sunborn yacht hotel london history

Reservations: +44 (0) 203 714 811

Yacht Collection

A fleet of first-class yacht hotels.

Sunborn Group is a privately owned property and development company who has pioneered the original floating hotel concept in 1998

…and has since created a number of bespoke Yacht Hotels for prestigious international locations.

The only company in the world to successfully construct a fleet of fully functioning, first-class Yacht Hotels, Sunborn is also highly experienced in the creation of flagship hotels, residential accommodation and restaurants.

With more than 30 years’ experience in the hotel, leisure and hospitality sector, Sunborn is also responsible for the development of luxury spa hotels, restaurants and other top-quality projects in Scandinavia, Germany, Spain and the UK. Sunborn Gibraltar is the first of a fleet of floating hotels. It has a sister hotel in London’s Docklands and more planned for other locations around the world.

To find out more about Sunborn Group, visit www.sunborn.com .

Sunborn Gibraltar

A magnificent five-star yacht hotel moored in an idyllic marina on Western Europe’s southernmost tip, Sunborn Gibraltar introduces a new concept of luxury to this famously exclusive setting. The 142-metre yacht hotel comprises 189 lavishly appointed rooms together with banqueting suites, bars, cocktail lounge and restaurants, plus tranquil pool, spa and sundeck, offering guests a unique opportunity to enjoy the ultimate indulgent hotel experience.

Naantali Spa

One of the prestigious ‘Royal Spas of Europe’ – is located in picture-perfect surroundings in one of the Finland’s prettiest, sunniest and most historic regions. Guests can visit Naantali Old Town with its traditional maritime charm, explore the archipelago or relax and enjoy the hotel’s luxury accommodation and sensational five-star facilities.

Ruissalo Spa

Situated on a picturesque island, Ruissalo Spa makes a beautiful get away. The spa features superb sporting facilities and offers expert care for musculoskeletal injuries. Guests can hike amid the breathtaking natural landscape, before heading off to experience the shopping and cultural attractions of the city of Turku.

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

• Latest Posts

• The Distillery Select Series Unveiled by The Dalmore - 18 September 2024
• Tested: Eufy X10 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum Cleaner - 15 September 2024
• Tormek T-1 Kitchen Knife Sharpener – A Cut Above? - 30 August 2024

You might also like...

A night on the water at the Sunborn Yacht hotel in London

London's floating hotel in royal victoria dock is a unique place to stay.

A stay at the Sunborn Yacht – London’s boat hotel

Spending a night at the Sunborn Yacht hotel in London was a rather pleasant if surreal experience, not least because I saw the hotel first from high up in the sky – not a usual occurrence! This floating hotel is located at Royal Victoria Dock in East London which is just a short walk from the cable car which crosses the Thames from North Greenwich. This means you can easily see the gleaming white yacht which is the Sunborn hotel from 90 metres up in the air, along with the sparkling water and the nearby London City Airport.

Our first glimpse of the Sunborn Yacht hotel London was from the cable car across the Thames

Getting to the Sunborn

We had decided to arrive like tourists, so rather than getting the DLR or Elizabeth Line to Customs House station, which is just a few minutes walk from the Sunborn, we instead caught the river bus with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers from the Embankment to North Greenwich.

Get my free email with offers and updates!

Sign up to receive my monthly email full of news, offers and brand new reviews!

I will never give away, trade or sell your email address. You can unsubscribe at any time.

The hour-long cruise sailed past iconic London sights such as Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and HMS Belfast while we enjoyed a civilised drink along with the views, chatting to friendly travellers on the boat, far more pleasant than a tube journey underground.

The Sunborn is located in Royal Victoria Dock in East London

View of the O2 music venue at Greenwich, formerly known as the Millennium Dome

From North Greenwich, home to the O2, we took the cable car – officially called the IFS Cloud Cable Car – over the Thames to Royal Victoria Dock, where the Sunborn Yacht hotel is located. Both journeys were unexpectedly delightful and total novelties to me, a long-time London resident; why should tourists get to do all the fun things?

Looking for hotels in London?

Arriving at Sunborn London

From the cable car stop it was just a short walk along the riverside to the Sunborn, which we had already spotted from our lofty vantage point, and it certainly looks impressive from any angle. Rather than being converted from a previous life sailing the Mediterranean, as I had imagined, the Sunborn London was constructed specially for its London mooring, and is the closest hotel to ExCeL , the vast conference centre and exhibition hall which is just a few metres away.

