The best budget hotels in Brighton, from Victorian villas to trendy townhouses

Spread over two early-19th-century townhouses in Kemp Town is this charmingly quirky and informal b&b, which was one of the first vegetarian-friendly hotels in the city. Though now catering for all tastes, vegetarians still favour Paskins, reassured that little has changed since its inception back in the Nineties – think homemade veggie sausages and fritters. Rooms are generally small in size, and many feature Art Deco wallpaper, 1920s junk shop finds, and period furniture. The result is a cosy individual look nicely offset by ultra-modern shower rooms. The basement breakfast room and sitting area has a display of Art Deco teapots and posters.

An enviable seaside bolthole moments from the beach, buzzy seafront bars and the Royal Pavilion. Nineteen is an arbiter of the new millennial-style b&b: note cool-white halls which display an eclectic collection of modern art, several from acclaimed Brighton artists. Rooms have a contemporary feel with pops of seaside colour and the odd mid-century modern pick. Owners Dan and Liam (plus gorgeous Gracie the dog) are affable hosts who welcome all guests with a glass of prosecco. Dan is more than happy to recommend his favourite restaurants and bars for dinner or drinks, while Liam is a gin connoisseur and in charge of the lower ground-floor Gin Den, which doubles as the breakfast room.

This whitewashed Victorian villa, steps from Kemp Town’s kooky pubs, antiques markets, hip cafés and beach, is the epitome of seaside chic. Inside, it’s all cool, clean lines, beach-themed prints and candy striped carpets which bring a fresh and contemporary boost to the traditional b&b blueprint. Downstairs, the modern breakfast room has a fun vibe with feature wall, lime-green banquettes and yet more Brighton-themed artwork. The 10 rooms of varying sizes range from compact singles to an airy suite with a double balcony and a spacious lounge. All rooms are decorated with a clean contemporary palette and bright and voguish feature walls, sisal carpets and plump velvet cushions.

New Steine Hotel spans two townhouses and has the feel of a charming French guesthouse, with quirkily old fashioned décor that has a slight Seventies feel to it. Walls are adorned with framed Sixties pop posters and prints by local artists, and regular exhibitions are staged in the adjoining bistro, which serves decently priced French-inspired food and has an excellent selection of wines. The 20 bedrooms aren’t enormous, though there is a sizeable basement suite with its own patio. Owner Herve Guyat heads up a friendly staff and has some great suggestions for where to eat and what to see – helpful guidebooks are also left in the rooms.

Behind the staid door of this imposing double-fronted Victorian villa is a cavern of funky retro and vintage delights. Expect reclaimed fairground signs, huge papier-mâché heads and more classic gig posters than you can shake a rhythm stick at. There are eight rooms, including two attic suites. Doubles are fairly spacious and all individually styled with reclaimed treats from flying ducks and old tin Tizer signs to classic Seventies wallpaper, kitsch canvases and Robin Day recliners. All have modern en-suite bathrooms of varying sizes, with walk-in showers and BeeKind eco-friendly products. Rooms are also equipped with televisions and DAB radios, plus well-stocked tea trays with biscuits and Snooze-branded sticks of Brighton rock.

This tall, slate-grey Georgian townhouse, on the fringes of Kemp Town, was built around the same time as the Royal Pavilion. While it’s not quite as bonkers as the exotic seaside pleasure palace, built for George IV in the late 18th century, the plush interior mirrors the opulence favoured by the party prince with a wealth of gilt, mahogany and chinoiserie. But rather than being chintzy, it’s remarkably well thought out and melds period elegance with a modern palette, all with no expense spared. The five rooms have quirky feature wallpaper, brass-knobbed beds and highly covetable antique knick-knacks, plus a glass dome-topped cake stand with Viennese whirls and a complimentary decanter of sherry.

This is one of Kemp Town’s more established b&bs: a lemon-hued Victorian townhouse just moments from the beach and a short stroll from North Laine and the Royal Pavilion. Inside it’s all high corniced ceilings and ornate Victorian detailing mixed with contemporary exposed brick features and a smattering of trendy artwork by Brighton artists. There are 10 guest rooms altogether, spread across four floors. All are individually decorated in a bright, breezy style: think candy-striped or characterful feature walls, fresh flowers and crisp white linens. Breakfast at the Cavalaire is a big deal and has won awards. It’s served in the sun-flooded dining room on the ground floor and includes dishes such as freshly flipped pancakes and smoked salmon omelettes.

Guest and the City is a tiny but smart b&b tucked away in a narrow Kemp Town side street. Its seven rooms offer compact accommodation with a contemporary and uncluttered décor. The top options are the two rooms with leaded light murals depicting seaside images of Brighton. Behind these are fenestrated balconettes where you can relax over a drink without getting cold, and gaze across the Brighton Wheel. Breakfast is served in a sunny front room furnished with bar stools and white leather-style banquettes. Place your cooked order the night before, then help yourself to cereal, a top-notch range of fresh fruit and yogurt before tucking into well-executed cooked options.

One of the city’s more affordable guest house options. Strawberry Fields spans two Victorian townhouses in Kemp Town and its décor mixes cheery strawberry images with motifs from Beatles songs. Attractive dove-grey panelling in both lobby and rooms offsets the fruity theme. Highly affordable attic rooms share a bathroom, while one sea-view double has a gorgeous strawberry-coloured chaise longue by the window for peachy views of the waves. With the sea just two minutes away and Brighton’s main attractions easily accessible, this hotel is well-placed for weekenders.