Brighton Area - Hotels (+new forest)
Brighton Area - Hotels (+new forest)
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Discussion

illmonkey

Original Poster:

19,837 posts

229 months

Thursday 7th August 2008
quotequote all
Looking at a weekend away at the beginning of September. Girlfriend fancies going to Brighton, apparently its really nice...

Is Brighton going to be nice to get away too, I just picture it to be full of little tts getting stfaced.

I am looking at the Grand, properly a standard double. Obviously wont spend loads of time in it, but would the upgrade to the deluxe room worth the £50? (Or taken chance for a cheap upgrade when we arrive?)

That'd be Friday night. Also looking at staying somewhere different (new forest) for the Saturday night. I'd recommend Careys manor or Balmerlawn to myself but rooms are a tad pricy. Would make a nice triangle from where we live (Oxford).

I'd be happy spending £300 for both nights. So if I go for better room in the Grand, the new forest place needs to be cheaper.

chris.mapey

4,778 posts

298 months

Thursday 7th August 2008
quotequote all
I'd say go with the Hotel du Vin in Brighton, then Chewton Glen in / near the new forest.

HTH

Chris

Markh

2,781 posts

306 months

Thursday 7th August 2008
quotequote all
In Brighton I'd try Drakes hotel, then maybe the Balmer lawn (although have not stayed here for a few years)



http://www.drakesofbrighton.com/

http://www.balmerlawnhotel.com/


Have fun

Markh

2,781 posts

306 months

Thursday 7th August 2008
quotequote all
I nearly forgot, Passford House is worth a look

http://www.passfordhousehotel.co.uk/

ascayman

13,414 posts

247 months

Thursday 7th August 2008
quotequote all
hotel du vin - brighton.

ali_kat

32,157 posts

252 months

Thursday 7th August 2008
quotequote all
yes The upgrade it worth it at the Grand. The standard rooms are just that, and usually on the corner or at the back with no views at all.

If you want a nice romantic weekend, go for the upgrade.

YZF600R

4,121 posts

239 months

Thursday 7th August 2008
quotequote all
illmonkey said:
Looking at a weekend away at the beginning of September. Girlfriend fancies going to Brighton, apparently its really nice...

Is Brighton going to be nice to get away too, I just picture it to be full of little tts getting stfaced.

I am looking at the Grand, properly a standard double. Obviously wont spend loads of time in it, but would the upgrade to the deluxe room worth the £50? (Or taken chance for a cheap upgrade when we arrive?)

That'd be Friday night. Also looking at staying somewhere different (new forest) for the Saturday night. I'd recommend Careys manor or Balmerlawn to myself but rooms are a tad pricy. Would make a nice triangle from where we live (Oxford).

I'd be happy spending £300 for both nights. So if I go for better room in the Grand, the new forest place needs to be cheaper.
Don't come here for the night life, Brighton is full of sts and early September will have all the freshers from both the Sussex and Brighton Uni out to party (Although not Freshers week then). Since living in Brighton (Well, Hove actually!) I hardly ever go out here. However, during the day it is very nice if you get decent weather.

The Grand is nice, a bit OTT in my opinion and the leisure facilities are shockingly bad for a 5 star hotel. You do get an excellent ambiance though and it is definitely worth upgrading the room type. Standard rooms are pretty small, sea-view deluxe rooms are about twice the size and have a much nicer/bigger bathroom and living area. Try the Hilton Metropole as the pool/leisure facilities are much better and you can still visit the Grand for a drink should you wish - go between 8 and 10pm and Edwin will sooth you with his excellent piano playing!

My recommendation is to find a smaller hotel in Hove. You can walk to Brighton in a few minutes (Same city!), the architecture is generally much nicer and it is more civilised.

missliv

191 posts

226 months

Thursday 7th August 2008
quotequote all
If you're going to Brighton you absolutely HAVE to stay at Amherst on Lower Rock Gardens. It's a bit spendy but not bad for Brighton (above scummer level) and is without a doubt the most gorgeous hotel I have ever stayed in. The lady who owns it is an interior designer and her hotel is a showroom for her work. They will bring your brekkie up to you in the morning and the beds are the most comfortable I have ever slept on. I honestly can't recommend it enough, and I spend quite a lot of time in Brighton.


http://www.amherstguesthouse.co.uk/indexbrighton.h...

