Over the past few years, Artist Residence Brighton has evolved from a quirky Regency guesthouse into the cool, cosmopolitan place to stay. In fact, it mirrors Brighton’s appeals perfectly: creative vintage styling, buzzy vibes, and an iconic seascape to gaze upon. Owners Justin and Charlie scoured markets and worked with local galleries to create the distinctive décor, and it’s really paid off – the hotel's bedrooms are a clever fusion of eclectic, classic and retro, while the spacious apartments next door let you live as the trendy Brightonians do. Rich dark paints, lived-in leather sofas and vintage furniture pay respect to the character and history of the architecture, while exposed walls, stripped floors and graphic signs evoke edgy loft-living.
But there’s more to this place than looks. We spent most of our stay enjoying brunches, small plates and cocktails in the restaurant, and chilling out in our room's enormous tub. There really is something to suit every mood, just don’t forget to step outside and enjoy everything else Brighton has to offer, too.
Highs
- Stylish and arty, with a fresh and informal vibe - stand-out rooms have sea views and in-room tubs
- There's a cool restaurant/bar downstairs that serves a mean cocktail - a great place to start your night out
- A range of rooms for all types, be it a cosy room for two, trendy apartments or bunk rooms for friends
- Lovely, friendly and helpful staff who instantly put you at ease
- Conveniently placed for both the station and the sights
Lows
- Some reports of noise from the street being an issue in the basement and first-floor rooms, though we didn't notice any disturbance during our most recent stay
- The place fills up at weekends so book ahead
- The majority of rooms are tiny to compact, and most don't have wardrobes (hooks and hangers are provided instead); book an apartment if you want more space
- WiFi and data signal was patchy during our last visit
Best time to go
Brighton is brilliant whether for sunny weekends or blustery winter excursions. Summers are outdoorsy and beach-based; all year round there's good vintage shopping, interesting sights and a great arty scene, plus bubbly restaurants and convivial bars for carousing.
Our top tips
We'd recommend spending a little extra on a room with a sea view and, even better, a balcony. Sitting out with a coffee, watching the goings-on at the seafront, is the best way to start the day.
- Boutique Hotel
- 24 rooms and 3 apartments
- Restaurant/bar
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
Rooms
The hotel occupies two townhouses and, although there's a unifying hipster feel to the ground floor, each room has its own aesthetic. Rooms are quirky and characterful, decorated with Farrow & Ball paints and vintage pieces.
For something special, the Comfy Sea View definitely had the wow-factor, with a freestanding tub overlooking the grassy square and West Pier beyond. The Balcony Bigger Sea View also brings the heat with added Regency splendour.
That said, on past visits a Cosy Double has served us well thanks to moody dark walls, comfy leather armchairs and Spanish tiles on the bathroom floor. Families and those wanting a quieter stay should request an upper floor room, as sound can travel from the busy bar and restaurants.
There are three apartments next door for couples seeking a more independent stay. Sea View Hall Apartment on the ground floor has a cosy double bedroom as well as an open-plan kitchen-dining-living space. Most recently, we stayed in the first-floor Sea View Balcony Apartment. We particularly loved the bedroom with its large in-room tub and quirky ornate furniture, and the small balcony with stupendous views of the seafront was a treat. Sea View Lookout Apartment comes with a double and a bunk room, so works well for families.
Groups of adults are well served by the Below Deck suite, a huge apartment-style space with double bedroom and palatial lounge (in which a further 4 single bunk-beds fold out from the wall).
Features include:
- Coffee / tea making
- Cots available
- Toiletries
- TV
- WiFi
Eating
The restaurant and bar, Blake's, is a cool spot to welcome the day or kickstart your evening. The cocktail bar and dining space is dark, brooding and industrial, while the coffee lounge has a cosy mishmash of vintage furniture, and colourful modern art brings them all together.
For breakfast/brunch, an enticing menu features everything from healthy granola with berry compote to a classic Full English, and there's a choice of hair-of-the-dog delights, like grapefruit and honey mimosas. We couldn't resist our old faithful, eggs Benedict, and it was up there with the best we've had.
In the evening, Blake's serves up a good selection of small plates and a few bigger dishes. We sampled a few (would be rude not to), including tasty chargrilled corn ribs with paprika aioli, and burrata with charred pear, serrano ham, radicchio and hazelnut. We also tried one of their larger dishes, roast duck with cassis sauce, poached plum and rosemary potatoes, which had good flavour but the meat was a little overdone. However, their picante margarita was outstanding - fresh, seasonal produce from the kitchen is used to create delicious concoctions.
For a more substantial meal, Brighton has a vast choice of restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. We hear good things about Cin Cin (modern Italian), Burnt Orange (sharing plates) and Etch (seasonal tasting menus), but staff know plenty of other great places - just ask.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Communal dining
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Stroll along the beach, taking in the Marine Palace, the Pier and the grand promenade
- If you've never been to the splendid Brighton Pavilion then get a wiggle on - it really is unique
- Head to North Lanes for boutique shopping and vintage finds, or South Lanes for jewellers
- There are festivals all year. The Brighton Festival in May is the second largest arts festival in the UK
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Table tennis
Kids
Thanks to its lively bar and restaurant scene, the hotel appeals to hip couples and friends more than families. That said, kids are welcome and the city is full of fun things to do - all ages love being by the sea!
Best for:
Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
The Sea View Lookout Apartment is best for families as it has a double room and a separate bunk room. Most rooms can take a baby cot.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Baby equipment:
- Two baby cots
- High chair
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Families Should Know:
Due to the noisy adult vibe of the ground floor public areas, the basement and first-floor rooms are not well suited to children. Families should request rooms on the second-floor or higher. No babysitting service available.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Artist Residence Brighton is close to the seafront in Brighton (just where the city becomes Hove), on the southeast coast of the UK.
By Rail:
We recommend taking the train, as the hotel is just a 10-minute walk from Brighton railway station. The fast trains from London Victoria or London Bridge are only an hour.
By Car:
You will not need a car to explore Brighton and parking can be difficult. However, there is an underground car park directly in front of the hotel.
By Air:
Fly to London Gatwick. The airport is 40 minutes away by car and 25-40 minutes away by train. London Heathrow is 70 minutes away by car or 90 minutes by National Express coach.
Detailed directions will be provided when you book through i-escape.
More on getting to the UK and getting around
Airports:
- London Gatwick 45.0 km LGW
- London Heathrow 102.0 km LHR
Other:
- Beach 0.2 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 5 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape