The Best Boutique Hotels in Brighton

Perfect for a weekend break by the sea, this Georgian converted townhouse is beautifully done out inside, with each room individually styled – from the earth-toned Moroccan room to the romantic, velveteen Harlequin. Sitting in the heart of Kemptown – with its boutique shops, gastropubs and vintage markets – and a minute or two’s stroll from the prom, Blanch House has scooped best hotel for romance among other awards several years in a row.

Standing sentinel over the boutiques and pubs of Ship Street, the gothic-style Hotel du Vin is a striking sight. The rooms blend the rich elegance of a gentleman’s smoking parlour – think heavy woods and deep leather – with the airy simplicity of a New England summer house. The Pub du Vin next door serves traditional English fare with choice wines, and it’s all just a stone’s throw from the Palace Pier and the quirky alleys and boutiques of the Lanes.

The bar and restaurant at Drakes are worth a visit in their own right, but a stay at this chic boutique hotel right on the seafront is an absolute treat. With views of the city and the sea, this is guaranteed to be a luxury stay. The Grade II-listed converted coaching house, a double-fronted Georgian property, has 20 rooms, some of which have a freestanding bath in the bay window so you can sit and soak and take in the views of Madeira Drive and the Palace Pier outside. It’s a short walk to the shops and pubs of St James’s St in Kemptown and the Lanes.

Pelirocco, a few doors along from the Artist Residence, has proclaimed itself the king of rock ‘n’ roll hotels, and there’s a good chance of a party of the hell-raising kind any day of the week here. The 19 rooms are a sumptuous mix, with names like Bettie’s Boudoir, Lord Vader’s Quarters and Nookii – so fantasy-fuelling that they’re often used for photoshoots, and the tiny ground-floor bar serves up excellent cocktails. Sometimes the best weekends away are also the loudest.

Hotel du Vin’s younger, edgier sister, Malmaison, overlooking the tinkling boats on Brighton Marina, is a quieter, more leisurely experience than you’d get in town, but it’s none the worse for that. Here in the east of the city, you’re close to the Undercliff Walk where you can enjoy a bracing walk. The hotel bar and brasserie serve classic English fare with a great range of wines, so you don’t have to go far, although there are plenty of distractions in the marina if you do feel like venturing out.

The Charm is a relatively recent addition to the boutique hotel scene in Brighton. Trading in luxury with airy, light and deft stylish accents, it’s already proving a popular one. Conveniently situated on the western edge of Kemptown, near the always trending St James’s Street, it’s also just a short walk away from the Palace Pier and the North Laine. Make the most of the on-site spa, complete with the hot tub or the steam room, to unwind and fully detox during your south coast stay.

It’s all about attention to detail at Hotel Una, one of many exciting boutique hotels in Regency Square. Each room is named after a river – Orinoco, Lossie, Aragon – with a design aesthetic focused around flow, from the interior to its pristine, Regency-period exterior. Hotel Una is a huge supporter of the local art scene in Brighton and the walls are adorned throughout with a private collection of fine-quality, original artwork.