More about Drakes
Not the best hotel in the world but definitly worth a visit
by TripAdvisor Member Schmaltzy
My boyfriend and I stayed in one of the smallest rooms available as this was all that was available at such short notice.
I found the staff to be very pleasant and helpful.
I don't think there was a lot of storage space but it was ideal for us as we were only staying one night.
The room was small but an adequate size for such a short stay. The view was great.
The restaurant is supposed to be great but there was nothing that we fancied on the menu as most of it was very over the top. Room service doesn't run very late.
The room was well decorated and the bathroom was a good design.
The room was fairly clean.
It's not the best hotel in the world but I certainly recommend it if you are in Brighton.
exhibitionism in great surroundings
by A TripAdvisor Member
Utterly sexy. I booked one of the two 'circular rooms' for my boyfriend's birthday and it did not disappoint. Gorgeously designed place, lovely staff, CD player in the room so you can bring your own sounds, fantastic bed, sexy wet-room style bathroom. Drank champagne in the giant bath placed in the window overlooking the sea: top deck bus passengers got an eyeful but hey, we were celebrating.
Great bed, great views, great for exhibitionists
by TripAdvisor Member jvs2711
Stayed at Drakes during the Labour Party Conference. It is a charming bow-fronted hotel on the sea front, about ten minutes' walk from the town centre. I had one of the feature rooms on the first floor, with a bath on a plinth in the window. Fabulous walking into the room - definitely not a disappointment. Large flat screen TV, masses of comfy pillows, a nice wetroom with glass shelving, and an electrically operated curtain across the clothes hanging space.
As with most designer hotels, sometimes the design works a bit too hard for comfort. Closing the shutters (essential as no curtains) was difficult as the furniture and bath in front of them made it difficult. The plumbing in the wetroom left a little to be desired (the loo was very sluggish).
The staff were excellent and made me the best hot lemon drinks ever when I came down with a cold. There is limited parking on the forecourt (four cars). The restaurant must be good, judging by the good quality of the room service. Nice porridge with maple syrup!
Would go again.
Still got the bruises
by TripAdvisor Member Sinbaddylad
From reading other people's reviews, my girlfriend and I thought we where in for a real treat. We walked into the lovely bar/reception area and Amanda was lovely and greeted us well and helped us with parking. The room had a real "wow" factor when we where shown to it, with a wet-room, the worlds most comfortable bed/pillows/duvet and a double-bath in our room.
Then we realised, that actually the room is far too tiny. This was our second night in Brighton, so we had several bags but nowhere to store them, the bed was huge but we musy have knocked our shins on the wooden plinth several times, and the bruises are still there, the wet-room was a little odd, as the water from the shower really soaked the shower-room AND the bedroom floor. The additional pillows and bed-covers had to be stored in the bath, which meant no bath for us...
To top it all off, we didn't get any sleep whatsoever as the kitchen extractor "wasn't switched off". The hotel apologised and gave us a discount, but it really did take the gloss off our stay.
I would also suggest some aircon in the bar area, after a couple of drinks, our clothes where really smelly. A big thumbs down I'm afraid. But we would recommend the "(no name)" restaurant around the corner, and the free parking on the main road opposite the hotel, until 9am.
The Sexiest Hotel Room Ever!!
by TripAdvisor Member joellebo
My husband and I stayed at this hotel last night. We could have stayed forever!
The staff were the most professional, gorgeous, and friendly ever.
I booked the room a couple of days ago and secured my booking for 'The Feature Room', which is the room on the opening pages of their website.
I spoke with Sally at Drakes, who couldn't help enough. The trip was to celebrate my husband's 40th Birthday and she offered an array of fabulous room ideas to make it really special. I opted for beer and wine in the room and sure enough it was all taken care of. Sally ended the phone call saying she would be at the hotel to personally greet us on our arrival, which was such a nice touch.