215cu

2,956 posts

241 months

Thursday 7th August 2008
quotequote all
Have stayed at the Balmer Lawn and Passford House, both were excellent.

Balmer Lawn had an excellent pool, jacuzzi and sauna, the rooms were very good. In my opinion it shades Passford House.

It was some time ago so I'd recommend a reccy on TripAdvisor.

schmalex

13,616 posts

237 months

Thursday 7th August 2008
quotequote all
I would ignore Balmer Lawn - it is a little stuffy imo.

Have a look at:

Le Poussin at ParkHill outisde Lyndhurst
Stanwell House Hotel in Lymington
Passford House Hotel near Lymington

illmonkey

Original Poster:

19,837 posts

229 months

Thursday 7th August 2008
quotequote all
Thanks for the idea's guys.

We've stayed in a Du Vin hotel (Southampton) and we were very impressed. So would be tempted to try an other one.

YZF600R, we're not going for nightlife/clubs etc. We'll have a meal and a few drinks then proberly go to the bar in the hotel.

missliv, that place looks like my flat! We're after pool etc as well.

YZF600R

4,121 posts

239 months

Thursday 7th August 2008
quotequote all
illmonkey said:
YZF600R, we're not going for nightlife/clubs etc. We'll have a meal and a few drinks then proberly go to the bar in the hotel.

.
Hilton Metropole for the room and pool facilities (The pool/sauna/gym/jacuzzi is lovely and very quiet).

Aldo Zillis for the meal

Few drinks at the Grand (Right next to the Metropole).


Job done.

ali_kat

32,157 posts

252 months

Thursday 7th August 2008
quotequote all
YZF600R said:
Aldo Zillis for the meal

Few drinks at the Grand (Right next to the Metropole).


Job done.
Seconded for Aldo's - blooming lovely biggrin

I'm still a 'The Grand' girl tho, few of us will actually use the pool facilities etc, I know I never did when I practically lived in it hehe And the view from the breakfast room is just - divine cloud9

Having been put in the other 5*s when The Grand didn't have a suitable room free, they cannot compete on the views.

Depends what you want - nice ambiance and unrivalled customer care (the Concierge even used to park/retrieve my Lupo hehe) or facilities you probably won't use....

YZF600R

4,121 posts

239 months

Thursday 7th August 2008
quotequote all
ali_kat said:
I'm still a 'The Grand' girl tho, few of us will actually use the pool facilities etc, I know I never did when I practically lived in it hehe And the view from the breakfast room is just - divine cloud9

Having been put in the other 5*s when The Grand didn't have a suitable room free, they cannot compete on the views.

Depends what you want - nice ambiance and unrivalled customer care (the Concierge even used to park/retrieve my Lupo hehe) or facilities you probably won't use....
The breakfast room is the Kings Restaurant, which is also nice for an evening meal but again a bit OTT. The view from the Grand is the same as the Metropole, being right next door! I have stayed in the Grand quite a few times, and until quite recently a regular at the Victoria bar.

Maybe we've met!

Did you ever visit the nightclub under the Grand? Midnight Blues. So 80's and retro cool. Many, many evenings were spent there. I'm actually genuinely sad it has closed down!

Edited by YZF600R on Thursday 7th August 10:35

drivin_me_nuts

17,949 posts

242 months

Thursday 7th August 2008
quotequote all
YZF600R said:
ali_kat said:
I'm still a 'The Grand' girl tho, few of us will actually use the pool facilities etc, I know I never did when I practically lived in it hehe And the view from the breakfast room is just - divine cloud9

Having been put in the other 5*s when The Grand didn't have a suitable room free, they cannot compete on the views.

Depends what you want - nice ambiance and unrivalled customer care (the Concierge even used to park/retrieve my Lupo hehe) or facilities you probably won't use....
The breakfast room is the Kings Restaurant, which is also nice for an evening meal but again a bit OTT. The view from the Grand is the same as the Metropole, being right next door! I have stayed in the Grand quite a few times, and until quite recently a regular at the Victoria bar.

Maybe we've met!

Did you ever visit the nightclub under the Grand? Midnight Blues. So 80's and retro cool. Many, many evenings were spent there. I'm actually genuinely sad it has closed down!

