There is no doubt that Hotel Du Vin is among our favourite boltholes when in Brighton – small enough to be considered a boutique, yet with the effortless service of a grand-dame hotel. The property is a pebble’s throw from Brighton Beach’s shingle shore and beautiful horizon, nestled in a cobble-stoned alleyway steeped in history. Its neo-Gothic facade was purpose built in the city’s boom years of the 1930s and once housed a wine merchant, appropriate to the name.
Its relaxed, hip vibe gives it the urban chic of a capital city hotel, a far cry from the B&B experience expected in Brighton. In summer you can dine in a private courtyard al-fresco, soaking in the sights and sounds. Indoors the hotel is eccentric – period features such as stained-glass windows, ornate cornicing and stone fireplaces merge with contemporary features and a nod to all things nautical.
It also boasts one of the best beds we’ve slept in during our tour of the UK – a hand-sprung mattress, Egyptian cotton sheets and fluffy pillows. Our luxurious bathroom featured two-man showers and roll-top baths with peek-a-boo views of the sea – we found it hard to tear ourselves away to explore all the city had to offer.
www.hotelduvin.com/locations/brighton
