Sleep & Style: Artist Residence Brighton | Boutique Hotel Review by the Sea
Intro: Why I Chose This Hotel
The Artist Residence Brighton*, a Grade II listed boutique hotel just a pebble’s throw from the sea, was my home for one night on a recent weekend away. I’d booked a Photography Workshop and it didn’t finish until 9.30pm. So rather than get the train home late at night, I decided to treat myself to an overnight stay.
As I’d previously experienced both the Artist Residence Penzance* and the Artist Residence Oxfordshire*, I had a feeling that the brand’s Brighton outpost would be a great choice. I love their aesthetic and I was confident that I would feel at ease spending the night there as a solo female. Plus, as luck would have it, the workshop which was taking place on the beach, finished directly opposite the hotel’s front door. It was a sign!
Location
The Artist Residence Brighton is set back from the beach at the head of Regency Square with views of the coast, the very photogenic remains of the West Pier and also Brighton i360, Europe’s tallest moving viewing platform.
The hotel’s location is perfect for a stay on foot, being only a 10-15 minute walk downhill from Brighton train station, just a couple of minutes to the beach and a 15-20 minute walk to Brighton’s iconic Palace Pier, Brighton Pavilion and The Lanes. (Below you can see the view from the hotel.)
The Room: Cosy & Comfortable
Room 22 on the hotel’s first floor was my home away from home. A Cosy Double room, it was compact but comfy - perfect for a one night stay. Due to my budget, I decided to forgo a room with a sea view, although the hotel offers several options ranging from a Tiny Sea View to a Sea View Balcony Apartment.
My room’s walls were painted in a Farrow & Ball marine-like shade of teal. And the space featured a double bed with handy dark wooden shelves flanking it on either side. The bedside plugs points came in handy for phone and watch recharging. And the angled lamps were perfect for pre-sleep reading.
Vintage furniture and wicker accessories gave a retro look to the room with the occasional splash of orange by way of a Roberts Revival Radio and tactile textiles. Thoughtfully placed eclectic prints and assorted mirrors added to the quirky feel of the space.
Very importantly for me, there were tea and coffee making facilities, including pretty floral Burleigh mugs and a cute teapot. It was so lovely to find fresh milk in the mini Smeg fridge and also delicious Tunnocks Caramel wafers coated in milk chocolate to go with my cuppa. Two complimentary bottles of still water were also provided.
Other amenities included free WiFi, a flatscreen TV, a fan, bath robes, an umbrella, a hairdryer, slippers and a bag of chargers and adapters.
Immediately below you’ll find a short video tour of my room, followed by lots of photos, both of the room itself and the hotel’s public areas.
Something to bear in mind…the bedroom window was single-glazed. And as the hotel is located in the city centre, there was a little street noise on the Saturday night. However, it didn’t stop me sleeping incredibly soundly.
The Bathroom: Tiled & Spotless
The en-suite bathroom had all the ingredients for a pampering away from home with ample fluffy white towels and beautifully scented Bramley products. I loved the way the space had been decorated with white brick tiling, a heritage style washbasin stand (similar to ours at home) and aged oval mirror.
Public Spaces: Style Beyond the Room
On the hotel’s ground floor is Blake’s, a bistro and bar with sea views, rustic reclaimed furniture and locally sourced artwork, including Andy Doig's colourful neon washing-line and Dave White’s painterly rabbit portrait. There is plenty of indoor seating together with a smaller outside space in the form of a sun-trapped courtyard. Adjacent to the bistro is a laidback lounge for sitting and chilling with a book, settling down with your laptop and a coffee or enjoying pre-dinner cocktails.
Food & Drink: Blake’s Bistro & Bar
Blake’s is open all day, every day from breakfast to bedtime for drinks. Kitchen times for breakfast are Monday-Friday | 7:30am - 10:30am, with weekend brunch from 8-1pm. Dinner’s available on Thursday | 6 - 9pm, and Friday and Saturday | 6 - 9.30pm.
I arrived around 1pm on the Saturday afternoon, by which time Blake’s had finished serving food. But the helpful staff directed me to some nearby places for lunch. Unfortunately, due to the timing of my Photography Workshop, I also had to miss out on dinner at the hotel.
But early the next morning at breakfast I made the most of the chance to sit by the window and enjoy the sea view. As I have a sweet tooth, I couldn’t resist ordering the Buttermilk Pancakes with Vanilla Bean Mascarpone and Berry Compote with a pot of tea.
Why It Works for Childfree Travellers & Solo Weekenders
Personally, I feel that the Artist Residence Brighton’s set-up is more adult-friendly (is that a phrase I’ve just invented?) than child-friendly, a sentiment which is echoed in the Families FAQs on the hotel’s website. However, all ages are welcome and there were a couple of children at breakfast time.
Final Thoughts: Would I Stay Again?
I would definitely stay at this hotel again. I loved the Bohemian character, the laid-back feel and friendly staff, for which nothing was too much trouble. Importantly for me travelling on my own was the fact that I felt safe as a solo female traveller.
Stay at a Glance Summary
Address: Artist Residence Brighton, 33 Regency Square, Brighton, BN1 2GG
Location: Near the sea, the West Pier and Brighton i360
Walkable to: Brighton Train Station (10-15 mins), Beach (2 mins), Palace Pier, Brighton Pavilion and The Lanes (15-20 mins)
Room Type: Cosy Double - Room 22
Best for: Solo travellers, couples, childfree stays
Parking: No on-site parking available. However there is an underground car park directly opposite the hotel, situated under Regency Square.
Booking: I booked via the Expedia website*, but you can also book direct.
Check-in: From 3pm, but if you arrive early as I did, the staff will happily place your bags in their luggage store. When I came back at just after 3pm, they’d already put my suitcase in my room, saving me from carrying it upstairs.
Check-out: 11am, but if you would prefer a little more snoozing time just let the hotel know on arrival and they can arrange a late check-out for an additional fee.
Save on Pinterest
DISCLAIMER: Links containing affiliate links are denoted by a '*'. This means that if you click on an affiliate link, go through to the retailer and make a payment, I will receive a small percentage of your purchase, at no extra cost to you.
Photography | Rona Wheeldon