The hotel is AMAZING! The bar/reception area was smaller than I envisaged but cosy and buzzing and we were greeted by huge smiles (rather like meeting old friends) which was so welcoming.
Words cannot describe the room! It is UNREAL!! We have stayed at The Sanderson, The Met, Myhotel and The Lennox but this really is something else. Hotel rooms never live up to your expectations but this room just blew everything away. This room had the most beautiful furniture, the softest bed ever and it was HUGE!! It was also spotless, which made us feel like we were the first couple to ever stay in this room. The view out of the huge windows will never fade, it was just too beautiful. There was also a large balcony and even in December you could stand outside on its south facing suntrap and drink coffee in your complimenary dressing gown and slippers!
The bath in the window was just so luxurious. We had no problems shutting the shutters, the plumbing was superb (unlike other reviews!).
I think you may realise now that we LOVED IT!!
So much other stuff to gush about like Sally organising us supper at Blanch House (which was amazing too!) as Drake's restaurant menu was a little too gamey for us.
All I can say is if you want the ultimate in hotel rooms and some special time alone, you MUST stay in this hotel and get this room!
THANK YOU SALLY! WE WILL BE BACK VERY SOON!
Wow factor
by A TripAdvisor Member
Supposed to stay at the Hotel Du Vin but was really put off by reviews on this website and my interactions with their staff. So I cancelled and booked the Drakes instead. Glad I did. Interesting that Hotel Du Vin were charging the highest possible rate for Boxing Day, whilst Drakes charged the lowest in their range. Drakes was still more expensive but certainly worth it!!!
Stayed in room 201 (Circular sea-facing) with my wife and 22 month daughter. More than enough space for the 3 of us. Fantastic room with amazing views to the sea, best enjoyed from the gorgeous bath, soaking in White Company products. Cot seemed brand new and already in the room waiting for us. Staff provided a phone so we could listen out for our daughter whilst in the restaurant. Food was gorgeous and lots of nice extra touches (maybe due to Christmas?). Agree with other review that menu is a bit meaty (no veg main course) but you could have an excellent wild mushroom risotto starter as a main. Breakfast very pleasant.
Also had a massage in the room, hotel gave a late checkout to accomodate this.
Really fantastic and friendly staff, truly amazing room and view, most comfortable bed ever, fun wet-room, and THAT bath ! ! ! Food wonderful. As you can tell we really, really loved our night there !
Only negative would be the other guests - considering they were all staying in a wonderful hotel around Christmas you would have expected them to be a more cheery bunch.
A class act
by TripAdvisor Member fabricoffolly
We spent one night at Drakes between Christmas and New Year and loved it. The staff were friendly and the room was beautifully done. The sunken bathroom (with lights that automaticaly come on when you enter) was a particularly nice feature. The bed was very comfortable, as was the oversize bath. We ate breakfast in the hotel's restaurant (Gingerman's) which cost £12.50 each on top of the room but was very good. All in all, a great base from which to explore Brighton.
You won't want to get out of the snuggletastic bed!
by TripAdvisor Member Rachel6
The beds are amazing! You can snuggle down for hours after all the fresh, sea air. Centrally located, Drakes is a comfortable, modern and friendly hotel. Food in the Gingerman restaurant is superb, the staff take great pride in the hotel and restaurant. It's £25 for 2 courses or £30 for 3 and the wine is very reasonable.
We stayed in the cheaper room with no view whatsoever but it didn't matter as it was so nice and comfortable. The wet room is fab too! Lots of white company goodies. I went with my boyfriend for one night on new years day and we came back to London fully recharged. Will definitely be going back!
Totally Fantastic
by A TripAdvisor Member
We have stayed in Brighton numerous times and this is by far the best hotel. The staff are all ultra efficient and attentive.
The room was amazing and the added extras like slippers and bathrobes were the icing on the cake.
With only 20 rooms you need to book well in advance to aviod disappointment but i would whole heartedly recommend this hotel to anyone who wants to be spolit.
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