Where to stay in Brighton: the back story

About Where to stay in Brighton: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Brighton Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Brighton’s hotels follow its seafront. The grand Victorian hotels stand side by side on the King’s Road, facing the beach between the West Pier and the Palace Pier: The Grand, the Hilton Brighton Metropole and the Harbour Hotel, with the Leonardo Royal by the pier. West of them, Regency Square is lined with small, characterful hotels, Artist Residence and Hotel Pelirocco among them. East of the Palace Pier, Kemptown’s Regency terraces hold townhouse hotels such as Drakes and The Charm, and the Malmaison looks over the yachts at Brighton Marina. In the Lanes, Hotel du Vin occupies a cluster of old buildings on Ship Street.

The grand hotels of the King’s Road

The Grand Brighton, at 97–99 King’s Road, is the white Victorian landmark of the seafront, famous for its afternoon tea. Beside it stand the Hilton Brighton Metropole and the Harbour Hotel at 64 Kings Road, whose spa lies in brick vaults beneath the hotel. The Leonardo Royal Hotel Brighton Waterfront is close to the Palace Pier.

Regency Square

Facing the West Pier, Regency Square has two of Brighton’s most individual hotels: Artist Residence at number 33, its rooms painted and furnished by artists, and Hotel Pelirocco at number 10, with themed rooms inspired by pop culture.

You don’t need a room to enjoy them: book afternoon tea at The Grand, dinner at Dilsk inside Drakes, or a drink on the terrace of a seafront hotel at sunset.

Kemptown townhouses

East of the Palace Pier, Marine Parade and the squares behind it are lined with Regency terraces. Drakes, at 44 Marine Parade, has sea-view rooms and the restaurant Dilsk downstairs; The Charm, at 20–21 New Steine, is a townhouse hotel with its own spa.

In the Lanes and at the Marina

Hotel du Vin Brighton, at 2 Ship Street, is a short walk from the sea in the old town. Malmaison Brighton sits on the waterfront of Brighton Marina, a little east of the centre.

Our advice: for a first visit, stay on or near the King’s Road, between the two piers; for quieter streets and Regency architecture, choose Kemptown or Hove.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Where to stay in Brighton: the back story before you go.