Brighton is a town that’s never short on fun. A growing clutch of cool boutique hotels is swiftly changing the city’s longstanding sleazy image — even Soho House has nabbed a venue in Madeira Drive — and ocean-facing grande dame, the Grand, has undergone an exquisite refurbishment. That said, if you want quirky, plenty of hotels fit the bill. Even better, compared to other UK cities, room rates are generally reasonable, and free wi-fi is always on tap. Two points to bear in mind: parking in Brighton is a pain (some hotels offer discounted vouchers; few have garages), and with a busy road running beneath sea-facing properties, it’s worth checking if your room with a view has double glazing.
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This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue ££-£££ | Best for old-style glamour From its Victorian inception (nicknamed the “Palace by the Sea”) to the birth here of an Indian prince, from Abba’s stay after winning Eurovision to the IRA bombing of 1984, this wedding-cake beauty carries stacks of history. And you’ve got unbeatable sea views from more than a third of its muted-toned, art deco-style glamorous bedrooms. Afternoon tea in the Victoria Terrace is a must — so too, co*cktails in the buzzy bar (try the Victoria Martini with Absolut vodka and a splash of Ridgeview Fitzrovia bubbles), home to regular noteworthy crooners. ££ | Best for romantic getaways Spanning two Georgian townhouses in Kemptown and overlooking the Palace Pier, Drakes is arguably Brighton’s most elegant boutique hotel. Cate Blanchett gave it the thumbs-up; so too Kylie Minogue — and today its 20 bedrooms remain blissfully chic, featuring oodles of blond-wood panelling, Poirot-style detailing and fabulous bathrooms. Pick a sea-facing superior where freestanding bath tubs are placed in front of floor-to-ceiling windows. Fancy yoga in your room? A massage? Nothing is too much trouble to arrange. The clubby co*cktail bar is very much a locals’ favourite. £ | Best for budget stays This smart, no-nonsense, dinky B&B is tucked away down a narrow Kemptown side street and has seven compact and affordable bedrooms with bright uncluttered decor. Super-clean and — given its proximity to the city centre — reasonably quiet, rooms come toiletries by the local perfumier Pecksniffs, tea and coffee-making facilities and super comfy beds. Families are welcome, and there are two double loft rooms with a mini-kitchenette and shared wet room to suit those with children. Breakfasts are pretty decent, but for a cooked option, you need to place your order the night before. BOOKING.COM ££ | Best for peaceful out-of-town stays Formerly a prep school, this charming double-fronted Victorian villa is set a few steps away from Hove Lawns and seafront, and it’s only a short bus ride to the city’s main attractions. That said, Hove itself has developed quite the buzz, so you’ll be spoilt for choice in terms of walkable restaurants and bars. The Claremont has 11 spacious and beautifully characterful bedrooms (some with four-poster beds) and carries an elegant guest house vibe. There’s a dreamy walled garden at the rear for alfresco breakfasts, vintage cream teas or early evening drinks, and an ever-changing art scene (the hotel is a big supporter of the Brighton Festival and Artists Open Houses). ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for peachy sea views Another sea-facing beauty here. Brighton Harbour has fast gained popularity since it opened a few years back; not only for those nautical-themed bedrooms with complimentary decanters of sherry, but also for its excellent and buzzy HarBar co*cktail bar. The basem*nt is home to old smugglers’ tunnels which have been converted into a small, grotto-themed spa with pools, whirlpools, steam rooms, sauna and truly pampering TempleSpa treatments. Pick a spa break package, and it will include a session at Beach Box Spa’s wood-fired saunas set on the pebbles at Kemptown. You get peachy sea views in the front rooms, but for a peaceful night pick one at the rear. £-££ | Best for die-hard eccentrics Don’t be fooled by that calm Regency Square exterior — inside, Hotel Pelirocco is a riot of boho kitsch: think lipstick-pink walls, mirrored ceilings and a basem*nt karaoke lounge. Every room in this rock’n’roll-styled hotel carries a theme — Lord Vader’s Quarters has Star Wars memorabilia; DollyWould features dress-up stetsons and holsters; and Betty’s Boudoir, in homage to Fifties pin-up Bettie Page, has a whirlpool, leopard-print detailing and private terrace. In 2023 the hotel added a glam-rock bedroom dedicated to Bowie — named Rebel Rebel, natch, with giant murals of the legendary singer. Sure, the