DRAKES HOTEL

Hedonistic townhouse living on Brighton's seafront

SET AMONG THE BUZZ OF HAPPENING BRIGHTON, Drakes is undeniably where it's at. Step inside the doors of this Regency seafront hotel and you're in for some surprises.

Drakes' swish and elegant interiors have a clean-cut but unmistakably bohemian vibe. Bedrooms have been designed for shameless indulgence, with big beds, hedonistic mirrors and gleaming bath tubs for two sitting centre stage right beside the windows.

Suites with triple-aspect floor to ceiling windows let you gaze at the famous pier while sipping champers and soaking beneath the suds, while some top-floor attic rooms have bird's eye views over the rooftops of Kemptown and wet room showers. The Feature suite (104) has a vast seven-foot bed big enough for all sorts of shenanigans, a glass-doored bathroom and even a nautical telescope. A place for breakfast in bed, naturally.

House cocktails

Perch on a leather bar stool in the downstairs bar (a place to celebrity-spot) to start your evening with one of the glamorous house cocktails – straight-up, Martini fashion, or with plenty of bubbles.  A wicked Margarita here comes with spiced tequila blanco and Grand Marnier, while the signature Gingerman Fizz has a kick of elderflower and rose. We had some mean Mojitos while chatting to the ultra-friendly bar staff.

Blond wood chairs, suede banquettes, wide mirrors and sleek spotlights  make dining in Drakes' much-acclaimed Restaurant at Drakes a must. The decor is matched by an imaginative take on modern British cuisine – making it one of Brighton's top dining experiences. Start with fresh oysters (what else?), follow perhaps with pan-roasted local cod with all the trimmings, and share an Earl Grey brulée to round off.

The Drakes ethos is modern, relaxed glamour with a hint of fun and top-notch service. It certainly delivers.


Drakes Hotel was reviewed for Room for Romance by  Mark MacGee

Click on any picture to enlarge it and move through the gallery.

Dining in
The Restaurant at Drakes offers modern European dining in sleek surrounds. The menu changes regularly but you can expect to sample dishes such as langoustine risotto with wild asparagus, assiette of suckling pig with celeriac puree and lavender pannacotta with blueberries.

Dining out
Choices on the doorstep include sister restaurant The Gingerman at Norfolk Square, One Paston Place, Seven Dials Restaurant and The Ginger Pig pub in Hove. For budget Italian eats, you can't beat Donatello in The Lanes.

See & Do
There’s stacks to do in Brighton. Admire the exuberant Victoriana of Brighton Pavilion, eat fish and chips on the pebbly beach, trawl for antiques in The Lanes or spend an hour with the sea breeze in your hair on Brighton Pier, where you'll find everything from hot dogs to dodgem rides and a helter-skelter. You can admire the marine life at the Sea Life Centre, or head to Brighton Race Course, which holds 23 meetings a year.

Spa
Book a couples’ in-room massage or beauty treatment for some serious unwinding. The Lanes health and beauty spa is half a mile away as is Brighton’s David Lloyd Leisure Centre, where Drakes guests are eligible for exclusive offers.

Shop
You can buy pretty well anything in Brighton’s famous Lanes. Highlights include John Harrington Jewellers, Gunn’s Flowers and the She Said erotic boutique. A personal shopper can be arranged.

After dark
Brighton has plenty of bars and clubs for late-night partying, and Drakes guests get exclusive admission to some of the private members’ bars. Great places to try are the Ocean Rooms (complete with leather grazing beds and tapas) and Audio (undergound/techno). Drakes' own bar is open 24 hours to residents, too. You could also try the cabaret at Komedia, or book tickets for the Theatre Royal.

Dates
May
Experience all that this seaside city offers at the Brighton Festival. 

July/August
Get down here for Brighton Pride week – seriously pink and serious fun. 

GETTING THERE

Location
Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1PE

Parking
There are nine guest parking spaces available here on a first-come basis at £12.50 per night. Otherwise you’ll find plenty of pay and display spaces along the seafront.

Trains
Brighton station – 1 mile.

Taxis
GBP 7 approx from the station.

Airport
London Gatwick  – 25 miles (40 mins).

ESSENTIAL INFO

Rates guide
GBP 99-300 (room only)

Open/closed
Open all year

Check-in
2pm

Check-out
11am

Minimum night stay?
Two nights at weekends and three nights over bank holidays.

Hotel facilities
Cocktail bar and restaurant, wi-fi throughout, satellite TV, state-of-the-art DVD/CD players, hand-crafted furniture. Optional Arrival packages include Love Hampers, meant for naughty fun. Note: it's a tall townhouse with plenty of stairs.

Breakfast
Breakfast (charged extra) is served until 10am. Choices include soft boiled eggs with Marmite soldiers or Scotch porridge with an optional shot of Drambuie. You can also start the day with some Buck's Fizz or champers.

Room service
Available morning and evening

Children
This is a place for grown-ups. – there are no family rooms.

Pets
Guide dogs only

Air conditioning
Yes – with individual controls.

Wedding license?
Yes – for up to 40 guests staying. Weddings are based on exclusive hire of the property.

Your contact
Richard Hayes – general manager