Kemp Townhouse

Press Reviews

The Observer, August 2010
"Once a derelict B&B, this Grade II-listed Victorian townhouse, just off the sea front, was transformed into Brighton's most sophisticated hotel in 2008. It has nine individually decorated rooms; pick of the bunch is Fabulous Four Poster, with its bay window with sea views, free standing bath and enormous mahogany four poster bed. Chef-cooked breakfasts (full English, pancakes and pastries) and afternoon tea are served in the dining room, with its floor-to-ceiling windows and original fireplace."

Conde Nast Traveller (UK), July 2010
"The boutique Kemp Townhouse has been a big success story, not least for its attention to detail. It has beautiful breakfasts, restful, shuttered rooms and a fine location within sight of the seafront. Book the largest room category you can (as some are on the snug side) and do it well in advance."

Condé Nast Traveller (UK), December 2008:
"Kemp Townhouse is a small but sophisticated B&B in a white-painted, 19th-century terraced house, on a quiet street off Kemp Town seafront... The formerly down-at-heel B&B has been totally transformed. The cleverest changes are unseen: plumbing that makes for high-pressure, instantly hot showers, and sound-proofing that masks the noise of other guests, blissfully.

Breakfast is served until 11am at weekends in a blue, high-ceilinged dining room furnished with leatherette banquettes and cashmere-covered chairs. I had eggs Florentine (there are also eggs Benedict, pancakes, patisserie and a full English), accompanied by the 'smoothie of the day'...

All nine bedrooms, from the very compact 'Snug Double' to the spacious 'Fabulous Four Poster', have dreamy mattresses and a simple, shades-of-grey colour scheme accented with splashes of turquoise and silver accessories. While not exactly groundbreaking, the look is expensively elegant."

Food and Travel Magazine, October 2008:
"Head to this boutique hotel for a romantic weekend by the sea or a trendy break in fashionable Brighton. The nine rooms are all decked out with stylish furniture and antiques. Splashes of deep greys and blues, ornate frames and striking sailing photographs help create an elegant yet modern seaside theme. Seashells on the bedside tables and bathrooms with classic white retro tiles complete the picture. Enjoy delicious pancakes or eggs Benedict at breakfast and stop for a chat with your welcoming hosts who will give you some great local tips. Just a stone's throw from the pier, the hotel is perfectly located for a spot of shopping in the Lanes or a fish and chip lunch on the beach."

Coast Magazine, October 2008:
"Recently awarded a five-star rating from VisitBritain, this new boutique hotel in an old Victorian townhouse is in the trendy Kemp Town district. Contemporary and cool with a slice of elegance, it's close enough to the popular Lanes and the Pavilion, but tucked away so you feel far from the throng. It's stylish and sophisticated throughout. The mattresses are Vi-sprung, incredibly comfortable, and the rooms are packed with designer furniture and fittings."

The Independent, August 2008:
"A classic addition to Brighton's hotels... East of the city centre, [Kemp Town] is home to some of the city's finest Georgian architecture as well as some off-the-beaten-track bars, cafes and boutiques... The décor adheres to the boutique rule-book of neutral hues... restful rather than lacklustre. The furniture was chosen by Claas and Russell, so you might find an antique mahogany dresser in one room, or a strikingly modern four-poster in another. Silver and glass pots and beaten silver trays were sourced on trips to Marrakech, whilst some of the artworks are family heirlooms.

Breakfast was a highlight, too. Floor-to-ceiling bow windows flooded the teal-painted room with summer sunshine whilst guests convened and pored over the weekend papers. A table laid with fresh pastries, juice, mueslis and muffins was supplemented by top-notch cooked-to-order eggs, pancakes and English breakfasts."

Guest Reviews

Reviews are only from people who have stayed there and booked through i-escape.

• “Great value for money. Truly excellent breakfasts and service. Unfortunately we needed to leave early and the staff couldnt have been more gracious about this, and also waved the cancellation charges which the conditions entailed. We will definitely return and have already recommended strongly to friends.”
  Guy, United Kingdom (08.05.12)

• “The food and welcome were excellent. We had a snug double which was exactly what it said on the tin, really nicely decorated. The bathroom was really nice, but the walls were not very thick, and our room looked out onto the back of other houses. Still the breakfast was excellent, and we felt very comfortable. If we come back to Brighton to stay we would definitely think about here, and would recommend it to others.”
  Kathryn, United Kingdom (27.01.12)

• “Great contemporary design with all the comforts of home. Great location and a definite return haunt.”
  Raquel, United Kingdom (18.12.11)

• “Rooms were a bit too warm with even the windows open.”
  Vanessa, United Kingdom (06.11.11)

• “The breakfast room was lovely. Tastefully restored and very welcoming.
  Klaus and the staff were all friendly and helpful.”
  brian, United Kingdom (04.09.11)

• “Lovely townhouse where Lee and the team make you feel right at home.”
  Caroline, New Zealand (04.07.11)

• “The food and service was wonderful, this really is a charming B&B. We were in the snug double though, which was absolutely tiny. The room and bathroom were minute. If I visited again, I would book one of the larger rooms.”
  Tanveer, United Kingdom (12.06.11)

• “Impeccable premise and service. Only gripe was the size of the wet room in 102. No bigger than a wardrobe and if any bigger than a size 10 struggle to sit on the loo!”
  Jane, United Kingdom (30.05.11)

• “We had a really good stay, but would say the room we had was over the kitchen so a little noisy but at least we got up on time then! We took the cosy room and it is definitely small but still very well kitted out, and love the wet room style bathroom and all the small touches the owners have put into the rooms. Also there are pigeon issues at the back of the neighbouring buildings and as I am a light sleeper things like that wake me in the morning! Could recommend Drakes for food and Indian Summer in town also as well as Brighton Rocks bar nearby for drinks or snacks.”
  alexandra, United Kingdom (06.03.11)

• “Very cosy Hotel tasty decorated, very friendly service, exellent breakfast but the double beds in the cosy double room was definitely to small for 2!!”
  Martina, Austria (14.08.10)

• “Stayed in the snug double, which we were apprehensive would be very small. It turned out to be so beautifully and thoughtfully decorated that it just felt gorgeously cosy and I'd have loved to stay another couple of nights. We actually had the option to upgrade to a kingsize but stuck with our cosy little room. Fantastic service: thoughtful touches like breakfast served at a sensible time (until 10am) and check out not until midday. Claas made us very welcome and overall I'd highly recommend Kemp Townhouse- would love to have stayed longer, loved it! (We were lucky with the weather too... hottest weekend of the year)”
  Clare, United Kingdom (26.06.10)

• “Very cool room with bathtub as centre piece. Great for romantic getaways. The breakfast was fantastic too.”
  stephanie, Hong Kong (18.07.09)