Sanderson London

Hotel Description

You know what? I walked past the Sanderson probably fifty times before I actually noticed it – and that’s exactly the point. While other five-star hotels on this stretch between Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road are practically screaming for attention with their grand facades, the Sanderson just sits there on Berners Street looking like some sort of sleek, understated secret. It’s Philippe Starck’s vision from the early 2000s, and honestly, it still feels fresher than half the boutique places that opened last year.

The lobby is this weird, wonderful white space that feels more like walking into a contemporary art installation than a hotel – I mean, there are these massive glass vases everywhere and furniture that looks like it belongs in a museum (which, knowing Starck, it probably does). The Purple Bar downstairs has this whole Alice in Wonderland vibe going on that should feel gimmicky but somehow works, especially late at night when the lighting gets moody and you can pretend you’re not just three minutes from the chaos of Oxford Street. Speaking of location, this is one of those spots where you’re genuinely in the thick of things without feeling overwhelmed by it. Fitzrovia’s got this perfect balance – you can walk to the British Museum in ten minutes, hit the shops on Regent Street just as easily, but when you duck down Berners Street it’s actually quiet enough to have a phone conversation.

The rooms are classic Starck – lots of white, unexpected touches, and bathrooms where the shower situation might confuse you for a minute (fair warning, the glass can be a bit… revealing if you’re traveling with colleagues). What I really appreciate is how they’ve maintained the original design integrity while updating the tech stuff that actually matters. The beds are seriously comfortable, and the blackout situation is solid, which you’ll need because London summer mornings start ridiculously early. Service feels genuinely helpful rather than stuffy – they know their clientele is probably a mix of media types, fashion people, and travelers who chose this place specifically because it’s not the usual corporate hotel experience. The 8.2 rating makes sense; it’s not perfect (the whole design-forward thing means sometimes style wins over pure functionality), but it’s definitely memorable in a city where so many luxury hotels blend together. If you want something with personality that still delivers on the five-star basics, and you don’t need to be right in Mayfair to feel fancy, this is your spot.

Rooms

• Deluxe Room with 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• Superior King Room with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Standard Room with 1 large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Superior Accessible Room for 2 adults, 1 child
• Loft Suite with Terrace for 3 adults, 1 child
• Junior Loft Suite for 3 adults, 1 child

Facilities