Brighton Youth Hostel by the Sea

Brighton Youth Hostel by the Sea is inside a cream-colored Victorian townhouse and attracts lots of young backpackers with its location close to the beach. It can be a bit tricky to find the entrance, as there's only a small sign on the front door, and the facade could use an update -- or at least a fresh coat of paint. Likewise, the interior is looking the worse for wear. While bright-orange doors and green lockers lend some life, much of the property has seen better days. There are scratches in the furniture, and guest report various issues in bathrooms, from odors to watery floors to grime. The hallways are narrow and there’s no elevator -- something for guests with heavy bags and upper-floor rooms to keep in mind. Public spaces include a decent common kitchen, a TV room with satellite channels, and an outdoor area that closes late at night. While weekends can have a party vibe, the hostel typically maintains a fairly tame atmosphere during the week, out of respect for neighbors. 

This hostel is located in Hove, just a six-minute walk from the beach, the biggest draw for guests. Hove is a quiet area about 30 minutes away on foot from Brighton’s city center. Restaurants, cafes, and pubs can be found within five minutes' walk from the hostel, as can a Tesco Superstore for stocking up on groceries. There’s a bus stop (King Alfred) three minutes away on foot, from which buses arrive at Churchill Square in the city center within 15 minutes. Hove train station is a 14-minute walk away, with trains arriving from London in about 60 to 70 minutes. It’s a 35-minute to one-hour drive (depending on traffic) or a one-hour train ride to Gatwick Airport.

Designed for budget travelers, rooms are largely unadorned with few extra frills. Dorm-style rooms have between four and 16 wooden bunk beds (female-only dorms are available). Some dorms are cramped, with very little space to move and only a bit of storage in built-in shelves. Some of the private rooms and Studios are a bit more fashionable with colorful statement or printed walls. However, for the most part, all rooms are a little dated. Wear and tear on the floors and furniture, scratches on the walls, exposed mattresses, and reports of cleanliness issues and bad smells might turn off some travelers.

All rooms include free linen, though towels cost extra. There’s free Wi-Fi (that’s reportedly spotty), but no air-conditioning. Private rooms (doubles and triples) have flat-screen TVs, bottled water, and kettles for coffee and tea; some have mini-fridges. The best option is the self-contained, four-person Studio, which has a kitchen with a mini-fridge, microwave, stove/oven, and sink. Many rooms (including most dorms) have basic, though small, en-suite bathrooms with showers. Though toiletries at a hostel aren’t really expected, this property doesn’t even manage hand soap for guests. 

Brighton Youth Hostel by the Sea doesn’t have the fun, up-beat amenities found in some hostels like a cool bar or on-site group events. It does have a full kitchen and an attached lounge with a TV for relaxing. On-site vending machines sell drinks and snacks, while a very basic breakfast (for a fee) is offered in the mornings. Other features include a coin-operated washer and dryer and rentable storage lockers. Wi-Fi is free but there’s been reports of spotty connection or no connection at all.