bartender sunborn yacht hotel london e16

Floating Fancy: Sunborn London Yacht Hotel Review

Finding the perfect hotel for a London stay can be tricky, with countless options and locations available. Sunborn London offers something a little more unusual, as it’s not your standard bricks-and-mortar establishment; pick the Sunborn, and you’ll be staying on an extravagant yacht. But while it stands out from the crowd visually, does the rest stand up to scrutiny?

Sunborn London Yacht Hotel, to give it its full title, is located at Royal Victoria Dock, an area of east London that has undergone extensive regeneration and is home to the Excel exhibition centre. Despite its Docklands location, the Sunborn yacht is easy to get to, thanks to the new Elizabeth Line that runs through the city, with stops at Heathrow Airport, Paddington, Bond Street and Liverpool Street, to name just a few, where you can connect to most other London underground lines. Arriving by car isn’t too much of a chore either, and with ExCel next door, ample parking is available just a few minutes walk from the hotel.

Arriving at Sunborn London certainly makes an impression. The vast open space in front of the floating hotel allows you to take in the size as you get closer to the riverfront. There’s a lift at dock level – one of few signs that the yacht was indeed built specifically for this purpose – which takes you directly to the stylishly designed reception level, where you are greeted by friendly staff, ready to check you in for a stay.

While the purpose-built yacht might not have sailed the Mediterranean, it still has all the features of a sea-going vessel, with heavy doors and raised sills. There’s even an impressive cruise ship-esque double staircase in the middle of the reception area, which is finished off with a crystal chandelier, adding a touch of elegance.

Sunborn London Yacht Hotel: The Room

We spent the night in a mid-range ‘Yacht Executive’ room with a balcony overlooking the surprisingly blue waters of the docks. The room was spacious and comfortable, with a good-sized desk area should you combine business with pleasure. There were a good number of plug sockets dotted about the room and at each side of the bed – something often overlooked – with a mix of UK and European sockets, which was a nice touch. Everything you would expect was there, including tea and coffee making facilities, a fridge and a safe, should you need them.

The bathroom was a reasonable size, with a spacious enough shower. Confusingly though, rather than having a simple shower control, there was a bath mixer tap with a shower attached. Once the water was turned on, a toggle needed to be pulled to direct the water through the shower head. With no bath in sight, this seemed rather odd.

Unlike the smaller rooms on the lower two levels, our room had floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the water, with a double-glazed door leading out onto our little balcony, complete with two chairs. While it was a nice little bit of outside space, it wasn’t well designed in that once seated in the chairs, the view was of the solid steel safety barrier rather than the river. Perhaps some safety glass would be a better bet.

Despite that, it felt like a well-thought-out space, with considerate touches ranging from the surfeit of power sockets to the welcome bottles of water. Between 19 and 23m3, the rooms aren’t huge on paper, but clever use of space and light makes them feel far more generous than they could.

Throughout the cabins and the public areas of the yacht, there are lots of mirrors, reflective surfaces and warm coloured wooden panelling, which adds to the character of Sunborn London, and adds to the sense of space, leaving you in no doubt that you are onboard a vessel.

Sunborn London Yacht Hotel: Lands End Restaurant

The onboard restaurant is located at the vessel’s rear, with an outside space providing views towards The O2 and Canary Wharf. Like the rest of the public areas, it is adorned with warm-coloured wood and reflective surfaces, making it feel both welcoming and light and airy.

We began by perusing the wine list and decided on a bottle of prosecco – such glamorous surroundings deserved a few bubbles! The bottle arrived at the table, was opened and poured, only to find that it had been served at room temperature. Our waiter did try to rectify this error, but the second bottle had also not been chilled. A cold bottle was eventually found from the Sundown Bar on the deck below, but two bottles had been wasted by this stage. It’s an amateur mistake to make and set a low bar for the rest of the evening.

Nevertheless, we put this mishap to one side and checked out the food offering. The menu had a good selection of options, with meat and seafood dishes available. However, the choice for those following a vegetarian or vegan diet was very limited.

