Hotel du Vin Brighton

 

Table 9 – My corner of England

 

The walk from Brighton station is all down hill, walk out of the station and follow your nose to the pebbles.  The salty air, the happy faces and even the singing Seagulls are chilled out.  Brighton’s got it all. Welcome to London by the Sea.

 

The hotel is a 10 minute walk from the station, perfectly hidden away in Ship Street, just off the beachfront.

 

The Hotel

 

Down the narrow cobbled lane the hotel is in a Gothic revival and mock Tudor building erected by a wine merchant on the site of an old Brighton inn.   

 

The courtyard welcomes you with open-arms.  The sea-green and blue paints, exposed timber and large lanterns with massive candles provide a very relaxing atmosphere.

 

Although the reception desk was busy with a wedding party the staff still managed to be welcoming and efficient.

 

I was taken to my room by the duty manager up a large open staircase. As we weave through smaller corridors and go through a series of locked doors over into the pub side of the building my mind wonders how anyone with walking problems or with babies and prams would manage.

 

Bedrooms

 

You’ll find 43 bedrooms, including three loft suites.  The superior double room named Hepworth was to be my base for the night.  The room was large with two sash windows looking out onto the lanes and down to the sea.  A huge cream wooden bed was covered with luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets. A two seater sofa at the foot of the bed created a nice open lounge area with large plasma screen TV on the wall above the fireplace.

 

The large sand-wood wardrobe housed a safe, mini bar and tea & coffee tray along with extra pillows, blankets and iron.

 

The selection of magazines - a Brighton lifestyle publication, Homes and Gardens, Conde Nast Traveller and more - were welcome, and there was a CD and DVD player with music and films available from reception.

 

 

The bathroom was impressive, with a large standalone roll top bath, well lit sink area and massive shower – big enough for the local rugby team!

 

Care needs to be taken when coming out of the bathroom or walking around in less than full dress, the close proximity of the buildings opposite means that they look directly in on your level. Window one to the door of the bathroom, you could wave from the bath! Window two means you can sit up in bed and watch your neighbours having breakfast.

 

 

The Restaurant

 

The bar, on the reception level opens out onto the intimate courtyard.  The airy double-height space is rich in colour with chocolate brown leather sofas and dark wood with exposed brick.  There is a Jazz band playing in the corner which gives the whole place a laid-back vibe. Happy with a glass of wine I could have sat all night.  Above are large wooden Seagulls suspended in mid flight overseeing everything that is happening.

 

I went through to the Bistro. The restaurant is warm, busy and atmospheric.  A more relaxed and comfortable version of the Chester Grosvenor Brasserie, with banquettes and bronzes, wine-related prints and nude women cover the walls along with photographs and maps.

 

I was sat at a small round table at the end of the centre block of banquette seating.  At first I thought I had been given the dud table, but it was only as I let my mind wander, that I noticed that I had been given what must be the best table in the house.  As I looked through an old door with large glass panel and over the open staircase I could see a fantastic view out to sea.  The picture perfect vista was framed so beautifully that as the Jazz wafted in and the wine went down I fell in love with this little corner of England.

 

The service was sharp, with expert wine knowledge provided by the sommelier.

I started with fishcakes packed with haddock and a nice small salad, to follow I went with the Ribeye steak, chips and green salad which was exceptional. I finished with lemon possett with blackberries, which was too sweet for me and too large a portion.

 

The following morning I woke to a bright sunny day with a Seagulls chorus going full pelt.  After a decedent shower I went down to enjoy a full English for Breakfast.

Fresh orange juice, a large selection of newspapers and huge pot of coffee were served quickly and without fuss.

 

All in all

 

Hotel du Vin is right in the heart of everything that is great about Brighton. A fantastic place to base yourself to escape from the worries of life.

 

You will come away from Brighton reinvigorated, energised and ready to take on anything the world can throw at you.

 

What you need to know:       

You can pack loads into a short stay in Brighton – a must do, is to take a sightseeing bus around the city, you can jump on and off for 24 hours for about £8.  A walk around the Pavilion, a wander through the lanes and finish off walking down the pier eating Fish & Chips!

 

Who stays here?                   

The hip & funky, and stressed out Londoners

 

How did we get there:           

Virgin trains to London Euston

www.virgintrains.co.uk

Southern Trains from Victoria to Brighton                                                               www.southernrailway.com

 

Bottom line:

Standard rooms start at £170 Sunday to Thursday and £190 Friday and Saturday, going up to £480 for the hotel’s loft suite, which has two freestanding baths and a rooftop balcony.

 

 

Need to know:

Hotel du Vin, 1 Ship Street, Brighton BN1 1AD                                                                       www.hotelduvin.com tel. 01273 718588