Peli won’t suit everyone, but this popular pad with its DJ nights, co*cktails and hangover grub, live music and non-stop party vibe is pure Brighton. £-££ | Best for art lovers A pebble’s throw from the Peli and spanning two grade II listed Regency Square townhouses, the Artist Residence is a hugely stylish boutique hotel with a hipster, clubby vibe. Pick one of the sea-view rooms and you’re far enough back not to be disturbed by traffic noise — plus you get a private balcony with peerless views of the sea, the i360, and the skeletal remains of the West Pier. No two rooms are the same, but many have an arty theme with commissioned murals or graffiti detailing. Super, too, are the retro bits and bobs: vintage Anglepoise lamps, Roberts radios, copper slipper baths and reclaimed tea chests. In addition, next door is home to Artist Residence’s super-cool self-catering apartments. A big plus is the all-day café serving top-notch bites and artisan co*cktails. ££-£££ | Best for boutique B&B This is another Regency Square gem, just a short walk from all the city’s attractions. Expect eye-catching contemporary artwork, one-off furniture designed by the owner’s husband, heavenly beds, and glimpses of the sea from its front rooms. Fancy a bolt hole with a private cinema (popcorn included) — or maybe a spa room with double whirlpool, or a cosy nook with a private patio? Hotel Una can provide. That said, the dreamy Danube luxury room is hard to beat: think oodles of space, private balcony, and sea glimpses while you wallow in the rolltop bath. ££-£££ | Best for wine aficionados With an excellent location just minutes from the Lanes, the pier and the Royal Pavilion, Hotel du Vin is hard to beat. Even better, it’s set on one of Brighton’s quieter roads. This pistachio-green neo-gothic building started life as a wine merchant, so its role today as a hotel with a fine cellar is pleasingly appropriate. Bedrooms, spread over a labyrinth of corridors, carry a New England beachy look: but for special celebrations, pick the Signature Suite, featuring twin clawfoot tubs and monsoon showers, an enormous bed and a private balcony. The bar is always lively; the bistro is a good place for French-themed staples, top-notch Sunday lunches and excellent wines. • Best things to do in Brighton £ | Best for value Selina is one of the newer kids on the block and offers some of the city’s lowest prices, making it a great budget option for families (some rooms come with bunk beds and cots). Set opposite the old West Pier and channelling a seaside vibe — cheery marine colours, fishing-basket lanterns, upcycled promenade benches and retro ephemera — this relaxed, Gen Z-favoured hotel runs a daily activity programme for guests with everything from paddleboarding lessons and breathwork to free in-room yoga. Feeling community-minded? Sign up for Selina’s Sunday morning beach-cleaning group. The hotel’s restaurant, the Old Pier, majors on moreish staples like pizza, mac’n’cheese, waffles and tempura cod. SIMON PEPPER PHOTOGRAPHY £ | Best for personalised charm Refurbished in 2021, this longstanding Kemptown hotel has lost none of its quirky charm and homeliness, thanks to the welcoming presence of its owner Hervé Guyat and his friendly team. New Steine mixes Gallic touches with contemporary art, and though some rooms are on the smallish side, beds are supremely comfortable. If you want space, pick the basem*nt suite, which has a private patio. Likewise, rooms at the rear are better if you want to avoid street noise. The hotel regularly stages events during Brighton Festival, and staff can recommend nearby attractions and restaurants — that said, the in-house bistro serves decently priced three-course dinners alongside first-rate wines. ££ | Best for co*cktail lovers and indie shoppers With Brighton’s boho North Laine district on your doorstep, and the Royal Pavilion just five minutes away, My Brighton makes an excellent base for exploring the city’s best attractions. Rooms come with curvy walls, citrus colour schemes, porthole windows and pod-shaped shower rooms, making for a bright, bold and ultra-modern vibe. In the mood for celebrating? Pick the penthouse suite where Snoop Dogg stayed, and you’ll get a crystal-topped four-poster, a steam room, fab city views and an antique carousel horse. The Bar pours local brews and the award-winning Chilli Pickle next door serves up amazing curries. ££ | Best for old-world appeal Dating back to the 16th century, this is Brighton’s oldest inn and has shedloads of history: the Prince Regent staged a bash here, Dickens gave readings and Paganini played his violin on the balcony. Today it retains an old-world, slightly dated charm, though some of