I selected the mixed marinated olives as my starter, and my dining companion opted for the Gazpacho. Both arrived quite quickly and were tasty and fresh.

The main course was more of an issue, as I suffer from lactose intolerance. My only option was wild mushroom risotto with vegan cheese and grated truffle, with a seasonal house salad on the side. My companion had more choice and opted for the ‘Sunborn’ fish ‘n’ chips, which consisted of beer battered haddock, pea puree and chunky chips.

When the food did arrive at the table, it looked well presented, and while the fish fillet did look relatively small, the risotto was somewhat more substantial.

The wild mushroom risotto was well cooked, the risotto rice was tender, and the dish was well seasoned and tasty. The side salad, however, did leave a little to be desired. There was little or no dressing to add flavour, which was disappointing.

The fish and chips were fine, if unexciting. It’s a dish that’s difficult to get wrong but also difficult to impress with. The kitchen managed to stay in its lane, offering something perfectly acceptable, with fresh chips and tasty mushy peas, although portions were a little meagre.

Dessert was again lacking in options for my needs or those on plant-based diets, with fruit and sorbet being the only, somewhat unimaginative, options. I reluctantly opted for the three flavours of sorbet, while my dining companion opted for the much tastier sounding Bakewell tart with ice cream.

The Bakewell tart arrived without a hitch, but the lack of attention to the order in the kitchen meant that I was served two scoops of sorbet and one scoop of ice cream instead of three of sorbet. Luckily I noticed before I started to eat it, and I immediately notified the manager of the error. My issue is an intolerance rather than an allergy, but had it not been, this could have been a more significant problem.

With few guests in the restaurant the night we dined, there was little excuse for the multiple errors. While a long way from fine dining , the food was perfectly acceptable, but the lack of imagination in the menu and the lack of care in serving the drinks and meal tarnished the experience.

Sunborn London Yacht Hotel: Sundown Bar

After dinner, we headed down a deck for a nightcap at the Sundown Bar. As you enter the bar, lights and reflective surfaces surround you from every angle, making it just a little overwhelming against the dusk outside. We decided the sensory overload was a little too much, so we chose a seat on the outside deck with views along the docks to The O2 beyond.

The overall environment and vibe of the place were pleasant and lively, with most patrons spending their time either gazing into each other’s eyes or gazing at the myriad lights of the city twinkling away in the distance. A surprising amount of time can be wasted simply watching the Emirates Air Line cable cars crossing the river, their red lights floating across the skyline in contrast to the blue and white lights of the city.

There is a good selection of drinks available, but they are a little pricey, even allowing for London prices. A Diet Coke and a double Woodford Reserve bourbon came in at £20. The service was swift and friendly, recovering from the faux pas at dinner and rounding off our evening well.

Sunborn London Yacht Hotel: Breakfast

Breakfast the following day was on the outside deck of the Lands End restaurant and consisted of a cooked breakfast from the kitchen alongside a self-service buffet. The mix of table service for the hot food and self-service for the rest isn’t that unusual, but it was also self-service for tea and coffee, which, for a luxury hotel , is much less common. Disappointingly, there was hardly any hot water left in the urn to make tea, and what was there was lukewarm at best.

The breakfast was perfectly adequate and served quickly, suggesting that it is precooked in the kitchen and then plated up when ordered. While that’s not a significant problem, it is disappointing to be served fried eggs that have been kept warm a little too long when a fresh egg takes only a minute or two to cook.

Sunborn London Yacht Hotel: The Verdict

With countless highly-rated dining options within just a few minutes’ walk from the Sunborn, it’s a surprise and disappointment that the restaurant can’t match the standards that the rest of the hotel sets. With those other options available, though, it’s not something that should put you off, as it’s the hotel that holds the appeal.

What: Sunborn London Yacht Hotel Where: Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1AA Web: SunbornHotels.com

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Sunborn London – The Floating Hotel

Enjoy a stunning city vista along with a cocktail in London’s only luxury floating hotel.

