If you’ve ever walked around London ExCeL or headed towards The O2 Arena, you might have noticed a giant super yacht permanently docked in the water, operating as a hotel.
That’s Sunborn London.
Naturally, we had to stay there because James loves anything to do with boats.
In this post, we’re sharing our honest experience staying on a super yacht hotel in London — what it’s like to actually sleep on one, how the food and drinks stack up, what the rooms are really like, and whether Sunborn London is worth booking or just a novelty stay.
This isn’t sponsored. This is exactly what we experienced.
Where Is Sunborn London?
Sunborn London is moored at Royal Victoria Dock, right next to the London ExCeL Arena, with views across the water towards Canary Wharf.
Location-wise, it’s surprisingly convenient if you’re:
- Attending an event at ExCeL for one of the many events
- Heading to The O2 Arena to watch your favourite band
- Exploring East London or even Central London
There’s a DLR station just a short walk away, making it easy to get into central London without much hassle. While it’s not right in the middle of the city, it’s well connected and ideal if you’ve got plans around Docklands. The closest DLR station to the hotel is Custom House and is around a 2 minute walk away.
First Impressions: A Hotel on a Yacht?
Pulling up to Sunborn London, the first reaction is pretty much the same for everyone:
This is actually a super yacht.
From the outside, it genuinely looks like a luxury super yacht you’d expect to see in Monaco, not permanently docked in London and operating as a hotel. It immediately feels different to a standard hotel arrival, and that novelty is a big part of the appeal. It nice and clean and you can see its well looked after.
Stepping onboard, the interior leans much more towards modern luxury hotel than “boat”. You quickly forget you’re on water — until you look out of the windows. Our brains kept feeling like we were bobbling up and down at sea, this was a unique experience in itself..
The Room: What’s It Like to Sleep on a Super Yacht?
One of the biggest questions people have is whether staying on a yacht feels cramped or impractical.
The answer? Not really.
The room felt more like a modern hotel room than a cabin. It was clean, well laid out, and comfortable, with:
- A proper bed Super King bed (not a fold-down situation)
- A modern bathroom but it did feel cheap compared to the rest of the room and hotel itself.
- Storage space that actually works, there was so much space to put all your luggage.
- Large windows with dockside views, we had a verandah which was very tight.
You’re very aware you’re on a boat, but not in a way that feels awkward or restrictive. If anything, it adds to the experience rather than taking away from it.
That said, this isn’t a massive suite-style room. Space is used efficiently, and while it doesn’t feel cramped, it’s not somewhere you’d want to spread out loads of luggage for a long stay.
Food & Drinks on Board
Sunborn London has an onboard restaurant and bar, which is one of the main selling points if you’re staying the night.
We tried both food and drinks during our stay, and overall, the experience was solid.
We ate in the bar as this was the cheaper option and travelling with a 3 year old this felt like the most comfortable fit.
The food felt:
- Well presented but overpriced
- More “hotel restaurant” than casual dining
The drinks were enjoyable, and having a drink onboard while looking out over the water definitely adds to the atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where you’d happily sit for a while rather than rushing through a meal.
Is it the best food in London? No.
Is it good enough for a unique hotel experience? Yes.
Top tip: Grab a drink around sunset! The sunsetting over the London skyline is a beautiful site to see.
Facilities & Overall Atmosphere
Sunborn London feels calm and polished. It doesn’t have the buzz of a busy city hotel, which can actually be a positive if you want something a bit quieter.
Facilities are fairly simple:
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Lounge areas
This isn’t a resort-style hotel with loads going on, but that’s not really the point. The yacht itself is the experience.
At night, the atmosphere feels particularly nice, with the lights reflecting on the water and the city skyline in the distance. It’s very different from staying in a standard London hotel — and that’s where Sunborn London really wins.
How Much Does It Cost?
Prices vary depending on demand and events at ExCeL or The O2, but Sunborn London generally sits in the mid-to-upper price range for London hotels.
We paid £145 for one night – for London prices that is great value!
You’re not just paying for a bed — you’re paying for:
- The uniqueness of the stay
- The yacht setting
- The experience of something different
Value-wise, it makes the most sense if:
- You’re attending an event nearby
- You want a one-night, memorable stay
- You’re deliberately booking something unusual
If you’re purely looking for the best value hotel in London, this probably isn’t it. But if you want something you’ll actually remember, the price feels easier to justify.
Who Is Sunborn London Actually For?
In our opinion, Sunborn London is ideal for:
- Couples looking for a unique stay
- Event-goers at ExCeL or The O2
- People bored of standard city hotels
- Content creators wanting something visually different
It’s less suited to:
- Families needing lots of space
- Long stays
- Anyone expecting full resort-style facilities
This is very much a “stay for the experience” kind of hotel.
Our Honest Verdict: Is Sunborn London Worth It?
So, is staying on a super yacht hotel in London worth it?
Short answer – YES
Sunborn London delivers on the novelty. Sleeping on a yacht, having drinks onboard, and waking up surrounded by water in London is genuinely cool. The room is comfortable, the food and drinks are good, and the location works well for the right plans. The price makes it totally worth it!.
It’s not somewhere we’d stay every time we visit London, but as a one-off, unique hotel experience, it’s absolutely worth doing.
The best way to experience London is with a Merlin Pass which gets you into multiple attractions in one pass!
Watch Our Full Video Review 🎥
We filmed the entire stay, including:
- A full room tour
- Food and drink review
- A look around the yacht
- Our honest thoughts after staying overnight
👉 Watch our full Sunborn London super yacht hotel video here:
