Brighton is one of the liveliest, most sophisticated places near the South Downs, with very good restaurants, a charming antique-filled district called the Lanes, a traditional Victorian pier, varied nightlife and a well-established, affluent gay community.
Brighton is only 60 minutes by train from London Victoria Station.
If you stay here, try...
- The De Vere Grand Hotel If the readers of the Daily and Sunday Telegraph are to be believed, this is one of Britain's most highly rated hotels, coming in third, behind only Gleneagles and the Savoy in a Best of British competition. Right on the seafront, this is also Brighton's only five star establishment.
- Alias Hotel Seattle this rather oddly named, moderately priced boutique hotel is on the Brighton Marina, with sea views and a slightly Asian theme -- Breakfast in bed arrives in laquered bento boxes.
- The Granville is moderately priced and flamboyantly decorated. All its 24 rooms are individually and originally decorated, the whole combining to reflect Brighton's colorful and ecclectic style. The hotel sits opposite the remains of Brighton's West Pier, sadly destroyed by fire in 2003.
