sunborn yacht restaurant reviews

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Sunborn London

Docklands, London, England, United Kingdom

• Full Review
• A floating super yacht hotel with serious novelty factor
• Moored right opposite Excel conference center
• Minutes' walk from DLR train station
• Easy access to London's City Airport
• Relatively spacious rooms, most with water views
• In-room Lavazza coffeemakers and Sony tablets
• Restaurant and terrace bar with water views
• Far from tourist center
• No fitness facilities

Bottom Line

The 136-room Sunborn London is an upper-mid-range hotel in the form of a 394-foot super yacht moored in London's Royal Victoria Dock. Rooms are pleasant, surprisingly spacious, and most have views over the water, though decor is more cruise liner than luxury yacht. Some rooms have spacious decks and big soaking tubs; all have coffeemakers, minibars, and flat-screen TVs. Eating and drinking options are solid though lack of fitness facilities feels like an oversight. Overall, for maritime enthusiasts with business in the area it's perfect, but tourists wanting to explore the capital's attractions should look elsewhere. Wi-Fi is free throughout. 

Hotel & Amenities Photos

Classic room with river view.

Restaurants and Bars

Junior Suite

Oyster Hotel Review

An upper-mid-range floating hotel set on a super yacht .

The Sunborn London is not only the capital's only floating hotel, it's the only one occupying a 394-foot super yacht. Built without an engine, however, it was towed from its native Finland and opened as upper-mid-range water-based lodgings in 2014. From the outside -- with its sleek marine lines -- it looks every inch the luxury vessel. Inside , however, the look and feel is deliberately more traditional, with polished brass railings, teakwood paneling, and the occasional nautical touches across all five of its floors. The resulting vibe is certainly more cruise ship (albeit an attractive one) than billionaire's playground. There's plenty of outside space on deck for enjoying the surrounding docks -- if not the most attractive of views -- accompanied by the sound of planes taking of and landing at the nearby City Airport. A solid pick for the novelty factor and for guests with business at the nearby conference center, this hotel is a bit far from main tourist attractions.

Moored in Royal Victoria Dock to the east of London's Canary Wharf

The hotel is permanently moored in the London ’s Royal Victoria Dock in the Docklands area in the east of the capital. The city's largest conference and events venue -- the Excel Center -- is located right opposite while the DLR (Dockland's Light Railway) station of Custom House is just minutes away on foot. From here it's just about 15 minutes by train to London's business district of Canary Wharf. While it's not ideally located for tourists, public transport links to the city center in around half an hour. City Airport however is right nearby and takes less than 10 minutes by car. 

Relatively spacious rooms with Sony tablets and Lavazza coffeemakers

The hotel's 136 rooms are certainly a lot larger than your average cruise ship cabins, but all follow cruise liner styling with plenty of polished teak, brass trim, and maritime touches. Unlike a cruise ship, all rooms are outward facing and most have large picture windows overlooking the water (some have small furnished balconies too). Amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs plus sitting areas, and a Sony tablet for web browsing and ordering room service. Lavazza coffeemakers and minibars with free water also come standard. Clean, well-maintained bathrooms provide wall-mounted hairdryers, walk-in showers, and Molton Brown products. The top-end Yacht Executive Suite we saw had its own private sauna and large balcony.

Restaurant and terrace with water views, free Wi-Fi, and a small spa with massage treatments

The hotel's Lands End restaurant provides a pleasant space awash with mirrored glass and teak paneling with large windows overlooking the water. A la carte and set breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus are served with British, Asian, and Mediterranean influences. The adjoining bar provides house cocktails, snacks, and meals as well as an outdoor terrace with views of Canary Wharf and the O2 arena. A small spa also provides a range of massage treatments though there are no fitness facilities on-site. Wi-Fi is free throughout.

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Air Conditioner

Babysitting services, balcony / terrace / patio, basic television, dry cleaning, kids allowed, meeting / conference rooms, mini bar (with liquor), poolside drink service, room service, separate bedroom / living room space.

