Sun Street Hotel review: An eclectic boutique London hotel | UK | Travel
Tucked away within six Georgian townhouses, designed by renowned British architect George Dance the Younger, is Sun Street Hotel, a boutique hotel from Bespoke Hotels. Open the front door and prepare to be enveloped in a cacophony of colours and patterns combining contemporary tastes with rich historic elements.
The hotel’s interior design is all about rich maximalism, with deep luxurious tones and stylish accessories, conceived by interior design firm Bowler James Brindley.
The reception gives way to two lounge areas, the Club Room and Library, emblazoned in shades of maroon and gold, and the Vickers Bar, a navy blue haven with Crane-print wallpaper and nautical nods. Kitschy throw pillows adorn the sofas while unique trinkets and books line the shelves throughout.
Rating: 5/5
Sun Street’s 41 bedrooms are spread across four floors, which can be accessed via gold-fronted lift or stairs. Bedrooms are split into classic or contemporary design styles, with the aforementioned located within the Georgian frontage, and the more modern rooms in an extension overlooking the courtyard.
The Loft Junior Suites, where we spent our stay, are tucked away up an additional flight of stairs in the eaves of the townhouse. Moodily lit, the loft suite is decorated in shades of deep crimson with an exposed brick wall.
William Morris wallpaper and scatter cushions from House of Hackney inject flora into the space, while shuttered windows and sloped ceilings mean that once the door is closed, the space feels like your own apartment. At its heart, the Super King Sized bed.
A separate dressing room-style area offers spacious wardrobes, which conceal the entirely complimentary mini-bar, as well as a dressing table. Though the dim lighting is romantic, it can feel a little too dark while getting dressed for a night out in the city
Then, of course, there is the bathroom – a grand space decked out in the same rich red and complemented with gold fixtures.
Flooded with daylight, the bathroom houses a freestanding bathtub and spacious walk-in drench shower, plus a separate toilet tucked away behind its own door for added privacy. Guests can enjoy the use of an array of Penhaligon’s products. It’s worth noting that while all of the rooms feature a waterfall shower, only the suites have a bathtub.
Perhaps the only downside is that all the forward-facing suites look out over a busy construction site, which loudly commences work early in the morning and doesn’t finish until late at night. Though beyond the hotel’s control, it’s worth noting that work is planned to continue here until 2028.
Rating: 4/5
The Club Room and Bar are buzzing with life throughout the week, both with hotel guests and local businesspeople popping in for a drink after work. Drinks are on the pricier side, but there is a lengthy menu of options to choose from, including the hotel’s Google Bird cocktails inspired by Vincent Cartwright Vickers’ whimsical characters. The petite bar feels cosy and exclusive, with plenty of private-feeling pockets of space to enjoy an aperitif or a nightcap.
By night, book a table at Quercus, the hotel’s main restaurant which offers an ethically sourced menu of South Asian dishes. Bao buns, Nasi Goreng and an elevated cheeseburger are all on the menu. When morning arrives, head to The Orangery for breakfast, set within a glass atrium that brings the outside in.
Nature and wildlife are a key theme in the brightly lit space, with monkeys swinging throughout the wallpaper, palm-leaf printed cushions and an explosion of greenery at the centre of the wraparound seating area. Exposed brick and overhead hanging lights create a garden-like oasis.
Breakfast offers a well-stocked continental buffet with all the usual favourites – think Danish pastries, fresh fruit, yoghurt, cheeses and cold meats. If you book breakfast as part of your stay, you can also pick an additional hot dish from the menu.
Though simple, it covers the classics and has options for dietary requirements. The vegetarian breakfast is a hit, though loses a few points due to the lack of toast.
Rating: 4.5/5
Despite being just a stone’s throw from bustling Shoreditch and steps from the City, conveniently tucked down a side street the Sun Street Hotel feels far enough away from the chaos. If it wasn’t for the construction site opposite, it’s easy to imagine the hotel would be a peaceful escape in the heart of the city.
It’s well-placed for those who need to connect to other parts of London and beyond, with Liverpool Street Station just a five-minute walk away. Being nestled within reach of Shoreditch means there are plenty of hip bars and trendy restaurants if you fancy a night away from your room. Spitalfields Market and Brick Lane are also within walking distance.
Rating: 3.5/5
Rates vary depending on the time of year. Rates for upcoming dates start at £224 per night, according to Booking.com, and breakfast can be added on for an additional cost. Rates start from £400 per night in high season. Find rooms and book direct on the Sun Street Hotel website.
Or, compare deals and prices for a stay at Sun Street Hotel with Booking.com or Hotels.com.