Staying near St. Pancras Station

My friend and I stayed at the Crestfield Hotel in April 2009. It's a couple of blocks from St. Pancras, on Crestfield Street. It's a budget hotel, either 1 or 2 stars, but it was clean. There's always someone at the front desk, and each person who was there was friendly. But, the walls are NOT soundproofed. They serve a light breakfast in the morning - cereal, toast, canned fruit, orange juice, and tea or coffee. We were in a double room with a shower. The shower shares the same floor with the rest of the bathroom. There's just a drain in the shower area so once someone takes a shower, the entire floor gets wet. Just so you realize - that area of town can be kind of seedy. We never felt in danger, though, but keep in mind you're in a large city and take the regular precautions. My friend and I arrived at night, too, and we had no trouble finding the hotel. Also, I got a better rate booking directly through the hotel's website.

We've stayed at the Premier Inn just on the other side of the King's Cross station which is on the block next to St. Pancras. Very nice. Plus, there's a restaurant and a Costas coffee (Starbuck's type) shop on the premises. Our hotel rate was 114pounds. You can book it online.

You might consider the Jesmond Hotel. Its on Gower Street about, according to their website, 20 min. walk from St. Pancras. When we were there in 2009 their rate included a full English breakfast! We thought it was a good, clean place.

I dont know how much time you will have that night- or if there is a particular reason to go into London. Considering the cost of getting to and from heathrow and London (plus time inviolved) have you considered staying out at Heathrow, and maybe finding a nice riverside restaurant - or village inn - for dinner?

Opposite St Pancras and Kings Cross Stations is Argylle Square around which are probably thebest value simple hotels in Central London. These include the Crestfield mentioned above. Not sure what $$ means but they're all about 65-80 GBP ($100-$120 for a double room), 120 GBP for a quad. They're all in almost identical old town houses, about 5 or 6 stories high, few if any have lifts. Rates include breakfasts from frugal to full English breakfast and many have free wifi. Best ones in my opinion are Crestfield, Meridiana, Montana Excell, Howard Winchester and Alhumbra. The Premier Inn Kings Cross is a no frills 3 star that is probably the best 'proper' hotel , something like a Holiday Inn Express in the US. Rates will be $160 plus.
At the weekends the 4 star Novotel and Megarao hotels are also good and about the same price as the Premier Inn (though ask for a high floor to escape traffic noise) Rooms with 2 queen size beds that accomodate 4 like in the US are rare in the UK and mostly confined to US chains like Marriott. At the simple hotels mentioned above a quad room mayl be 4 separate beds. At chain hotels like the Premier Inn the rooms are really double rooms with sofa beds for kids, not really appropiate for adults. You really need 2 rooms at places like these.

You won't go wrong here: http://www.alhambrahotel.com/