Once thought of as pretty seedy, Kings Cross has cleaned up its act, and its central, canal side location make it a real winner when choosing a home base for your trip. The many connections from the train station (including the Eurostar to Paris) make it extra convenient for traveling, as well.

Location aside, the area’s offering when it comes to nightlife and dining is also vastly improved from what it once was and definitely worth spending an afternoon or evening exploring. Here’s where to start:

Where to stay

YHA St Pancras
79-81 Euston Road
Doubles from: $76 to $126

When compared to other YHA properties, the Kings Cross branch feels much more like a smart budget hotel than a sprawling hostel. Choose from dorm accommodation or a two, four, five or six-bedroom—perfect for couples or groups. Rooms are decorated simply but inoffensively, and they’re perfectly comfortable for relaxing in after a long day of sightseeing. As the hotel is located on quite a busy road, light sleepers may wish to request a room at the back. There’s a modern cafe/bar, where you can get food at very reasonable prices and a great TV lounge—a real draw for sleepy travelers.

The Princess is a friendly, low-cost place to stay with free breakfast that puts you very close to the Tube and St. Pancras train station. Photo: EuroCheapo

Princess Hotel
35-37 Argyle Street
Doubles from: $93

For something with more character and privacy, check in at the pretty Princess Hotel. This 32-room guesthouse is family run and perfect if you’re after a traditional B&B experience. Rooms are simple with hints of floral, and you get breakfast included in the room rate, so you can fuel up at the start of the day. All rooms come with a flat-screen TV, hairdryer and you can opt for either a shared or private bathroom.

Related: See the complete list of EuroCheapo’s budget hotels in Kings Cross.

What to see

Kings Place: Music + Art + Restaurants
90 York Way
London N1 9AG

This modern arts centre is worth a visit just to see the beautiful building and canal views, and if you have time to stay awhile, you won’t be disappointed. There is an ever-changing program of events ranging from contemporary art exhibitions and masterclasses, to live music and spoken word. The space houses three galleries—Pangolin London sculpture gallery, Kings Place Gallery and the Guardian Gallery, which is linked to the offices of the Guardian newspaper (also housed in the building) and is free to enter. Many of the other activities do have an entrance fee, but these are often greatly reduced if you buy online in advance, so do check the website.

Wellcome Collection
183 Euston Road
London NW1 2BE
Admission: Free

This unique space prides itself on being a destination for the “incurably curious”, and it certainly sets itself apart from other galleries and exhibition centers. Founded by Sir Henry Solomon Wellcome, it aims to present science in a totally new way by exploring the connection between medicine, life and art in the past, present and future. Check out the Collection’s free events, tours, exhibitions and special collections.

Note: The space is currently undergoing renovations, so not every room is open to the public, but there is still plenty to see and do.

Related: Another major attraction in the area is the British Library, the largest in the world holding over 150 million volumes.

Eating and drinking

Kerb – Food trucks and stalls
Granary Square,
London N1C

If the sun is shining head to one of Kings Cross’ newest public spaces, Granary Square, and feast on the array of lunchtime bites on sale from the Kerb food trucks and stalls between midday and 2 PM Monday to Friday. In the summertime, Kerb will also be setting up shop on the third Saturday of each month until October from 11 AM-5 PM, so grab a spot on the canal side steps and tuck in. Choices range from life changing burgers and tasty tacos to spicy curries and comforting mac and cheese.

Somers Town Coffee House
60 Chalton Street
London NW1 1HS

A lovely pub with secret private rooms accessed via a bookcase, Somers Town Coffee House offers a relaxed afternoon sampling cask ales and incredible British tapas—anywhere that offers pigs in blankets is a winner if you ask me! If you’ve got room, give one of the lovely cakes a go too; they are pure sugary goodness and a great opportunity to try some traditional British desserts.

Caravan
1 Granary Square
London N1C 4AA

I could eat at Caravan any time of day, but if I had to choose just one meal I’d go for brunch. On the weekends you’ll have to fight for a table (or sip a cocktail patiently at the bar) as they don’t take reservations, but I promise you it’s worth the wait. During the week you’ll find yourself rubbing shoulders with the arty students from Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design, as their swanky new school is housed in the same building. The menu is truly original, with more traditional breakfast favorites flavored up with soutsouki sausage or fresh sourdough bread. It’s also one of the best places in London to have a coffee, all of which is roasted onsite (and smells incredible).

Camino
3 Varnisher’s Yard
London N1 9FD

For tasty tapas and lovely cocktails, Camino is my top pick. The courtyard out front is a fun place for an outdoor drink in summer, while indoors the lively tapas restaurant and bar are buzzing all year round. There are also some great value deals—head down for lunch on a weekday and get two tapas for £6.75, while weekends welcome in a cocktail, wine and beer happy hour from 5-8 PM. If you fancy a dance, there are live DJs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, and you never have to pay an entrance fee.

