February 2022

Nothing epitomises the ultimate symbol of wealth and exclusivity than a luxurious super yacht. For the vast majority of us, the thought of coming anywhere near one is just a lottery pipe dream. BUT that dream could become a reality if you book a meeting or event on Sunborn London – the UK’s only Super Yacht Hotel!

Sunborn London is the brainchild of the Sunborn Group a privately owned property and development company who have pioneered the floating hotel concept and it’s truly impressive!

Moored at the Royal Victoria Dock, next to Excel and just a “stone’s throw away” from Canary Wharf, lifts whisk arriving guests and delegates from the quayside to the glitzy reception on Deck 3. Step inside and enter another world, of polished decks and dazzling walls of glass. Welcome to the world of a glamorous superyacht.

For those looking for a unique “classy” venue for a meeting, product launch or special event, you really don’t have to look any further. Book one of the fully equipped meeting rooms, or the excellent auditorium which seats up to 50 for a private presentation. If a reception and private dinner is your specific requirement, then be prepared for stunning views at night from the deck over the twinkling lights of Canary Wharf followed by an excellent meal prepared by a team of top international chefs.

And the good news for anyone who gets a little “queasy on water”, is that there is no discernible movement – well perhaps a couple of millimetres – but it’s impossible to feel seasick and besides, the yacht has no engine!

Sounds expensive? Well no not really. Day Delegate Rates start at just £85 including VAT. But you can always really push the boat out and exclusively hire the whole yacht. Dream no longer.

Moored at Royal Victoria Dock, Excel in East London. Just a few minutes’ walk to Custom House Station on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). London City Airport is right next door or arrive via the Emirates Cable Car. Good news! The Elizabeth Line (Cross Rail) when open will also stop at Custom House. Car Parking is available at the Royal Victoria Car Park and Excel Under croft Car Parks.

108 metres long, 5 decks with 138 bedrooms and 4 suites. Three excellent meeting rooms, plus auditorium, entertaining space, fine dining restaurant, bar and vast outside decks with exclusive private terraces.

A truly unique venue, guaranteed to impress, Sunborn London exudes space and natural light. The feeling as you enter is unlike any other venue, as you get the impression you’re on holiday rather than attending an important business meeting or event – even though you will never leave the quayside!

The Yacht ticks the boxes for a variety of different events due to its clever design and overall layout. Conferences, meetings, training courses and events requiring presentation facilities are very well catered for. The West India Room can be divided in to two, with space in each room for 32 extending to 64 cabaret style when the partition is removed. Cross the corridor and the East India Room, which faces Excel has an additional capacity for 36 theatre style. It’s worth noting that the ceiling height as you would expect on a yacht is not as high as a typical hotel. This will mean that consideration needs to be made about using relay monitors or screens to ensure everybody in the room sees any presentation clearly.

But height is a not a problem in the bow of the yacht where a spacious auditorium is located. The beautifully designed, wood panelled 50-person presentation theatre boasts a wide-screen projector and an excellent audio system that gives a genuine cinema experience. Any booker in the city or the financial district of nearby Canary Wharf looking for a confidential meeting space, for an analysts or client presentation this really is an option worth checking out. And for those requiring evening entertainment, why not consider having your very own cinema night complete with popcorn and refreshments?

But perhaps the real wow is fully experienced should you exclusively hire the yacht. Then the ability to theme, dress and brand the entire vessel is entirely possible.

One area where the Sunborn specifically excels are the various dining areas. Whether you require a dining space for a private party, business meeting or large banquet the Sunborn can cater for ever requirement. The East and West India Rooms double as sumptuous dining rooms for 50 guests and perhaps surprisingly when the furniture is re-arranged there is enough room for 200 guests to dine in the Open Plan Area of Deck 4. Add into the mix the ability to host receptions in the Sky Lounge and the outside deck, and you have a number of other options. The in-house chefs in the Lands End Restaurant bring together world-class British ingredients with influences from the Mediterranean, Asia and beyond and can tailor menus for every occasion.

Cabins – If you have any pre-conceptions of squashed cabins with fold up bunk beds and small portholes forget it. The rooms – for that is what they are – are so much bigger than you would think and in fairness bigger than many four-star central London hotels bedrooms. The only real compromise to space comes in the bathrooms which only have a shower, but a nice touch is that they do have underfloor heating. As the heavy-duty cabin doors swing shut, you’ll notice the excellent sound proofing, which is further enhanced by the glazed sliding windows, many of which lead out to private balconies and terraces with great views on the starboard side over the docks. If you have a need for room service or have any other request, use the online tablet which is provided. VIP delegates and guests are also very well catered for in four huge suites complete with jacuzzi baths. The rooms are often used for private interviews or meetings because of their separate lounge area something worth considering if the need to impress is important.

Top Tip 1 – Have a power nap! Because of the close proximity from the event spaces to the cabins, you can easily enjoy a quick 40 winks before your event starts.

• Attending an exhibition or event at nearby Excel or one of the nearby hotels? Want to impress key clients? Then consider hiring a room, or dining space at the Sunborn. It’s only a short walk away and could make all the difference when sealing that deal.
• For those attending events at the 02 or who are perhaps seeking a luxury romantic break away, the Sunborn should certainly be considered as rooms can be individually booked particularly at weekends when the corporate market is quieter.
• Afternoon tea is a Sunborn speciality upholding a venerable tradition first established in England by Anna, the Seventh Duchess of Bedford in 1840.
• Remember the DLR stops running around midnight so factor this in if you need to travel late at night and are not staying onboard.
• Fancy a swim? Well the Sunborn doesn’t have an onboard pool, but there is a beach at the end of the Royal Victoria Dock that is often used by locals during the Summer months, so don’t forget to bring your costume.
• It’s worth making time to watch the sun go down from the decks. Enjoy a relaxing drink as the evening light show that is Canary Wharf brightens the night sky.

The Sunborn London will certainly “float your boat” if you’re searching for a unique venue in London that oozes class and sophistication. The meeting and event facilities are as good as many hotels, but one of the key differences is the environment and the “feeling” that you get as you walk around this fantastic yacht. But mention must also be made of the staff who are readily available from the central reception area to help and assist. They are very much an onboard family whose mission is to deliver service excellence ensuring everyone leaves feeling like millionaires. We say add to your meetingsclub wish-list of venues because without doubt the Sunborn London will stick in the minds of your delegates and guests, long after they have returned to dry land.

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