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.

View Top Offer For This Hotel

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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 Yacht - Review of Sunborn London

• Europe    
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• Sunborn London

Sunborn Yacht

A night on the sunborn London was bought by my family for my 70th birthday The yacht beautiful but the breakfast was terrible wrong breakfast bought to me twice when I did get my breakfast it was cold cheap ingredients looking around most people were leaving the breakfast The hotel yes but the breakfast was not worth the money plenty of restaurants nearby for breakfast More

• Cleanliness

Dear Toddie B. Thank you for your comments which are greatly appreciated. We do our best to meet our guests' expectations, and we regret to read that we fell short in certain instances. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience and rest assured that we have taken note of your comments concerning our breakfast. However, it is very rare to receive such a comment as we receive many praises about our breakfast quality and service. Clearly we will never please everyone and everyone's taste, largely our reviews are favourable. On the other hand, we are pleased to know that you appreciated our beautiful Yacht during your special visit. Thank you again for your feedback and we hope you will return. Best regards, Atif Shaikh, Assistant Front Office Manager

• Visit hotel website

• Free parking

Booked the Sunborn as we were attending an exhibition at the ExCel it is around 100 meters to the exhibition centre . Apart from a faulty lift first impressions were very good , on arrival we were informed we had been upgraded to a superior room with a balcony . The welcome was warm and friendly and the staff very helpful. The room was large and more than adequate for a night’s stay and boasted some extra kit such as Lavazza coffee maker and fridge. On returning from a meal out we decided to have a drink in the bar which was very relaxing and comfortable, the staff once again were welcoming and friendly. We noticed that it was possible to take our drinks on the rear deck with imposing views of the O2 and the city of London . Our # 1 impression of the Sunborn was how relaxing, peaceful and quiet it was . Next morning check out was completed with no fuss and we organised our bags to be looked after whilst we visited the exhibition. We would certainly recommend the Sunborn for anyone wanting novel accommodation with peace and quiet if you are staying at that end of London.

Dear Tim, Thank you for sharing your feedback about your recent experience! We are pleased that our location met your needs and are delighted that you had an enjoyable and comfortable stay with all your expectations met and, in some cases, exceeded. Your mention of our team's attentive service is truly appreciated and inspires us to constantly improve our performance. We hope that we have the pleasure of seeing you again in the future. Kind regards, Atif Shaikh, Assistant Front Office Manager

Booked this for an overnight stay whilst visiting the Excel exhibition centre and loved every minute. Arrived early and were able to leave our bags so we could come back and check in in the afternoon, the staff were super helpful and efficient. When we returned check in was swift and the rooms were clean and tidy as you’d expect plus we had a balcony to sit out on, have a glass of wine and watch the world go by. Area has a variety of bars and restaurants and has the funky dockland vibe. The hotel bar has a rear deck overlooking the dock and away to Canary Wharf which is quite magical, it’s position A for cocktails! In all we spent 26 hours in London on our whirlwind trip but all agreed it felt as if we had had a long weekend away such was the buzz of staying on the yacht hotel…fab. Get it booked, you won’t regret it.

Dear Guest, Thank you for such a positive review! We are delighted that you enjoyed our "vibe location" and felt very well cared for during your time here. Our team will appreciate your kind comments which we will be sure to pass on to them. Thank you for mentioning our bar with the magical views with the city lights to Canary Wharf and its brightness which is a real position for a cocktail! We look forward to the pleasure of seeing you again on a future visit. Kindest regards, Atif Shaikh, Assistant Front Office Manager

This is a cool place that we decided to do for something a bit different. Staying on a luxury Yacht is very cool. Checkin was easy and staff helpful. Room was big if a tad dated - but that adds to the Yacht look and feel. Shower room was a good size but no extractor fan so it gets super steamy and doesn’t clear. Air con was good. General facilities - good coffee machine, kettle, iron/ironing board were all on point. The experience didn’t disappoint!

