Top Hotels & Areas (2024)

This resort town is only a short train ride away from London and trust me you’ll love it here! And I’ll give you all the reasons why just below in this guide on where to stay in Brighton.

I visited Brighton a while ago when I was living in England and I got to explore lots of its areas and find the very best ones for tourists. I included the top 5 in this post along with a short list of the best hotels for all pockets and budgets.

In short, City Center is the best area to stay in Brighton, as that is where you’ll find the main attractions, but I included 4 more so take a look at those too as you might find something you’ll like. 

Definitely book your hotel in Brighton in advance, especially if you are visiting during summer (June, July and August) when everyone runs to the beach here.

Quick Picks for Your Stay

Here are the best places to stay in Brighton, with hotels and guest houses for different budgets. They are all conveniently located in the city center and have great reviews!

Here’s a map to help you visualize the best areas to stay in Brighton that I’ll talk about in this post:

1.  City Center – where to stay in Brighton for the first time

Made of a mix of Regency, Victorian and Edwardian architecture, windy streets and salty air, Brighton’s City Center is one of those places that you’ll just want to explore for hours! 

Even in rain and clouds (as I found when I first visited the city) this area stands out and will offer any tourist a fabulous time!

There are tons of attractions here from the Brighton i360 glass pod that offers some incredible sea views, Upside Down House that gives off Alice in Wonderland vibes, to the Royal Pavilion, a unique piece of architecture that you can tour and explore.

But what I loved doing the most while I was here was exploring the City Center’s streets. Some are narrow and filled with street art, some are big and pretty crowded but all have a charm that I’m sure will appeal to you. 

If you’re up for a bit of shopping make sure you head to the Churchill Square Shopping Centre (map) and make sure you also stop by the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery which is set near the Victoria Gardens (map).

You’ll also find lots of restaurants, cute cafes and bars around here. I went to this really great one called The Breakfast Club (map) and really liked the food they had. But if you want to heat something closer to home, try the Regency Restaurant (map) where they serve locally caught food.

Other accommodation options in City Centre

Things to do in City Centre

• Watch an amazing musical at the Theatre Royal
• Explore the Royal Pavilion Gardens
• Admire the art at the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery
• Enjoy the views from Brighton i360
• Snap a pic of the Upside Down House
• Take a day trip to South Downs National Park to see the Seven Sisters (map)

2. North Laine – trendiest place to stay in Brighton

This small area is the ultimate bohemian spot that you’ll definitely want to explore if not stay here.

North Laine is packed with trendy cafes, vegetarian restaurants, street art and all sorts of colorful buildings! Honestly, this is surely one of the most Instagrammable spots in Brighton so be camera ready at all times!

The best way to explore is to just walk on the streets, that way you’ll get to see most of the attraction points and discover the restaurants and cafes.

You should definitely stop by North Laine Bazaar (map) which is open every day and get some cool vintage souvenirs and also go for a walk in the Valley Gardens Park (map). 

If you’re looking for some spots to hit, start your morning at the Trading Post Coffee Roasters (map) with a cup of strong coffee and then grab some lunch at Bill’s Brighton Restaurant (map) where you can enjoy some delicious British dishes. 

Other accommodation options in

Things to do in North Laine 

• Get some souvenirs from the North Laine Bazaar
• Head for lunch at Bill’s Brighton Restaurant
• Valley Gardens Park
• Grab a coffee at Trading Post Coffee Roasters
• Check out Snoopers Paradise (map)

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3. Kemptown – where to stay in Brighton for nightlife

Planning to do a bit of partying while you’re in Brighton? Then, the Kempton area is for you!

Set just East of the City Centre, this waterfront neighborhood is known for its lively nightlife and countless LGBTQ bars and clubs.

Honestly, there’s never a dull moment here, especially around St James’s Street (map) where you’ll find lots of great bars and pubs like Sidewinder (map), Hand In Hand (map), and Bulldog (map). All super fun places where you can start the night. 

You should also head to Patterns (map), a live music venue with different rooms where you can enjoy some drinks, dance and listen to music.

Another perk of Kempton is its close proximity to Brighton Beach (map)! If you’re coming during the summer you’ll definitely want to spend some time chilling on the shores and even during the colder months you can just head there for a bit to admire the views. 