What is the Sunborn Floating Hotel?

A sleek yacht-hotel with a stunning waterside restaurant and bar.

Enjoy fabulous picturesque river views along with cocktails in the Sundown Bar or a first-class dinner in the restaurant.

See website for drinks list and menus.

Opening hours

Sundown Bar 11:00am – 01:00am Monday to Friday 11:00am – 11:00pm Sunday and Public Holidays

Lands End Restaurant Breakfast: 06:30am – 10:30am Monday to Friday 07:00am – 11:00am Weekends and Public Holidays Lunch: 12:00pm – 03:00pm Monday to Friday 12:30pm – 03:30pm Weekends and Public Holidays Dinner: 06:00pm to 10:00pm

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Sunborn London Yacht Hotel

Royal Victoria Dock, Newham, London, E16 1XL, United Kingdom – Great location - show map – Train Access

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Located less than a minute's walk from ExCeL London, the Sunborn London is a floating super-yacht hotel docked in Royal Victoria Dock, boasting free WiFi access, a bar and a restaurant. The hotel is 7 minutes' drive from London City Airport and a 6-minute drive from the iconic Canary Wharf. Each of the smartly designed rooms feature a TV with Freeview, air conditioning and an electric kettle. Also included is a shower, a hairdryer and free toiletries. Some of the rooms also benefit from a view overlooking The Royal Docks. At Sunborn London there is a 24-hour front desk and a sun deck. Other facilities offered at the property include a ticket service, a tour desk. The lounge bar serves a selection of beers, wines, ciders and spirits. In the restaurant, a buffet breakfast with continental and cooked items is served each morning. An à la carte menu is available in the evenings. Custom House Docklands Light Railway Station is 5 minutes' walk away. It offers direct routes to Westfield Stratford City and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Emirates Royal Docks Skyline is a 5-minute journey on foot. It offers a direct route to The O2 Arena.

Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 8.8 for a two-person trip.

Distance in property description is calculated using © OpenStreetMap

• Family rooms
• Non-smoking rooms
• Room service
• 24-hour front desk
• Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
• Good Breakfast

Property highlights

Top Location: Highly rated by recent guests (8.9)

Want a great night's sleep? This hotel was highly-rated for its very comfy beds.

Availability

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Hotel area info

Restaurants 1 restaurant on site.

• Cuisine British • Mediterranean • Asian • International
• Ambience Modern
• Dietary options Vegetarian

Amenities of Sunborn London Yacht Hotel Great facilities! Review score, 8.4

• Toilet paper
• Bathtub or shower
• Private Bathroom
• Free toiletries
• Wardrobe or closet
• Coffee machine
• Electric kettle
• Clothes rack
• Sitting area
• Flat-screen TV
• Kids' meals
• Tea/Coffee maker
• Invoice provided
• Baggage storage
• Daily housekeeping
• Dry cleaning Additional charge
• Laundry Additional charge
• Fax/Photocopying Additional charge
• Meeting/Banquet facilities Additional charge
• Fire extinguishers
• CCTV in common areas
• Smoke alarms
• Security alarm
• Key card access
• Air conditioning
• Smoke-free property
• Wake-up service
• Laptop safe
• Ironing facilities

Property practice

House rules sunborn london yacht hotel takes special requests – add in the next step, child policies.

Children of all ages are welcome.

To see correct prices and occupancy info, add the number and ages of children in your group to your search.

Crib and extra bed policies

Cribs and extra beds aren't available at this property.

The fine print Must-know information for guests at this property

Please note that the extra child or adult can stay in a sofa bed.

Cash payments are currently unavailable due to to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Please note the same card used for booking needs to be presented at check-in.

An incidentals charge applies upon arrival. A charge of GBP 40 per day is required if guests pay via credit or debit card, or GBP 100 per day if guests pay with cash.

Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.

Please inform Sunborn London Yacht Hotel of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.

