Harbour Hotel Brighton

The underground spa was a real highlight and well worth trying, though the extra fee felt a bit high, especially since we couldn’t get into the room early and the charge had gone up. The changing rooms are communal, separate for men and women, and the toilet area is quite compact. The setting and scenery were fantastic, the rooms stylish and spotless, and the beds exceptionally comfortable. Staff were welcoming and attentive, and we enjoyed the food and excellent drinks at the bar. A lovely stay, with just a couple of small drawbacks.

The basement spa is the standout feature, a unique use of the underground space. Ambient lighting makes the pool, hydro bath, jacuzzi, steam rooms, and sauna feel great. It’s manageable later in the afternoon and evening, but gets busier, so going in the morning feels almost like having it to yourself. The hotel sits by the seafront between the i360 and pier, and sea-view rooms have a wonderful view and ceilings with double window height. The old, listed building has some creaks and signs of age, but nothing that affects the stay. The bed is comfortable, and the TV and bathroom are modern. The shower has great water pressure.

Parking that’s affordable was hard to find, and dropping off our bags was tricky, but we had a great time and hope to return. The sea-view room is a must: it was very clean, nicely decorated, with a super cosy bed, mini fridge, Nespresso machine, and tea. The central location was great too. Book through their website to get the spa included. We loved the pool, hot tub, and sauna, and the atmosphere was lovely. They gave us robes, slippers, and towels for the spa. Each room comes with free gin and tonics, but my husband and I don’t drink, so we asked for bar tickets instead. There were plenty of alcohol-free choices. I could see the gin offer being triggering for someone in recovery. Thanks, Harbour!

I’ve been to lots of events at this venue and love it. There’s a good range of rooms to hire, plus a sophisticated bar area that’s free to book. I use the space every month for my Friendship-first meet ups, held on the first Tuesday. Being an adult can make it lonely and hard to make friends, so I invite people to join us. I make it easier with proven fun strategies in this classic, relaxed setting.