A complete hotel guide — rooms, dining, design & an honest review
Tucked behind an unassuming 1950s Fitzrovia façade, The Sanderson London has been turning heads — and dividing opinions — since Philippe Starck reimagined it as a surrealist dream hotel.
Fitzrovia · Morgans Originals · Philippe Starck
Read the reviewBefore getting into the detail, here's the essential information at a glance.
There aren't many hotels where the architecture tells a story before you've even checked in. The Sanderson London is one of them.
The building itself dates from the 1950s — a period when Berners Street was home to commercial and industrial tenants rather than design-forward hoteliers. The exterior remains deliberately understated: a clean, mid-century façade that gives almost nothing away. That contrast with what lies inside is, almost certainly, intentional.
When Ian Schrager brought Philippe Starck in to reimagine the space in 2000, the brief wasn't to create a conventional luxury hotel. Starck's vision was something closer to a surrealist stage set — drawing on the dreamlike quality of Jean Cocteau's films and the idea of 'pared-down luxury with wit and irony.' The result was a hotel that felt genuinely unlike anything else in London at the time.
'Pared-down luxury with wit and irony.' — the Starck brief for The Sanderson
The John Piper stained-glass installation deserves specific mention because it's genuinely significant — Piper was one of Britain's most important 20th-century artists, and the piece anchors the lobby with a sense of cultural weight that you don't find in most contemporary hotels. A full-size pool table sits against it — a pairing that shouldn't work but somehow does.
Within the Morgans Originals family — which also encompasses the Mondrian and Delano brands — The Sanderson occupies a distinctive position as the most design-historically significant property. It predates the portfolio's current direction and retains its original Starck identity largely intact. For guests familiar with those brands, the Sanderson is the one that started the conversation.
Fitzrovia sits at the intersection of several of London's most compelling neighbourhoods — and 50 Berners Street puts you right in the middle of it.
Oxford Street is 0.6 miles from the hotel's front door. Soho, with its restaurants, bars and independent cinemas, is a short walk south. Leicester Square and the West End's theatre district are approximately 0.6 miles away — close enough to walk back after a show without needing a cab.
Oxford Circus (Central, Victoria, Bakerloo) and Tottenham Court Road (Central, Northern and the Elizabeth line) are both under 10 minutes on foot. The Elizabeth line provides fast, direct connections to Heathrow, Paddington, and east London. Euston and King's Cross St Pancras are within 15–20 minutes by tube.
Covent Garden, the British Museum and the galleries of Mayfair are all accessible on foot or via a single tube stop. Fitzrovia's own creative character — Charlotte Street's café culture, contemporary galleries, the Wellcome Collection — aligns naturally with the hotel's design-forward identity. Broadcasting House and Holborn's business district are close by too.
The Sanderson London has 150 guestrooms across several categories. Understanding the differences — and knowing which rooms represent genuine value — makes a meaningful difference to the experience.
| Room Category | Key Features | From |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Room | Entry-level, Starck white-on-white palette, courtyard or street view | ~£200 |
| Deluxe Room | Larger footprint, higher floors, improved views | ~£250 |
| Superior Room | Upgraded fixtures, select rooms with partial city views | ~£280 |
| Junior Suite | Separate living area, significantly more space | ~£320 |
| Balcony Suite (6th Floor) | Full outdoor balcony — rare in central London — top-floor positioning | ~£359 |
Prices are indicative based on OTA published rates and vary significantly by date, availability, and season.
If budget allows, the suites on the 6th floor are where the Sanderson experience genuinely elevates. The balcony suites offer outdoor space — rare and valuable in central London — along with more generous proportions and a better sense of the hotel's design vision at its best.
All rooms include complimentary high-speed WiFi, minibar, flat-screen television, designer toiletries, in-room safe, work desk and 24-hour room service. Pets are allowed.
'The design language carries through from the public spaces into every room — white-on-white palettes, sheer curtains, and Starck's characteristic wit.'
Held in the hotel's courtyard garden, the tea takes its theme from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. Sandwiches and scones are refillable; coffee and hot chocolate are included at no extra charge. Consistently described as one of the best in London.