In the event of an early departure, the property will charge you the full amount for your stay.

This property might host on-site functions, so noise may be audible in some rooms.

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19), additional safety and sanitation measures are in effect at this property.

Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), this property is taking steps to protect the safety of guests and staff. Certain services and amenities may be reduced or unavailable as a result.

In accordance with government guidelines to minimize transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19), this property may request additional documentation from guests to validate identity, travel itinerary, and other relevant info on dates where such guidelines exist.

Spa and gym facilities at this property are unavailable due to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

FAQs about Sunborn London Yacht Hotel

What are the check-in and check-out times at sunborn london yacht hotel.

Check-in at Sunborn London Yacht Hotel is from 3:00 PM, and check-out is until 11:00 AM.

How far is Sunborn London Yacht Hotel from the center of London?

Sunborn London Yacht Hotel is 6.2 miles from the center of London. All distances are measured in straight lines. Actual travel distances may vary.

What type of room can I book at Sunborn London Yacht Hotel?

How much does it cost to stay at sunborn london yacht hotel.

The prices at Sunborn London Yacht Hotel may vary depending on your stay (e.g. dates, hotel's policy etc.). To see prices, enter your dates.

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Does sunborn london yacht hotel have a restaurant on site.

• Lands End Restaurant

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Sunborn Yacht London

Time out says.

Overlooking the Thames, with views down river and across to The O2 and Canary Wharf, this luxury yacht offers stylish accommodation within walking distance of City Airport.

Rooms are all spacious doubles with room for a sofa and a desk, plus a private balcony for the executive rooms. Then the are the four kingsize suites with private sundecks, separate lounge areas, marble bathrooms and other fancy features.

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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Sunborn London Yacht Hotel

Guest Reviews

Services & amenities.

Executive Room with Dock View

Junior Suite With With Dock View

Junior Suite With River View

Classic Room (Dockview)

Classic Room With River View

Classic Family Room

Executive Family Room

Executive Suite With Dockview

Executive Suite With River View

Executive Room with River View

Guest reviews (76).

• Cleanliness 4.6
• Amenities 4.3
• Location 4.6
• Service 4.4

Property Policies

Front desk hours: 24/7

Property Description

• Number of Rooms: 138

Frequently Asked Questions

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ExCel London

SUNBORN YACHT HOTEL

 Royal Victoria Dock, Newham, London, E16 1XL, United Kingdom

0.2 miles to Excel – 2 mins walk

Located less than a minute's walk from ExCeL London, the Sunborn London is a floating super-yacht hotel docked in Royal Victoria Dock, boasting free WiFi access, a bar and a restaurant. The hotel is 7 minutes' drive from London City Airport and a 6-minute drive from the iconic Canary Wharf.

Each of the smartly designed rooms feature a TV with Freeview, air conditioning and an electric kettle. Also included is a shower, a hairdryer and free toiletries. Some of the rooms also benefit from a view overlooking The Royal Docks.

At Sunborn London there is a 24-hour front desk and a sun deck. Other facilities offered at the property include a ticket service, a tour desk.

Cancellation policy: Bookings can be cancelled up until 14 days prior to arrival

• Double Room Single Use £145 per room per night including breakfast and high speed internet
• Double Room Double/Twin Use £155 per room per night including breakfast and high speed internet

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PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR BOOKING IS NOT ARRANGED UNTIL YOU FOLLOW THE STEPS BELOW

In order to arrange and pay for your booking please contact the hotel using the reference '“Langham allocation to sell block” and specify which hotel.

Call to make your booking on +44 (0)1952 527000 option 1 for reservations – Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] with any further enquiries.

               Email: [email protected]                           

                      Tel: +44 (0)7983513692

All Rights Reserved | Langham Travel

HETT London 2023

If you have any questions or would like to reserve alternative accommodation, please contact Event Express directly on +44 (0) 1905 732 737 or email [email protected] .

26 - 27 September 2023

London excel.