the refurbished sea-facing rooms are immensely chic, and feature thoughtful touches such as brass telescopes trained on the ocean. On warmer days the outside terrace is great for co*cktails; the Wardroom and Mess Deck offer acceptable pub-style grub, but you’re in the heart of restaurant-land here, so your best bet is to dine out. ££ | Best for families The Marina may lack Brighton’s inimitable spirit, but if you’re after a peaceful stay with sea and harbour views from a private terrace, then Malmaison ticks the boxes. Spend a bit more on a sea-facing room and you get extra space, a bright interior, comfortable beds and a fresh, stripped-floorboard, contemporary look — or opt for the signature suite with a balcony overlooking the harbour. On a warm evening, nab a lounger at the alfresco bar, snaffle a co*cktail and admire the yachts and boardwalk beach bums. Inside, Malmaison Bar & Grill restaurant serves fusion grill dishes, pretty good steaks and other British and French-inspired staples — alternatively, you can catch a bus into town to check out the city’s excellent restaurant scene. ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for easy access to the Lanes Don’t let that rather ugly, boxy exterior put you off — inside, the Leonardo Royal is bright and buzzy with a lively atrium bar and reasonable Seaview Bar & Lounge whose second-tier level offers first-rate sea and pier views. Whether you’re here on business or with a family, there’s accommodation to suit all needs. There’s double glazing, so it’s worth splashing out on a sea-facing room — and though the look is a tad corporate, rooms are generously sized and the beds extremely comfortable. Downstairs there’s a small pool and gym, and for families, a supervised zone for children. DEVLIN PHOTOS £-££ | Best for mixing with the locals Sure, it’s in Hove, but Brighton’s centre is a short bus ride away and if you want a quieter uber-cool seaside base, then this boutiquey 11-bedroom establishment is perfect. It’s owned by the celebrated local chef Ben McKellar (check out his other venues in town) and rooms at the Ginger Pig are spread above his lively and excellent gastropub, just minutes from Hove’s relaxing seafront. The bedrooms are supremely chic: on-trend colour schemes, steampunk prints by Dan Hillier, Hypnos beds, Cowshed toiletries and nice extras such as minibar co*cktails and raffia beach bags stuffed with mats and towels. £ | Best for chic B&Bs This Kemptown beauty, located up a skinny, salt-flecked side street, may look like your typical old-style boarding house, but step inside and there’s a pleasingly cool and contemporary look to its public spaces and six affordably priced bedrooms. White walls, tall ceilings and original cornicing mix with bold Brighton-themed murals; crisp white linen and heavenly beds match all the convenient bits and bobs you’d expect from an upmarket establishment — Bluetooth docking stations, retro fridges and digital city guides. The rooms are spotless and breakfasts are good. £ Best for retro fans With its eccentric collection of retro finds (reclaimed fairground rides, shag pile carpets, flying ducks and classic gig posters), Snooze majors on overkill, so you’ll need to adore vintage to appreciate its offbeat charms. From the outside, the look is all period Victorian daintiness; inside, however, there’s bygone eye candy both in public spaces and the eight individually themed bedrooms. Families, or those who just love oodles of space, should opt for the new eye-dazzling super suite retreat, decked out with ultra-bright furnishings, snazzy fur throws and splashy ceiling art. Comfy beds, organic BeKind toiletries and Snooze-branded sticks of Brighton rock mix with full English breakfasts including vegan options — eaten beneath a scaled-down version of Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam. • Best boutique hotels in Brighton Sign up to the Times Travel newsletter for weekly inspiration, advice and deals here1. The Grand
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2. Drakes
3. Guest and the City, Kemptown
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4. The Claremont, Hove
5. Brighton Harbour Hotel & Spa
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6. Hotel Pelirocco
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7. Artist Residence
8. Hotel Una
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9. Hotel du Vin & Bistro
• Best affordable hotels in Brighton10. Selina
11. New Steine Hotel
12. My Brighton
13. The Old Ship Hotel
14. Malmaison
15. Leonardo Royal Hotel Brighton Waterfront
16. The Ginger Pig, Hove
17. Nineteen, Kemptown
18. Snooze, Kemptown
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