Best hotels in Brighton – Times Travel

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, we have plenty of hotels to fit the bill; also, fabulous residences with notable restaurants and cocktail bars where you can mingle with locals.

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 picking a room with a view that guarantees double glazing.

Main photo: the Victoria bar at the Grand, Brighton

The best hotels in Brighton are:

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Best for old-style glamour: The Grand*
Best for romantic getaways: Drakes*
Best for peachy sea views: Brighton Harbour Hotel*
Best for die-hard eccentrics: Hotel Pelirocco*
Best for art lovers: Artist Residence*
Best for boutique B&B: Hotel Una*
Best for wine aficionados: Hotel du Vin & Bistro*
Best for budget sea-view stays: Selina*
Best for personalised charm: New Steine Hotel*
Best for cocktail lovers and indie shoppers: My Brighton*
Best for old-world appeal: The Old Ship Hotel*
Best for families: Malmaison*
Best for: easy access to The Lanes: Jurys Inn Brighton Waterfront*
Best for mixing with the locals: The Ginger Pig*
Best for chic B&Bs: Nineteen*
Best for retro fans: Snooze*

Best for old-style glamour
From its Victorian inception (nicknamed the “Palace by the Sea”) to the birth here of an Indian prince; then Abba’s stay after winning Eurovision and the IRA bombing of 1984, this wedding-cake beauty carries stacks of history. And of course, you’ve got unbeatable sea views from a third of its bedrooms, with a recent spruce-up resulting in a pleasingly muted art deco-style glamour. Afternoon tea in the Victoria Terrace is a must — so too, cocktails in the buzzy bar (try the signature Hobden’s Margarita), home to regular noteworthy crooners.

Spa N
Pool N
Price ££-£££

Best for romantic getaways
Spanning two Georgian townhouses in Kemp Town and overlooking Brighton Palace Pier, Drakes is arguably the city’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 free-standing 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 cocktail bar is very much a locals’ favourite.

Spa N
Pool N
Price ££

Best for peachy sea views
Another sea-facing beauty here: Brighton Harbour Hotel is a fairly recent addition to the scene but has fast gained popularity, not only for those nautical-themed bedrooms with complimentary decanters of gin and sherry, but also for its Harbour Kitchen and Bar, majoring on great British classics and locally sourced produce. Bar staff shake up outstanding cocktails and the basement features a small, grotto-themed spa with pools, whirlpools, steam rooms, sauna and Espa treatments. You get peachy sea views in the front rooms, but for a peaceful night pick one at the rear.

Spa Y
Pool Y
Price ££

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 basement 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. Sure, the Peli won’t suit everyone, but this popular pad with its DJ nights, cocktails and hangover grub, live music and non-stop party-vibe is pure Brighton.

Spa N
Pool N
Price £-££

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. A big plus is the all-day café serving top-notch bites and artisan cocktails.

Spa N
Pool N
Price £-££

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 roll-top bath.

Spa N
Pool N
Price ££-£££

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 Cristal Suite, featuring twin claw-foot tubs, a huge wet room, 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.

Spa N
Pool N
Price ££-£££

Best for budget sea-view stays
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.

Spa N
Pool N
Price £

Best for personalised charm
Although recently refurbished, this longstanding Kemp Town 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 basement suite which has a private patio. Likewise, back rooms are better 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.

Spa N
Pool N
Price £

Best for cocktail 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, steam room, fab city views and an antique carousel horse. My Brighton’s cocktail bar, Merkaba, is a locals’ favourite, so too, the award-winning Chilli Pickle serving up amazing curries.

Spa N
Pool N
Price ££

Best for old-world appeal
Dating back to the 16th century, this is Brighton’s oldest inn and carries 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 cocktails; the Wardroom and Mess Deck offer acceptable grub, but you’re in the heart of restaurant-land here, so your best bet is to dine out.

Spa N
Pool N
Price ££

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. On a warm evening, nab a lounger at the alfresco bar, snaffle a cocktail and admire the yachts and boardwalk beach bums. Inside, Chez Mal brasserie serves pretty good steaks alongside other British and French-inspired staples — or catch a bus into town to check out the city’s excellent restaurant scene.

Spa N
Pool N
Price ££

Best for easy access to The Lanes
Don’t let that rather ugly boxy exterior put you off — inside, Jurys Inn is bright and buzzy with a lively atrium bar and reasonable bistro 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. With double glazing, 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.

Spa Y
Pool Y
Price ££

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 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 cocktails and raffia beach bags stuffed with mats and towels.

Spa N
Pool N
Price £-££

Best for chic B&Bs
This Kemp Town 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 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. Breakfasts are good, rooms are spotless, and an onsite Baking School, Meditation Room and Wellness Centre are planned.

Spa N
Pool N
Price £

16. Snooze*, Kemp Town

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. Comfy beds, organic BeKind toiletries and Snooze-branded sticks of Brighton rock mix with belt-busting full English breakfasts including vegan options — eaten beneath a scaled-down version of Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam.

Spa N
Pool N
Price £

Take me there

Inspired to visit Brighton but yet to book your trip? Here are the best hotels from Hotels.com* and Booking.com*.