Somewhere to stay: Sunborn London :: Hotel reviews

Drinking cocktails with my husband Tom on the deck of Sunborn London's lounge bar at sunset, I suddenly felt very old. The reason? I can remember when the near-skyline wasn't a mass of Manhattan-style skyscrapers and a huge futuristic dome. I can distinctly recall when there were no cable cars to provide a scenic route across the Thames and no Docklands Light Railway winding its merry way above the streets. And I can remember a time, not so long ago, when the idea of staying on board a luxury yacht hotel in Royal Victoria Dock would have sounded a bit... well... unlikely. But times are changing...

What's the hotel like?

This deluxe yacht was purpose-built as a Docklands hotel, and - whisper it - there's no engine. Situated a few steps away from the ExCel Centre, Sunborn London is impossible to miss and hugely impressive from the outside. The third-floor reception area, reached by glass elevator from dock level, is take-your-breath-away glamorous - with an eye-popping chandelier dangling from the ceiling above a sweeping central staircase. But while the decor throughout - all polished teak wood and plush carpets - invokes an elegant bygone era, the atmosphere is laid-back and welcoming. (Our visit coincided with a Star Trek convention at the ExCel, so the reception staff had been practising their Vulcan salutes.)

What are the rooms like?

Sunborn London houses 132 guest rooms and four suites. We stayed in a spacious top-floor executive room with a private balcony overlooking the dock. The elegant decor includes a teak desk, massive wardrobe and bedside tables. Tasteful black and white photographs of London landmarks are displayed on the walls. There's also a fancy coffee machine, as well as a sleek chrome kettle for common-or-garden tea-drinkers like me.

How's the bed?

Absolutely huge - and very comfortable, with a luxurious duvet, plump pillows and plush velvet cushions to lie back on.

What's in the bathroom?

A powerful shower, plenty of storage space and toiletries by Molton Brown. All bathrooms on board Sundown London have hand-held bidet showers, too.

The manager also allowed us a peep inside one of the yacht's luxury suites. Here, I was fairly unimpressed with the ordinariness of the bathroom - until I discovered this was actually the second bathroom. The main one was roughly the size of our house and featured a huge mosaic-tiled corner bath and its own sauna room.

What about restaurants and bars?

The elegant Sundown lounge bar is open to non-residents and has a good cocktail and wine list. There's an outdoor decking area, where - weather allowing - you can do as we did and soak up the scenery while you savour your sundowner. The Land's End restaurant on the floor above also offers great views and a menu of British dishes, with Asian and Mediterranean influences, created by head chef Pawel Motzek.

How's the food?

Breakfast was delicious - an all-you-can-eat buffet with everything from fruit and muesli for the virtuous to hash browns and Danish pastries for the not-so-virtuous. (In the interests of thorough research, I had a little bit of everything.) Tea and coffee are served at your table. You do have to make your own toast but they have proper pop-up toasters, rather than those annoying conveyor belt-style contraptions that force everyone to stand around awkwardly and lose track of whose toast is whose.

Anything else?

There are several function rooms already up and running - and an Elemis day spa is opening soon. Just one word of advice: Sunborn London is very close to City Airport so if you want to enjoy a lie-in without the noise of planes taking off from 7am, I'd advise you to take some earplugs.

What's nearby?

Let's be honest: Sunborn London isn't the most conveniently placed hotel from which to explore central London. But even if you're not here for an event at the ExCel or to catch an early flight from City Airport, the newly regenerated Docklands area has lots to offer. The O2 - aka the Millennium Dome - is just a short cable car ride away on the Emirates Air Line. You can walk to the Thames Barrier Park in about 20 minutes. Hop on the Docklands Light Railway to Canary Wharf for shops, bars, restaurants and the Museum of London Docklands, or head to Stratford for yet more shops and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

How much is it and how do I book?

Nightly room rates on board Sunborn London, operated by ISS Hotel Division London, start from £160 plus VAT. To find out more information or make a booking, visit www.sunbornlondon.com.