Treat yourself to a drink at the spectacular bar inside the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel. Photo: Gary J Wood

Special treat

Booking Office Bar
Euston Road
London NW1 2AR

While it’s unlikely any Cheapos will be resting their heads for the night at the five-star St. Pancras Renaissance hotel, you’ll thank yourself forever if you afford yourself a drink in the bar. This beautiful gothic masterpiece was originally a hotel designed by George Gilbert Scott and opened by Queen Victoria in 1873. When the hotel closed in 1935 the space was used as station offices until a huge restoration project began in 2011 to turn it into what it is today and restore it to its luxurious former glory.

If you’re just visiting, head to the Booking Office Bar (housed in the original station booking office) and prepare to be wowed by the space and the truly fabulous Victorian-inspired cocktails and punches. You’re looking at £8.50 and £9.50 for the cheapest glass of wine or cocktail, and if that proves too much, you can always opt for something softer while you drink in the surroundings.

The post London: A cheapo neighborhood guide to Kings Cross appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But it is possible to find more contemporary design on the cheap and, to prove it, here are five places from our London listings that can claim to offer style on a shoestring.

Stylotel
160 Sussex Gardens, Paddington
Doubles from $145

This hotel is far from old-fashioned. In fact it looks far, far, far into the future for its design inspiration. The hotel has a space age-style theme that runs through every aspect of its décor, from the aluminum-paneled doors and the metallic light-box bedside tables, to the futuristic chairs in the breakfast room and the space pod-sized bathrooms.

If that all sounds like it’s a little too out-of-this-world for your tastes, take refuge in the pub over the road, The Sussex Arms, which is also owned by the hotel. The pub wins high praise for its blend of contemporary cool and glamorous vintage, and it does a good line in traditional pints too.

The ibis Styles chain has low rates and nice design. (Photo courtesy of the hotel.)

ibis Styles London Southwark Rose
47 Southwark Bridge Road, London Bridge
Double from $146 to $565

By combining the reliability of the ibis chain with some of the flair of more boutique offerings, the “ibis Styles” hotels aim to appeal to the kind of budget travelers with a taste for contemporary style. They seem to have hit on something of successful formula, as London alone is already host to four ibis Styles hotels. Each hotel is decorated in a different manner but the general design principle seems to be bright, bold and colorful and, reassuringly, the chain particularly prides itself on the comfort of its beds.

Housed in a modern building, the Southwark Rose (typically for London) draws some criticism for the size of its bedrooms, but wins extra style points because of its location. Close to Tate Modern and many of the city’s most fashionable restaurants and boutiques, it’s a great base for investigating London’s trend-setting claims.

YHA Oxford Street
14 Noel Street, Soho

Think of YHA Oxford Street and think pink. You might never guess from its seemingly dark back street entrance but this hostel is a hot bed of hot pink. This color has been used throughout the hostel to give it a fresh and contemporary look: hot pink walls in the kitchen complement the chrome fittings; pink walls in the lounge to offset the lime green bedspreads. Even the bathrooms are decorated in – you guessed it – hot pink.

The color scheme aside, there’s other thoughtful design touches that help reinforce this hostel’s strong reputation: each dorm bed gets its own reading light for example. Don’t overlook its excellent location either. If you fancy having a bit of a splurge on style, it’s only a couple of minutes walk from the world-famous shops of Oxford Street.

The Clink offers cheapo dorms and common spaces, like lounges (above) and a guest kitchen, with style.

Clink261
261–265 Grays Inn Road, King’s Cross
Doubles $65 to $72

Clink261 is a basic backpacker’s hostel that manages to create something of a groovy vibe, thanks due in a large part to its Austin Power-like furnishings. This hostel compensates for complaints about the too-crammed dorms by the wild decoration of its communal areas. The kitchen has glossy red tables and a striking black-and-white check floor, while purple leather sofas and original artworks make the lounge look like an inviting place to hang out.

And if you would rather head out, the surrounding area of King’s Cross is becoming an increasingly stylish destination. The renowned Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design has recently relocated nearby, bringing with it a slew of new and cool bars and cafes to explore.

Arosfa Hotel
83 Gower Street, Bloomsbury

It would never be described as a design hotel, but the Arosfa Hotel warrants a honorable mention for showing how traditional family hotels don’t always have to be chintzy. This beautiful old Bloomsbury building is decorated in a way that’s full of personality, mixing the traditional – such as antique clocks – with contemporary touches – like ’60s-style clear plastic chairs.

The lounge is decorated with eye-catching black-and-white imagery of London, and sofas topped with Union Jack cushions, while the well cared for garden is an unexpected delight. It’s the small touches that win the Arosfa praise, a compliment that applies to its welcoming owners every bit as much as it does to the décor.

More options?

Would you like more budget hotel options for London? Check out the listings in our London guide, including dozens of “Editor’s Picks” that have been visited, inspected and approved.

The post London: 5 budget hotels with style appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.