The ExCeL conference and exhibition centre is just a few steps – literally – from the entrance to the Sunborn Yacht hotel London

The entrance to the Sunborn Yacht hotel London

Talking of metres – the Sunborn London has around 10,000m2 of floorspace, which means it feels pretty roomy inside, with 138 bedrooms and suites over five floors, plus a bar, restaurant, conference facilities and several terraces for those sunny days and warm evenings.

Book Sunborn Yacht hotel London on Booking.com

Visit Sunborn Yacht hotel London on TripAdvisor

There is a sister hotel, the five-star Sunborn Gibraltar , which seems to be rather more luxurious, with a swimming pool and casino onboard, but I am told there are plans for the Sunborn London to find another spot in London and for a larger Sunborn to moor up here instead.

The impressive reception lobby at Sunborn Yacht hotel London

That is all some way in the future, though, with plans yet to be finalised, and for now the Sunborn London remains London’s only yacht hotel, and it certainly offers a unique place to spend the night. The entrance is certainly a good first impression, with a lift from the quayside opening out onto an impressive double spiral staircase, all gleaming glass and gold. Check in was quick and efficient, and before too long we were walking up the staircase to the 4th floor where our Yacht Executive Room with River View was located.

Bedrooms at Sunborn Yacht hotel

The 138 bedrooms at Sunborn London  start at Yacht Classic, then go up in size and facilities to Yacht Executive and then to the Suites. Our Yacht Executive, was fairly smart, with a large double bed, sofa, TV (which wasn’t very easy to watch from the bed), coffee table, writing desk and lots of mirrors, lights and plug points.

Our Yacht Executive room at Sunborn London was spacious and well-designed, with a large bed, sofa, desk, bathroom with shower and private balcony

The carpet was a little tired but the small ferry-style bathroom with shower was bright and clean and best of all, we had a small balcony with a view up and down the dock.

The bed was comfy and there were enough lights and powerpoints for all

For sitting outside and soaking up the views though, the best option is the terrace on the third floor at the back of the ship which gives great views down to the cable cab and beyond it, the O2 arena at Greenwich. Staff were efficient and helpful, serving us a beer and Bloody Mary cocktail, but be warned, the prices on the Sunborn are pretty steep – a glass of Prosecco will set you back £9 while a pint of lager is £7.50, cocktails are around £18 and a G&T will cost you £20.

Soaking up the sunshine with a cocktail on the terrace of the Sunborn London

A more sensible option is to check out some of the nearby bars and restaurants on dry land, such as The Fox – popular during ExCeL events – or even get a cheap bottle of fizz from the nearby Tesco and enjoy on your balcony, as paying £50 for two rounds of drinks seems a little excessive, even for central London prices, and we certainly weren’t in central London. There’s also a selection of bar snacks, such as whitebait, £9.50, or larger plates like fish and chips at £22, but we had reserved a table at the Sunborn’s Land’s End restaurant and decided to wait.

Dinner at Sunborn Yacht

Dinner on the Sunborn is served on the fourth floor, in the open-plan Land’s End restaurant, and guests are advised to book as it can get busy. Staff kindly let us switch from our initial table under some over-enthusiastic air-conditioning to a warmer one and it was nice to dine while seeing the views of the water outside.

Sadly, the food didn’t match the venue or its prices, which was a shame considering the unique location. The Sunborn itself doesn’t shy away from making extravagant claims about its restaurant, as its website proclaims: ‘In our beautiful and elegant restaurant, you’ll find an array of striking and memorable flavours, an inspiring range of local and seasonal ingredients, and menus and wine lists specifically curated to take you to new heights of sensory pleasure…To dine on board Sunborn’s luxury superyacht is to go on a voyage into a realm of flavour, aroma, and texture, and to treat yourself to something truly out of the ordinary.’

