Experiencing London’s hottest Yoga & Brunch Club – Sanctum Soho Hotel

Last updated: 27 June 2023

Most of my Sunday’s consist of either travelling or napping. So it was certainly a change of pace for me to get up early on a Sunday but I’d been tempted by the promise of yoga & brunch.  I put on my stretchy clothes and headed to the Sanctum Soho Hotel for a morning of yoga followed by brunch.

The Sanctum Soho is a 4-star boutique hotel in London’s lively Soho district. It’s made up of two smart Grade-II listed Edwardian townhouses offering inner-city London luxury with an edge.  

I arrived early for a one hour Vinyasa yoga practice with top yogi Katie Silver in the hotel’s basement function room.  With soft seating pushed to the sides, 15 black Lululemon yoga mats were laid out on the floor and a Sanctum Soho tote bag containing goodies placed on top.  

It had been a good any months since my last practice.  I arrived with general stiffness through every joint and feel significantly older than my 30 something years. I used to be able to fold myself like a pretzel but today I can only just touch my toes.  This should be interesting I said to myself.

Katie coached us through usual yoga warm ups, like bringing knees to chest while laying on our backs and rolling left and right to wake up the body and to release the tension we all carry in our lower back.  Focusing the mind for the hour ahead, the room smelled of gentle incense and relaxing music was pumped through the speakers; falling rain, crashing waves, seagulls squawking.  Almost feels like I’m back in Australia.  

Our class was a Vinyasa flow, a series of linked yoga poses, one leading seamlessly into the next. Throughout my practice it was obvious I wasn’t on my best form. My Garudasana (Eagle Pose) resembled a dying twisted vine, my hips creaked as I eased into Kapotasana (pigeon pose). It’s a struggle but nevertheless I pushed on.  The promise of brunch was on the horizon.

As the hour drew to a close, I was thrilled as we entered the balance portion of the practice.  I used to be really good at this. Standing Bow Pose involved standing on one leg, holding the other in one hand and tipping forward.  Today that wasn’t happening, not even close.  I wobbled repeatedly as my leg lifted off the floor. I wobbled, desperately pushing my hand into my foot which helped maintain my balance. After a while I cheated and popped my hand to the floor so I don’t fall into my neighbour Felicia who’s absolutely owning every pose.

We ended the practice with Savasana (Corpse pose). Laying on my back, legs together, my feet comfortably fall open to the sides.  My palms faced upwards and I let my entire body sink into my mat, letting go of all the stress, catching my breath and refocusing my mind.  

I made it!

Brunch

All the hype inside my mind about having brunch really paid off, I also felt like I really earned it! The brunch spread was laid out in the intimate roof terrace on the hotel’s fifth floor. Conde Naste Traveller listed it as one of the best rooftop bars in London featuring three inter-connecting areas feature a bar, covered lounge and private hot tub.

Brunch was a buffet-style with eggs made to order, fresh fruit, and homemade flapjack breakfast bars. Juice, smoothies, tea and coffee to re-hydrate after our practice  Also a selection of freshly baked breads, big fluffy American style pancakes and a mountain of smashed avocado and greens.

I dove in head first into the smashed avo – I thought to myself I’ve never seen it like this in a buffet before, I’m definitely having that on my plate.  My new egg preference is poached so the chef whipped some up without a fuss.  

We were all very warm after our yoga practice but just in case the outdoor area is all-weather with retractable shades to protect from the rain plus heaters to keep guests nice and toasty year round.

The decor is rocker chic with skulls and rocker vintage dominating the walls giving it an edgy swagger. There’s a piece of graffiti art hanging over the stairs which is from the dressing room wall from the Marquee Club from 1988-1995. That’s a piece of London right there.  Reading the names scribbled into the timber didn’t help me all that much, in hindsight I should have had Mark Fuller, the hotel’s owner, share a story or two of its history.  

After brunch a few of us stripped off and headed to the private hot tub on the rooftop.  Comfortably seating five, we sat there for hours talking about life, yoga, and let the bubbles ease our sore muscles.  

I enjoyed it so much, I was the last to leave. Let’s face it, I love a good hot tub!

Final Thoughts

I really loved this experience.  Despite being heavily out of yoga practice and completely off my game I left the hotel feeling revitalised and ready to take on the world.  Food was spot on, healthy, tasty and plenty of choices. Highly recommended!

The Essentials | Yoga & Brunch club at Sanctum Soho Hotel

• Where: 20 Warwick St, Soho, London W1B 5NF
• Frequency: Monthly
• Cost: £40
• Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus
• Inclusions: One hour of yoga, buffet brunch, use of the hot tub. Also Sanctum Soho provides the chicest coconut water on the market, Jax Coco and a bespoke gift bag to each yogi every class. The contents of the bag differs slightly every month but expect top products from brands like Potion London, Skin and Tonic, Yogandha Body Oil, Gallinee Hand Cream, Orelia, Hype Clothing and more.

Disclaimer: My Yoga & Brunch club experience was kindly provided by Sanctum Soho Hotel in conjunction with Love Popups London in return for an honest review.  We were not financially compensated for this post.

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