Sanderson Hotel, London - Cranley Report

The Cranley Report®: Sanderson Hotel

Sanderson Hotel, London

Hotel Address

50 Berner's Street
London
W1T 3NG

Cranley Rating

Hotel Entrance

Photo 1 of 11. Click to enlarge

Hotel Summary

Category

Hotel

Hotel Opened	1958
Refurbishment	The hotel's landmark Grade II listed 1950s building originally housed the headquarters of the fabric and wallpaper company "Sandersons". It was transformed by the world-renowned designer Philippe Starck into the Sanderson Hotel in April 2000.

Cranley Summary

The Sanderson Hotel is located in London's West End district in the heart of Soho. There are theatres, restaurants and the famous shopping areas of Oxford Street and Regent Street which are a five minute walking distance from the hotel. The urban spa hotel is a landmark property with a landscaped interior courtyard garden that is open to the sky and surrounded by guestrooms. The hotel is a combination of modern and classic elements and creates a one-of-a-kind oasis in the middle of London. The iconic indoor/outdoor lobby, with the absence of "normal" walls, has a floor-to-ceiling glass facade that diffuses natural light through flowing layers of opera style curtains. The lobby is a mixture of baroque and modern styles and sets the tone of the hotel. The one hundred and fifty guestrooms and suites represent a total transformation of the conventional hotel room. With the removal of inner walls, the rooms and suites have been opened to create a loft-like plan where guests are invited to design their personal space by using the electronically operated layers of sheer white and opaque pink silk drapes that open or close off spaces. The rooms are custom-designed and have up-to-date modern amenities and ensuite bathrooms. Other hotel amenities include Suka Malaysian Restaurant, the Long Bar, Purple Bar and a Billiards room. There are a range of adaptable conferencing facilities, Agua Bathhouse and a gymnasium.

Hotel Location & Layout

Location Description

The Sanderson Hotel is located in London’s West End in the heart of Soho and the media district. The hotel’s excellent situation gives guests easy access to the world class shopping areas of Bond Street and Oxford Street, famous landmarks, trendy bars, restaurants, theatres, nightlife and all the very best London has to offer. Heathrow Airport is situated twenty-five kilometres west of London. The Heathrow Express, which is the fastest and most convenient way to travel directly between Heathrow Airport and central London has a journey time of fifteen minutes from its terminus at Paddington Station which is a ten minute taxi journey from the Sanderson Hotel.

Airports
Distance	16 km
Airport Transfers	Taxi/car journey approximately forty-five minutes. The underground train journey takes approximately thirty-five minutes to London City Airport.

Cities and Sights
Distance	3.1 km
City/Sight Transfers	Taxi/car journey approximately fourteen minutes.

Layout Description

The Sanderson Hotel is set in the heart of the Soho district of London and has one hundred and fifty guestrooms and suites. On entering the hotel through glass doors the reception and concierge desks are to the left. The main lobby area is set around a Japanese style courtyard garden that stands in the centre of the hotel. The lobby lounge seating area leads off to the hotel’s exclusive boutique, the Long Bar, Purple Bar, Suka Restaurant and the Billiard room which are all located on the ground floor. Two elevators lead up to the hotel’s guestrooms and suites which are spread over six floors. Agua Spa, the gym and the Boardroom are located on the first floor.

Lobby & Guest Relations

Open Hours	Twenty-four hours.
Languages Spoken	Multi-lingual with some of the following languages spoken: English, Spanish, Italian, French, German, Russian and Polish.
Payment Methods	All major credit cards accepted. The hotel does not accept cash, cheque or switch cards as "final" payment for stays. Switch cards cannot be used to hold a reservation.
Foreign Exchange	All major currencies.
Taxis Arranged	There is a taxi stand outside the hotel.
Tours Arranged	The concierge will arrange tourist information and all tourist reservations for guests.

Guest Relations	Standard services.
Concierge Services	Standard services.
Medical Facilities	There is a doctor on call twenty-four hours a day with a response time of approximately fifteen minutes according to the hotel. There are a number of hotel staff that have basic first aid training according to the hotel.
Parking	Parking is available at the NCP Car park, located behind the hotel. For enquiries contact the concierge. Twenty-four hour parking costs £45.00 and can be added to the room bill or paid separately. Valet parking is available at an additional charge.

Cranley Comment

The hotel’s iconic indoor/outdoor lobby with the absence of “normal” walls, has a floor-to-ceiling glass façade that diffuses natural light through flowing layers of 18th century style opera curtains. The foyer represents a completely new approach to hotel public space and sets a tone of baroque and modern styles with Venetian chandeliers, Louis XV style bureaus, hand made mirrors, "lip" sofas and "tongue" chairs. The front desk, which is to the far left on entering the hotel foyer, is designed with video art installations along the front and a large armoire strategically placed behind the desk. Turning right at the hotel’s lobby entrance leads through to the “see and be seen” Long Bar with its silver leaf high chairs surrounding an eighty foot onyx bar. Beyond, is the newly opened Suka Malaysian style restaurant. The Long Bar and Suka restaurant's outside terraces surround a Japanese style courtyard garden that stands in the centre of the hotel. Quieter public areas off the lobby include the Purple Bar and the Billiard room. There is a small exclusive gift boutique located near the reception desk. The two elevators located next to the Billiard Room serve all floors. The elevator doors are framed with etched hand made mirrors and interiors that are decorated with outer space scenes.