The Pressed Rabbit and Parma Ham Terrine to start

Sweetcorn chowder

We hadn’t read this blurb before dining but even so, the prices and venue meant that we had been really looking forward to something special. The starters were perfectly adequate, with Pressed Rabbit and Parma Ham Terrine (£15) and my large, warming bowl of Sweetcorn Chowder (£9.50) but the mains weren’t up to expectations; my seared Tuna Steak Nicoise (£34) was very odd, with the tuna having been seemingly brined or treated in some way that it tasted more like gammon, with oddly sliced eggs and an over-powering balsamic dressing, while my partner’s vast Lobster Tagliatelle (£32) was slightly better, but needed more flavour and more lobster. We decided to take one dessert to our room (Vanilla Creme Brûlée, £12) and were surprised to find it was really rather tiny.

My seared Tuna Steak Nicoise

Lobster Tagliatelle

It was a shame as dining on a boat certainly felt very special and the prices certainly hinted that the food would be a cut above the usual fare, but reluctantly I have to say I didn’t feel it matched the venue or the cost. ‘There’s something for everyone in the UK’s most exclusive and one of a kind venue’ says the website, so it does seem like a severe case of over-writing and under-delivering, at least on the evening we were there. The glass of red wine we had with our meal was very nice though and the Pina colada-style cocktail which came in a giant glass pineapple glass was fun and showed a bit of imagination and verve.

Cocktails at dinner were fun, especially the one served in a massive pineapple

Breakfast at Sunborn

Judging by the reviews on Tripadvisor breakfast at Sunborn yacht hotel, the breakfast is a hugely popular part of guests’ stay, but I think they were having an off-day when I visited (or maybe my expectations were too high?). Breakfast is buffet-only, so you help yourself from a variety of cooked options on hot plates, which range from sausages to bacon, scrambled eggs, fried eggs, baked beans and hash browns as well as a selection of cold meats, yoghurt, smoked fish, cereals and bread.

The yogurt was fine but the scrambled eggs were cold (even from the tray freshly brought from the kitchen), the sausages not very tasty and the bacon very patchily cooked, so for a hotel which claims to offer a ‘five-star, luxury experience’ I found it rather lacking – plus the coffee available was only filter coffee and staff were not very pleased with my request for a proper espresso – although they did oblige in the end. It is always tricky for a hotel to manage expectations but as breakfast is a highlight of most hotel stays, it surely isn’t too hard to make sure that food is well cooked and piping hot when served.

The lounge at the Sunborn Yacht hotel London

That said, staying at the Sunborn yacht hotel was certainly a unique London hotel experience and if you’re visiting ExCeL then it is the ideal place for location and convenience, plus sitting on the terrace in the sunshine next to the sparkling water of Royal Victoria Dock was a lovely way to spend the afternoon – I look forward to the arrival of Sunborn’s more luxurious replacement which will no doubt be a great addition to the area, whether you choose to travel by land, sea or air.

Sunborn Yacht hotel London at night

Hotel information and to book Sunborn Yacht hotel London

Sunborn Yacht hotel , Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1AA, United Kingdom. Phone: +44 20 3714 8111

Looking for more hotels in London?

Spa break at Corinthia hotel London Penthouse stay at nhow hotel, east London Cocktails with a view at ME London, The Strand A Sherlock stay at Holmes hotel on Baker Street Outdoor cocktails at Hyatt Place London City East Disco lights on a budget at Point A, Kings Cross Cocktails in Kensington at the Kensington hotel Mayfair Townhouse off London’s Piccadilly A five-star stay at The Stafford, London Festive treat at The Royal Horseguards hotel, London

Check out the whole list of London hotels reviewed by ALadyofLeisure.com

Sarah Bridge

Every review is personally researched and written by me, Sarah Bridge, who, when I'm not writing about leisure for a national newspaper, spends my time seeking out the best leisure experiences, from city centre boutique hotels to country house estates, Michelin-starred dining to the newest openings. Some of the links on my reviews are affiliate marketing links, which means if you click through I get a small commission if you end up buying on these sites. This in no way affects the independence of my reviews, but helps with website running costs and I just wanted to let you know so as to be fully transparent.

You may also like

65 of the best hotels for new year’s..., battlefields and a summer’s evening at tewkesbury park, the best christmas breaks 2024 – my festive..., nutfield priory, surrey: a spa hotel stay with..., the best dog friendly hotels in the uk..., seaside views at thurlestone hotel in south devon, cocktails and charm at hyatt place london city..., the best hotels with swimming pools reviewed, spa break in staffordshire at hoar cross hall..., the runnymede on thames hotel and spa: relaxing....