Dear Guest, Thank you for reporting so positively about your time at The Sunborn Yacht Hotel, enabling us to be an ideal starting point for visiting London. We are pleased that you appreciated the overall atmosphere of our "cool Yacht", and our amenities were to your convenience. Our team members are always at hand to provide our guests with an excellent service. We all certainly hope that we have the pleasure of welcoming you back again in future. Cool regards! The Guest Experience Team The Sunborn London

Loved the stay with the balcony river view. I had chosen a birthday surprise package for my wife which was well organized by the hotel. Cake and decorations where amazing. The dinner at the restaurant was awesome. Breakfast was average. Definitely recommend.

Dear Shyam, Thank you for this lovely review. We are happy to know your recent stay with us was a lovely experience. Thank you very much for all the detailed information you have given for which we are very grateful, as it not only encourages us to continue to uphold our high standards but will also be very useful for our future guests. We always aim to provide a truly memorable experiences. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future. Best regards, The Guest Experience Team The Sunborn London

The hotel was great, nice room and balcony overlooking Royal Victoria Dock. We had a three course dinner and breakfast included in our package. The food was absolutely lovely and the service couldn't have been better. All of the staff were very attentive, you couldn't have wished for more! Unfortunately for us, we only stayed for one night having taken over three hours to drive up from Gloucestershire so didn't have time to travel into central London. We didn't think much of the location unless you were going to the Excel exhibition centre which was literally on the doorstep, or should I say down the gangplank! Thoroughly enjoyed our stay though.

• Sleep Quality

Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing this lovely review about your personal experience at the Sunborn Yacht Hotel London. We really love it! It is very rewarding to receive a review of complete satisfaction from a guest and we are delighted to have met all your expectations of the highest standards of comfort, efficiency and a warm welcome. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future. Best regards, The Guest Experience Team The Sunborn London

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Sunborn London Yacht Hotel

London (Western Gateway)

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“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! ”

Hotel Rooms

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

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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 )

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• Reviews of Sunborn London Yacht Hotel

Reviews of Sunborn London Yacht Hotel 4 stars

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

#320 of 1,002 hotels in London

Review score

Based on 5130 hotel reviews

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Cleanliness

Value for money

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Showing 1 – 25

Reviewed: 20 March 2024

• • Leisure trip
• • Couple
• • Classic King room with Dockview
• • Stayed 1 night
• • Submitted via mobile

Stayed in February 2024

Reviewed: 18 March 2024

We have stayed here before good location

Stayed in March 2024

Reviewed: 17 March 2024

• • Classic King Room with River View

Nothing Just needed to be a bit warmer for me as felt a little bit cold

All of it very good Excellent stay

Sarah-louise

• • Family with young children
• • Executive King Room with Dockview
• • Stayed 2 nights

A little bit quiet night with only the lounge bar

Have stayed 4 times now, a lovely environment and away from the hustle and bustle yet close enough to travel to the centre

Reviewed: 16 March 2024

Only negative I could think of is the drink prices are a bit steep!

The breakfast is very good as is the accommodation

Reviewed: 14 March 2024

A wide range of "standard" breakfasts foods included in the price. The room was a lot bigger than expected, with a powerful shower. A fully-fledged hotel despite being on a yacht. A bar, with a great view of the dock by night, serving nice cocktails just down the hall from our room.

Cost of food in restaurant and bar. Food was what we have had before in other places for less money and drinks were again brands you can get in most places but for less, even in London. Where as other hotels have later bar and better room service facilities available for residents too.

Beautiful setting on the water with views of The O2.

Reviewed: 13 March 2024

View from the balcony and noisy up till 3:30 am neighbours drunk taking photos .

Everyone and everything,not the water view sorry to say ,please make it clear and I’ll easily come and stay 2/3 times a year ,really good breakfast ,must say,Matty W.

Reviewed: 11 March 2024

• • Executive King Room with River View

There wasn't really any thing that we disliked about this hotel. Would recommend to friends and family.

The room was stunning, spotless and well looked after. Staff were very helpful and pleasant. Breakfast was exceptional. location was brilliant, close to trains, cable car etc. Would highly recommend this hotel and will stay there again.

Loved the experience and no complaints

We were looked after fantastically well. It was my wife's 60th birthday, and it was made special. Thank you so much

• • People with friends

Extortionate bar prices, £59 for 2 G&T and 2 bottles beers!!!! Were given wrong price for breakfast. Lovely guy at reception but he struggled to understand us.

Great location. Lovely foyer and nice views.

The distance into the city was a little too far, I have no idea of distances, my geography is terrible. we were able to get taxis. however that was expensive.

We travelled to London to celebrate my Daugther's 50th Birthday, the SUNBORNE exceeded all expectations. Beautiful surroundings and our dinner, which I had pre-booked was exceptional. Our room was spacious and en-suite good. The bar and restaurant are comfortable. The Sunborne was a little pricey, but if you want cheap don't book this. For a special event it was just perfect.

• • Business trip
• • Group

The rooms in general are good, the sanitary is out dated and some mold. Breakfast was nice but for this location and price you would expect more.

Location is excellent, very impressive. In the restaurant there was an excellent host; Anna. She was amazing and a true ambassador for this hotel.

We had booked breakfast which was confirmed when we checked in, unfortunately when we arrived at breakfast we were then told we were not booked for it, we went down to reception and were given a computer says no answer despite showing them our booking confirmation. There was no attempt made to rectify the situation, not good customer service in our opinion.

Lovely room and lovely stay in a great location

Reviewed: 9 March 2024

We had a couple of cocktails in the evening, and for the price of £18 per one, we were so disappointed! Very watery and nothing special at all. The bar area and the view are lovely but not worth the drinks. Our air-conditioning wasn't working properly through the night, and we woke up covered in sweat with no air to breathe! I just couldn't make it work. I spoke to reception in the morning, and they were apologetic. And at last, the breakfast. For me, that's usually the highlight of any trip. I was disappointed with how basic it was. It all tasted ok, but that's about it, just OK. Our table was wobbly, and the drinks kept spilling every time I moved. I saw that a couple next to us had the same problem.

It was a lovely and different experience to staying in a hotel. Our bedroom was huge and I'm glad we booked the room with a view, that's definitely worth it. Staff was very welcoming and friendly.

Reviewed: 8 March 2024

Lovely clean room, nice and quiet, good night sleep. Staff all friendly and good breakfast.

Reviewed: 7 March 2024

Nothing really

Excellent location if you are attending the Excel

Bedrooms very hot, feather pillows not a fan at all, very expensive food and drinks. Delayed checking in by over an hour

Beautiful decor entrance stunning to the yacht

Reviewed: 5 March 2024

At breakfast you had to queue in one coffee & tea machine to get ur drinks… I thought for the cost there would have been table service for drinks

The location, novelty of staying on a yacht…

• • Classic Family Room

Food was a little pricey for the portion sizes in the bar! Bathroom was a little run down, shower head could have done with being replaced was really old looking!

Location was great and the size of bedrooms were really impressive!

Reviewed: 4 March 2024

Good location, generally good though bathrooms could do with a upgrade

Reviewed: 3 March 2024

Cost of drinks in the bar 3 times more than what you normally pay for gin and lemonade and a cider

Amazing property, stunning and excellent customer service

Reviewed: 1 March 2024

The only downfall was the coffee machine in our room didn't work, but we reported this and the staff said they would get this resolved

The room was a good size. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly.

I thought £5 for a small bottle of water was a bit much.

