Weekend breaks in Brighton for a wonderful seaside stay

It’s said that when Cate Blanchett and Kylie Minogue come to Brighton, they book in at this art-deco-themed hotel nestled inside two Georgian townhouses. When I stay here, I like to imagine the megastars admiring the sparkling sea views through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The service is as on point as you’d expect for a hotel favoured by celebrities – let the staff know what time you’ll check-in and they’ll draw you a bath in a freestanding tub ready for your arrival. When evening rolls around, sashay down to the in-house restaurant for bottomless prosecco.

This Italian-influenced hotel is always a winner on a romantic weekend away for its opulent staircases and retro velvet furniture. Sea-view rooms are decorated in ’20s style with plush linens and big bay windows. I especially love the spa: my favourite treatment so far has been the glow-inducing Heaven Skincare bee-venom facial. Indulge here, then take yourself out to the Victoria Terrace for a tantalising Sussex cream tea while watching the waves crash on the beach.

This boutique hotel’s as left-of-field as Brighton itself. Its individually designed rooms are themed after everything from Alice in Wonderland to Perrier Jouet. I stayed at the vintage-inspired Legacia, which is furnished with a cocktail cabinet and shimmering chandelier I wanted to smuggle home with me. Grab a velvet chair at the champagne bar, an upscale spot for an intimate evening, and nibble on smoked salmon sandwiches.

When I’m on one of my quieter hotel breaks in Brighton, I bed down at this hotel beside the marina a 10-minute drive from the centre. The cutting-edge rooms – decorated with collage-style poster art and vibrant neon lights – look on point on my Insta feed. I always giggle at the bath amenities, which are covered in playful slogans like “The best shampoo you will ever steal”. In the evenings, the Chez Mal brasserie serves up dishes like buttery Cornish scallop risotto under glimmering copper lights. Come morning, the seafront conservatory is a dreamy spot for slowly flicking through a magazine.