Coppercoat: The environmentally sensitive antifoul choice *sponsored post*

Yachting Monthly sponsors the Chichester Marina Boat Show and Watersports Festival

Round the Island Race 2019: Entries open

Düsseldorf Boat Show 2019: Fairline announces yacht line-up

Düsseldorf Boat Show 2019: Bavaria to showcase its complete range of motoryachts

• Subscribe Now
• Digital Editions

All aboard the Sunborn Yacht Hotel London

• Stef Bottinelli

With beautiful cabins, stunning views and delicious food, the superyacht moored by the Excel in East London is not just a four star hotel, but a veritable experience.

Moored by the Royal Victoria Dock, right next to the Excel, Sunborn Yacht London is the only first floating hotel in the capital.

The superyacht arrived in the UK in April 2014 and opened to guests in the autumn of the same year. It’s been very popular ever since, thanks to its beauty, interesting concept, proximity to the Excel and the city and the fact that it has a marriage licence.

The 128 metre-long, five storey craft boasts 136 roomy and elegant cabins and suites, spectacular views of Canary Wharf and central London, fine dining in the form of the Lands End Restaurant, the Sundown Bar, meeting and conference rooms, an auditorium and for those in need of pampering, even an Elemis SPA.

With its grand central staircase, spectacular crystal chandelier, teak wood panelling and brass railings, staying at the Sunborn feels like being on a luxurious cruise ship (albeit one that doesn’t sail, as this yacht does not have an engine). And with kingsize room prices starting at just under £140 per night, this is a cruise that won’t break the bank and it’s certainly cheaper than buying your own yacht or chartering one.

We visited Sunborn London on a splendid autumnal Sunday. We were immediately impressed by our spacious and stylish room (a term preferred by the management rather than cabin, which conjures up a cramped space), all wood and clean lines with  a comfortable double bed, sitting room area, an all white bathroom stocked with Molton Brown products, mini bar, tea and coffee facilities, a large TV, free WIFI, a tablet and stunning views across the Thames.

After settling in, we headed for the Sundown Bar, and enjoyed a glass of wine on deck, watching the sun setting over the London skyline – a very relaxing way to spend the end of the weekend.

Post  aperitif  we headed upstairs to the Lands End Restaurant, were dinner was fine indeed. The menu has a modern British/European feel and is well thought out, with simple, classic and delicious dishes. Starters include mouthwatering scallops with spring onion, pea purée, soft shell crab (£13), octopus tranche, red pepper & onion confit, avocado, lime & chilli (£11.00) and chicken and leek mousse and Shimeji mushroom & honey roast ham, chive beurre blanc (£11.00). Mains feature duck leg confit, celery root, roasted plum, watercress soubise (£22.00), sea bass, fennel textures, Polonaise sauce (£21.00) and pickled & slow braised pork belly, buttered savoy cabbage, carrot purée, beetroot with cider jus (£20.00). Vegetarians are well catered for too with at least two imaginative and tasty options per course, such as an entrée of cauliflower and ginger pudding, spinach shortbread, Parmesan foam (£10.00) and mains of vegetable roulade, spinach, goat cheese with tomato fondue (£18.00) and gnocchi, Stilton cheese, roasted almonds and herbs (£16.00).

Sunborn London Yacht Hotel doesn’t just offer a luxurious stay, but a real experience. Its proximity to the Excel and the city and its connections to central London by public transports or boat, make it an excellent alternative to standard accommodation, whether you are in the capital for pleasure or for business, or simply want to spend a relaxing weekend pretending you are indeed chartering a yacht, sailing away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

For more information visit Sunborn Hotels London.

Related articles:

Boat booking website Zizoo launches in the UK

App in new Airbnb for yachts

Pictures: A look inside Silver Fast superyacht

Silver Fast, one of the world's fastest yachts, has been unveiled. And there is even room for a Mercedes on…

Pictures: Symmetry, the new 180m superyacht from Sinot

Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design has revealed 'Symmetry', its latest concept, a double-headed superyacht, developed in partnership with BMT Nigel Gee.…

Pictures: Sailor Alex Thomson unveils new Hugo Boss boat for Vendee Globe

Sailor Alex Thompson has revealed the new Hugo Boss boat he hopes will make him the first Briton to win…

Cold war Soviet spy ship La Sultana up for sale

Used during the Cold War to unofficially spy on Britain and the US, the vessel has now been turned into…

A look inside the new MCY 105 – winner of ‘most innovative’ yacht award at Cannes

Take a look inside the new MCY 105, recently named the ‘most innovative’ yacht at Cannes Yachting Festival.