Shops & Amenities

Description

The hotel has an exclusive upmarket boutique located in the lobby area. The boutique offers a range of exclusive decorative accessories, clothes, leather goods, shoes, fashion magazines and a number of other items suitable for gifts. The shop is open Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 20:00 and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 to 15:00.

Cranley Comment

The Sanderson Hotel has a small upmarket boutique which is located in the main lobby area of the hotel. The boutique sells a range of exclusive gifts and accessories. The hotel offers a number of room amenities for sale which are available on request from housekeeping. Some of the articles available to purchase are the alarm clock, bathrobes, a range of aromatherapy products, T-shirts, loofah sponge, bathroom tray, dumbbells, pashminas and Spanish shawls (a price list is available in the in-room directory). In close proximity to the hotel are all the shops of Oxford Street and Regent Street which have all the major high street names and brands, the specialised boutiques and jewellery shops of Bond Street, the upmarket shopping area of Knightsbridge and for gentlemen, Saville Row. A two minute walk from the hotel are cafes, a convenience store and several clothing shops.

Rooms, Suites & Villas

Number of Floors	8
Total Rooms	150
Elevators	2
Rooms per Elevator	75
Total Staff	275
Staff per Room	1.8

Check-in Time	15:00
Check-out Time	12:00
Late Checkout	Requests for a late check out can be directed to the front office on the morning of departure. Late check out is subject to availability and up to 15:00 there is no additional charge. Subject to availability, late check out up to 18:00 is subject to a half-day additional charge. After 18:00 a full night's charge is required.
Smoking Rooms	Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the hotel including the Courtyard. The only exception to this are the thirty-two guestrooms specifically allocated as smoking rooms on the first and sixth floors which meet legal requirements in regard to ventilation.
Room Service	There is a twenty-four hour room service which includes a beverage menu, Sanderson breakfast and a Sanderson all day menu. Suka dishes are available from 12:00 to 15:00 and 18:00 to 23:00. A £3.50 delivery charge and a discretionary 18% gratuity is included per order.
Laundry Service	Regular Service: Items collected by 10:00 will be returned the same day at 19:00 (Monday to Sunday). Express Service: Items collected after 10:00 and before 13:00 will be returned the same day at 19:00 with an additional charge. Pressing: Available Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 21:00 and Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 08:00 to 18:00.
Unique Features	The Sanderson Hotel is rated as a Grade II listed building and was originally the sixties office block that housed the Sanderson fabrics company. The hotel retains many original 1950s features including a freeform mosaic by Jupp Dernbach-Mayen, abstract stained-glass window by English modernist painter John Piper and the Japanese Courtyard Garden designed by Philip Hicks.

Cranley Comment

The Sanderson Hotel has a wide range of superior accommodation with one hundred and fifty guestrooms and suites, some with private gardens. The rooms are unique and groundbreaking, representing a total transformation of the conventional hotel room. Designed without solid interior walls, the rooms have been opened to create a loft-like plan. The only dividing walls are glass, all see through except for the etched partitions shared by the shower and toilet. Guests are invited to design their own personal space and their own levels of privacy by using or not using the electronically operated layers of sheer white and opaque pink silk drapes that open or close off the space. The rooms feature silver-leafed sleigh beds, are decorated in pale yellow, cream and silvers and have custom-designed furniture and accessories. An unusual feature of the rooms is the soothing landscape scenes that are hung on the ceiling. Each guestroom is fully equipped with the latest up-to-date amenities. Rooms have either a view of the city streets or overlook the landscaped courtyard.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Standard	66	62 City 4 Courtyard Garden	Colour television with cable access. A DVD library of more than 1,500 titles is available. Usage is charged on a daily basis with penalty charges for non returns. CDs are available from the CD library with a delivery fee. In-room entertainment centre. CD and DVD players including AM/FM radio. Three 2-line telephones with conference and speaker capability. High speed wireless Internet access available at a fee of £15.00 per twenty-four hour period. Private telephone number direct to each room. Data port connections for modem/fax hookups. Portable computers, mobile phones and fax machines available on request. Bathroom amenities and bathrobes. Full refrigerators with in-room refreshments (all chargeable). Fresh flowers. Turn-down service. Newspapers of choice delivered on request. Twenty-four hour room service. Bathroom amenities by Agua Bathhouse. In-room Agua Bathhouse services upon request. Dumbbells. Free standing mirror.	2 Adults	From 27

