Hotel: Sunborn Yacht Hotel

Address: Royal Victoria Dock, near Canary Wharf, London

Website: www.sunbornhotels.com

TraveLife ranking:

Rooms: 104

Room rates: $200+

Highlights: This is one of the most unusual hotels in London. It’s anchored on the northern side of Royal Victoria Dock, next to the city's new 90,000-square-metre international exhibition and conference centre called ExCel. It was floated into the capital a few years ago – just before the Queen's Jubilee – as an alternative to London’s other overpriced hotels. It’s anchored opposite the city’s well-used city airport.

History: The idea for the Sunborn actually originated in Finland where the ship was constructed in the late’90s. It’s the world’s first custom built yacht hotel.

Interior highlights: With its sweeping staircases and large upper deck that houses its gourmet restaurant; the ship is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after places to stay in London. The public areas come dripping in mirrors and chandeliers. This looks like a mini version of a luxury liner.

In the next room: Because of its location opposite London’s busy convention centre, the Sunborn is used by business tycoons attending conventions and as a place to hold conference functions.

The rooms:   When someone says ship, most people think of cramped quarters. The Sunborn dispels that theory. In fact, the rooms aboard the Sunborn are probably larger than most hotel rooms at London's land-based properties. Most rooms include a small sitting area with couch and chair and also offer a small balcony that looks out over the Docklands, the area where the billion-dollar Millennium Dome is located.  The ship can offer more space to passengers because the engine room has been removed and there is no bridge. The ship was actually towed to its present location.

Amenities: The Sunborn started out as a spa hotel, but now caters to the business community, offering such things as a small business centre and a conference theatre that rivals anything on land.

Restaurants: The yacht’s main dining room serves up some excellent fare and it’s main deck bar is cozy and a perfect place to meet business colleagues.

Shopping: There’s nothing in this area but the chic shops of Knightsbridge are only a few tube stops away.

Close by: While the Sunborn is anchored away from most of London's main tourist attractions (Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the great cathedrals, etc.) they are easily reached by the city's new light rail transit system. The trains, which run every two minutes in peak times and stop just steps away from the Sunborn, link the Docklands with the subway network (Jubilee Line) for one fare. Closer to the yacht hotel you’ll find the historic town of Greenwich, famous for the Cutty Sark and Greenwich Market, and Canary Wharf.

Tips: This is London’s best kept secret. While a yacht, the cabins are still roomy, with the exception of the bathrooms. If you don’t mind traveling to where the action is every day, this is the spot for you. The airport noise, especially in the morning, is a rude awakening, though.