You’ve seen it. If you’ve walked out of St. Pancras International or King’s Cross station and looked up, you literally cannot miss it. The Megaro Hotel Belgrove Street isn’t just a building; it’s a massive, multi-story mural that looks like a technicolor explosion hit a Victorian townhouse. Most people just snap a photo of the "Marmite" facade—people either love it or think it’s a total eyesore—and keep walking toward their Eurostar. But honestly? Staying there is a whole different vibe than just gawking at the paint job from the sidewalk.
It’s loud. It’s neon. It’s incredibly London.
Located right on the corner of Euston Road and Belgrove Street, the Megaro sits in what used to be a pretty gritty part of town. Now, it’s the epicenter of the city’s tech and transit hub, sitting across from Google’s massive "landscraper" headquarters. But while the neighborhood has gone corporate and sleek, The Megaro has doubled down on being the eccentric rebel of the block.
The Mural That Stopped Traffic
Let's talk about that exterior because it’s the first thing anyone notices about the Megaro Hotel Belgrove Street. Back in 2012, the hotel owners commissioned a street art collective called Agents of Change to transform the building. It took four artists—Remi Rough, Steve More, LX.one, and Augustine Kofie—to wrap the entire facade in those geometric bursts of pink, yellow, and blue. It was a bold move. In a city where most hotels try to look "stately" or "minimalist," this place decided to look like a giant piece of pop art.
It actually works.
London can be grey. Very grey. When you’re dragging a suitcase through the rain after a three-hour train ride, seeing that blast of color on Belgrove Street is actually kind of a relief. It tells you exactly where you are. You aren't in a cookie-cutter Hilton or a beige Marriott. You’re in a place that has a personality, for better or worse.
Inside the Rooms: From Diesel Punk to British Pop
If you expect the inside to be normal just because the outside is wild, you’re going to be disappointed. Or thrilled. Probably both. The interior design at Megaro Hotel Belgrove Street is handled by Henry Chebaane, and the guy clearly doesn't believe in "less is more."
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The rooms are divided into these specific "collections" that feel like movie sets. You’ve got the "Brit Pop" rooms which are basically a love letter to 90s London—think bold colors and Union Jacks but done with a bit more class than a souvenir shop. Then there are the "Diesel Punk" rooms. These are darker, industrial, and feel like something out of a steampunk novel. We're talking copper pipes, dark wood, and heavy textures.
One thing people often get wrong is thinking this is a "budget" funky hotel. It's not. It’s a five-star boutique experience, and the prices usually reflect that. You’re paying for the proximity to the station, sure, but you’re also paying for high-end finishes. The beds are massive. The soundproofing—which is vital because Euston Road is a nightmare of sirens and black cabs—is surprisingly effective. You can watch the chaos of London through the window while feeling like you’re in a silent, neon-lit cocoon.
The Junior Suites and Studio Vibes
If you can swing it, the Corner Suites are the ones to get. Because the hotel sits on the corner of Belgrove Street, these rooms have wraparound views. You can literally watch the departures board at St. Pancras from your bed. It feels like you’re at the center of the world.
The bathrooms deserve a mention too. They aren't just an afterthought. Many feature rainfall showers and high-end toiletries that don't smell like cheap lemon soap. It’s the little things. Like, having a real kettle and decent coffee instead of those weird little plastic pods that taste like cardboard.
Where to Eat and Drink: Spies and Underground Vibes
The Megaro Hotel Belgrove Street doesn't just do rooms; it has a weirdly deep underground scene. Literally.
Magenta: Not Just a Color
The main restaurant, Magenta, is an experience in itself. The ceiling is covered in thousands of pink shimmering butterflies. It sounds tacky. It’s actually stunning. The menu is Northern Italian, but with a weird British twist. Think charcoal-flour sourdough and handmade pasta that looks like art. It’s pricey, yeah, but the quality is there. It’s the kind of place you go for a "welcome to London" dinner when you want to feel fancy but don't want to wear a tie.
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Hokus Pokus: The Alchemy Bar
Then there’s the basement bar, Hokus Pokus. This is where the "apothecary" theme kicks in. It’s dim, it’s moody, and the cocktails are served in beakers and strange glassware. They call their bartenders "chemists." Is it a bit theatrical? Obviously. But the drinks are strong and the atmosphere is a 10/10 if you want to escape the daylight of Belgrove Street.
It feels like a secret. Even though it's right under one of the busiest streets in the world, once you’re down there, the vibration of the Tube trains overhead just adds to the industrial, underground vibe.
The Location Factor: Why Belgrove Street Matters
Location is usually a boring topic, but for the Megaro Hotel, it’s the whole point. You are sixty seconds away from the Eurostar. You can wake up at 7:00 AM and be on a train to Paris by 8:00 AM.
But Belgrove Street itself is an interesting little slice of London history. It’s tucked just off the main drag, and if you walk south, you hit Bloomsbury. This is the literary heart of the city. You go from the neon madness of the Megaro to quiet, leafy squares and the British Museum in about ten minutes. It’s that contrast that makes staying here so "London." You have the hyper-modern tech city on one side and the dusty, academic history on the other.
Navigating the Area
- The Tube: You have access to the Northern, Victoria, Piccadilly, Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines. Basically, you can get anywhere in London without changing trains more than once.
- Food nearby: If you don't want to eat at the hotel, Coal Drops Yard is a short walk away. It’s a converted Victorian coal warehouse area full of high-end shops and some of the best tapas in the city at Barrafina.
- The Library: The British Library is right there. Go see the Magna Carta. It’s free and it’s two blocks away.
What Most People Miss
People think the Megaro is just for tourists. Honestly, the locals use the lobby and the bar as a workspace more than you'd think. It has that "creative hub" energy.
One thing to watch out for: because it’s an old building that’s been retrofitted, the layout can be a bit of a maze. The elevators are small. The hallways are narrow. It’s not a sprawling resort; it’s a vertical urban hideout. If you have a ton of luggage, it can feel a bit tight until you get inside your actual room.
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Also, the "Marmite" effect is real. If you hate bold colors and prefer the "quiet luxury" of a Four Seasons, you will probably hate it here. It’s loud. The art is aggressive. The vibe is "look at me." But if you’re bored of hotels that feel like they could be anywhere in the world, this is the antidote.
Actionable Tips for Your Stay
If you're planning to book a room at the Megaro Hotel Belgrove Street, don't just click the first "standard room" option you see. Here is how to actually do it right:
Book the "Backstage" rooms if you want quiet.
While the Belgrove Street side has the views, it also has the noise. The rooms facing the back or the side alleys are significantly quieter if you're a light sleeper.
Check the Eurostar schedule.
Even if you aren't taking the train, the area gets incredibly congested during peak Eurostar departure times. If you're checking out and need a taxi, give yourself an extra 20 minutes just to get out of the immediate King's Cross radius.
Skip the hotel breakfast once or twice.
Magenta does a great breakfast, but you are in the heart of London. Walk five minutes to Half Cup on Marchmont Street for some of the best brunch in the city.
Visit the bar late.
Hokus Pokus is at its best after 9:00 PM. The lighting is dialed in, and the "alchemy" vibe really lands when it's dark outside. Ask the bartender for whatever their current "elixir" is; they usually have something off-menu that involves dry ice or some kind of botanical infusion.
The Megaro isn't trying to be everyone's favorite hotel. It's trying to be the most memorable one in King's Cross. It succeeds. Whether you love the mural or not, you’ll definitely remember where you stayed. In a city of eight million people, that's saying something.