The original and still the best seaside retreat for urbane Londoners, and a thriving, artsy city all in its own right, Brighton is the kind of place that really gets its claws into you. Whether you’re after a leisurely walk down the long promenade, old fashioned entertainment on the famous pier, or exploring the Bohemian Lanes district, there’s something here to suit all tastes.
And given its resort pedigree, there really is no shortage of excellent guest houses to come stay in: many of them over a century old, and purpose built for weekenders. Here at TravelMag, we’ve done our best to bring you only the most sparkling of gems.
Beachpad Escape B&B
From £89/ night
Right in the centre of everything: less than a minute’s walk from the beach, and close to Brighton’s famous Royal Pavilion. This B&B is also situated in an authentic Regency terrace, you’d be hard pressed to find a place to stay more “of the city” than this. And there’s no skimping on amenities, either: every room has a TV and an en suite, and there’s free WiFi throughout.
Four Seasons Guest House
From £70/ night
With comfy, bright rooms, this guest house is ideally located for long walks down the promenade, or popping out to Brighton Pier. The building itself has plenty of heritage too, having been built in the early 1800s, and has been brought up to date with modern conveniences such as flat screen TVs and internet, which is available in every room.
New Steine Hotel – B&B
From £62/ night
Stretching the definition of what it means to be a bed and breakfast, this Georgian town house has it all: a terrific location, stylish rooms, an onsite bar and restaurant… It’s essentially a hotel, only with the personality and feel of a house that a family have opened up to the public. Because of its array of amenities, and several large rooms, it’s a great place to stay for a while, and with a family.
Old Palace Guest House
From £59/ night
Striding into budget territory, though with very little quality lost, this guest house is located close to the others featured on this list, also in a traditional, terraced house. It’s the kind of place that’s ideal if you’re just passing through Brighton for the night, with all the amenities a traveller needs, from en suite bathrooms to tea and coffee making facilities for those early-morning starts.
Gullivers Hotel – B&B
From £59/ night
Named for one of the most famous travellers in English literature, though far nicer than anywhere that its namesake stayed on his journeys. This reasonably priced bedding post is also housed in a delightful regency property, and despite its modern furniture, has somehow managed to keep the spirit of its building intact. There’s English breakfast served in the morning, and French food cooked in its onsite restaurant at night, and even a cosy bar area to unwind in after a hard day traipsing the Lanes.
Sea Spray
From £55/ night
Offering a stylish Sixties vibe in most of its rooms, and housed in a grade II listed building, this is another B&B that pushes the boundaries. Indeed, it’s a full-on luxury establishment, with DVD players and minibars in all the rooms (as well as the usual WiFi & flat screen TVs). There’s also a highly recommended restaurant onsite, plus, would you believe it, a local massage agency on call. An utterly exceptional value deal; book early, before it fills up!
Westbourne Guest House & Spa
From £55/ night
With rooms that shop an almost Baroque luxury, we’ll forgive your surprise that this is one of the least expensive options in town. Granted it’s not in a Regency building like many others on this list, but it’s still exceptionally located, near the beach, the pier, and the pavilion, and is crammed with all the mod cons you’ll need to make your stay a good one, including ironing facilities, should you want to spruce up for a night on the town.