Lovely spacious comfortable room with "sitting room" area. Only a few stops from the city centre on the tube. Good breakfast. Friendly and helpful staff.

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Bar & restaurant.

Sunborn London’s luxury provision extends to its on-board bar and restaurant. Much care has gone into the development of beautifully designed spaces where guests can enjoy fine food, exceptional service and panoramic views of the city, O2 and Victoria Dock from an exclusive vantage point.

Lands End restaurant caters for every mood from casual buffet breakfast to quick-fire business lunch and after-dark fine dining. The intimate cedar and brass surroundings coupled with elegant lighting create a perfect backdrop for sampling the international gourmet menu, while the adjoining Sundown lounge bar is a smart choice for pre-dinner drinks. Why not give your private reception the superyacht treatment, by booking exclusive use of the fabulous top-deck Sky Lounge Room?

At Sunborn London we value traditions and believe in importance of knowledge of the local heritage. Therefore we have named our restaurant Lands End – the name given to Victoria Docks area by George Bidder in 1840’s.

It was in the mid-1800s that the Victoria Docks came to life. In 1847 the well-known Victorian engineer George Bidder completed his railway from Stratford to North Woolwich. This new line was south of Canning Town followed the line of what is now Silvertown Way and North Woolwich Road, was called “Bidders Folly” because it passed through completely undeveloped marshland. George Bidder sensed the potential of the area and soon he had bought up the whole of the marshes between Bow Creek and Galleons Reach. He called the area “Lands End” and soon his investment was showing a handsome return as the land was sold for the docks and for a belt of factories along the River.

Afternoon Tea London

Enjoy a delightful selection of sandwiches and sweets in a unique atmosphere with stunning views of Canary Wharf and the surrounding Docklands. A unique experience… Book your Afternoon Tea Experience HERE 

Sundown Bar

  Make yourself comfortable in the elegant surroundings of the Sundown Bar and enjoy a morning coffee or an expertly prepared cocktail. It’s an essential indulgence!  

Lands End Restaurant

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. Book your table  HERE 

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.

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.

Hotel Reservations

For all updates on reservations please register your interest here.

Conference & Event Reservations

We’re now taking conference and event reservations.

General Enquiries

Press enquiries.

Our press office is at your service.

The Best 10 Restaurants near Sunborn Yacht Hotel in London

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

1 .  Pepenero

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“Awesome!!!!! Food was delicious. Service was personable and friendly. Wine was delightful.”   more

2 .  Brilliant Punjabi

“Cute little place in the middle of the convention center food court. It was really fast since the food is pre-cooked. The price was perfect at 10 pounds for a…”   more

3 .  The Golden Chippy

“Delicious Loved this fish and chips place fresh and yummy We will definitely be coming again when in London. This is our second year in a row but first…”   more

4 .  Heroica Lounge

“This is a great pizza place. The chef makes the chili oil himself. The pizza is delicious, and the service is quick and friendly. The re-purposed double decker…”   more

5 .  China Palace Excel

“Went with colleagues for dim sum lunch. Went back another evening after a long day setting up a trade show. Both times service was spot on. The food was…”   more

6 .  Fox Connaught

“This pub is always our go-to when we come down for Comic Con both in May and October. The Bar staff as always so lovely to us, they join in with out jokes…”   more

7 .  La Barrique Wine Bar & Restaurant

“After an extremely long couple of days presenting to clients at Excel, we were looking for a break. Thankfully we stumbled upon La Barrique which was JUST what…”   more

8 .  Tapa Tapa

“My boyfriend took me there for Valentines dinner and we loved it! Great and fast service. One of the best tapas I have tried in London so far, really good…”   more

9 .  Chacoal Restaurant

“Charcoal Restaurant is a hidden jewel, humble location and ambience but the food was superb. Tried the mixed Kabab main course and Red Onion appetizer. Meal…”   more

10 .  The Breakfast Club

“I really liked this place! It's on the second floor, and it has a 1980s wood paneling vibe to it, complete with two arcade games in the front. The restaurant…”   more

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What are people saying about restaurants near London, XGL?