Right near Kempton, you’ll also find the Sea Life Brighton which is actually the world’s oldest aquarium, opened back in 1872!

Other accommodation options in Kemptown

Things to do in Kemptown 

• Dance all night at Club Revenge (map), Brighton’s most iconic gay club
• Spend a sunny and relaxing day at Brighton Beach
• Have fun at Sea Life Brighton
• Enjoy the afternoon tea at Leman Tea Room (map)
• Listen to live music and grab a drink at Patterns

4. Hove – the best neighborhood for families

Located a 20 min walk away from the City Centre, Hove used to be a separate community until the late 90s when it merged with Brighton to form Brighton Hove.

This is a great place for families, as it’s definitely much more tranquil and it has that small-town charm from the days when it was separate from Brighton. 

Hove has its own beach (map), with the same name where you can go with the kids to play, relax and enjoy the weather. Make sure you also pass by the Hove Beach Huts (map), which are super colorful and would make for a photo. 

Some other attractions that you can check out here are the Booth Museum of Natural History, the Brighton Toy and Model Museum and St Ann’s Well Gardens (map).

Hove also has its own train station (map) so you can just stop here if you’re coming by train and your hotel is in Hove, rather than going all the way to Brighton City Center. 

Now let’s check out the best Brighton hotels in Hove:

Other accommodation options in Hove

Things to do in Hove

• Learn new things at the Booth Museum of Natural History
• Snap a pic of the Hove Beach Huts 
• Take your children to the Hove Museum and Art Gallery
• Spend a fun day with the kids on Hove Beach
• Visit the Brighton Toy and Model Museum 

5. Brighton Seafront – where to stay for beach lovers

Want to stay right near the beach and be as close as possible to the sea? Well, then Brighton’s Seafront should be your stopping point!

This area stretches from the City Center to Kempton and it is packed with fun attractions, restaurants and bars. 

One of the biggest sights here is the Brighton Palace Pier (map), an old-school amusement park that has fairground rides, bars and all sorts of other things. It looks really cool, and it’s also super fun. 

Then you have the beach (map) of course, where you can enjoy a swim if the weather is on your side. 

You should also check out Volk’s Electric Railway (map), which dates back to the 1880s and looks so interesting. Definitely a spot to take some amazing pics. 

Now let’s check out the best hotels in Brighton, on the seafront:

Other accommodation options in Brighton Seafront

Things to do in Brighton Seafront

• Learn new things at the Brighton Fishing Museum
• Spend a fun afternoon with the family at the Brighton Pier
• Enjoy the sun on Brighton Beach 
• Check out the Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf – Brighton (map)
• Grab a drink at Bison Beer (map)

FAQs about where to stay in Brighton

🏙️ Which are the best areas where to stay in Brighton?

The City Center and Kempton are some of the best areas to stay in Brighton. That’s where you’ll find the main attractions, great hotels and restaurants too. 

👨‍👩‍👧 Where to stay in Brighton with the family?

The best area to stay in Brighton with kids is the Hove, a charming and quiet area that’s just a 20 min drive away from the City Center and which has lots of kid-friendly attractions.

🏖️ What is the best place to stay in Brighton near the beach?

Brighton Seafront is the best place to stay in Brighton right by the sea.

🔍 What are the best things to do in Brighton?

Some of the best things to do in Brighton are heading to the beach, exploring the trendy areas like North Laine, and having fun at the Brighton Palace Pier.

Final thoughts on where to stay in Brighton 

Wow, who misses the sea already? Better prepare this trip early and enjoy all the fun that this town offers!

I hope that this guide on where to stay in Brighton, UK helped you decide which hotel and area to pick, if you’re still not sure about the accommodations, here are my top-rated 2 favorite hotels:

Definitely book your hotels in advance, Brighton is a popular holiday destination and it gets lots of visitors, especially in the summer months (June to August), so it’s better to secure your spot as quickly as you can.

Have a wonderful trip and don’t forget that you can always drop me any questions you might have in the comment section below. I’d be happy to help you out! 

Enjoy your magical stay in Brighton,

Victoria 

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