by Brianna Crandall — April 18, 2014—A recently acquired contract for a mobile luxury hotel is bringing new challenges for innovative FM service to global facilities services provider ISS. As the company explains it, April 1, 2014, was a groundbreaking day for facilities management and London’s hospitality and tourism sectors.
On that day the exclusive Sunborn London, the city’s first luxury Superyacht Hotel, operated by ISS Facility Services, cruised up the Thames River after having traveled from Holland. The ship was then taken up river to a temporary berth to undergo her U.K. re-fit with a full interior refurbishment—also managed by ISS.
ISS is responsible for all of the four-star Sunborn London’s operations. The fully integrated service model sees ISS managing all facets of the business to include sales, marketing and events, as well as the day-to-day running of the hotel, which will be located on the waterfront at the western end of the Royal Victoria Dock, within a short walk of the main entrance of ExCel London.
The 120-meter-long Sunborn London offers 136 spacious yacht bedrooms and suites over five floors, plus ample entertaining space. The Sunborn hosts conference rooms, a fine dining restaurant, bar, auditorium, state-of-the-art gym, and vast outside decks and private terraces, including a three-level event venue with outdoor terraces facing towards Canary Wharf and the Siemens Crystal.
ISS Facility Services Director of Hotels, Karen Thomson, commented, “At ISS we see this as a very exciting opportunity. We’ve worked extensively with our partners to create a totally unique experience, whilst driving positive change in the area.”
To support the local community, ISS partnered with the East London Business Alliance (ELBA) to recruit more than 50 percent of its staff for Sunborn London. A full range of roles have been filled by local residents to create the new environment. In addition, ISS is reportedly one of the first employers in the area to pay hotel staff the London Living Wage.
Commenting on the new Sunborn Yacht Hotels, Hans Niemi, Executive Director, said, “The new hotel in London, currently the world’s most important city, gives us an important platform for the Sunborn brand and business concept. We’re delighted to work with ISS, a trusted partner with a strong track record in the hotel industry. Their focus on delivering the finest bespoke service in the most professional manner blends well with our culture.”
