The hype
Guests love the 'wow' factor and location for ExCeL, but often find the service a bit disorganized.
Sunborn London Yacht Hotel
$180-300/ nuit
Réservez si You want the novelty of sleeping on a superyacht without the seasickness, or you're attending an event at ExCeL right next door.
Pourquoi les gens l'adorent
- Unique 'James Bond villain' floating hotel vibe
- Surprisingly spacious rooms (larger than many London hotel rooms)
- Epic views of the Royal Docks and O2 Arena from the deck
En bref : It’s a fun, kitschy novelty that feels like a cruise ship that never leaves the dock—complete with the occasional chaotic breakfast and thin walls.
Évalué par @angela_and_alan : I honestly felt like a movie star staying here. The gold staircase is stunning, and waking up to the water right outside my window was so peaceful compared to central London chaos. Perfect for a romantic getaway or a unique weekend trip.
Ce que les clients qui ont séjourné ici ont dit
Reality check
The 'yacht life' fantasy hits a snag with the noise from the airport and the sometimes lukewarm buffet breakfast.
- You need to be at ExCeL London (it's literally 60 seconds away)
- You love aviation and want to watch planes land at LCY from your balcony
- You want a hotel story that isn't just 'I stayed in a square room'
Propreté et entretien
9.2
- Housekeeping: Daily and efficient; rooms are generally kept very tidy.
- Bathroom hygiene: Spotless. High marks for grout and glass cleanliness.
- Maintenance: Good condition, though some exterior paint shows wear from the elements.
- Linens & towels: Fresh and crisp, though some guests find the pillows a bit hard.
- Odors & scents: Generally fresh, no 'old boat' smell, but occasional fuel whiffs from the airport.
Sleepability™
6MODÉRÉ
0-4BRUYANT
4-7.5MODÉRÉ
7.5-10SILENCIEUX
- London City Airport flight path (very loud during operating hours)
- Guests walking in corridors or on the deck above your room
Avant de réserver
Bon à savoir
- There is a £100/night pre-authorization hold on your card upon check-in
- The hotel is permanently moored; it does not move
- Access is via a gangway; it's fully accessible but feels different than a lobby entrance
Quoi emporter
- Earplugs (essential for the airport noise)
- Running shoes (for the dockside path, since there's no gym)
- A light jacket (it gets breezy on the open decks even in summer)
Génie des chambres
Meilleurs choix
- Yacht Executive Room (River View) – comes with a private balcony for watching the docks
- Junior Suite – significantly more space and often located at the bow for better views
Chambres à éviter
- Classic Rooms on lower decks – can feel a bit dark and have limited 'water level' views
- Rooms near the main staircase/lift – high foot traffic noise
Génie de demande de chambre – copier & coller
“I would love a room on a higher deck (Level 3 or 4) facing the river/O2 side, away from the main lifts to minimize corridor noise.”
FAQ et astuces cachées
Tout ce que vous voulez vraiment savoir avant de réserver.
Does the yacht actually move?
No, it is permanently moored at the Royal Victoria Dock.
Is there a pool or gym on board?
No, there are no leisure facilities like a pool or gym on the boat itself.
Is it noisy due to the airport?
Yes, London City Airport is very close. Flights stop at night, but daytime noise is significant.
How do I get to central London?
The Elizabeth Line (Custom House station) is a 5-minute walk and gets you to central London in ~15 minutes.
Is there parking?
No on-site parking. You must use the nearby ExCeL parking or book a spot via apps like JustPark.
Are the rooms small like ship cabins?
Surprisingly no. Most rooms are standard hotel size (approx 20-25 sqm) or larger.
Conseils d'initiés
- ✨
Book a table at the Sundown Bar for sunset; the view of the O2 and cable cars is genuinely cool.
- ✨
Use the 'JustPark' app to find cheaper parking in nearby residential driveways instead of the expensive ExCeL lot.
- ✨
The DLR station (Custom House) is great, but the Elizabeth Line is faster and smoother—use it.
5 choses à savoir avant de partir
💡The 'river view' on lower decks might just be a view of a concrete dock wall.
💡The water in the shower can take a while to heat up (it's a big boat system).
💡You can feel slight movement/vibration when heavy planes take off or in very high winds.
💡Breakfast service can get chaotic when a big conference is at ExCeL.
💡There are no vending machines, so buy snacks at the nearby Tesco Express before boarding.
Guide local
Carte
Découvrez où se situe Sunborn London Yacht Hotel et ce qu'il y a à proximité.