Can’t decide whether traditional or contemporary luxury is more your thing? A relatively new five-star hotel in London offers up the best of both worlds, and thanks to its privileged location, is the perfect place to check in next time you’re visiting the capital for business or pleasure.
The luxury Sun Street Hotel, which opened its doors in 2022, is one of the latest additions to multi-award-winning hotel brand Bespoke Hotel’s impressive portfolio and enjoys a prime location in London’s financial district, City, with Liverpool Street and Moorgate stations just a five-minute stroll away.
This elegant and contemporary boutique hotel, which forms part of new mixed-used destination One Crown Place, is an obvious choice for business travellers to the capital to base themselves, but being on the northern border of the capital’s famous Square Mile – on Sun Street, if you hadn’t guessed already – it’s just a short walk from trendy Shoreditch, which is known for its vintage shops, craft beer pubs and hipster vibe.
Because it’s also close to St. Paul’s Cathedral and the vibrant food and drink scene that surrounds Liverpool Street, if you’re looking for a well-connected luxury accommodation option when visiting London for pleasure, then it’s a similarly excellent choice.
Hotel
Inspired by the six historic townhouses in which it is housed, the original Georgian stylisation that would have been found here is still very much in evidence, but has been brought up to date with modern and contemporary details in a beautiful juxtaposition of the two.
Whilst the original buildings were conceived by renowned architect George Dance the Younger all the way back in the 1800s, they have been expertly reimagined by Bowler James Brindley to bring the Sun Street Hotel to life.
Today, it exudes a sophisticated feel, with the grand, multi-room lobby area making an excellent first impression, with its Georgian-inspired décor exuding an upmarket private members’ club feel and all the sense of exclusivity that comes with them.
Decadent design and rich textures are prominent themes throughout every aspect of the hotel’s interior, with intricately patterned wallpaper and plush, velvet sofas making for an opulent and high-end feel. But it’s far from pretentious, with playful touches that give a nod to the Malaysian roots of the company responsible for the building’s redevelopment.
For those who want to unwind in the hotel, there is a library room located on the ground floor that is filled with various books and comfortable seating. Additionally, the hotel offers 24-hour room service, concierge services, and meeting facilities for business travellers.
Rooms and suites
Boasting a total of 41 rooms, inclusive of seven suites and 34 loft, king, and superior bedrooms, designed by interior design firm Bowler James Brindley, you’ll find two main decorative styles in evidence. Firstly, there are the classic bedrooms, which are located in the original Georgian buildings and feature bold elements like deep scarlet decorative wallpaper – and the more contemporary style rooms in the newly-built extension, where you’ll find Aegean-blue painted walls and lots of chic modern touches.
I stayed in a contemporary-style room, which was low-lit and contained plenty of opulent touches to complement the buildings’ Georgian grandeur. There were lots of rich colours and sumptuous textures at play, with the stylish hardwood flooring accented by plush rugs to add a sense of warmth and cosiness. The king-size bed, with its cloud-like Oxford pillows, was delightfully comfortable and made for a great night’s sleep.
The extra modern amenities, which included air-conditioning, an Illy coffee machine and luxury Penhaligon toiletries, along with lavish touches in the bathroom including vivid glazed porcelain tiles and natural stone walls, a walk-in drench shower, and perfectly polished Belgravia taps, ticked all the right boxes in what I look for in a hotel. The hotel also offers room service and a well-stocked mini-bar, so you can indulge in your favourite snacks and drinks at any time of the day or night – always a bonus if you’re a night owl, an early bird, or both.
The only downside is the room size, with contemporary quarters like mine running a little small. Whilst this isn’t exactly unusual for London, it might be an issue if you’re expecting to have enough room to spread out in – so if this is the case, then be sure to book yourself a suite, which offers plenty of space and an additional dose of comfort and luxury.
Food and drink
The food and drink offerings at Sun Street are truly exceptional, and are certain to delight even the most discerning of guests. The hotel is home to a maze of stylish lounges and bar areas in which to relax and unwind, as well as a choice of places to dine.
