Brighton

Luxury hotels in Brighton for a glorious seaside break

The seafront promenade and cobbled back lanes of Brighton are brimming with Regency-era hotels and guesthouses offering a luxurious break away from the city.

Spend a weekend easing your tensions in a spa or dipping in and out of independent jewellery shops and antique markets. Explore the famous Brighton Pier’s doughnut and candy floss stalls by day, then watch it come alive at night with the bustle of bars and restaurants offering freshly caught fare and craft beers.

Whether you’re celebrating a romantic occasion or heading to the coast for a girls weekend, there’s plenty of lively pubs and clubs as well as peaceful gardens and galleries to keep you occupied.

A luxurious boutique Brighton hotel with a freestanding bath tub

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Each of the individually designed rooms at Drakes has been given the luxury treatment with monsoon wet rooms and White Company toiletries. You also have a soft waffle robe and complimentary slippers to help you settle in. Fancy a soak? Book a room with a freestanding bathtub with sea views out of the large bay window. The opulent décor is a modern mix of wood and leather with touches of antiquity complimenting the Georgian building. Based centrally on the seafront, the hotel is within easy reach of Brighton’s main attractions. Take a comfortable walk around the town to explore antique shops and Regency buildings.

When it comes to dining, there’s plenty of local fare on the hotel restaurant’s menu. The Restaurant at Drakes focuses on sustainable dining and, for the 9th consecutive year, boasts the highest score awarded to Brighton restaurants in The Good Food Guide. Try beer braised rabbit and salt baked celeriac cannelloni with Beal’s farm pancetta and tarragon – pigs are raised locally on Beal’s Farm.

Once you’ve satisfied your appetite, sink into a sofa in front of the bay window and look out onto Brighton Pier. Champagne and cocktails are served all day in the granite bar – be sure to try the sweet Dirty Sea Dog with salted caramel and Skipper rum, then finish your weekend wind-down with a hearty Sunday lunch.

Drakes Hotel

Top rated
Brighton
9.2 Excellent (1153 reviews)

Private dining at a luxury hotel in Brighton

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Escape the every day at The Grand hotel. Opulently decorated, the hotel combines its smart Regency history with modern touches. You’ll find plush velvet armchairs in vibrant colours next to polished chrome furnishings and traditional wooden panelling. Settle into a sofa by the window in the Victoria Lounge Bar and look out onto the rolling sea while enjoying a craft cocktail or afternoon tea to start a weekend of indulgence.

Private dining can be arranged for between six and 20 guests in one of the four exclusive lounges. Enjoy a menu thoughtfully prepared by renowned chef Alan White. For a romantic meal, dine at the 2 AA rosette-awarded GB1 restaurant, where you can sample fresh catches at the seafood bar or tuck into suckling pig. After you’ve eaten, drop into the bar and try a fruity Columbus cocktail. There’s live music by local acts every Friday and Saturday.

The spacious guestrooms are a tranquil combination of old elegance and new comfort. Georgian furniture sits next to cosy furnishings for a homely feel. The colour palette is light and tranquil enhancing the abundant natural light that pours in through the large windows. After a day wandering the promenade, Egyptian cotton linen helps you unwind.

Centre your mind and body in the hotel’s dedicated spa by pampering yourself with a facial, body wrap or scrub, massage or beauty treatment – booking is essential. Then, let go of any tensions in the steam room, sauna or relaxation lounge. If you have energy to spare, you can test out the fully equipped gym.

The Grand Brighton

Top rated
Brighton
8.9 Excellent (3667 reviews)

A luxury hotel near Brighton seafront

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Just 200 metres from the seafront, No. 27 Brighton is the ideal spot to retreat to for a relaxing weekend in the bustling city. It’s evident that every attention has been paid to the finer details in each of the individually designed rooms. Original quirks of the Georgian townhouse remain and are enhanced by antique knick-knacks – giving you a taster of the flea markets scattered around the city.

Dock your iPod in your room and stretch out on the Egyptian cotton sheets while enjoying a sherry from the complimentary decanter. Plush furnishings add a warm touch while modern amenities like in-room coffee machines make your stay homely. Large bay windows flood rooms with light and there’s the option of sea or courtyard views. If you’ve braved a dip in the sea, you can warm up in the en-suite wet room or shower.

Start your day with a full English breakfast under the chandelier in the opulent dining room, decorated with antique furnishings for a period feel. Then, head out to exploreBrighton’s famous shops and eateries. The gastropubs of North Laine are within easy walking distance if you fancy sampling some local fare and the antique shops of Kemp Town can be reached on foot too. With the Brighton Wheel just 15 minutes away, the best of the seaside town is at your fingertips.

