On the hotel’s website the general manager makes two bold statements: the Seattle is all about “great hospitality wrapped up in a little piece of Brighton” and that the staff are a “big part of what makes the Seattle experience so unique”. They’re brave statements because all too often staff-visitor relations are where hotels let themselves down. However, not so at the Seattle: my family and I discovered that everyone wore a genuine smile, couldn’t do enough for you and were knowledgeable about the city; this meant our stay was a truly enjoyable experience.
There are many other plus points about this contemporary hotel where an air of calmness emanates from every corner. Take the location for starters, overlooking Brighton Marina. Built over 25 years ago, the Marina has grown to accommodate more than 1,500 boats and become, reputedly, Europe’s largest.
There is a range of options when when choosing bedrooms, too, but I’d recommend the marina view rather than inland-facing, especially as the additional cost is only around £20 a room per night. Rooms are airy and modern – many with balconies – but it’s worth opting for a king room to provide more space. Bathrooms have twin basins and monsoon showers.
Although the Marina area of Brighton is a 25-minute walk from the city centre, it’s along the promenade so you can look out to sea all the way. But if you’re put off by the idea of walking that distance, there is a regular bus service (no. 7) which stops just outside the hotel (we paid £10 for a family day ticket which afforded us transport on any route within Brighton and Hove). Alternatively, between April and September, you can jump on the Volks Railway, a narrow-gauge line dating back to 1883, which runs from the west side of the Marina along the sea front; the journey takes ten minutes.
The Marina area is self-contained with a range of shops, including a large Asda, within a stone’s throw of the hotel. There is a host of restaurants covering virtually every kind of cuisine. But don’t discard the hotel’s restaurant because not only do the floor-to-ceiling windows afford diners views of the sea, the menus, which are regularly changed, take advantage of seasonal produce. When the weather is kind, alfresco dining can take place on the ship-shaped terrace. The same restaurant is used at breakfast, but make sure you’ve included it in your booking otherwise there is a charge.
If you’re enjoying a break with the kids, consider the “Kids to the Coast” package. At check-in, children are offered a welcome pack, and during their time at the hotel can play with the activity bags available. If you’re heading out to the seashore, ask for a crabbing net and bucket. Come the evening, if you fancy dining alone after the kids have enjoyed something off the children’s menu, the hotel offers the listening service, Babytel.
Other benefits of the hotel include spacious public areas, free wifi and free parking at the multi-storey, just across the road. Also, I liked the curvy white walls and splashes of colour supplied by the modern art, including beach scenes by Spanish artist Sabala.
My only grumbles were little, niggly things like not enough tea bags and biscuits being left in our room. Although there were four of us staying, biscuits and cups for two were left and we had to keep obtaining more from the cleaning staff; the same applied to toiletries in the bathroom where we quickly ran out and had to turn to our own supplies.
But, overall, this is a fine hotel run by excellent, friendly people and we’d highly recommend it for anyone visiting Brighton.
Note: Since we stayed, the hotel has been taken over by Malmaison, a company with boutique hotels in 15 UK cities.
Further information:
Hotel Seattle (mow Malmaison Brighton)
Brighton Marina
Brighton BN2 5WA
t: 01273 041482
Visit Brighton
t: 01273 290337