• The Best Of
• Destinations
• The Hotel Guru
• United Kingdom

Sunborn London Yacht Hotel

London (Royal Victoria Dock)

• Add to shortlist
• Map & Location

“Sunborn Yacht Hotel is moored on the Thames, just a short distance from Canary Wharf. This super-yacht hotel boasts smart, classically-styled rooms as well as a restaurant and a spa. Perfect for those who fancy something different! Parking available too.”

Hotel Rooms

Hotel review.

Moored in the trendy Royal Victoria Dock, Sunborn might look like a decommissioned cruise ship, but in fact it was purpose built as a hotel and has never sailed at all. Step inside though, and you’d think you were about to drift off across the oceans to other lands. Wood panelling and the swish spiralling grand staircase with chandelier, evoke feelings of luxury travel and lead you into the Lands End Restaurant where attentive servers bring out slow roasted rump of lamb and lobster tagliatelle. Enjoy twists on classic cocktails, like the Cherry Martini, in the Sundown Bar and take in the nightscapes out on the terrace. Then retire to your spacious cabin complete with balcony overlooking the river.

Written by Samantha Priestley

Recommended For

• Short break
• Located just 15 minutes away from London City Airport
• Local exploring
• Spend your days seeing all that London has to offer
• Romantic Break
• Sunborn Yacht Hotel offers luxurious accommodation on the Thames and fine dining
• Go see the Imperial War Museum, British Museum or the Natural History Museum
• Local markets
• Camden Market and London Bridge Borough Market are both well worth a visit
• Great walks
• Wander all over this bustling city's streets getting a feel for the place
• Sights nearby
• Go see the Tower of London, London Eye or Buckingham Palace
• Sit-out Terrace
• Family Suites
• Contemporary
• Meeting Room
• Air conditioning
• Room service
• Head to London's famous West End to take in a show

Map & Location

What's Nearby

Other reviews, sunborn london.

"Not your usual hotel: Sunborn London is, in fact, a 420ft yacht moored in the Royal Victoria docks, a symphony in white and charcoal which could easily have been left behind by a departing oligarch. It's well-placed for the O2 arena, London City airport and the ExCel centre."

Originally published by The Telegraph ( view article )

Sunborn Yacht Hotel, London

"The Sunborn Yacht Hotel was based in Finland before it was towed to London in 2014..."

Originally published by The Times ( view article )

Browse more hotels nearby

Any Questions?

• Where To Stay
• Holiday Rentals
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Ask the Guru

• Latest Headlines
• Destinations
• Holiday Types
• Expert Reviews
• Mail Travel
• Celebrity Travel

Jacuzzis and saunas in the suites and free tablets in every room: On board the spectacular £780-a-night, five-storey super-yacht that is London's first floating hotel

• Sunborn London has 136 guest rooms, including suites, over five decks
• Executive suite pampers guests with its own sauna and massive balcony
• Company has a yacht hotel in Gibraltar and plans to open one in Barcelona

By Jenny Coad for the Daily Mail

Published: 09:00 EDT, 2 October 2014 | Updated: 16:51 EDT, 2 October 2014

View comments

Britain's first superyacht hotel has sailed into London. 

The 394ft, four star, five storey Sunborn Yacht was pulled along the Thames in April and opened to guests on Wednesday. 

Situated in Royal Victoria Dock, within sight of the Millennium Dome – it is the Capital's only floating hotel.

Scroll down for video 

Situated in Royal Victoria Dock, the 394ft, four star, five storey Sunborn Yacht is London's only floating hotel

Jenny Coad aboard the Sunborn Yacht in London. The interiors of the ship reflects traditional cruise-liners

Room prices start from £160 per night, which isn't bad for a superyacht. By comparison: chartering a luxury yacht for a week costs tens of thousands of pounds, and a London hotel room is an average £127 a night.

RELATED ARTICLES

Share this article

It certainly looks every inch the ship of dreams - though it isn't actually sea-worthy – and the interiors reflect traditional cruise-liners – shiny brass railings, teak wood panelling, spiral staircase, centre piece chandelier, art-deco wall lights, slightly off-putting swirly carpeting, plus very heavy doors that won't budge in a squall.