Deep, moody, and distinctly theatrical in its design, the Purple Bar creates an evening ambience that's genuinely hard to replicate elsewhere in the West End. A second, lighter bar and lounge offers a quieter alternative.
Breakfast weekdays 7:00–10:30 AM, weekends 7:00–11:00 AM, continuing through lunch and dinner. The courtyard garden provides alfresco dining when weather permits. Breakfast is not included in the standard room rate.
Room service runs around the clock — a practical detail that matters more than it seems for guests arriving on late international flights or with early-morning departures.
4.5 / 5
TripAdvisor · 2,488+ Reviews
8.7 / 10
Lastminute.com · 1,837 Reviews · 'Excellent'
TripAdvisor Category Breakdown
Location and cleanliness are the standout performers. Value is the outlier — and that gap between the hotel's overall rating and its value score is the single most useful data point for a prospective guest.
Across both platforms, several themes recur with striking consistency — the location, the housekeeping, the Purple Bar in the evenings, and the Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea, described as 'magical' and 'one of the best in London.'
Guests have specifically praised — Valentina (housekeeping), Andrea (reception), Basel (bellboy), Beatrix (afternoon tea server), and Rita (restaurant).
The Sanderson doesn't try to compete on the terms of newer five-star London hotels like The Londoner, The Langham, or Hotel Cafe Royal. Its proposition is different: a boutique lifestyle hotel with a specific artistic identity, a location that arguably beats all of its direct competitors for West End access, and an atmosphere that's genuinely its own.
Design-conscious travellers who value character over convention; guests whose primary agenda involves Soho's restaurants and nightlife; afternoon tea enthusiasts; couples looking for a memorable and distinctive stay; and travellers who appreciate the boutique/lifestyle hotel sensibility over the more anonymous luxury of larger five-star operations.
Guests who prioritise contemporary interiors will likely find the Sanderson's rooms disappointing relative to the price. Those seeking an extensive spa and wellness facility should look at The Langham or The Londoner instead. Families requiring interconnecting rooms or extensive child-focused facilities may find larger hotel operations more accommodating.
A short reference on rates, perks, policies and the loyalty programme — drawn from the full guide above.
Rates start from approximately £200 per night on OTA platforms and climb to £359 per night and above for superior rooms and suites, depending on the time of year. Peak periods — summer, Christmas, New Year and major London events — will be higher; March–May and September–November typically offer better value.
Breakfast is not included in the standard room rate; it's charged separately. Guests booking through an Accor Preferred travel advisor receive complimentary breakfast for two as one of the key perks.
Daily complimentary breakfast for two, $100 USD on-property credit applicable to dining, spa or room service, VIP welcome amenities on arrival, early check-in and late check-out subject to availability, and a room upgrade at check-in subject to availability. For a two-night stay those perks can represent £150–£200 in additional value.
ALL operates across five tiers — Classic, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. Members earn ALL Points at approximately 25 points per €10 spent on eligible charges. Points can be redeemed against future stays across the Accor portfolio. Gold, Platinum and Diamond members can expect additional recognition at check-in.
Standard check-in is from 3:00 PM; standard check-out is by 12:00 noon. Early check-in and late check-out can be requested subject to availability, and may carry a charge. Accor Preferred guests receive complimentary early check-in and late check-out subject to availability.
Yes. Pets are permitted, subject to the hotel's terms at booking — relatively unusual among West End five-star hotels.
No full-service spa. The Sanderson offers a compact fitness suite with cardio equipment and free weights. Guests seeking a comprehensive spa experience would be better served by The Langham or The Rosewood London.
Book the best room category your budget allows. The 6th-floor Balcony Suites are the clear recommendation for special occasions — the outdoor balcony is rare in central London. If booking through an Accor Preferred advisor, a complimentary upgrade at check-in (subject to availability) can bridge the gap without additional cost.
For the right traveller, the trade-offs are entirely worth making. If you're drawn to design with a genuine point of view, if the Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea is on your London list, if proximity to Soho and the West End matters more than a spotless contemporary interior — The Sanderson London is an excellent and memorable choice.
