If you are planning a trip to Brighton and are looking for a modern and stylish hotel that is perfectly located to explore all this city has to offer, then look no further.
We have recently returned from a weekend break to Brighton and this hotel is highly recommended. This is our honest review of the 4 star Doubletree by Hilton Brighton Metropole.
What’s it like?
Brighton has been on our travel bucket list for many years and we recently had the chance to visit one of England’s most famous seaside destinations.
Located right on Brighton’s famous seafront and housed in one of the most iconic Victorian buildings is the Doubletree by Hilton Brighton Metropole – one of the latest additions to the Doubletree portfolio after a £26million refurbishment, so although everything inside is fresh and new it cleverly retains its elegant Victorian charm.
The hotel has been a landmark in Brighton since it opened in 1890 and is characterised by its striking red-brick structure designed by the same architect Alfred Waterhouse, responsible for London’s Natural History Museum.
You honestly couldn’t ask for a better location to explore Brighton, across from famous beachfront and within walking distance to the pier and the space needle like structure that is the Brighton i360 observation tower.
The main shopping streets of Brighton including the quirky independent stores and restaurants at the Lanes and North Laines are also within a short walking distance away.
The hotel has plenty to offer history lovers, in its past it welcomed guests including Oscar Wilde, Richard Burton and Liz Taylor whilst Winston Churchill’s signed menu is available to view in the hotel’s library suite.
Arrival
As soon as you enter the grand lobby, we were warmly welcomed to the hotel and got our first glimpse of hotels décor, and it’s not what I expected from a Doubletree. The public areas of the hotel wouldn’t look out of place at a Waldorf, with its classic luxury aesthetic – grand chandeliers, authentic 18th century ceilings and neo-baroque mouldings.
The hotel is a seriously Instagrammable property – I particularly liked the ocean blue colour palette against the marble floors but my favourite design feature were its stunning opulent staircases, from the grand central staircase leading to the rooms to the original sweeping twin staircase decorated with wrought ironwork.
Check-in was really friendly and they recognised our Hilton HHonors Gold status and although we arrived earlier than the 4pm check-in time, after a long drive down to the south coast I was so pleased to learn that our room was ready.
Another highlight of staying at a Doubletree is their warm cookie welcome, I love this little touch which makes it unique amongst the rest of the Hilton portfolio.
Rooms
The luxurious and elegant theme continues throughout the hotel, right through to the 300+ gorgeous bedrooms and suites over its seven floors, including a stunning 3 bedroom suite with sea views.
Rooms at the Doubletree by Hilton Brighton Metropole have all been updated and modernised as part of the renovation and really strike the right balance between feeling homely and super stylish.
We had the pleasure of staying in one of the hotels King Superior rooms, which was incredibly spacious, with an extremely comfortable king sized bed, cosy seating areas and table and chairs, but the rooms jewel in the crown was its private wrought iron balcony providing incredible views of the beach and coastline.
One of my favourite things to do during our stay was to relax on the balcony (we were lucky with the weather) and take in the views, it really did have that feeling of being abroad. From our balcony were the most incredible views – waking up in the morning and seeing sunrise and then sunset over the coastline was incredible.
We could see the remains of the West Pier that was destroyed in the fire and the vast i360 tower, whilst to the left were views along the seafront towards Brighton pier. Combined with comfortable seating areas, high Victorian ceilings and large windows created such a relaxing environment you find you have to coax yourself to leave the room to explore Brighton.
Rooms here have been totally transformed with soft grey walls and doors, plush carpets, mid-century style lamps, bottle green headboards and a statement wall behind the bed decked out in a stylish jungle themed wallpaper – much like the rest of the property the rooms here far exceed what you would come to expect from your typical Hilton hotel in the UK.
Our room had all the mod-cons you would expect from a new property – large flat screen TV, air conditioning, good wifi and plenty of electrical sockets with USB to charge any devices. The only thing that was missing was an in-room safe and fridge/mini bar – but we did have complementary water on check in waiting in our rooms along with a bottle of red wine.
Without the kids on this trip we travelled relatively light luggage wise, but in the main hallway of our room was a spacious wardrobe providing ample hanging space for our needs.
