‘Exquisite’ was the verdict of a regular reader on a belated return to this ultra-chic hotel on the resort’s Regency seafront. All the rooms are individually styled. Some are on the attic floor, there’s a good-value single, a ground-floor en suite with double monsoon wet room. ‘Bijou’ city-facing rooms have a freestanding bath and wet room. Most glamorous are the feature rooms, with a freestanding bath in the floor-to-ceiling window offering pier views – particularly glorious at dusk. But at all hours, rooms have cafetière coffee (fresh milk and espresso delivered on request), glossy magazines, still and sparkling water, complimentary branded slippers and toiletry gift packs. The sea-facing cocktail bar is open to non-residents in licensing hours – and around the clock to resident guests. In ‘the best restaurant in Brighton’, chef Andy Vitez wins high praise for his modern European dishes including pan-fried Barbary duck breast, mulled wine-poached pears, dark chocolate, confit leg bonbon; mushroom and vegetable Wellington with truffle cream sauce. Breakfast choices range from full English with handmade sausages, through free-range eggs Benedict, smoked haddock and salmon, to field mushrooms on toast. (DB)