4* Square Townhouse

Drakes is a stylish little seafront hotel that puts you close to Kemptown nightlife without feeling like a nightlife hotel itself. Set across two Regency townhouses on Marine Parade, it’s only a short walk from Brighton’s gay bars, Palace Pier and the Royal Pavilion. There are just 20 rooms, many overlooking the sea, and the better categories have some wonderfully Brighton touches — huge bay windows, freestanding baths and views across the beach and Pier. Rooms are air-conditioned and include free Wi-Fi, bathrobes, quality toiletries and tea and coffee facilities. Downstairs, the cocktail bar looks directly across the water, while Michelin-recommended Dilsk offers fine dining built around seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. It’s a more intimate and romantic experience than the big seafront hotels, and current guest feedback is particularly strong for service, cleanliness and location. GayMapper tip: a great option if you want Kemptown close enough for an easy night out but would rather return to cocktails and sea views than a club downstairs.

Hotel Pelirocco could really only exist in Brighton. This small independent hotel on Regency Square has 19 individually themed rooms inspired by music, pop culture and the city’s famously eccentric personality, making it a refreshing alternative to predictable chain hotels. Every room has its own character, so it’s worth looking through the options rather than simply choosing the cheapest category. There’s free Wi-Fi throughout, a lively cocktail bar, breakfast and regular music or entertainment events, and the friendly atmosphere is very much part of the appeal. The hotel sits just off the seafront opposite the i360 and old West Pier, with the Lanes, shops and central restaurants all easy to reach on foot. Brighton’s main gay scene in Kemptown is farther along the seafront, so expect a longer walk or quick taxi when heading out. GayMapper tip: choose Pelirocco if you want something fun, individual and unmistakably Brighton — this is definitely not the place for lovers of beige hotel rooms.

Leonardo Royal Brighton Waterfront is one of those hotels that gets a lot right for a Brighton weekend. It faces the beach just west of the Palace Pier, putting the Lanes, Royal Pavilion and the gay bars of Kemptown all within an easy walk. The 210 rooms are comfortable and air-conditioned, with free Wi-Fi and options including sea-view rooms and suites. One of the biggest advantages is the complimentary leisure club: there’s a heated indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room and fully equipped gym, which is particularly welcome when Brighton’s weather decides not to cooperate. Food and drinks are available in the large glass-roofed Atrium Bar and the seafront lounge, while the Lanes car park sits underneath the hotel if you’re arriving by car. GayMapper tip: a particularly good all-rounder if you want a central seafront location, proper hotel facilities and the gay scene close enough to reach easily on foot.

Legends is far more than simply a gay-friendly hotel — it’s one of Brighton’s best-known LGBTQ+ venues in its own right. Sitting directly on the Kemptown seafront, you have many of the city’s gay bars within a few minutes’ walk, while Brighton Pier and the Lanes are also close by. Rooms are modern and comfortable, with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and private bathrooms, and some categories offer excellent sea views. Downstairs, the seafront bar has a large terrace that’s busy from daytime onwards, while the Basement Club hosts DJs and late-night events. That makes Legends a particularly sociable place to stay, although it’s worth being realistic: if you’re a very light sleeper or planning a succession of early nights, having a nightclub downstairs may not be your dream arrangement. For anyone coming to Brighton specifically to enjoy the gay scene, though, very few hotels put you closer to the action. GayMapper tip: best for travellers who want to join the party rather than escape from it.

West Beach Hotel is a good option if you want to stay right on Brighton’s seafront without spending the sort of money some of the larger beachfront hotels command. It sits opposite the old West Pier and i360, with the beach literally across the road. The hotel has 52 recently updated rooms ranging from compact Economy doubles to larger sea-view rooms, family rooms and dorm-style accommodation. All rooms have private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi, while private rooms also include tea and coffee facilities. There’s a 24-hour reception and co-working space too. The Lanes, Churchill Square and central Brighton are within easy walking distance, although the main gay nightlife around Kemptown is farther east. It’s perfectly manageable by bus or taxi, but this isn’t one to book specifically for being beside the bars. GayMapper tip: a useful choice when price and the seafront matter more than being in the middle of the gay village.

Square Townhouse is a lovely option if you want the Kemptown location without staying in one of the busier nightlife hotels. Set in a handsome listed townhouse overlooking New Steine gardens, it’s just back from the seafront and only a few minutes’ walk from Brighton’s main gay bars. The hotel has just 20 individually designed rooms and suites, ranging from cosy doubles to luxurious sea-view rooms with freestanding baths. At the top end, the Bubble Suite even comes with its own rooftop terrace. The atmosphere is intimate and personal, with a stylish lounge bar, cooked-to-order breakfast and in-room wellness and beauty treatments available. Brighton Pier and the Royal Pavilion are both easily walkable, while the beach is only moments away. Guest feedback is consistently excellent, which makes this particularly appealing if you want something more polished than the typical Kemptown guesthouse without moving away from the neighbourhood. GayMapper tip: ideal for couples who want the gay scene nearby but prefer a quieter, more grown-up place to come home to.