I've always wanted to try this property out since it opened because it was located in the old St. Pancreas station.  Finally got a chance to try it out for a 1 night stay as I was visiting a relative in London that stayed closed to Kings Cross station.  I booked this room for 50k points + 50GBP.  (slightly higher as it can also be had for 40k during the low period).

Check In

I had actually already done an online check-in, however unlike the Hilton app, I still had to drop by the front desk to collect my keycard.  I arrived late afternoon and the front desk was not too busy - although the hotel itself was busy.  Since it was my first time to the hotel, I did initially thought that the concierge desk area was the check-in area, but was later pointed to the real check-in desk area.

I was helped by a friendly (trainee) associate (who happened to be also Dutch - she identified me from my address on profile).  I was offered on-arrival drinks, a prosecco or lemonade.  I loved how the prosecco was served in those vintage champagne glasses (like those from the 50's/60's movie).  I was given a rundown of the facilities at the hotel and the benefit as an elite member.

As indicated by many, the downside of this property is lack of upgrades - although in this occasion, from what I see, the hotel was fully sold out.  So I was given the room I had booked - would have been nice under such occasion the hotel can still try and maybe provide some additional arrival inroom gift, e.g. chocolates, etc to just show some appreciation since no upgrade was possible.

Room

The room was located in the Barlow Wing on the 6th floor.  From the hotel description, this room is supposed to be one higher compared to the Deluxe room type.  I believe it is just bigger in size and other than that all facilities are the same.  

The room was well appointed and decorated in my opinion to suite the hotel architecture.  There was a sitting area and a sort of working desk (it was a round table) which I guess could function as a multi use table too.  Other than that, there was a coffee/tea making facility and a Nespresso machine (not sure if this is available in all rooms, or just Superior rooms and above).  In addition, the room had bathrobes and an umbrella.  

View of the room was from a small window towards the rooftop of the British library.  Other than that small window, there was not much natural light - although the room had quite a number of lights for a brighter room.  The temperature control in the room was good - especially even at a high fan speed, it was not loud.  

TV was large and had quite a good number of local and international channels.  It was also equipped to stream your device.  I believe it had quite a number of different advanced functions (which I did not investigate).  Wifi in the room was ok - sufficiently fast and stable.  (Although quite irritating that moving from different location the wifi switches and you might need to reconnect again manually).  

Bathroom size was ok - two person fits with a tight fit.  There was no walk-in shower and the bathtub height was on a high side getting in/out from it.  A glass protection was used and as usual with such option, the floor will get slightly wet depending I guess how the shower head was angled, etc.  Other than that, both water pressure and temperature control was good.  The only small complain I have would be the towel racks, they had too narrow opening between the wall/surface to the rack - making it slightly difficult to hang the towels.  Toiletries were the usual Tokyo Milk brand.  

All in all, it was an ok room - functional and ok in size (especially for London).

Chambers Club

From what I read, access to the Chambers club is only for guests staying in the Chambers floor/building and Titanium members and above.  I believe due to this requirement, I would say this has to be one of the most pleasant lounge which I've been to which where it did not feel like open to all.  

The lounge was accessible via the Booking Office. The lounge itself was very grand (just like the rest of the hotel) and well spaced out.  There was sitting areas which was well divided so it never really felt crowded even when it got busy.  Although if there were groups of guests (with access) wanted to sit together, there were not too many options and some rearrangement might be needed.

The lounge F&B timings were very good and in my opinion very well planned.  The offerings were very good for all the different time of the day with a good balance between quality and offerings.  I guess this is possible due to the exclusivity of the lounge.  Both non-alcoholic and alcoholic offerings was very good with an option to order premium drinks with additional payment (I didn't check the list, but I suspect it will be the list from the Booking Office bar/restaurant).  Guests are also allowed to order from an All day menu - which was priced as expected from such an establishment.  

Service in the lounge was very good, where the lounge associates would bring you your drinks or any other items ordered.   Again, something that I would expect from such a lounge of this standard.

The evening canapes offerings were quite solid with different starters, 3 different hot dishes (including a meat dish), good selection of cheeses and some desserts.  Only small complain here would be that refilling of the items did take some time - the serving portions by itself was on a smaller side to keep it elegant and civilized.  

Breakfast offerings were also very good, with a typical English breakfast spread and a couple of other items which could be ordered, including eggs to order.  I was quite impressed with the breakfast timings during the weekend - with not many hotel having it available until 12.  Again, very attentive service during the breakfast hours.  

All in all, I would say this has got to be one of the better lounge experience that I've had in a long time especially without the crowding and masses of people especially during the evening canape/breakfast hours.

Service

All in all, with the different interactions I had with the different groups at the hotel, I felt that the service was good - friendly and helpful.   Since quite a lot of hotels these days have the messaging function possiblity, I am happy to say that during the 1 occasion when I used it before arriving at the hotel, the hotel reacted to the message promptly and my request was acknowledged and delivered to my satisfaction.

The main complain during my stay was sadly related to the housekeeping department.  On the day of departure, I had housekeeping knocking on my door around 10 am and when I opened it, she was just standing there staring at me and I had to ask for the reason.  She just kept repeating housekeeping, which I said I was departing that morning, which is acknowledged but still standing there staring at me.  I had to be the one to initiate the questions and answers - and even though I said I was going to leave at around 11am, she said ok with an unpleasant look on her face.  The whole episode left a very bad impression to what had been a good stay because I felt like I was overstaying and needed to get out of the room to accommodate to their schedule.  This is actually my first time feeling like I overstayed (even before the official check-out time), I can't imagine how it would have been if I had requested for a late check-out.  Anyway, due to to this, I decided to just quickly pack up to leave.  This situation remains one of the most baffling situation that I've encountered. Not sure if it was just the housekeeping associates assigned to my floor, but another one which I met in the hallway while walking to the lift, which I iniated the greeting, she did not even bother to look up or response.   

Overall

All in all, a very pleasant stay (except for the last hour of my stay) in what I see as a very iconic building.  They have maintained the functionality and the asthetic of the building very well.   I know a lot of other elite members will not like what I am about to say, but I just wished that if hotels will limit access to the lounges, so that it maintains some decency like this one (or is my experience an exception - which I doubt since it was during a weekend and close to the holiday season).  

Too bad I did not have the time to check out the spa and swimming pool area.  Also what was quirky was that they did have a position where they would just be folding the napkins.  (This person works in what I would call a napkin room, just at the entrance towards the Booking office, to the right of the Front Desk)