Quercus, the hotel’s main restaurant, serves up modern British cuisine with an Asian twist. Head chef Stephen Englefield has previously worked in prestigious London restaurants such as the Caravan Group, Gridiron, the Jugged Hare at ETM Group, and, most recently, the highly-regarded Art Yard Bar and Kitchen at Bankside Hotel, so you can be sure that the food on offer here is of only the highest quality.
Located on the ground floor of the hotel, Quercus is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Josper grill adds an extra layer of interest to the menu, with charcoal-grilled dishes like the Chateaubriand beef and monkfish tail exuding a rich depth of flavour – so be sure to give it a try if you have the chance.
The evening menu features decadent dishes such as a succulent black tiger prawns starter with mango and green chili, a charcoal-grilled rib-eye steak that is, of course, cooked to perfection according to your liking, and for dessert, the pistachio and raspberry layer cake dessert, which comes with a pineapple crisp. These, though, are just a taster of what’s on offer, with a host of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes to choose from, and plenty of sweet treats to round things off with.
The lunch menu offers light bites and salads, while breakfast is a continental or a la carte affair. And throughout the day, you can opt to enjoy your meal either in the beautiful, oak-panelled dining room or, on warmer days, outside in the Courtyard, which makes for a beautiful spot for a little al fresco dining.
One of the highlights of Sun Street is its afternoon tea, which is served in the hotel’s homely, Georgian-style Library and Club Room. Featuring a selection of freshly baked scones, finger sandwiches, cakes, and pastries, as well as a choice of teas and coffees, if you’re staying at the Sun Street Hotel even just for a night then it’s something you won’t want to miss out on, and is a taste of quintessentially British London at its best.
The Orangery Bar and Kitchen is a new addition to the hotel, having only opened its doors in March of this year, and also offers up an all-day dining menu comprising a selection of tasty sharing plates. Think fresh oysters; popcorn shrimp with spicy mayonnaise and lentil hummus with garlic flatbread – or, if you’re feeling extra hungry, a larger plate like the fragrant crispy chicken rendang or the Sun Street steak club should do the trick.
The space, with its glass roof, is filled with natural light and tropical greenery, making it thoroughly Instagram-worthy, and providing the perfect setting for a relaxing afternoon, so don’t forget to bring your camera, and ensure you have as much time as you can to enjoy it all at a leisurely pace.
If you fancy a quiet drink, then the hotel’s bar is the place to be, and here, you can unwind in contemporary surroundings with a glass of wine or a cocktail whilst luxuriating on one of the room’s plush sofas, or meet friends or colleagues for a tipple in the intimate table seating area.
The Bar’s ‘Google Bird’ signature cocktail, which is a gin-based, citrusy affair, is a must-try. You may well notice the Google Bird motif throughout the hotel, in a nod to the magical birds imagined by VC Vickers – and in The Bar, you’ll spot the likes of the Poggle, Tango and, of course, the Sun Bird incorporated into the décor. In fact, the entire cocktail menu is inspired by these exotic birds, with Asian ingredients and themes dominating throughout.
The dimly-lit Club Room is also available if comfortable armchairs and a quiet atmosphere are more your thing. The walls are lined with intriguing artwork, and you can order from the all-day dining menu at your leisure.
To do
Although located in the capital’s financial district, the Sun Street Hotel enjoys vibrant surroundings that offer plenty of things to do. History buffs can visit the Tower of London, which is only a short walk away, while a scenic stroll along the River Thames, which is located just a few blocks from the hotel, is a pleasant way to while away an afternoon and take in some of the capital’s sights.
If you’re more interested in shopping, then you can visit the nearby Spitalfields Market, where you can peruse unique and trendy clothing, accessories, and souvenirs. The hotel is also located near several theatres, museums, and galleries, making it an ideal location for culture lovers. From here, London really is your oyster.
In a nutshell
Fusing Georgian charm with contemporary luxury, the Sun Street Hotel is a great choice for those looking for a stylish place to stay in the heart of London City. As well as being a convenient base from which to explore, its foodie offering is something pretty special indeed – and if you’re a fan of vibrant interiors, then this is the place for you.
Factbox
Room-only doubles from £250.
Address: 5-15 Sun St, London EC2A 2EP
Phone: 020 3988 7700
Website: sunstreethotel.com