It's popular, according to the General Manager, Andreas Stys, for special occasions.

George R R Martin, author of Game of Thrones, extended his visit during the World Science Fiction Convention held at the ExCel centre, (which the yacht is parked next to), in August. 

The bar, restaurant and top deck Sky Bar (all open to non-staying guests) are in the stern of the ship, and gaze towards the city framed by the steely grey cranes lining the dock

All aboard! Jenny sips a cup of tea on the deck of London's first luxury floating hotel 

Floating hotels have become something of a worldwide trend – Sunborn has another yacht moored off Gibraltar

It's become a popular hotspot for marriage proposals too. 

Those popping the question might consider booking into the Executive Suite at the bow of the ship – with its own balcony, plus sun loungers – as well as a Jacuzzi, sauna and double shower. 

The view from the bedroom looks out onto the converted warehouses on the other side of the dock.

The ship even has a wedding license – so you could go the whole hog and come back to celebrate anniversaries (as many people do, apparently).

Rooms are said to offer five metres square more space than equivalent hotels in London. 

They feel spacious, even at entry level, though the bathrooms are small. All rooms have tablets rather than a traditional hotel menu and free wifi.

All rooms have tablets rather than a traditional hotel menu and free wifi

The Sunborn Yacht is expected to prove popular with guests looking to host events for special occasions, and the vessel even has its own wedding licence

Rooms are said to offer 5 metres square more space than equivalent priced hotels in London

The Executive Suite at the bow of the ship has its won balcony, sun loungers, Jacuzzi, and sauna

Sunborn had a yacht hotel in a similar spot, from 2002 to 2008, in the same industrial-feeling mooring. 

The bigger (and newly refurbished) ship looks directly up at planes taking off from City Airport, which is exciting to behold at night, if less thrilling to witness first thing in the morning.

Guests would be advised to book rooms facing out onto the water. Portside rooms come with considerably less inspiring views of the ExCel centre.

The bar, restaurant and top deck Sky Bar (all open to non-staying guests) are in the stern of the ship, and gaze towards the city framed by the steely grey cranes lining the dock.

George R R Martin, author of Game of Thrones, extended his visit during the World Science Fiction Convention held at the ExCel centre, (which the yacht is parked next to), in August

The bar, restaurant and top deck Sky Bar (all open to non-staying guests) are in the stern of the ship

The Sunborn Yacht is within sight of the Millennium Dome while the portside of the ship looks out onto the converted warehouses on the other side of the dock

Floating hotels are experiencing something of a worldwide trend – Sunborn has another, five star yacht moored off Gibraltar – and there are more buoyant palaces mooted. 

The Krystall hotel, designed by Dutch Docklands and set for completion at the end of 2016, will be moored off Tromso in Norway. 

It looks like a floating snowflake and has a glass roof offering views of the Northern Lights. 

The same company is behind Ocean Flower in the Maldives – a collection of 185 floating villas in a flower-shaped configuration.

Share or comment on this article: On board the spectacular Sunborn Yacht that is London's first floating hotel

Most watched news videos.

• A look at Sarco suicide pod as capsule is used for first time
• Keir Starmer calls for 'return of sausages' in huge speech gaffe
• Leonardo DiCaprio spotted dancing at P Diddy's 50th birthday party
• Diddy behind bars: The disturbing and troubling resurfaced videos
• Doctor behind Sarco suicide pod known as 'Dr. Death'
• Member of the company who created Sarco suicide pod
• Gisele Pelicot's lawyers urge court should not be afraid to 'show rape'
• See the prison called 'Hell on Earth' where Diddy awaits trial
• Stunned fans say they finally understand Eminem's lyrics about Diddy
• Prince Harry reveals who is pictured on his iPhone lock screen
• Justin Bieber's father-in-law Stephen Baldwin issues cryptic warning
• Trump takes out CASH from his wallet to pay for PA mother's groceries

Comments 33

Share what you think

• Worst rated

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

TOP STORIES IN TRAVEL

• Follow DailyMail
• Subscribe Daily Mail
• Follow @dailymail
• Follow MailOnline
• Follow Daily Mail

