The Grand Brighton

Classic grande-dame hotels usually flaunt rich and dramatic public spaces, and the circa-1864 Grand Brighton is no exception. Its regal staircase winds to the top (seventh) floor where a large skylight illuminates the white walls and richly patterned carpeting on the 123 steps, creating a majestic sight. The hotel’s public spaces are ornate and regal with arches, dark columns, rich wood, crown molding, and terrazzo floors. The tony fine-dining restaurant continues the decor with dark columns and hardwood floors framing the wooden, circular bar in the room’s center. Red leather benches line the walls. The lovely, enclosed lounge terrace is much brighter with banks of windows overlooking the sea, and ocean-blue upholstered armchairs frame modern glass tables. It’s an ideal setting for the Grand Brighton's wildly popular afternoon tea. This is a busy yet refined hotel for discerning travelers who love traditional hotels with a heavy dose of atmosphere.

The Grand is located on the Brighton waterfront, surrounded by other hotels, restaurants, and attractions but a bit west from the central commercial center, so it's in a quieter area. There is a small sandy beach area in front of the hotel. The Brighton Pier is an 11-minute walk away, and The Lanes shopping district is a seven-minute walk. The Brighton Dome concert hall, Royal Pavilion, and Brighton Museum & Art Gallery are approximately a 13-minute walk or train ride, and the Theater Royal Brighton is an 11-minute walk. The train station at Brighton Centre is a two-minute walk, and the main Brighton Railway Station is 11 minutes by train or a 15-minute walk. The University of Brighton International College is 18 minutes away by train. Gatwick Airport is about 45 minutes away by car or train, and London’s Victoria Station is about 80 minutes by train. Limited on-site parking is available for a fee that’s rather expensive, but there is a large garage adjacent to the hotel with better rates.

Rooms come in seven categories, with most of the more spacious deluxe and suite options offering sea views, and many of those rooms feature private balconies as well. Renovated in 2013, all rooms earn high marks for being clean, spacious, and comfortable. Decor and layout can vary by room and category and while tasteful and upscale, the overall feel isn't quite as lavish or imposing as the public spaces.

The Classic Double Sea View rooms offer corniced ceilings, light gray painted walls, and black-and-white photography of seaside attractions. Red-and-white striped armchairs and bedspreads and crimson upholstered velvet desk chairs add color. Doors leading out to small balconies (in rooms that have them) allow ample natural light. A few design-conscious details like tripod floor lamps and X-leg desks (that hold flat-screen TVs) give a bit of extra glamor to the traditional decor. Egyptian cotton linens on king-size beds also up the elegance. Spacious bathrooms are another highlight with wood floors, brilliant white wall tiles, large white-and-black granite-top vanities, and black granite-framed wall mirrors bracketed by fluorescent lights. White shower/tub combos with rainfall showerheads come stocked with Red Flower organic toiletries. Some rooms offer walk-in showers and separate tubs. 

The top-floor King Suite has a separate toilet area on the upper level of its two-level layout that also features a dining/lounge area and a private, equipped gym. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, robes, coffee/tea kettles, and electronic safes. Traffic noise can be heard from some rooms, especially on the lower levels.

A free hot breakfast buffet is included in room rates at the GB1 restaurant, which is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Private dining rooms are also on-site, and room service is available 24 hours a day. The Victorian Lounge offers light lunches and afternoon tea daily in its enclosed terrace room facing the ocean; it also hosts musical performances on a varying schedule in the evenings. There is meeting space for up to 900 people in ballroom-style areas, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. The spa offers a range of facials, massage, and body treatments, as well as a relaxation room, steam room, and sauna. The fitness center includes various cardio and resistance training machines as well as free weights. Guests booking a spa treatment of at least 50 minutes can use the spa facilities for free; other guests must pay a fee to use the facilities -- and that includes the fitness center.