This is a review for restaurants near London, XGL:

"Cute little place in the middle of the convention center food court. It was really fast since the food is pre-cooked. The price was perfect at 10 pounds for a meal, side dish and a drink. The chicken curry was very good. It had the perfect amount of spice . II lost a star because I thought the Somosa was just ok. I am use to a traditional Indian somosa. This one was dry and crumbly. Overall I would go back."

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Sunborn Yacht Hotel London review – a bargain London 5* hotel or a sinking feeling?

• 18 February 2023

The Sunborn Yacht Hotel London always looked very smart and rather a fun way to stay in London, so when I needed somewhere to stay in the East of London due to the train strikes, I thought I would give it a go. It was originally built as an ocean-going yacht but then was turned into a hotel before it was ever used as a proper yacht and actually has no engines. 

In this post:

Price and booking

I booked direct with Sunborn and paid £233.10 which for a Friday in December was fairly cheap for London. This was the flexible rate which allowed cancellation until 2pm on the day. It said that if you book direct you get a complimentary upgrade. It was also one up from the base room being a river view rather than the dockside view. 

If you are interested in staying there is currently a decent offer with Groupon for a Classic King Room with Dockview for Two with Breakfast from £149 per night.  They also have an offer on their own website for 20% off if you stay one night, valid for stays until the end of April 2023.

Location and The Yacht

The yacht is moored right next to the Excel so it has decent transport options within a few minutes walk. I arrived on the IFS Cloud Cable car via North Greenwich tube on the Jubilee line and caught an amazing sunset. It is around 7 minutes to walk from the cable car. There is also the Customs House that is on the DLR and Elizabeth line to the side of the Excel around 5 minutes walk away. 

Check-in at Sunborn Yacht Hotel London

There was quite a queue when I arrived at around 3.30pm and then when I did check in it wasn’t the fastest process. The person helping me had to keep walking away to sort out a trainee on another booking which I found quite rude and it was a rather laborious process considering I had already checked in online. 

They asked if I wanted to leave a credit card on file, to which I agreed as I needed to use room service and also planned to have breakfast. 

Sunborn Yacht Hotel London room

The Yacht Classic Riverview Room I had booked appear to only be on the lowest floor. The room did promise “excellent river views” which I got since I was practically in it, but I couldn’t see much else. The upgrade that it promises for booking direct (subject to availability, of course) was not forthcoming either. 

There was often a long wait for the lifts as you had to use them even to get from reception to the way out one level above. 

My first impression of the room was good, being a large size and more like a Junior Suite. There was a desk for working or doing your hair/make-up with a socket nearby and a huge mirror. However, the light in the room was quite dark in this area. 

The TV was a bit ancient (a bit like the decor) but it did the job. 

There was a Lavazza coffee machine and a kettle and even some biscuits, which always cheers me up in a hotel room (simple things…). There was also a fridge with two bottles of free water.

I liked that there was a large area for you to lay out your suitcase for unpacking. There was more storage space than most people could ever want or need unless you were staying more than a week.

The bed sadly was not comfortable at all and I ended up with back ache after tossing and turning all night. As I always caveat, I am very sensitive to beds, having paid a lot of money for a great Hyponos one at home. When I looked in closer detail I could see why as the mattress was incredibly thin.

The bathroom was also not particularly luxurious and definitely felt like a yacht bathroom being very small. 

Toiletries were provided which did the job but were nothing special. 

The towels were rather thin and old too.

Food and drink at Sunborn Yacht Hotel London

I needed to eat something before I headed out for the night since I had not had lunch either. There was a fair choice on the room service menu but I went for the standard burger as I knew it was likely to be a fairly boozy evening that needed some sustenance.

