Best places to stay in Brighton
The cultural heart of the city is North Laine. Once a slum in the 1800s, it’s a bright and vibrant neighbourhood full of independent boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants. At weekends, several of its busy streets are closed to traffic entirely. Just south of North Laine, you’ll find the similarly (perhaps confusingly) named The Lanes: a maze of quintessentially English narrow alleyways that separate North Laine from the seafront, with some superb architecture and pubs on offer. Brighton is well known for its nightlife and LGBTQ community, and Kemptown in the east is the heart of this scene – undoubtedly the place to stay if you’re here to party. For something a little quieter, Hove offers wide, leafy streets and regal residences aplenty, while we can’t forget one of Brighton’s biggest draws: the seafront itself, with instant beach access and a whole raft of family-friendly attractions.
Where to stay to be near the popular attractions in Brighton
Brighton is a compact city, so the good news is that wherever you choose to stay, all the main attractions will still be within walking distance. Central Brighton, including North Laine and The Lanes, is an ideal choice for access to the city’s show-stopper attraction, the Royal Pavilion. This eccentric and exotic palace, once the summer home of George IV, needs to be seen to be believed. The seafront, meanwhile, is perfect if you fancy spending a day on the charming pier or the much more modern Brighton i360, a moving observation tower that looms over the city and offers 360-degree views of the English Channel and the South Downs.
Where to stay with your family in Brighton
Families heading to Brighton on holiday can’t go wrong with the seafront area – kids will love the 4-mile-long beach and the old-school rides on the pier, while SEA LIFE Brighton is perfect for those days when the weather isn’t quite so forthcoming. Try the charming Queens Hotel, which has family rooms perched right on the beach. Alternatively, Hove offers a quieter option away from the hustle and bustle – The Claremont has 11 generous guest rooms, which can be set up with cots and extra beds for kids, all housed in a gorgeous 5-star Victorian villa. Little ones will love the vivid colours of the nearby beach huts and the vast promenade, ideal for walking, cycling, roller skating and more.
Where to stay as a solo traveller
Brighton ticks all the boxes for solo travellers, safe, friendly and compact. If you’re visiting alone, make a beeline for the heart of the city, which offers a wealth of attractions and opportunities for socialising. Enjoy a few hours contemplating the works on display at the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, or take a short walk to the seafront to try standup paddleboarding or kayaking. If you’re feeling like something rowdier come nighttime, why not join an organised bar crawl like On The Rocks, the perfect way to meet new friends and sample the city’s legendary party scene.
Where to find cheap hotels in Brighton
Despite its reputation as “London-on-Sea”, plenty of cheap Brighton hotels can be found. New Steine Hotel (double room from £69) is a recently refurbished Georgian townhouse with a French-inspired bistro between the city centre and Kemptown. The hotel also provides a bike rental service, perfect for cruising just outside the promenade.
The vibrant Legends Hotel (double room from £53) is practically next door, a great stop for partying with its very own basement nightclub, plus a panoramic terrace bar for a more chilled vibe. If you’re after easy access and convenient transport, Ibis Brighton City Centre is hard to beat, situated literally a stone’s throw from the city’s train station. With a bar and restaurant on site, it has everything you need at your fingertips from under £60 a night for a double room. Right on the seafront, the boutique Selina Brighton (doubles from £60/night) offers something different, bringing travellers together in its bold and quirky coworking space and late-night entertainment venue.