LATEST TRAVEL NEWS

• Tourists warned as Goa taxi protest turns violent
• Parliament to debate cost of term-time holidays
• New Brazil yoga retreats for World Cup widows
• Outer Hebrides boasts stunning airport approach
• Lewis Hamilton to star in Top Gear festival
• Thailand set to lose £1.6bn in tourism revenue
• 14% of Brits abroad refuse to speak local dialect
• Egypt bombing: New FCO advice to UK tourists
• India to cut red tape and issue visas on arrival
• Qatar Airways' new all-business class flights
• Rise in British travellers visiting Germany
• Brits rate cuisine as essential part of holiday
• London to Glasgow train to host comedy gig
• British sounds in £2.5m tourism advert
• Two-fifths of parents would risk term-time trip

• Back to top

Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd

Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group

• Open Water Swimming
• Royal Docks Adventure
• Wakeup Docklands
• ExCel London
• IFS Cloud Cable Car

Sunborn London

• London City Airport
• Booking Forms

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

Visit website >

Enjoy luxury hotels and holidays at lower prices

Access and book our deals using just your email

Forgotten your password?

• There was an error logging you in with Google, please try again or enter your email address manually.

New deals start and end every day

Our deals move fast - our emails make sure you don't miss a trip.

See the newest deals and biggest discounts first

Receive announcements and deal summaries only

Our site needs JavaScript enabled to work properly.

Click this link from Google to see how to enable JavaScript.

Then you will be able to see our lovely holidays.

Our site needs first party cookies enabled to work properly.

Click this link from Google to see how to enable cookies.

Luxury London stay on a superyacht

Adding allowance

Departure times

Departure airports, arrival airports, sunborn london, royal victoria dock.

Flights available

5,012 reviews

Property details

Great Overall Ranking

Top 13% in city

Excellent Views

Top 3% in city

Excellent Housekeeping

Top 4% in city

Excellent Rooms

Top 9% in city

• Unique getaway : Swift in the wake of its glimmering Gibraltar predecessor, the sleek Sunborn London superyacht boasts cutting-edge architecture and awe-inspiring views for a glamorous escape away from the hustle and bustle. Poised gracefully on Royal Victoria Dock among gleaming high-rise global banks, it sits in a suitably minted location.
• Drink in the views : Canary Wharf’s twinkly multi-coloured tower lights are the perfect urban backdrop to pre-dinner seasonal cocktails and small plates in the Sundown Bar - the ideal spot to kick back after a day of city slicking. Elsewhere, treat yourself to a sumptuous culinary journey at the elegant Lands Ends restaurant.
• Timeless elegance : Cocoon yourself in style, luxury and comfort in your spacious superyacht guestroom. You can expect a timeless design alongside classic craftsmanship, not to mention pristine bathrooms with indulgent Prija toiletries.

Entry requirements

The passport, visa and health requirements at the time of booking can be viewed on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for UK citizens, and on the Department of Foreign Affairs website for IE citizens. It is your responsibility to ensure that you and all members of your party are in possession of all necessary travel and health documents, and in compliance with any other immigration/entry requirements before you travel, including whether your passport must be machine readable or which visas/waivers may be required for entry, such as ESTA for USA travel and/or ETIAS for EU travel. Please also be sure to check the validity of your passport and allow up to 10 weeks for passport renewals.

Location and what's nearby

Royal Victoria Dock, London, E16 1XL

Who can afford the ₤150,000-a-week it costs to charter a superyacht? Not many. But thanks to the Sunborn London you can still experience the life of a sexy sea-dog. It is a 394ft superyacht that has been converted into a luxury hotel.

Permanently moored at Royal Victoria Dock, the financial center of Canary Wharf and the City are in easy access as if the celebrated O2 centre which hosts the biggest concerts and exhibitions. There are 138 rooms starting at a relatively modest ₤180 per night ($305) that go all the way up to a royal suite that has a sauna, sunken Jacuzzi, and a 100sq ft private terrace. There are two restaurants one for fine dining and one for a more casual experience.

The London Sunborn yacht is set to stay in London for many years to come but there’s nothing to stop it weighing anchor and setting sail if London suddenly hits financial hardship… or if stolen by pirates.

• West Europe
• East Europe
• North America
• Central America
• South America
• Middle East
• Southeast Asia
• Eco-Friendly
• Traditional
• Underground

Reservations: +44 (0) 203 714 811

Lands End Restaurant

A break on board our luxury super yacht is designed to be a treat for all the senses..

