The Seafront Hotel That Gets Everything Right
A boutique seafront hotel with genuinely spectacular views, brilliant breakfasts and the kind of thoughtful details that make you want to stay an extra night.
Drakes hotel Brighton · 43-44 Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1PE ·
Drakes Hotel Brighton sits on Marine Parade, right on the seafront between the Palace Pier and the Kemp Town end of the beach. It’s one of those hotels you walk past and think looks good from the outside — all Regency proportions, wrought iron balconies, sea views — and then you get inside and realise it’s even better than it looked. We stayed, and it’s one of the best hotel experiences Brighton has to offer.
The Room
The room is exactly what you want from a Brighton seafront hotel. Soft pink walls, striped Roman blinds, a proper balcony with wrought iron railings and an uninterrupted view straight out to sea. The kind of view where you open the window first thing in the morning and just stand there for a moment. The Palace Pier is to your left, the water is ahead of you, and Brighton is doing its thing below.
The bathroom is beautifully done — mother of pearl mosaic tiles, glass shelves, fluffy white towels and a full set of Green & Spring toiletries. Five products lined up neatly: body wash, shampoo, conditioner, body oil, body lotion. It’s the kind of detail that tells you the hotel has thought carefully about what a stay should feel like. The ‘Who Gives a Crap’ toilet paper is a small but pleasing touch — sustainably made, and exactly the kind of considered choice that fits the Drakes ethos.
The View
The balcony is the hotel’s finest feature. We worked out there on a clear morning — laptop open, Brighton Journal on screen, the beach and the pier spread out below in the sunshine. It’s one of those rare locations where the view actually delivers on the promise. The sunset from the same spot — the Palace Pier silhouetted against an orange and blue sky, the West Pier ruins in the distance — was extraordinary. Worth staying in for.
Breakfast
Breakfast is served in the ground floor restaurant — a lovely room with high ceilings, ornate cornicing, striped lampshades and armchairs that make you want to linger. The full English is properly done: bacon, poached eggs, black pudding, roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, baked beans, and toast on the side with good butter and jam. The avocado toast with poached egg is equally good — bright, clean and properly seasoned. Coffee is excellent. It’s the kind of breakfast that sets the day up properly.
Location
43-44 Marine Parade is one of the best addresses in Brighton for a hotel. You are directly on the seafront, a short walk from the Palace Pier, the Lanes, Kemptown and the best restaurants in the city. The beach is across the road. Brighton’s best brunch spots, cocktail bars and independent shops are all within 15 minutes on foot. It’s central without being in the thick of the noise.
Verdict
Drakes Brighton is the complete package for a seafront stay. The rooms are beautifully designed, the views are genuinely spectacular, the breakfast is one of the best in the city, and the whole experience has a thoughtful, independent quality that the big seafront hotels can’t replicate. If you’re planning a Brighton weekend and want somewhere that feels special without being corporate, this is the one.
Book a sea-view room with balcony. You won’t regret it.
Drakes Hotel Brighton : Your Questions Answered
Is Drakes Brighton good?
Yes — Brighton Journal rates it among the best boutique hotels in Brighton. Exceptional sea views, beautifully designed rooms, outstanding breakfast and a thoughtful independent ethos.
Where is Drakes hotel Brighton?
Drakes is at 43-44 Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1PE — directly on the seafront between Brighton Palace Pier and Kemptown, with sea views from the front rooms and balconies.
Does Drakes hotel Brighton have sea views?
Yes — sea-view rooms have balconies overlooking Marine Parade, Brighton Beach and the Palace Pier. The sunset views are particularly spectacular.
Is breakfast included at Drakes hotel Brighton?
Breakfast is served in the ground floor restaurant. The full English and avocado toast are both excellent. Check at booking whether breakfast is included in your rate.
What toiletries does Drakes Brighton use?
Green & Spring — a British botanical brand. The full Relax range is provided: body wash, shampoo, conditioner, body oil and body lotion.
Drakes Hotel Brighton 43-44 Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1PE drakesbrighton.com
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