It arrived in around 25 minutes but was missing my drink, so I had to wait quite a while for them to fetch that as well, which was annoying. I also found it very odd that I had to pay the delivery person directly when I left a card with reception. I have never experienced that before. You could see the menu from a QR code and order online, which I like. The burger was tasty, and it was good to get a chutney on the side.

Breakfast was not included, but for the sake of the review, I went to try it. Again it was weird that I had to pay with my card when I came in. None of this leaves a very luxury hotel-type impression. 

The breakfast was a buffet which was set out with the food in one place and then the tea and coffee somewhere separate. I ended up with coffee as when I first went up there was no tea available.

The buffet had a reasonable selection including a full cooked english, smoked salmon, meats and cheeses along with pastries and bread. 

The way it was presented was a bit odd as it didn’t look great and made it hard to see what there was.

As well as the restaurant which is also open for afternoon tea and dinner, there is the Sundown bar which would be lovely for sitting outside in the summer. (Not so much in the snow!)

Conclusion for Sunborn Yacht Hotel London

While this is not really what I would call a luxury hotel experience, you do get a lot of space in your room, which you would struggle with in many hotels. It is certainly a unique experience, and for something that is a decent price and fairly smart, it is not a bad choice. Would I rush back again? No, but if I was attending something at the Excel I would consider it if the price was right. 

You can check prices and availability here.

Like our review of Sunborn Yacht Hotel London? You can read more hotel reviews here. 

This Week in Travel – a day in the life of a pilot or air traffic controller

• 17 February 2023

American Airlines B777 business class Dallas to Honolulu – the best route for Hawaii?

• 19 February 2023

Thanks Michele for highlighting this deal, and for giving an honest and thorough review. It doesn’t sound perfect, but I’m giving it a go next month as the price is reasonable for London and it helps solve a problem that was coming up! It’s always good to hear here about places that are a bit different.

Thankyou for your review, I also may consider this in the future. I was shocked at your picture of how thin the mattress was! Did you leave feedback for management on the concerns you raised in your report? I would be interested to know their reply if they do get back to you if you did let them know. You don’t mention how much you paid for breakfast and your burger meal. I guess we could check this online in advance?

Thankyou once again for your time. Please keep up your reviews, I find them really interesting 🙂

Thanks Rob. I don’t generally leave feedback unless it is a fault in service that they can rectify. Most brands and hotels read the reviews anyway via their PR agency. The burger was £18.50, and I think breakfast was around £18 also.

Hi Michelle, Thankyou very much for your reply. Much appreciated.

Agree with your review Michele. We were underwhelmed by the yacht – we did pay full price. Horrid decor, average service and that annoying lift to get off the boat!

Thank you Michele saved me some money as I was thinking about staying here. Now I think I will find somewhere else. Love an honest review

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Great. Expansive - Restaurant-Yacht Chaika

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“Great. Expansive” Review of Restaurant-Yacht Chaika

Very good food on the boat in Moscow river. Great service, interior and food. Really expansive even for Moscow. Worth trying on some special occasion.

• Excellent 114
• Very good 32
• Terrible 12
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15 - 19 of 185 reviews

Reserved for two persons for diner and did bring right away the English menu. Due to nice weather, the windows were open, which I enjoyed very much, because there was a lot of guests smoking shisha. Food was tasteful and wine was served at the correct temperature. Duck spring rolls and seafood risotto were great. The balance between pricing and quality is good.

This restaurant-boat is directly in front of the World Trade Centre so convenient for anyone staying in this area. It isn't cheap but my meal was absolutely exquisite and the service quiet and unassuming. English menu on offer but clearly not a touristy place. Every other table was Russian couples and families. Windy night so the boat rocked a fair bit. If you don't mind spending a few roubles, it's a pretty impressive experience. 20% off if you go before 5 pm. Wish I'd known that!

This is a very good restaurant. The food is really good, maybe the best in Moscow. The service is also good. The view from the restaurant is great. The prices are very high.

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