Drakes

Indulge in a Pornstar Martini in the sea-facing cocktail bar at this stuccoed, bow-fronted Georgian seafront hotel, for this is Brighton, after all – hip, tolerant and fun. Occupying two adjoining town houses, it counts among its glamorous past guests Sophie Dahl, Cate Blanchett and Kylie Minogue. Whether it’s a city-facing attic hideaway with freestanding bath and wet room, or a feature room overlooking the Palace Pier with a roll-top bath under a floor-to-ceiling window, a super-king bed, chaise longue and monsoon-shower bathroom, the accommodation here is confident, chic and surprisingly affordable. At Amarillo, in the light and airy basement, Ian Swainson, who held a Michelin star at the Samling in Cumbria, creates six-course tasting menus for omnivores and vegetarians, with tempting accents of Spain. Dishes might include raw and pan-fried langoustine with heritage tomato and tarragon; venison tartare with jalapeño sauce and smoked pine oil; or spookily black cuttlefish with squid-ink rice and squid cracker. In the morning, pop down for a full English breakfast before browsing the boutiques in the Lanes.