Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Oceana, West Street ( &   0845/2968590 ), is a massive place, with five themed
bars (e.g. Aspen ski lodge, Tahiti), and two nightclubs. The main one has Europe's
largest illuminated dance floor, and the retro New York disco.
Pubs are a good place to kick off an evening, especially the Colonnade Bar, New
Road ( &   01273/328728 ), serving drinks for over 100 years. It gets a lot of theatre
business because of its proximity to the Theatre Royal. Cricketers, Black Lion Street
( &   01273/329472; www.goldenliongroup.co.uk), is worth a stop because it's Brigh-
ton's oldest pub, parts of which date from 1549. Or just walk along the beach and see
what takes your fancy.
Where to Stay
EXPENSIVE
The Grand Brighton's leading hotel opened in 1864 and entertained some of
the most eminent Victorians and Edwardians; today it still lords it over the seafront.
Inside is as grand as out, with a plush lobby and sweeping staircase. Rooms are big
and airy, with huge windows—many overlooking the sea. The King's restaurant is
suitably grandiose and serves English classics with a modern edge, while the Victoria
lounge and bar opens into a huge sea-view conservatory and is the place for every-
thing from morning coffee to a classy cream tea to a relaxing evening cocktail.
97-99 King's Rd., Brighton, East Sussex BN1 2FW. www.devere.co.uk. &   01273/224300. Fax 01273/
224321. 201 units. £110-£390 double; from £310 suite. Rates include English breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V.
Parking £25. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; babysitting; concierge; exercise room; indoor heated pool;
room service; spa. In room: TV, hair dryer, minibar, Internet (free).
Hilton Brighton Metropole Sitting alongside The Grand, this is the other
big hotel on the seafront, a giant (Brighton's biggest hotel) of red brick and iron bal-
conies. The lobby is unassuming, but the rooms are big and high-ceilinged, so much
so that even the king-size beds in many are dwarfed by their surroundings. The decor
is simple and modern. There's a decent pool, along with a spa. Breakfast is a joy in
the lofty, white, Windsor restaurant (like a cross between an orangerie and a ball-
room) with its huge sea-view windows, ornate plasterwork, and giant chandeliers. The
room, which is part of the hotel's Victorian heritage is, by evening, a rather nice res-
taurant offering a set menu (£25 for 3 courses). The hotel's position means that it
will look out onto the i360 Tower.
106 King's Rd., Brighton, East Sussex BN1 2FU. www.hilton.co.uk/brightonmet. &   01273/775432. Fax
01273/207764. 334 units. £80-£160 double; £229-£244 suite. Rates include English breakfast. AE, DC,
MC, V. Parking £16. Amenities: Restaurant; 2 bars; babysitting; concierge; exercise room; indoor heated
pool; room service; spa. In room: TV, hair dryer, Internet (£15 for 24 hr.).
Hotel du Vin Down a little street just off the seafront, this member of a small,
upmarket chain looks delicious in a jumble of Gothic and Tudor-revival buildings. Its
entrance is beneath a stone arch, and neat window frames are painted a pale green.
Inside it's dark and cool in a mod-ish sort of way, with a double-height lounge and bar
beneath a high-beamed ceiling. There's also a discreet, woody bistro and trendy Pub
du Vin. Rooms are light and modern. Top choice is the One-of-a-kind room, massive
with wooden floors, a four-poster bed, and two free-standing baths in the middle of
the room.
Ship St., Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1AD. www.hotelduvin.com.uk. &   01273/718588. 49 units. £125-
£355 double. AE, DC, MC, V. Parking £15 (£19 weekends). Amenities: Restaurant; bar; room service.
In room: TV/DVD, hair dryer, Internet (free).
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