Nestled along Brighton's iconic seafront, The Grand Brighton stands as a testament to Victorian elegance and modern luxury. Since its opening in 1864, this historic hotel has been a beacon for those seeking a UK staycation combination of rich heritage and contemporary comfort.
Designed by architect John Whichcord Jr., The Grand is rich in history. It was among the first hotels in the UK to install a hydraulic lift, referred to as an 'ascending omnibus’. A significant event in the hotel's history occurred on 12 October 1984, during the Conservative Party conference. The Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) detonated a bomb in an attempt to assassinate Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Over the years, The Grand Brighton has hosted numerous notable guests, including ABBA, who celebrated their 1974 Eurovision win in the hotel's Napoleon Suite.
Beyond its colourful history, The Grand Brighton offers guests a prime location to explore the city's many attractions, from the scenic South Downs National Park to the lively Lanes and the historic Royal Pavilion. Whether you're savouring a traditional afternoon tea in the Victoria Terrace or enjoying a cocktail in the Victoria Bar, The Grand promises an unforgettable stay steeped in history and refined luxury. Here’s how Features & Reviews Editor Emily Gilbert got on when she visited the hotel.
Accommodation
From the moment you’re welcomed into the lobby of The Grand by the friendly doorman, you are surrounded by style and luxury. My husband and I have been fortunate to stay in a variety of beautiful hotels but The Grand was another level. Think high ceilings adorned with ornate mouldings, elegant chandeliers, and a sweeping staircase to carry you to the floors above. Being in the hotel is an experience in itself, before you even get to your room.
The hotel offers a range of luxurious accommodation options from in-land double rooms to suites, all featuring amenities such as air conditioning, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, and LCD flat-screen TVs with Freeview. The rooms are all elegantly designed with contemporary interiors although at the time of writing, The Grand is in the middle of a £16.2 million refurbishment which will redesign all rooms and include a brand-new gym and spa.
We were staying in the Junior Suite with Sea View, one of the recently refurbished rooms. The suite is a large, elegantly designed space with a modern and luxurious aesthetic. It’s arranged in an open-plan style, combining a sleeping area, lounging space and a freestanding bathtub near the windows which opens out onto a balcony, overlooking the seafront.
The decorative panelling of the walls are painted in a soft lavender-grey but the vibrant framed artwork and pops of purple furniture help warm the otherwise muted colour palette. Despite the grandeur of the room, we instantly felt at home.
The elegant bathroom gave us both serious envy with marble walls, a large walk-in shower with rainfall showerhead, a double sink and gold accents.
While we made the most of the hotel’s central location and explored much of what Brighton has to offer during our stay, returning to The Grand was always a pleasure. I made sure to make the most of the deep bathtub and toiletries while my husband sat out wrapped up in the provided dressing gowns and sat out on the balcony with a cup of coffee, admiring the sea and people-watching.
It’s worth noting that the location of the hotel with a main road right out front does mean noise is likely. Neither my husband nor I are light sleepers so this wasn’t a problem for us personally during our stay and I daresay the plush bed helped too.
Food and drink
Brighton is of course home to a bustling food scene but there’s no need to leave The Grand if you don’t want to go far for a meal or tipple.
For a relaxed setting, the Victoria Bar & Lounge offers a selection of beverages, from morning coffee to celebratory drinks. The bar features signature cocktails and a rotating menu of creative drinks.
Perfect for a celebration or just a special treat, afternoon tea is served in the opulent Victoria Terrace and includes three tiers of sweet and savoury treats, complemented by a selection of loose-leaf teas and bespoke blends.
On our second night, we paid a visit to Cyan, the hotel’s restaurant which serves classic British cuisine with a modern twist. The menu offers seasonal dishes, including fresh seafood and steak mains, all while overlooking the Brighton seafront. Our server Tam was warm and attentive, ensuring we had everything we needed throughout the course of our stay.
We started our meal with glazed pork belly, red cabbage sauerkraut, apple and an especially stunningly presented tiger and king prawn cocktail accompanied with bloody Mary shot.
For our mains, my husband opted for the ballotine of chicken accompanied by butternut puree, crispy mushrooms, confit potato and chicken sauce. I chose the mouthwatering 28-day aged ribeye with a side of crispy fries and buttered French beans, cooked with bacon and shallots. Not only were the portions of our meals very generous but you could taste how high-quality the ingredients used were and everything was cooked to perfection. Make no mistake about it, you’re set to enjoy a seriously gourmet meal at Cyan.
Suitably stuffed, we finished by sharing the creamy chocolate, caramel and hazelnut cheesecake, the perfect sweet conclusion to our meal.
Breakfast took place each morning in the spacious Albert Room. We were warmly greeted by a member of staff who guided us to a table, explaining where everything was. It’s a help-yourself/buffet affair with everything you could need for a full English as well as an omelette station, waffles, pancakes, pastries, continental offerings such as deli meat and cheese and lots more. Everything we tasted was delicious and it was hard not to be greedy with so much choice.
While it would have been nice to have hot drinks delivered to the table, we were so impressed with the choice and quality of the breakfast that we really didn’t mind too much. The staff were quick to refill any dwindling supplies so nobody went without and my husband adored the omelette station both mornings.
Final thoughts
As parents to an 8-month-old, our stay at The Grand came at a time when my husband and I were after a relaxing break with good food and the chance to spend quality time together, something that was delivered in spades during our time in Brighton. Given that our time away as a two is limited nowadays, the Grand really was the perfect place to step away from nappies and nightfeeds.
Something we both agreed on was that we would have loved to have had a spa to unwind in so we were pleased to discover that 2025 will see the introduction of this along with a gym to The Grand.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Brighton, you won’t be short of choices. But if you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Brighton with an extra special edge, look no further than The Grand. However long you decide to stay, you’re guaranteed an experience oozing with luxury, from the interiors of the hotel and rooms to the mouthwatering menu and smooth service from the staff. This is reflected in the price you pay, with a Superior Sea View Room starting from £155 for two guests with breakfast or a Junior Suite costing £225.50. Book your stay at The Grand.
Features & Reviews Editor Emily Gilbert has been a journalist since 2015 and has worked across a variety of specialist and lifestyle brands both in print and online. Specialising in travel content and product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases, her favourite being gadgets for the home.