Rough Luxe Hotel

Lovely hotel, the owner is quite friendly & welcoming. The hotel has a unique style, combining a «rough» look with one of luxury, what with paint peeling deliberately off the walls, yet a photo of luxury rooms in each room of this place-​adding visual space. Dining room downstairs has a ceiling photo, making the room look taller and more spacious than it actually is.
In the mornings, the owner prepares breakfast, and you can sit downstairs or outside-​weather permitting.
Downside: wifi is iffy in the rooms, but generally good down in the terrace/​eating area ground levels. Also, no TV. Though this actually is sort of good because it encourages it’s visitors to get out and see London-​whether at a pub, bar, club, spa (during the day more of), restaurant, etc.

It’s hard to describe this gem of a hotel-​slash-​art-​installation near Kings Cross station. At first glance, it’s a little scary: the immediate surrounding area is kinda sketchy, the designers have retained much of the building’s old, stripped walls and decayed wooden doors, and a yellowed sign reading «NUMBER ONE HOTEL» hangs out front.
However, look past the surface and you’ll find fine details: gorgeously appointed bathrooms (though be forewarned, most rooms do not have en suite bath, so you’ll be sharing it with another suite), luxurious sheets, and amazing industrial/​salvage chic décor. It’s like being in the world’s most luxurious, gentrified crackhouse, that also happens to have stellar staff, beautiful art, and delicious breakfasts (included with the room rate).
The managers, Leo and Antonio, are awesome with a capital AWESOME. They’re so welcoming and friendly, I didn’t care about one of the biggest «Rough» part of the Rough Luxe: the rooms are seriously TINY. If you’re like my partner and I, who spent three nights at the Rough Luxe, toting giant Amurrican-​sized luggage, space is definitely an issue; it becomes tricky to maneuver two people and luggage and shopping bags and whatnot in room that might have just 1 foot of clearance between the bed and the wall. I’m not exaggerating. Rooms are MINISCULE. I love this place, but if you visit, I hope you’ve packed lightly. ;)
The Rough Luxe is unlike any other boutique hotel I’ve ever stayed before. It’s an experience, and one that I would gladly repeat the next time I’m in London (which is hopefully soon!).