Sea Spray Boutique Hotel

Sea Spray Boutique Hotel is set in a handsome three-story terraced house with bay windows, and it's less than a block away from the seafront. Though advertised as a boutique hotel, it's actually more like a family-run bed-and-breakfast. Interiors are clean and well maintained, but have a dated and kitschy look. The lounge, for example, is decorated with a mix of mismatched furniture: a leather sofa and chairs, a few pieces of teak furniture, mosaic tables, wicker chairs, and fake flowers. Original art and photography by local artists is displayed throughout the property. Travelers looking for an alternative to chain hotels may appreciate the themed guest rooms, but those expecting uniformity and polish will be disappointed. Most guests are couples and families traveling for leisure.

The Sea Spray Boutique Hotel is tucked away on a residential street less than a block from the seafront. The most tourist attractions and the city center can be easily reached on foot, where there are many shops, restaurants, and bars to choose from.

• Two-minute walk to the seafront
• Six-minute walk to Brighton Beach
• Seven-minute walk to the Sea Life Center
• 10-minute walk to Brighton Pier
• 10-minute walk to The Lanes
• 10-minute walk to the Royal Pavilion
• 10-minute walk to the Donut Statue
• 10-minute walk to the Brighton Museum and Gallery
• Eight-minute drive to Brighton train station
• 42-minute drive to London Gatwick Airport

The Sea Spray's 15 guest rooms come in different shapes and sizes, and are decorated according to different themes, such as the Renaissance, the Garden of Eden, Geishas, Venice, New York, Morocco, or Elvis Presley. While the idea is fun and quirky, some interiors feel overdone with garish details, such as cheap-looking sculptures and gilded mirrors in the Renaissance Room, and a plastic Geisha doll in the Geisha Room. The Garden of Eden Suite adds a private terrace and outdoor hot tub. The Family Rooms can accommodate up to five people, and adjoining rooms are also available. Three rooms are reserved for smokers, and dog-friendly rooms can also be reserved.

 Many of the bathrooms are fitted with cramped shower stalls, and some have separate hot and cold water taps (though this is typical in England), but toiletries are provided and some bathrooms have heated towel racks. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, DVD players, mini-fridges (with a couple of free juice boxes or mineral water), and electric kettles. Superior Rooms add irons, ironing boards, robes, and slippers. Note that some rooms show signs of wear and tear, such as scratched furniture, stained carpeting, and old mattresses. 

The Sea Spray offers few features, the most notable of which is a free continental breakfast of toast, cereal, and fruit. Guests have the option to add cooked items for a fee, such as Eggs Benedict, sausages, and homemade Hollandaise sauce. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available. Breakfast is served in the dining room or, for an extra fee, in the guest rooms. There's also a room service menu available throughout the day. Guests can book a sauna session or a massage in the hotel's in-house treatment room, though both cost extra. There are also special children's amenities that guests can borrow for free, including toys, DVDs, and cots. Wi-Fi is available in all areas of the hotel, but the hotel charges a small fee per stay to access it. Dogs are welcome in some rooms with advanced notice.