The spacious bathroom in our room was stunning, in-keeping with the trend of the hotel and had the most incredible natural lighting. If I could have taken the bathroom out of the hotel and dropped it into our home I would, it was so stylish!
From the geometric tiled floor to the large illuminated demisting mirror and large walk in shower, the bathroom just oozed a contemporary chic, whilst plenty of white fluffy towels and Crabtree toiletries are available, as are bathrobes and slippers.
Restaurants and Bars
Breakfast
We had breakfast each morning at the hotels main restaurant, 1890 at the Met which will arguably be one of the grandest breakfast rooms that you’ll find in any Hilton hotel in the country.
The dining room has been restored to match its impressive setting, with ornate ceilings, multi-tiered chandeliers and vast arched windows offering fabulous views of the seafront. We were lucky each morning that our table was in a prime position to enjoy the sea views as we enjoyed our breakfast.
Breakfast is buffet style, with both full English and continental choices and a chef is on hand in the open kitchen to make omelettes or any egg dish to order. There was all you would want from a breakfast here from yoghurt and cereal stations to everything you need for a full English breakfast.
Dinner
DinnerWe found that Brighton had an abundance of restaurants and cuisines to choose from, but on our first night we had already made reservations in advance for dinner at the Ivy Brighton. Much like any other of their restaurants around the country, the interiors were spectacular and our meals were excellent.
After a busy second day exploring the city we were so glad that we made a reservation at the hotels restaurant, the Metropole Bar. This brasserie style bar is an elegant yet relaxed space for evening drinks and dinner, with stylish interiors and views out over the seafront.
The mirrored bar captures your eye as you enter the room with its large white stone counter top with a huge drinks menu to choose from including local craft ales, wines and spirits to my personal favourite in Brighton, their sparkling English wine.
We had a cosy booth which was a great spot for dinner and a great way to end a busy day in Brighton. We skipped starters and went straight for mains. I chose the beef burger served with French fries whilst my husband opted for the British rib eye with chunky chips along with a side of onion rings – the mains were as good as they looked.
For dessert, we chose the Chocolate fudge brownie with Biscoff crumbs and ice cream along with their Lemon and blackberry Eton mess, both of which were amazing.
Location and things to do
If you are arriving by train, the station is just a 10 minute walk away but if you come to Brighton by car like we did it was great to know that the hotel offered private underground parking which was really convenient, it’s pricey but it’s no more than what you would pay at any other city centre car park.
Location wise, the Doubletree by Hilton Brighton Metropole is close to all that Brighton has to offer a visitor. From its seafront location on King’s Road, its yards from the beach – we walked along the promenade to Brighton Pier, checked out the Royal Pavilion and enjoyed the seaside walk down to Brighton Marina.
One of our favourite experiences was at the Brighton i360 observation tower, where we enjoyed spectacular sunset views over the Sussex coast and a giant cookie on the roof of our hotel in the spacious pod which takes you up to a height of 450ft.
I’d also recommend opting for the ticket with the offer of a sparking glass of sparkling NYETimber which was the perfect way to end the day and see Brighton from this unique vantage point.
Shopping you are spoilt for choice in Brighton – there are high street chains that you’d find in any other city here but what made Brighton stand out were the amount of independent stores to explore in the Lanes and North Laine/Kensington areas of the city.
Back at the hotel, there is a health club in its basement which includes a 14m heated pool, hot tub, steam room and sauna and if you haven’t had enough exercise exploring the city there is a decent looking gym to try out.
Overall
Would we recommend a stay at this hotel? Yes without a doubt, we really enjoyed our stay here – the Doubletree by Hilton Brighton Metropole ticked all the right boxes of what we were looking for during our visit to Brighton and we would definitely return with the kids.
Ready to book
Prices at the Doubletree by Hilton Brighton Metropole start from £107 per room for a queen guest room or a king superior room with balcony starts from £181 a night when booking direct at hilton.com as part of the Hilton Honours Advance Discount Purchase rate.
*Disclosure: This was a pr invite but all opinions are entirely my own.