Cranley Comment

Standard rooms are approached along carpeted corridors all lit by floor lights, similar to walking down the aisle of a plane. The room numbers are displayed on the floor by the entrance area and lit by a light. All the rooms represent a total transformation of the conventional hotel room. With the removal of inner walls, the rooms have been opened to create a loft-like plan. The bedrooms have maple wood floors and are all decorated in white. The transparent glass bathroom allows for no separation between the room and the dressing room/bathroom. There are electronically operated layers of sheer white and opaque pink silk drapes that open or close off the space. Standard rooms have queen-size beds and shining polished chrome night tables. Attached to the back of the bed is a pure-white desk that is paired with a white mesh office desk chair. In one corner of the room stands a small contoured-back chair. Most of the rooms have large windows within uniquely designed window bays that hold guest storage, minibar and an entertainment centre with DVD player. The wide-screen television sits on the window bay above the storage area. All rooms have black out blinds. Standard room bathrooms have walk-in showers only. Connecting rooms are available.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Superior & Superior Double Double	38	20 City 18 Courtyard Garden	As per the Standard Room with the added benefit of: More space King-size sleigh bed or double beds Entrance curtain Free standing bathtubs	2 Adults	From 32

Cranley Comment

Superior Rooms are decorated and furnished in exactly the same manner as the Standard Rooms apart from most of the rooms have custom designed silver-leaf king-size sleigh beds. There are two Superior Double Double Rooms which have two double beds. All the bathrooms have free standing bathtubs as well as the separate shower cubicle. Connecting rooms are available.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Deluxe	19	7 City 12 Courtyard Garden	As per the Superior Room with the added benefit of: More space Swan chair Large egg-shaped foot-rest	2 Adults and 1 child under twelve	From 42

Cranley Comment

Deluxe Rooms are decorated and furnished in exactly the same manner as the Superior Rooms but have more space and a silver leaf swan chair with yellow cushions. All Deluxe Rooms have king-size sleigh beds.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Deluxe Gym	7	3 City 4 Courtyard Garden	As per the Deluxe Room with the added benefit of: More space An alcove with a treadmill	2 Adults	From 49

Cranley Comment

All Deluxe Gym Rooms are decorated and furnished in exactly the same manner as the Deluxe Rooms, have king-size sleigh beds and an alcove housing a treadmill.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Deluxe Double Double	2	City	As per the deluxe gym rooms with the added benefit of: More space Two double beds	4 Adults or 2 Adults and 2 children under twelve	From 50

Cranley Comment

The Deluxe Double Double Rooms are decorated and furnished in exactly the same manner as the Deluxe Gym Rooms but are larger and have two double beds.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Loft	4	Courtyard Garden	As per the Deluxe Double Double Rooms with the added benefit of: Floor-to-ceiling windows Armoire housing the television/stereo unit, safe and mini bar More spacious bathroom	3 Adults or 2 adults and 1 child under twelve	From 49

Cranley Comment

The rooms are decorated and furnished in the same manner as the Deluxe Double Double Rooms. All the rooms have king-size sleigh beds and full floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the courtyard garden. The bathrooms are more spacious in the Loft Rooms. The rooms have an armoire which houses the television/stereo unit, safe and mini bar.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Loft Terrace	7	City	As per the Loft Rooms with the added benefit of: Private landscaped and furnished terrace overlooking Berner's Street.	2 Adults	From 36

Cranley Comment

The rooms are decorated and furnished in exactly the same manner as the Loft Rooms but have a private landscaped terrace overlooking Berner's Street which is at the front of the hotel. The rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and all have king-size sleigh beds. All Loft Terrace Rooms are located on the sixth floor of the hotel.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Loft Suite	5	City	As per the Loft Terrace Rooms with the added benefit of: More space Open plan suite with separate living area	2 Adults	From 62

Cranley Comment

These extremely spacious suites are decorated and furnished in the same manner as the Loft Terrace Rooms but are larger and have a separate lounge living area which is furnished with white sofas and chairs. The suites all have king-size sleigh beds.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Apartment	1	City	As per the Loft Suite with the added benefit of: A large lounge/dining area 2 bedrooms with king-size sleigh beds 2 full bathrooms with chrome baths Private elevator from the sixth floor leading to the apartment Galley kitchen 5 telephones Views of the London Eye	4 Adults	226

Cranley Comment

The Apartment is reached by a private elevator from the sixth floor. This exclusive apartment is decorated following the theme of all the other guestrooms apart from the silk opera style curtains having a gold under curtain background instead of pink. The Apartment's lounge/dining area is decorated in white and has a dining table seating six, sofa and chairs. Just off the dining area is a small galley kitchen. The Apartment has two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms both with a separate shower and chrome baths. The Apartment has floor-to-ceiling windows and has views out to the London Eye and beyond.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Penthouse	1	City	As per the Apartment.	4 Adults	226

Cranley Comment

The Penthouse is reached by a private elevator from the sixth floor. It is identical to the apartment with the only difference being its location. The Apartment is located on the seventh floor and the Penthouse is on the eighth floor.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Suka