Drakes Hotel Brighton is a 20-room boutique property perched on the seafront overlooking Brighton Pier. Room-only rates start at £155 per night according to the official Visit Brighton guide, making it a compact but characterful Regency townhouse escape. This article delivers verified pricing, review scores, and clear disambiguation from similarly named hotels in Chicago and Toronto.
Last checked: 2026-08-06
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Location: Seafront overlooking Brighton Pier · Rooms: 20 · Price range: From €130 per night · Style: Boutique hotel in Regency townhouses
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-08-06.
Sources reviewed: official Visit Brighton listing, Booking.com guest reviews, Trip.com ratings, Kayak metasearch data, Tripadvisor listings for The Drake Chicago and The Drake Toronto, Expedia and Travelocity sample prices, Mr & Mrs Smith policy notes.
No on-site visit, no staff interview, and no independent verification of historical claims were performed. Prices represent guide or sample rates and may vary by date and occupancy.
Drakes Hotel Brighton at a glance
- £155 per room per night (Visit Brighton)
- £395 per room per night (Visit Brighton)
- 8.5 out of 10 (Booking.com)
- 9.1/10 from 93 reviews (Trip.com)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Seafront overlooking Brighton Pier |
| Rooms | 20 boutique rooms (per hotel marketing, not independently verified) |
| Price range | From £155 to £395 per night room-only (Visit Brighton) |
| Style | Boutique hotel in Regency townhouses |
| Check-out time | 11:00 AM (hotel standard policy) |
| Nearest landmark | Brighton Pier – steps from the seafront |
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official name | Drakes Hotel Brighton |
| Address | 43–44 Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1PE, UK |
| Number of rooms | 20 |
| Room categories | Good Room, Better Room, Great Room, Marvellous Room, Best Room (per Visit Brighton) |
| Check-in / Check-out | 15:00 / 11:00 |
| Breakfast included? | No – room-only rates; breakfast available separately |
| Wi-Fi | Free |
| Group / brand | A Curious Group of Hotels |
What is Drake’s hotel known for?
Drakes Hotel Brighton is known for its intimate, Regency townhouse setting directly on the seafront with views of Brighton Pier. With only 20 rooms, it ranks among the smallest seafront hotels in the city, appealing to travellers who prefer a quieter, character-rich alternative to larger chain properties. The hotel is part of the A Curious Group of Hotels, a small collection of independent UK properties.
The building itself spans two attached Regency townhouses, giving each room a distinct layout and period charm. According to Visit Brighton, room categories range from Good Room to Best Room, with prices reflecting size and seaview orientation.
Seafront location and boutique charm
The hotel’s position on Marine Parade places it steps from the pier, the beach, and the city’s cultural quarter. Review platforms consistently praise the convenience: on Trip.com the property holds a 9.1/10 rating from 93 reviews, while Booking.com rates breakfast at 8.5.
Regency townhouse architecture
The exterior retains its original Regency-era facade, and interiors blend vintage details with contemporary furnishings. Guests often note the high ceilings and large windows that capture sea light.
The bottom line: Drakes Hotel Brighton stakes its reputation on intimacy, location, and architectural character – not on size or extensive amenities.
What is Drakes hotel called?
The official name is Drakes Hotel Brighton. It is listed at 43–44 Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1PE. The name does not include “The” – it is simply Drakes. This distinguishes it from the historic The Drake Hotel in Chicago and The Drake Hotel in Toronto, which are entirely separate businesses.
The hotel operates under the umbrella of A Curious Group of Hotels, a UK-based collection that also includes other independent properties across England.
The implication: When searching, use “Drakes Hotel Brighton” to avoid confusion with the unrelated Drake hotels in North America.
Did Princess Diana stay at The Drake Hotel?
Princess Diana had afternoon tea at The Drake Hotel in Chicago, not at Drakes Hotel Brighton. The Chicago property, a historic luxury hotel on Michigan Avenue, has served several royals over the decades. No record ties Princess Diana to the Brighton seafront property.
This question often arises because search engines conflate the two names. The Chicago hotel is often referred to as “The Drake,” while the Brighton hotel is “Drakes” without “The.”
For reference, Tripadvisor shows The Drake Chicago standard-room rates of US$198–US$581, underscoring its status as a grand, full-service hotel – a very different proposition from Drakes Hotel Brighton.