Edited by YZF600R on Thursday 7th August 10:35
... aah yes, the club..err no, actually the HOME of the middle aged semi successful sales rep on a night out on the pull. That and the now departed Leos Lounge were quite the cheesiest places this side of a Wotsit fetishist wet dream...or is that cheesie dream, i'm not sure.

Actually if you are going back to the 80s then it has got to be Fagins and Toppers in East Street, now that was a wasted youth, student grant and ooodles of 80s popstar wanabees ... Happy daze indeed

ali_kat

32,157 posts

252 months

Thursday 7th August 2008
quotequote all
YZF600R said:
The breakfast room is the Kings Restaurant, which is also nice for an evening meal but again a bit OTT. The view from the Grand is the same as the Metropole, being right next door! I have stayed in the Grand quite a few times, and until quite recently a regular at the Victoria bar.

Maybe we've met!

Did you ever visit the nightclub under the Grand? Midnight Blues. So 80's and retro cool. Many, many evenings were spent there. I'm actually genuinely sad it has closed down!
Yes it is, but I never bothered with dinner there, far too many resturants to explore smile Brighton was the ONLY place I've ever been hotel based in where I have actually ventured out on my own for food in the evenings ever night!!

hehe I guess I just didn't rate the Metropolewink

I was last working & staying down there 6 years ago..... only being there week nights meant I didn't bother clubbing itwink Although I did go in out of curiosity one evening, when 'sitting/guarding' my bosses 18yo daughter whilst he had a business dinner hehe

Greenie

1,852 posts

272 months

Thursday 7th August 2008
quotequote all
illmonkey said:
Thanks for the idea's guys.

We've stayed in a Du Vin hotel (Southampton) and we were very impressed. So would be tempted to try an other one.

YZF600R, we're not going for nightlife/clubs etc. We'll have a meal and a few drinks then proberly go to the bar in the hotel.

missliv, that place looks like my flat! We're after pool etc as well.
I'm impressed too. There isn't one in Southampton!

I've been to Hotel du Vin in Brighton and would recommend that. Got upgraded to the Penthouse suite and it was something else. Food and wine as ever in an Hotel du Vin was excellent.

Also stayed at Chewton Glen in the New Forest that has been mentioned. This is superb but certainly not a budget option.

Edited by Greenie on Thursday 7th August 10:50

FastLaneGirl

1,188 posts

222 months

Thursday 7th August 2008
quotequote all
In Brighton - Blanch House www.blanchhouse.co.uk

Beautiful boutique hotel close to the seafront but away from the Chavtastic madness/students. The restaurant is really superb and they have a cosy, unpretentious cocktail bar in the hotel as well. Excellent service too. I live in Brighton and had a spell reviewing bars/boutique hotels etc and Blanch House is just fantastic. I have been back many times to eat or just for drinks (out of my own pocket!) because I like it so much.

Hotel du Vin is lovely and the restaurant is great. Gingerman at The Drakes (walking distance from Blanch House) is meant to be very very good as well, although not tried it personally.

Saturday nights along the seafront and especially West Street are to be avoided at all costs. Stay somewhere luxurious and have champagne sent to your room insteadwink

illmonkey

Original Poster:

19,837 posts

229 months

Thursday 7th August 2008
quotequote all
Greenie said:
illmonkey said:
Thanks for the idea's guys.

We've stayed in a Du Vin hotel (Southampton) and we were very impressed. So would be tempted to try an other one.

YZF600R, we're not going for nightlife/clubs etc. We'll have a meal and a few drinks then proberly go to the bar in the hotel.

missliv, that place looks like my flat! We're after pool etc as well.
I'm impressed too. There isn't one in Southampton!

I've been to Hotel du Vin in Brighton and would recommend that. Got upgraded to the Penthouse suite and it was something else. Food and wine as ever in an Hotel du Vin was excellent.

Also stayed at Chewton Glen in the New Forest that has been mentioned. This is superb but certainly not a budget option.

Edited by Greenie on Thursday 7th August 10:50
Bugger, it was De Vere...

ascayman

13,414 posts

247 months

Thursday 7th August 2008
quotequote all
the grand is a massive dissapointment v tierd and shabby imo. the hotel du vin is excellent particually if you upgrade your room.