• Luggage Storage

Located just a 2 minute walk from the ExCeL Exhibition Centre, the Sunborn Yacht features smartly designed rooms with TVs, air-conditioning and en suite bathrooms. Some of the rooms are overlooking the Royal Docks, and free WiFi is available throughout the hotel.

• Hotel in detail
• No Pets Allowed
• 24 Hour Front Desk
• Daily Maid Service
• Dry Cleaning
• Meeting Facilities
• Air-Conditioning
• Safety Deposit Box
• Room Service

Sunborn London is a floating super-yacht hotel boasting free WiFi access, a bar and a restaurant.

Each of the 131 guest hotel rooms and 4 suites are designed to provide light and spacious accommodation with either river or dock views. Each of the rooms include classic furnishings, pristine bathrooms and contemporary amenities such as complimentary tea and coffee making facilities with biscuits, a luxurious king-size bed or twin beds, complimentary bottles of still and sparkling water and a spacious en suite bathroom with luxury Molton Brown toiletries.

Named in celebration of Victoria Dock’s original identity, the Lands End restaurant serves the finest food in surroundings to match your mood. The Executive Head Chef makes creative use of the best ingredients to provide signature dishes that draw from the best of British with Asian and Mediterranean influences.

Offering stunning views over Canary Wharf and the O2 Arena London, the Sundown Bar is classy, cutting-edge and modern. Partnering up only with high-end distilleries and established names, it brings on the menu some of the finest drinks in London.

Ideal for business travellers visiting the area, the meeting rooms at the Sunborn Yacht are fitted with the latest communications technology, complete with WiFi Internet connections and a centralised multimedia system.

Custom House Docklands Light Railway Station is 5 minutes’ walk away, offering direct routes to Westfield Stratford City and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Emirates Royal Docks Skyline is a 5-minute journey on good, and London City Airport is only 7 minutes’ drive.

AREA ACTIVITIES

With views over Royal Victoria Dock, the Sunborn Yacht is less than a minute walk from the ExCeL exhibition centre and the Emirates Air Line cable car system that leads to the O2 Arena.

If you require nine or more rooms please contact Event Express on +44 (0) 1905 732 737 or email [email protected]

Directions – How to Find Us

It couldn’t be simpler to find us…

PUBLIC TRANSPORT – Closest station Custom House for ExCel

Faster journey times across London with direct links for national travel: Farringdon – 12mins (for Thameslink services), Paddington – 20mins (for Reading, Oxford, and the South West) and Liverpool Street – 10mins (for Stanstead and the east of England) and international travel with direct direct connection from Heathrow – 43mins.

*Elizabeth line operates Monday to Saturday.

The Jubilee Line and the DLR will conveniently take you to  Sunborn London. Alight at Canning Town on the Jubilee Line and change to DLR train for the quick two-stop journey to Custom House for ExCeL. Plan your journey

Please put the post code E16 1AA in your navigation system and it will guide you directly to Sunborn London Yacht Hotel.

Click here to view Google Map »

• Sunborn London reserves 3 parking spaces in front of the yacht for disable badge holders (blue badge), you will be required to let the hotel know in advance of your requirement for parking, you will be required to display a badge during your stay.
• Please be aware that during certain events the access for parking maybe closed.
• The nearest car park is located at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre, which is a 2 min walk away from our hotel. for information please follow the link . More Info

London City Airport (LCY)

• By Car: 10 minutes
• By Public Transportation: 15 minutes

London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

• By Car: 1h 15 min
• By Public Transportation: 43 min (Elizabeth Line)

London Gatwick (LGW)

• By Car: 1 h
• By Public Transportation: 48 min (Elizabeth Line via Farringdon)

London Luton Airport (LLA)

• By Car: 1h 10 min
• By Public Transportation: 34 min (Elizabeth Line via Farringdon)

London Stansted (STN)

• By Car: 40 mins
• By Public Transportation: 54 min (Elizabeth Line via Liverpool st)

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