The catch: The Drake Chicago is a 535-room landmark; Drakes Brighton is a 20-room boutique – the only thing they share is a phonetic resemblance.
What movie was filmed at The Drake Hotel?
The Drake Hotel in Chicago appears in several films. Most famously, it was featured in The Blues Brothers (1980) as the location where the band performs “Think” with Aretha Franklin. Other movies that used the Chicago property include The Good Shepherd and Public Enemies.
Drakes Hotel Brighton has no known major film appearances. Its notability comes from its seafront setting and boutique profile, not Hollywood history.
The pattern: Movie trivia attaches exclusively to the Chicago Drake; Brighton’s Drakes remains a quiet coastal guesthouse with no screen credits.
What celebrities stay at the Drake Hotel?
Again, the Chicago Drake has hosted a long roster of celebrities – from Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland to modern visitors like Oprah Winfrey. Specific names for Drakes Hotel Brighton are not listed in the verified sources we reviewed. The Brighton property’s guest list is private, though its boutique size and seafront location suggest a mix of couples, weekenders, and business travellers seeking a more personal stay.
“Prices at Drakes Hotel may vary depending on your stay (e.g. dates, hotel’s policy etc.).”
— Booking.com
The trade-off: Drakes Hotel Brighton lacks A-list name‑dropping, but its low-key vibe is exactly what many boutique enthusiasts seek.
Pros and cons of Drakes Hotel Brighton
Pros
- Prime seafront location overlooking Brighton Pier
- Intimate size (20 rooms) ensures a personalised experience
- High guest ratings: 9.1/10 on Trip.com, 8.5 for breakfast on Booking.com
- Free Wi‑Fi
- Part of a curated independent hotel group (A Curious Group of Hotels)
Cons
- Room-only rates; breakfast charged separately
- No on-site parking (typical for Brighton seafront)
- Limited room inventory – books out quickly in summer and weekends
- Check-out at 11:00 AM, earlier than some larger hotels
What this means: The hotel excels for location and intimacy but may not suit travellers who want full‑service amenities or all‑inclusive dining.
Pricing: What to expect
Visit Brighton quotes guide rates of £155 to £395 per room per night room‑only. Actual live prices depend on season and booking platform:
- Trip.com lists a starting price of £122, likely for a last‑minute or weekday deal.
- KAYAK reports a lowest recent booked price of £129 and a weeknight average of £142 versus a weekend average of £177.
- January is the cheapest month (34% below peak); May is the most expensive (45% above average, per KAYAK).
The pattern: Off‑peak and mid‑week stays offer the steepest discounts; summer weekends command a premium.
Location and getting there
Drakes Hotel Brighton sits at 43–44 Marine Parade, directly on the seafront with the pier in clear view. Brighton railway station is about a 15‑minute walk or a short taxi ride. The Royal Pavilion and The Lanes shopping district are within 10 minutes on foot. For drivers, there is no dedicated parking – the nearest public car parks are along the seafront and at Brighton Marina (pay‑and‑display). Gatwick Airport is approximately 30 minutes by train from Brighton.
Our pick: Who should book Drakes Hotel Brighton?
Drakes Hotel Brighton is best suited for boutique hotel enthusiasts who prioritise location, character, and a small‑scale atmosphere over extensive facilities. It works well for couples and solo travellers on a weekend city break, and for anyone who wants to wake up steps from the pier and the sea. The hotel is less ideal for families needing multiple rooms or for guests who expect a spa, gym, or restaurant on‑site.
If you can book a mid‑week stay (especially January), you’ll get the best price – the quiet atmosphere during off‑peak months adds to the boutique appeal.
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Frequently asked questions about Drakes Hotel Brighton
How many rooms does Drakes Hotel Brighton have?
It has 20 rooms, ranging from Good Room to Best Room categories.
What is the check-out time?
Check-out is at 11:00 AM.
Does Drakes Hotel Brighton offer free Wi-Fi?
Yes, complimentary Wi-Fi is included in all rates.
What is the address?
43–44 Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1PE, UK.
What is the nearest landmark to Drakes Hotel Brighton?
Brighton Pier is immediately adjacent.
What type of hotel is Drakes Hotel Brighton?
It is a boutique hotel set in two Regency townhouses.
What is the approximate price per night?
Guide rates run from £155 to £395 per night, room-only.