A NEW floating hotel is coming to the capital – and guests say being onboard makes you feel like you are famous.
If you have ever found yourself at the Excel London, then you might have noticed there is a giant yacht parked up at the edge of the water.
This is actually the Sunborn hotel, which has been there since 2003, but will soon be replaced with a glossy new yacht.
The new yacht will be bigger than the previous as well, with 225 rooms in total over six floors, which is 100 more than in the current Sunborn.
The yacht will be 134 metres long and also boast a rooftop bar, hotel spa and two-level lobby bar.
If that wasn’t enough there will also be an à la carte restaurant and outdoor terrace with views of Canary Wharf.
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The yacht will be built offsite and then brought to Royal Victoria Dock where it will stay.
Hans Niemi, CEO of Sunborn International said: “We want to create something at the forefront of hotel design and guest experience.”
“The new London yacht hotel has been part of the company’s long-term plans and was made feasible by the current hotel’s high demand and occupancy rates.
“We also have an important environmental goal, to build a low carbon, environmentally friendly hotel, which is something which we can achieve with our new-build yacht hotels, using new innovation, sustainable materials and partnerships we’ve developed over recent years.”
In regard to the current Sunborn, you can currently stay onboard for around £151 per night.
One guest even said: “Made me feel like someone famous!”
The company is also hoping to open other floating hotels in the future, including in Vancouver, Canada and Spain.
The Canadian destination would be in Coal Harbour and boast 250 rooms, as well as a restaurant, bars and cafés and a spa.
On the other hand, the Spanish destination would be in Seville and is yet to have planning approved.
What’s it like to stay on the Sunborn?
THE Sun’s Kara Godfrey stayed onboard the Sunborn in London – here’s what she thought.
I was lucky enough to spend the night on the yacht – which is docked at Royal Victoria Dock, so don’t worry if you get seasick either as you won’t even feel it moving.
This includes 138 rooms and suites, as well as a restaurant, bar, outdoor terrace and event space – a lot to fit into the 142m boat.
As I arrived, I was whisked up a tiny lift from outside, and was plonked into the middle of a huge grand lobby, with spiral staircase and very outlandish glass chandelier.
Feeling just as glam as a cruise ship, I was shown to my room down the narrow corridor, but it opened up into my suite with some of the most stunning views across the river.
But the star of the yacht is its restaurant Land’s End.
I was certainly underdressed – one guest came in a floor-length sequin dress, compared to my trousers-and-shirt combo – although there is no dress code and the staff didn’t even seem to notice.
With views of London’s Docklands to watch the sunset, the three-course dinner was some of the finest I’ve had in London.
Before I knew it, I was waking up in my cabin with a peaceful start to the morning overlooking the water, followed by a very leisurely buffet breakfast at the same restaurant.