No. 27 Brighton Bed & Breakfast

This charming bed-and-breakfast is housed in a Regency-style building dating back to 1840. It underwent renovations between 2012 and 2013, and was taken on by the current owners in the summer of 2015. Each of its five guest rooms is named after someone or something associated with King George IV who built the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. Despite the name dedication, the rooms don’t have “royal-themed” decor, but are contemporary and quirky in style. Public spaces are limited to the breakfast room, a small space with antique wooden tables topped with white tablecloths and blue-and-white china. With no elevator but only stairs, it’s not an ideal place for those with mobility issues. Children under 16 aren’t allowed, which may be a pro for some, as most visitors are couples seeking a peaceful getaway. 

The hotel is close to the city center, an area full of restaurants, bars, and shops that's about a 10-minute walk away. The beach is about five minutes away on foot, while the Royal Pavilion and Brighton Dome can be reached in around 10 minutes. Churchill Square Shopping Center is a 17-minute walk away. For those who wish to explore other parts of the town, there’s a bus stop that’s a minute away, while the train station is a 20-minute walk or 12-minute bus ride. London is around an hour and a half or two hours away by car, or an hour train ride. Gatwick Airport is a 40-minute drive or around 50 minutes by public transit, while Heathrow is at least an hour's drive (or more, depending on traffic), or a bit over an hour by train.

Each of the five guest rooms are contemporary, with individual and quirky design touches. Vintage iron bed railings and gray carpeted floors are about the only things that all of the rooms have in common. Some have Japanese-style furnishings like pillows with geisha faces, while others are adorned with book-print wallpaper or jungle-themed pillows and wall art. All in all, rooms are fresh, charming, and colorful. Take note that the rooms aren’t too spacious, but they’re equipped with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, kettles, free water, flasks of sherry, and snacks like homemade desserts. There are no mini-fridges. Bathrooms are modern and outfitted with showers and Elsyl toiletries, but some don’t have en-suite toilets, which can be cumbersome as some of the toilets are on a different floor. 

This bed-and-breakfast’s main attraction is its breakfast menu. Though it’s not free as might be expected, it does offer a good selection, such as a full English breakfast, vegetarian dishes, eggs, and smoked salmon. Wi-Fi is free throughout, but there's no parking, and street parking in the area can be a nuisance.