There’s something for everyone in the UK’s most exclusive and one of a kind venue. Enjoy mouth-watering food with unrivalled views in the heart of London’s Docklands.

A break on board our luxury super yacht is designed to be a treat for all the senses. We want our guests to not only be able to relax in beautifully designed rooms, or to be invigorated and inspired by our sumptuous décor and spectacular setting, but also to have their palates taken on a journey of discovery by our team of dedicated, ground-breaking, and highly talented chefs.

That’s why we’ve put as much thought, care, and attention into the creation of our stunning Lands End restaurant as we have to every other aspect of this Sunborn Hotel. In our beautiful and elegant restaurant, you’ll find an array of striking and memorable flavours, an inspiring range of local and seasonal ingredients, and menus and wine lists specifically curated to take you to new heights of sensory pleasure.

Thanks to the deft hands and visionary approach of our Executive Head Chef, we’re able to serve our esteemed guests dishes which capture something of the dynamism and thrill that is the very heart of London culture. As a result, to dine on board Sunborn’s luxury superyacht is to go on a voyage into a realm of flavour, aroma, and texture, and to treat yourself to something truly out of the ordinary.

The Setting

Our restaurant takes its name from the original moniker of the Victoria Docks in which our vessel is moored. We wanted Lands End to have a deep connection with its setting – after all, this is the dockland from which the British Empire was expanded, and a location which helped shape the world as we know it today. Just as diners can enjoy unparalleled views of the lights of the dock twinkling from the ever-changing waters of the Thames, they can also indulge in a sense of history, of time and place, and of Old World elegance and sophistication.

Our dining room effortlessly blends the old with the new, the classic with the contemporary, and the vintage with the avant-garde. Spacious, beautifully ambient, and boasting the kind of views unattainable from anywhere else in the capital, to dine on board our vessel is a delight for the eyes as much as it is for the palate.

London is one of the most culturally diverse and colourful cities on earth, and Lands End Restaurant successfully captures some of that dynamism on the plates we curate in our state-of-the-art kitchen. Our Head Chef is as passionate about delicious and quality ingredients as he is about constructing dishes which sing of fusion, flavour, and cross-cultural references. As a result, you’ll find dishes which take their influences from all across Europe, as well as Asia and elsewhere in the empire once discovered from this historic harbour.

Here at Sunborn, we believe in giving our guests the true freedom of choice, and in ensuring that each choice on offer is as sumptuous and inspiring as the next. That’s why we offer a beautifully elegant and classic set menu for both lunch and dinner between Monday and Thursday, and an exciting and varied a la carte menu each day of the week. We have no doubt that within its pages, you’ll find something perfectly suited for your own personal taste, as well as plenty of new favourites to uncover.

No great dining experience would be complete without a wine list which does justice to the delicious dishes on offer, and Lands End Restaurant truly excels when it comes to the bottles in our cellar. Our trained sommeliers have hand-picked the red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines on offer, and would be more than happy to recommend perfectly-paired wine by the bottle or glass to match the meal of your choice.

We also have a stunning range of fortified wines from across Europe, as well as quality and exclusive spirits and other drinks for your delectation.

*Our Dress code is smart casual. As one of the premier dining venues in the UK, Lands End Restaurant regrets that entry will not be allowed to those wearing shorts, flip flops, sports clothing.” A strict and respectable smart casual dress code applies in order for all our guests to enjoy an exclusive and elegant experience on board the UK’s only super luxury yacht.

Monday to Friday 07.00 to 10.00

Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays 08.00 to 11.00

Monday to Sunday 12.00 to 15.00

Monday to Sunday 17.00 to 22.00

In-room dining 

24hrs (limited menu from 10pm to 6.30am)

Great offers

Ultimate romantic package.

A unique Romantic Getaway in the heart of London, onboard the UK’s only Super Yacht Luxury Hotel with city views and exquisite cuisine.

Book direct via our website. Package available for 1 night stays

Afternoon Tea Break

Our new afternoon tea break package is now available to book online. Join us for a midweek break and explore the docklands in London with a stay on board the yacht.

Sunborn Gateway

A unique Sunborn Gateway in the heart of London, onboard the UK’s only Super Yacht Hotel with city views and exquisite cuisine. Book direct via our website.