The Best Cheap Hotels to Book in Brighton, England

Not many cheap hotels in Brighton feel as chic as this Georgian townhouse bed and breakfast. All of the double rooms are unique, with design features ranging from opulent mirrored wallpaper to dark-red walls and art deco furnishings. Most also have floor-to-ceiling bow windows looking out to sea. Start your evening in the bar with an expertly mixed Blanch House cocktail.

Paskins occupies two Grade II-listed townhouses characterised by 1920s design touches such as huge gramophones, boldly patterned wallpaper and vintage sofas. Most doubles have either mahogany or cast-iron four-poster beds, plus large bay windows letting in views of Charlotte Street, a refined row of 19th-century houses just two minutes from the beach. Dogs will receive a warm welcome from Geoffrey and Watson, the two resident canines, but do let them know in advance.

Cheap accommodation in Brighton doesn’t come much naughtier than the Pelirocco. Opt for the kitsch three-room Lover’s Lair suite for a circular bed with a mirrored ceiling and a pole dancing area, or the Nookii double, named after the adults-only game you can play inside; it also features a curtained peep-show booth and an iron bed frame with stocks. For a fee, you can book an hour-long boudoir photography session in your room, complete with hair and makeup, and get a framed photo to take home with you.

This spa bed and breakfast in the elegant Kemptown district is such good value for money you might think there’s been a mistake with your booking. It’s set in a 200-year-old townhouse just back from the beach and Palace Pier, and the ensuite double rooms have a light and airy aesthetic complemented by bursts of colour from artworks, armchairs and lampshades; many also have sea views. The spa consists of a two-person hot tub on the patio and a massage service.

Who says cheap has to mean boring? Sea Spray defies all expectations with its individually styled rooms. The Venetian suite comes with masks and a silvered headboard; other options include a New York-themed penthouse and a geisha’s boudoir. Grab a peacock-printed chair in the dining room and choose from omelettes, full English or vegetarian. There’s even a small treatment room and sauna. The surrounding Kemptown area heaves with restaurants and LGBTQ bars, and the beach is just minutes away.

The oldest inn in Brighton dates back to 1559 and blends the old-time charm of its wonky corridors and creaking lifts with all the advantages of a swish upgrade. A nautical theme prevails in the rooms, some of which have sea views. Some even have brass telescopes trained on the horizon for ship-spotting or stargazing. On-site restaurant the Mess Deck serves burgers and seafood specials and a selection of wines from its 400-year-old cellar.

At the centre of the cultural triangle created by Komedia, the Theatre Royal and the Brighton Dome, My Brighton could attract punters by its location alone. Yet the interior is a performance in itself, drawing from a jumble of influences such as the circus and feng shui – whatever it is, don’t expect any straight lines. The Merkaba bar looks like a time-travel tunnel from a ’70s science fiction film, and the cocktails are similarly creative. Small Batch Coffee serves a variety of espressos, some made at its on-site microroastery.

In a sublime Regency-era square, this Grade-I listed building offers superb access to the Brunswick area, arguably the most photogenic district in Brighton, with spectacular sea-facing gardens and rows of colourful beach huts. Rooms are decked in white and navy, with a subtle nautical theme throughout. Breakfasts range from continental to full English, but are not normally included in the price of the room. You’ll find the Theatre Royal, Pavilion and Palace Pier a 25-minute walk away.

Though seemingly far from the action, the North Laine district is a shopper’s paradise of flower markets, independent lifestyle boutiques, bakeries and breweries. It’s here that we find the ibis, defying its chain-hotel origins with bespoke graffiti by local lad Sean Lyons and a voguish charcoal-and-scarlet colour scheme. Pick an east-facing room to get a surprisingly good view towards the pier. Fogg’s Bar serves a spread of pub favourites including curries, burgers and caesar salads.