Opened in June 2014, the Sunborn Yacht is a sleek, 124 metre 4 star vessel, conveniently moored on the water of London Royal Victoria Dock.
The luxurious floating hotel, bar and restaurant boasts 132 guest rooms, from decadent executive rooms with private balconies, to ultra luxurious suites which offer expansive living spaces and panoramic views across the Thames from private polished timber sundecks.
Aware of the Sunborn’s reputation for luxury and quality, I was very pleased to be invited to take a closer look at the yacht’s many charms and report back for Luxurious Magazine. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it…
Exploring The Sunborn Yacht
Arriving in the early evening I was greeted by the sight of the Sunborn’s grand entrance hall, tastefully decorated and unexpectedly spacious. After a pleasant exchange at reception, I was shown to my executive room for the night by my concierge – a wonderful touch for lovers of old-fashioned, personal service.
Already feeling pampered, a first glimpse of my “cabin” confirmed the quality of this magnificent yacht and hinted at the luxurious stay to come.
The executive room was far larger than anticipated, finished with bespoke Finnish oak wood furniture, luxurious carpeting and complete with every mod con you could ask for, including a Lavazza coffee machine. As someone who really appreciates those little extra touches, I was pleased to see complementary truffles and fresh flowers bedecking the space, alongside scrumptious Molten Brown toiletries and the whitest, fluffiest Egyptian cotton towels I have even seen.
However gorgeous the interior of the Sunborn’s executive rooms, one of the biggest attractions of a stay here has to be the views across the Thames. Stepping out onto my private balcony (a little chilly in winter, but surely superb come summertime), the Thames shone below, with promises of even better views to come…
Fine dining at the Lands End Restaurant where East meets West
The beautiful cityscapes and river views continued over dinner at the Yacht’s Lands End restaurant, where the whole of the river was laid out before me, with a spectacular view of the glittering, illuminated windows of the Docklands. The relaxed fine dining establishment boasts creative food, sublime scenery and wonderfully attentive staff. Alessandro, my waiter, considerately and intelligently advised on food and wine – his choice was perfect.
Aboard the Sunborn, executive chef Pawel Motzek serves an intriguing blend of Asian and Mediterranean influenced dishes, notable for their delicacy, thoughtfulness and subtle composition. Cornish scallops with spring onions, pea purée and delicious soft shell crab was followed by Sea Bass, fennel textures and Polonaise sauce, then topped off with a sublime passion fruit panna cotta served with Chantilly cream and raspberry sorbet.
Although of superb quality, the Suborn’s menu still offers extraordinary value for money, making this establishment well worth a visit, even if you are not staying the night.
I rounded off my decadent evening with a drink in the equally well-appointed Sunborn bar. Open to non-guests, this is certainly a spot worth returning to in the summer as the bar benefits from a large deck, perfect for an outdoor drink in warmer months.
The ultimate executive stay
It’s worth noting that the Sunborn’s strategic location near ExCel, the largest business event and exhibition venue in London, makes this hotel an absolutely prime spot for corporate stays and events. Just as close, Canary Wharf and London City Airport give this floating hotel a real international edge, perfect for guests planning a flying visit or a longer stay.
Although right in the heart of corporate London, the Sunborn is a relaxing world away from the hubbub of the city. Bobbing on the Thames, the yacht is blissfully removed from the noise and crowds, and with no flights to or from City Airport after 9.00 pm, I didn’t hear a single plane during my stay.
For corporate visitors keen to hold events aboard the Sunborn, the vessel offers a wide choice of venues for functions. From the Wheelhouse’s 12 boardroom-style space with a deck for 80 people, to the Sky Lounge, ideal for cocktails or banquets, there’s a flexible space to suit every requirement below deck.
The Sunborn even includes theatre-style auditoriums, fully-loaded with state of the art technology for impressive presentations and seminars. For grander events, The Yacht can also be rented entirely. A full description of all venues available is listed on the website but follow my recommendation and get in touch with Stefano. He is the real expert!
Marks out of ten
As I left, one of the receptionists asked how I would rate my stay on a scale of one to ten. Ten was the obvious choice. Did we get special treatment? I don’t think so: 565 TripAdvisor reviews totalling 4.5 Stars speak for itself. I just wish I’d had time for a session in the yacht’s Elemis Spa..Maybe next time.
www.sunbornhotels.com – www.sunbornhotels.com/london/
See more of the Sunborn Yacht in the gallery below
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