Walk into the Sanderson Hotel London and the first thing you notice isn't the check-in desk. It’s a giant, bright red pair of lips. Specifically, the Salvador Dalí-inspired Mae West Lips sofa. It sits there, slightly surreal and completely unapologetic, in a lobby that feels more like an art gallery than a place to hand over your passport.
The Sanderson isn't new. In the fast-moving world of London high-society hospitality, it’s practically a veteran. But that’s exactly why it’s interesting. While newer hotels in Fitzrovia are busy trying to look like expensive members' clubs with dark wood and velvet, the Sanderson remains a weird, airy, 1950s-modernist dreamscape. It was designed by Philippe Starck back in the day, and honestly, his fingerprints are everywhere. It’s a bit theatrical. It’s a lot whimsical.
But does it still hold up? Or is it just a relic of "cool Britannia" that’s forgotten to renovate?
The Architectural Bones of a Fitzrovia Icon
You can't talk about the Sanderson Hotel London without talking about the building itself. It’s a Grade II listed landmark. Back in the 1950s, this was the headquarters for Arthur Sanderson and Sons, the famous wallpaper and fabric manufacturers. If you look at the exterior, it’s all glass and clean lines—a mid-century modernist masterpiece designed by Reginald Uren.
When Ian Schrager (the man who basically invented the "boutique hotel" concept) and Philippe Starck got their hands on it in 2000, they didn't tear it down. They leaned into the transparency. The whole ground floor is basically one giant open space separated by flowing white silk curtains instead of walls. It feels like a labyrinth, but a very chic one where you might find a Billiard Room with a silver-leaf ceiling at one turn and a Japanese-inspired garden at the next.
There’s a specific kind of light here. Because the building was originally designed for a wallpaper company, they needed massive amounts of natural light to check colors and patterns. Today, that means the hotel avoids that "stuffy basement" vibe you get in so many historic London properties.
What it’s Actually Like to Stay There
Let’s be real: some people hate the rooms. If you’re the kind of traveler who wants a heavy mahogany door and a marble bathroom with a lock, you might struggle. The Sanderson rooms are... open.
There are no internal walls. Instead, the bathroom and sleeping areas are separated by glass partitions wrapped in layers of sheer curtains. It’s incredibly romantic if you’re traveling with a partner you really, really like. It’s potentially awkward if you’re sharing a room with a colleague or a distant cousin.
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The beds are positioned in the middle of the room, often facing the window. It’s a deliberate choice. You wake up and see London immediately, rather than staring at a TV cabinet. The furniture is a mix of Louis XV style and hyper-modern acrylic. It’s weird, but it works.
The Courtyard Garden: A Hidden Escape
One of the best-kept secrets of the Sanderson Hotel London is the Courtyard Garden. In a city as loud as London, finding a quiet outdoor spot in W1 is like finding a unicorn. This is an open-air oasis filled with flowering trees, fountains, and mosaic floors.
You go there for a drink, and suddenly the chaos of Oxford Street—which is literally a five-minute walk away—completely disappears. It’s one of those places where you can actually hear yourself think.
The Long Bar and the Mad Hatters Tea
If you’ve heard of the Sanderson, you’ve probably heard of the Long Bar. It’s 80 feet of glowing white onyx. Back in the mid-2000s, this was the place to be seen. You’d have supermodels and rock stars tucked into the sheer-curtained alcoves.
Is it still that "hot"?
Probably not in the way it used to be, but that’s a good thing. It’s transitioned from being a "sceney" flash-in-the-pan to a reliable London staple. The cocktails are still excellent, and the vibe is still distinct. It’s one of the few hotel bars in London where the locals actually outnumber the tourists on a Thursday night.
Then there’s the Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea.
Look, themed teas in London are a dime a dozen. Every hotel has one. But the Sanderson’s version is consistently ranked among the best because they don't just put a chocolate hat on a plate and call it a day. The menus are hidden inside vintage books. The teapots are decorated with kings and queens. You get "Drink Me" potions and savory scones. It’s whimsical without being tacky, which is a very hard line to walk.
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Dealing with the "Starck" Reality
We have to acknowledge the elephant in the room. Some critics argue that the Sanderson is starting to show its age. When you use a lot of white—white curtains, white carpets, white furniture—maintenance is a nightmare.
You’ll occasionally see a scuff on a floor or a curtain that’s lost its crispness. If you’re paying £400+ a night, you notice those things. However, the hotel has been undergoing staggered refreshes. The core "Philippe Starck" DNA is still there, but they’ve updated the tech. The Wi-Fi doesn't drop out, and the gym isn't an afterthought.
Also, the service. This is where the Sanderson often beats the newer, flashier competitors. Because it’s been around for over two decades, there’s a level of institutional knowledge among the staff. They aren't just "influencer-friendly" kids; they actually know how to run a hotel.
The Location Factor: Why Fitzrovia?
Most people visiting London gravitate toward Mayfair or Soho. The Sanderson is in Fitzrovia.
Fitzrovia is basically the cooler, slightly more intellectual neighbor of Soho. It’s where Virginia Woolf and George Orwell used to hang out. Today, it’s home to some of the best independent galleries and restaurants in the city.
- Distance to Oxford Circus: 7 minutes.
- Distance to The British Museum: 12 minutes.
- Vibe: Sophisticated but not stuffy.
Staying here means you’re close enough to the action to walk everywhere, but far enough away that you don't have a souvenir shop right outside your front door.
The Verdict: Who is it For?
Honestly, the Sanderson Hotel London isn't for everyone.
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If you want a traditional British experience with doormen in top hats and heavy floral curtains, go to The Savoy or The Ritz. You’ll be much happier there.
If you want a sterile, hyper-modern business hotel, go to a Hilton or a Marriott.
The Sanderson is for the traveler who likes a bit of drama. It’s for people who appreciate design history and don't mind a bathroom that’s basically a glass box. It’s for the person who wants to stay somewhere that feels like a fever dream dreamed up by a French designer in the 90s.
It remains an antidote to the boring.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you’re planning to book or visit, keep these points in mind:
- Request a High Floor: The lower floors are fine, but the higher you go, the better the light. Some of the top-floor rooms have genuine "wow" views of the London skyline that feel very private.
- Book Tea in Advance: The Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea is incredibly popular, especially on weekends. Don't expect to walk in and get a table. Book at least two weeks out.
- Check the Courtyard Status: In the winter, the courtyard is often heated or themed (they’ve done Alpine lodges in the past). Check what the current "activation" is before you go.
- Embrace the Spa: The Agua Spa at the Sanderson is 10,000 square feet of white silk. It’s one of the most relaxing (and slightly surreal) spa environments in London. Even if you aren't staying, a treatment here is a legit escape from the city.
- Don't Fear the Open Bathroom: If you're worried about privacy, just know that the curtains are thick enough to block the view, just not the silhouette. If you’re shy, this might be your dealbreaker.
The Sanderson Hotel London has managed to survive the "trendy" phase and emerge as a genuine London landmark. It’s quirky, it’s slightly weird, and in a city that is becoming increasingly homogenized, that is a very valuable thing.