the Megaro. “A genuine smile from a perfect stranger is worth more than a thousand compliments.”

The location was easily the biggest plus. We used the nearby train stations and underground throughout our stay, and for the price it felt reasonable. The staff were excellent, we got a complimentary glass of prosecco, and the WiFi was fast. Spagnoletti, the partner restaurant, was good but seemed a bit overpriced for what it offered. I'd still recommend the hotel for its location, although the rooms felt more like a mid-range four-star place than a five-star one. We were pleasantly surprised when the receptionist offered us a suite because the corner studio we had booked wasn't ready. I'd arrived around noon hoping for an early check-in, and after lunch came back at about 2pm to find there was still an issue with the room. He asked if I specifically wanted the corner studio. I did, but he kindly offered the ready suite instead of making us wait another 30 minutes to an hour. I had paid online in full, though, and was still asked for a £100 deposit at check-in. The suite had plenty of space, a wardrobe, makeup desk, TV area with a sofa and two chairs, and an extra-large double bed. The design was a little odd, perhaps partly because of the curtains. There wasn't much bathroom counter space, and water splashed out of the shower whichever head we used, leaving the bathroom drenched several times. The AC was disappointing too. Even at 18°C with the fan at full power, there was barely any airflow and the room didn't cool down. We tried different settings and called the front desk, but were told that was the highest setting. Since we were there for only three nights and spent most of our time out, we didn't pursue it after that. We liked the minibar snacks and drinks for a late-night movie. We gave the utensils a basic clean before using them, as most travellers would, though they looked quite clean. The room was relatively comfortable despite its strange design choices and poor AC.

Kings Cross is right across the street, so it's a great base for getting around the city. We visit London often and plan to make this a regular choice. The hotel has a chic, beautifully done look, and the man who checked us in was welcoming and helpful. We were heading out for a bite, and he suggested the Italian restaurant on site and the cocktail bar downstairs. We ordered sharers at the restaurant. Everything was great, the service was excellent, and the potato croquettes were the best we've ever had, quite a claim in the UK. The downstairs bar was beautifully decorated too, with excellent cocktails.