By Neil Speight
AS a northerner I’m steeped in the seaside tradition of fish and chips, flat hats, rolled up trousers and sandy beaches with donkeys.
Probably about as far removed from Brighton as you can get, so it was with a sense of anticipation that I recently accepted an invitation to sample this south coast Mecca of the trendy.
I’d only ever once been there before, on a soccer special to the Goldstone ground and all I saw on that late 70s day was the back of a police horse as we were crowded to the Goldstone Ground and back.
This time though we didn’t see the back of a seaside donkey, and I discovered what a special place Brighton really is.
And, despite what you might think if you only hear of its hedonistic side, it’s a place for families too. The kids loved it and the good lady was enchanted by its huge variety of shopping outlets!
We stayed at two hotels. The De Vere: Grand Hotel is perhaps best known for being the place bombed by the IRA in its onslaught against the Tory government, but other than some framed newspaper clippings, there’s no trace of that devastation.
The historic hotel opened in 1864 and immediately became one of Europe’s finest and most majestic hotels, where high standards of service, comfort and elegance were its watchword, and continue to be to this day.
With its grandiose Italian Renaissance style, this hotel commands centre stage on the seafront, and is one of the most famous Victorian landmarks on the South Coast.
The Grand experience is one you will never forget, and our son is testament to that statement! He’s still talking about the fun and excitement (he is seven after all) of racing up and down the 123 step sweeping staircase that is the centrepiece of the hotel.
And it is a truly family friendly place. The staff were tremendously caring and welcoming, particularly when our little one, aged three fell and bumped her head in the dining room. It was entirely her fault but her tears were turned into smiles as she was treated like a queen by the staff. Top marks to all.
And talking of the dining room, the King’s Restaurant food philosophy is bold and simple: local ingredients and classic English dishes with a contemporary twist.
If we lived in Brighton, I would visit monthly and have a Sussex Cream Tea in the Victoria Lounge - a true treat.
Our second hotel was completely different, but no less enjoyable and luxurious.
The Hotel du Vin is situated in the heart of the famous and atmospheric Lanes conservation area. It is the place to relax and unwind, letting the friendly staff cater to all your needs. With excellent cuisine to suit all tastes, even the children were catered for and were treated as little adults throughout our stay!
The rooms are in an opulent setting, gothic revival and mock Tudor buildings erected, appropriately, by a local wine merchant on the site of an old Brighton inn.
Among many interesting features are the heavily carved staircase and bizarre gargoyles, whilst the original double-height hall now houses the wine bar overlooked by the billiards room and gallery.
Both hotels are just a stone’s throw from Brighton seafront and the famous promenade, where the children had as much fun as they could endure on the Victorian pier with various food and drink outlets, fairground attractions and Palace of Fun arcade... or as much as we could pay for!
If you’re looking to put a creative edge into your shopping experience though, Brighton Lanes offer a shopper’s paradise of independent shops and boutiques. Crammed with quaint and wondrous shops and funky restaurants and cafes, this is a vibrant area and the place to be for ecelctic shoppers who are searching for something unique.
Once the heart of the fishing town of Brighthelmstone, Brighton Lanes’ historic quarter is a fabulous maze of twisting alleyways, twittens and catcreeps offering an extraordinary mix of antiques and jewellery shops nestling alongside specialist contemporary and designer boutique fashion, and are best wandered round lazily and explored as you find them. (You might guess, the good lady wrote that bit!)
Indeed, after only spending a weekend in Brighton, on our way home we were already planning to visit again.
Bye-bye rolled up trousers and knotted hankies, hello funky shorts and shades!
De Vere: The Grand
a Visit www.devere.co.uk for full details, or to book a stay at De Vere: The Grand Hotel
a Rooms priced from £89
a 201 bedrooms, complimentary internet access throughout, parking charged at £40 per day
The Hotel du Vin
a Visit www.hotelduvin.com for full details, or to book a stay at The Hotel du Vin, Brighton
a Rooms priced from £170
a 49 bedrooms, beach hut also avalable for hire for long/ short term stay. No parking available