The Best Hotels to Book in Brighton, UK

This Grade II-listed Regency townhouse, designed with opulence in mind, sits within a whisper of Sea Life Brighton and Palace Pier. Black tubs, faux fireplaces, chandeliers and velvet furnishings are mainstays in the room, which are exclusively for adults and pet free. Breakfast skips the buffet in favour of à la carte eggs benedict and a vegetarian full English of fried halloumi, spinach and hummus.

Between in-room yoga, massages and rose petals in the tub, staff at this Kemptown boutique extend a level of service worthy of former guests Cate Blanchett and Kylie Minogue. Grab an espresso martini in the bar before heading upstairs to your room, aglow with autumn-hued furnishings, roll-top tubs and smart wood panelling. There’s even a telescope with which you can gaze over at Palace Pier, just a five-minute stroll away.

This member of the Hotel du Vin boutique group is awash in pepperminty hues, wooden floors and dark leather furnishings that pay homage to its former life as a wine merchant’s store. While away warm nights on the outdoor terrace with a wine selected from the extensive cellar and linger over fluffy pastries and artisan bread at breakfast. Outside, the antique stores and vintage boutiques of the Lanes await.

The Brighton outpost of the Malmaison chain sits among the restaurants, bars and yachts of Brighton Marina, with plenty of opportunities for seaside strolling. Staff have an encyclopaedic knowledge of local drinking and dining options, but the hotel’s own Mal Bar is worth a look, serving both classic and creative cocktails on its harbour-view terrace. Feeling fancy? Splurge on the Marina Suite with clubby pink lighting, a Lavazza coffee machine and your own balcony.

Wes Anderson comes to Brighton at this jazzy nautical-themed hotel on the seafront, between the Brighton Centre and Palace Pier. Indulge in a fun, fairground-themed afternoon tea in the primary-coloured Harby’s Diner: treats include mini candy floss and popcorn. The subterranean spa occupies former smugglers’ tunnels and features frothing hot tubs, a heated pool, a sauna, steam room and treatments using the hotel’s own HarSPA therapeutic products.

This one’s not for kids. Brighton’s self-styled rebel hotel offers hangover kits and adult hampers among its offbeat amenities. Rooms come in a range of styles: the Star Wars-themed Lord Vader’s Quarters, the country-cabin Dollywould and the three-room Lovers Lair suite with dance pole, globe drinks cabinet and circular, silk-swathed bed. The breakfast room becomes a live music venue at night and there’s a karaoke bar in the basement. The i360 Tower is just outside but in this case, the hotel is the destination.

Need a dose of old-school charm? Spend a night at the Old Ship Hotel, which has stood on this sea-facing edge of the Lanes since 1559, mere minutes from the Pier and Royal Pavilion. Here, you’ll stroll the same corridors as writer Charles Dickens and violinist Niccolò Paganini, though fortunately the nautical-themed rooms have been updated considerably since then. The Mess Deck restaurant continues the seaside theme with seasonal seafood dishes. There’s also a small gym in the basement for a morning workout.

New York-based creative Karim Rashid designed this North Laine outpost of the My Hotels boutique group in collaboration with local Brighton artists. The result is a bonkers-yet-beautiful assortment of mandalas, curved beds and carpets straight out of the Wizard of Oz. Grab a book from the library or pamper yourself with in-room massage and acupuncture treatments. A two-minute walk east will take you to the Brighton Museum and Victoria Gardens.

Lording over the Brighton Centre and beach from its plum seafront spot, the Grand is known for its pinstripe-liveried staff, always ready with a smile and a helpful suggestion. Rooms are tastefully draped in grey and blush hues, with wrought-iron sea-view balconies available in the higher-priced rooms. The hotel’s Victorian ambiance suits afternoon tea by the promenade – choose from a menu of more than 30 teas or indulge in an alcoholic G&Tea. Small seafood platters are also served in the bistro restaurant, GB1.

Edging the manicured park from which it takes its name, the Brunswick is a stone’s throw from the Hove Lawns promenade and beach, where photographers converge on colourful beach huts. Facilities include high-speed wifi, a library and a selection of children’s books and games. Some double rooms and suites come with a four-poster bed – enquire when booking. Breakfasts come in vegetarian and vegan versions.

One of the many hotels ringing New Steine square in Kemptown, the Charm stands out for its spa offering every imaginable treatment. Soak in the hot tub or drift into a lavender-scented haze with a two-hour aromatherapy massage. The beauty treatments, ranging from gel manicures to facials, are also top-notch – the perfect start to a night of clubbing in the UK’s LGBT capital. Premium rooms are fitted with Nespresso coffee machines for your morning-after java.

If you’re unfamiliar with Brighton’s art scene, that’s all about to change. The owners of Hotel Una have decked out their rooms with abstract paintings and unique sculptures from local talent, lending each room a unique look and feel. Roll-top baths, whirlpool tubs, in-room saunas and private cinemas are among the penchants. Enjoy a complimentary daily breakfast, including homemade granola, a full English and eggs Benedict, royale and Florentine. There’s little need to venture outside – but if you do, the i360 and Brighton Bandstand are right on your doorstep.