No. 27 Brighton

Top rated
Brighton
9.8 Excellent (225 reviews)

Marina views at a luxury Brighton hotel

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A 6-minute walk away from the pebbled beach and a short stroll into town, the Malmaison is just right for escaping the city for a weekend of pampering. The contemporary interiors are designed to maximise on natural light. Graphic prints and bold shots of colour mix with rich textures for a modern finish. Choose from twin and double rooms with views of the harbour, out to sea or of the sweeping Brighton rooftops. Check in and ease your muscles in your monsoon shower before heading to the restaurant for dinner á deux.

The Chez Mal Brasserie serves up French-inspired fare with Asian and American influences. Try the moules and frites for a taste of the sea. During fair weather, catch a breeze and dine on the ship-shaped open terrace. In the conservatory, large windows give you a great vista of the harbour if you’d rather be inside. For a special occasion, book in at one of the private dining areas. After you’ve eaten, sip on a craft cocktail in the bar or take a mixing masterclass – perfect getting a hen weekend with the girls started.

Away from the crowds of inner Brighton, Malmaison is situated on the peaceful marina. Sit in a basket egg chair on the sun deck with panoramic views out to sea and watch the boats on the harbour – if you’re here for a romantic break, a glass of chilled white wine with your partner is what it’s all about.

Malmaison Brighton

Brighton
8.4 Very good (2222 reviews)

A premium Brighton hotel in The Lanes

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Tucked away amid the cobbled streets of The Lanes, Hotel du Vin offers a luxurious base for a weekend of retail therapy by the sea. After atmosphere? The hotel nestles among original 17th-century buildings and has an imposing mock-Tudor façade. Inside, contemporary meets antiquity with exposed, bare brick walls and traditional wood panelling.

Once ensconced in your room, let tensions ebb away in your rainfall shower and pamper yourself with complimentary Ren toiletries. All rooms have Nespresso machines and plasma TVs to make you feel right at home. Plus, underfloor heating keeps you cosy. For a weekend of indulgence, book a room with a freestanding roll-top bath and views out to the sea. Or, if you’re planning a romantic break, book the couples suite that features two baths with sea views.

Looking for retail therapy? While away your day exploring the jewellery shops and independent boutiques of The Lanes, or take the 9 minute stroll to the Royal Pavillion for a taste of history. Then, return to Hotel du Vin for fine dining in the plush restaurant. Serving up French cuisine in a friendly pub-style atmosphere, Bistro du Vin has huge windows for natural light and a restored hearth. If you’d prefer, soak up the sun on the vine-covered outdoor terrace. Afterwards, take a seat on the soft leather bar armchairs and choose from the menu of over 100 whiskies and rums, or delve into the wine cellar.

Hotel du Vin Brighton

Top rated
Brighton
8.6 Excellent (1894 reviews)

A modern luxury Brighton hotel

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The contemporary glass and steel exterior of Jury’s Inn Waterfront stands out along the Brighton seafront. Inside, the rooms make the most of the natural light flooding in from the harbour with big windows, lofty ceilings and views across the promenade. In-room air-con and plush single, double or twin beds make sure your stay is a comfortable one. Sightseeing? Visit the Royal Pavilion Palace, just a 6 minute walk away or enjoy a spot of shopping at the Churchill Square shopping centre.

To freshen up, drop into the hotel’s Juvenate Health and Leisure Club for a pampering session. Take a lap in the indoor swimming pool, sit back in the sauna or steam room or do a light workout in the fitness room. The treatment menu offers massages as well as body wraps, scrubs and facials. Brighton is well known for its vibrant nightlife – so prepare for a night of sipping craft cocktails in independent bars with a manicure, pedicure or beauty treatment at Pecksniff’s Pamper Studio. Hair styling, waxing and tanning are all also on offer.

Start your evening off in the hotel’s restaurant – slip into a plush chair and choose from the menu of hearty pub-style fare, like steak and ale pie or fish and chips. Healthy options, as well as sandwiches and light bites, are also available. The open, airy central lobby is a great spot to meet friends and family. Choose a soft sofa and take a breather with a coffee or something stronger from the bar menu – an espresso martini or classic Cosmopolitan adds to that luxurious feeling of having time to do exactly what you want.

Leonardo Royal Hotel Brighton Waterfront

Brighton
8.2 Very good (2302 reviews)