The Granville Hotel

The Granville Hotel is situated in a cream-colored four-story townhouse with a charming Victorian facade. The small boutique property feels more like a bed-and-breakfast than a standard hotel, with a homey lobby featuring fresh wood floors, a brick fireplace, and vintage accents. Stairwells pair rich carpeting with bright red walls -- they're clean enough, but the wear-and-tear seen here is indicative of what can be found in many of the guest rooms. Guests with mobility issues should also note that while the hotel's small elevator usually works, there are additional stairs to some rooms. Brighton is teaming with boutique properties, and for mid-range options here, character, charm, and dated decor are pretty standard, as are the limited amenities. The Granville Hotel is well-priced for a beachfront property, and guests here tend to be budget-minded leisure travelers, especially couples. 

Located on the busy promenade that runs parallel to the waterfront, The Granville Hotel offers sea views and easy access to a host of restaurants and bars. The hotel is almost directly across the street from what remains of the West Pie, as well as from the British Airways i360 observation tower (a two-minute walk away). Guests can also walk to the heart of The Lanes, a narrow collection of streets chock full of shops and eateries, in 10 minutes, to Brighton Pier in 13 minutes, and to the Royal Pavilion and the bohemian North Laine neighborhood in 13 and 15 minutes, respectively. For those traveling to Brighton from afar, the train station can be reached in 15 minutes on foot, while Heathrow Airport is little over an hour away by car and London about an hour and a half, depending on traffic.

Rooms are individually decorated with eclectic style that matches different designated themes -- Art Deco, Japanese, or Gothic. Decor might include four-poster beds, chandelier lights, molded ceiling accents, bay windows, or floral wallpaper. The spaces don't lack character, but can feel a bit dated. Though rooms are clean, wear-and-tear is also evident, especially in the carpeting, and guests occasionally note maintenance issues, like a chipped mirror or leaky window. Bathrooms vary vastly from smaller, somewhat dated tiled bathrooms with shower stalls to more modern bathrooms with whirlpools or corner tubs (though most rooms with tubs lack separate showers). All rooms have flat-screen TVs with DVD players, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee service -- but there are no mini-fridges or air-conditioning. Rooms also have hairdryers, fans, irons and ironing boards, and individual toiletries. Guests suggest splurging on a sea view room, though the noise from Kings Road can be an issue for light sleepers.

The property's best extra feature is its bottom-floor restaurant, Smokeys, an American-joint associated with the hotel. Breakfast is usually included in the room rate -- and what's offered is a delicious upgrade from standard hotel fare. In addition to freshly squeezed juice and cereal, there's an appetizing menu of cooked-to-order meals, from blueberry pancakes to eggs Benedict, plus a range of vegan and vegetarian options. The restaurant serves up lunch, dinner, and drinks, and offers some outdoor seating. Room service is also available during limited hours. The hotel itself offers few other extras -- there's a meeting room, DVD library, and a computer for guest use. Wi-Fi is free, and the front desk is open 24 hours.