New visitors to Brighton have to come to grips quickly because parking is incredibly expensive and can eat a big hole in your holiday fun budget if you’re not careful. For that reason, we always recommend you take the train if you can, but if you’re all set on driving, you might want to choose a hotel with free parking to keep your costs down.
11 top hotels in Brighton with free parking are:
- A Room With A View
- Malmaison
- The Downs Hotel
- Preston Park Hotel
- White Horse Hotel, Rottingdean
- Best Western, Princes Marine Hotel
- Courtlands Hotel
- The Old Ship Hotel
- The Lanes Hotel
- The Innkeeper’s Lodge, Patcham
- Brighton Beach Hotel
Do read on as we have to warn you that free parking is often a promotional offer from a Brighton hotel and not a permanent thing, which means you must check with the hotel (or wherever else you choose to stay) that the parking is still free when you book.
We can’t provide any warranty that what is free parking at the time of writing will remain free parking. It’s also worth noting that many hotels don’t have a parking space for every guest, so they may offer free parking, and you may still not get free parking.
If it’s essential to be able to park for free at your Brighton hotel, then we’d recommend that you contact the hotel and try to reserve a space, but, ironically, they may charge for a reserved space.
This is simply a fact of life in Britain’s busiest seaside resort city, and on Bank Holiday weekends, you may not want to drive into Brighton at all because of the huge traffic volumes that the city will see – on those weekends, it may be impossible to locate a free parking space anywhere in Brighton & Hove.
1. A Room With A View
For a bit of Boutique Luxury
Address: 41 Marine Parade, Kemptown, Brighton BN2 1PE
tel: +44 1273 682885
This small boutique hotel might be right up your alley if money’s flush. There’s no doubt that A Room With A View, which is found in Brighton’s Kemptown – the city’s most gay-friendly district, is an amazing place to stay, though.
There are only nine rooms, which means that if you want to stay, you will need to book early because they sell out fast. The property has won several “Visit England Awards” for excellence, and the rooms themselves are absolutely gorgeous.
You’ll find ultra-deluxe sleigh beds, private sofas, writing desks, etc. come as standard, and everything feels like it was designed to make you feel at home whilst still oozing the class that you want from a hotel on holiday. They don’t hold anything back.
What’s the view? Well, they offer views directly over the English Channel and are quite spectacular. You’ll be happy to know.
As for free parking? They have both on and offsite parking, and it’s all free, but it’s worth noting that they can’t guarantee a space for anyone.
Their vegetarian breakfasts are excellent and if you have any special dietary requirements, let them know in advance, and they’d be happy to cater to them. As you’d expect, they are very LGBT-friendly at A Room With A View.
2. Malmaison, Brighton
Bigger But Still a Boutique
Address: 11 Mermaid Walk, Brighton Marina, Brighton BN2 5WA
tel: +44 1273 041482
Brighton Marina is not every local’s favourite place to be probably because it’s a bit brash and very commercial, but many visitors love the place, and it’s fair to say that what was once a quiet part of town is now packed with shops, bars, restaurants and boardwalks. It’s also home to Malmaison.
Malmaison is a distinctly bigger affair than A Room With A View, and one nice thing about this location is that if you don’t bring your car, there’s an excellent bus service to and from the door. They won’t let you park at the hotel if you bring your car, but they offer free passes to the multi-storey car park nearby.
Malmaison was given a makeover recently, and the harbour-facing terraced decks are the perfect place for a nice bite to eat in the summer or for a casual drink all year round. The hotel staff is great for making suggestions on where to go and what to see in the city, which is very much appreciated if you’re new in town.
The rooms are a little on the small side, but that’s partly because they have huge beds. The quality of the linen is excellent, and the Lavazza coffee makers are always a welcome sight to our sore eyes. The onsite Chez Mal Brasserie is perfectly acceptable though the prices are on the hefty side, and you can get better value elsewhere in the city.
3. The Downs Hotel
For a Peaceful Sleep On The South Downs
Address: Warren Rd, Brighton BN2 6BB
tel: +44 1273 390860
The Downs Hotel is a bit farther from the centre of Brighton than you might want to stay. Though one big advantage of the location is that it’s a very dog-friendly hotel, and if you want to bring a canine chum with you – there are some fantastic grounds that your pet can run around in and work off any excess energy it may have.
The rooms are a bit more basic than the first two hotels on our list, but that’s to be expected. This is a family-run business and not the sort of place designed to help you spend your entire holiday fund on a room.
We like the fact that it’s in a pub, which means that at the end of a day’s sightseeing and having fun in Brighton – you can relax over a drink and then walk to your bedroom. They also have a 60-seater restaurant on site which is often very busy, so you might want to book if you want to enjoy an evening meal there.
Best of all, it’s in Woodingdean, a small village on the South Downs, and you can get fantastic views of the Sussex countryside from your bedroom window. Also, if you’re thinking of walking the South Downs Way, this can be the perfect place to start.
4. Preston Park Hotel
Handle With Care
Address: 216 Preston Rd, Brighton BN1 6UU
tel: +44 1273 507853
The Preston Park Hotel, as you might expect from the name, is just a stone’s throw from Preston Park, Brighton’s biggest park, and it’s only about a 10-minute walk from the seafront. If you don’t fancy a walk, they have 24-hour transport services waiting just in front of the hotel – so you won’t ever feel like you’re away from the action.
Room prices are reasonable, the rooms are pleasant enough, and all have their own private bathrooms. As you’d expect in 2020, Wi-Fi in the hotel is free and available absolutely everywhere. The biggest perk of staying at The Preston Park Hotel, however, is the free onsite parking which is available to all guests.
The breakfasts are staunchly traditional English fare, and if you have any special requirements, you should probably inform them in advance.
We have to warn you, though, that most travellers find The Preston Park hotel to represent poor value for money even with the low prices, free parking and great location. The biggest issue seems to be a lack of attention to detail and maintenance – the rooms feel old and uncared for.
5. The White Horse Hotel, Rottingdean
A Super Location
Address: High St, Rottingdean, Brighton BN2 7HR
tel: +44 1273 300301
Rottingdean is a small village just down the road from Brighton and Rudyard Kipling, the famous author, spent a lot of time there (you can see his Blue Plaque in the village as well as check out an exhibition of his work at the local museum).
The White Horse Hotel is run by Greene King Inns, and it is considered to be one of the most outstanding properties they own. It was built in the 1930s and sits perched atop striking white cliffs, which are one of the finest features of the Brighton coastline.
It’s a very pet-friendly hotel, but not all rooms accommodate pets, and if you want to take yours with you – let them know and book early. Also, thanks to this slightly more rural location, there’s plenty of free parking on-site, and you won’t need to go hunting around for a space at any time of year.
The onsite breakfasts are excellent; of course, it’s an Inn, so the bar is well-stocked and great for relaxing in. There are also meeting rooms onsite if you want to hold a corporate retreat there.
6. Best Western Princes Marine Hotel
A Chain Hotel that’s not too Shabby
Address: 153 Kingsway, Hove BN3 4GR
tel: +44 333 003 4277
The Best Western is an American chain of hotels; as you’d expect, it can feel quite corporate inside. These hotels are designed primarily with business travellers in mind, but thanks to their offer of free parking (which is only available on a first-come-first-served basis) to their guests – it can have a broader appeal.
The bar downstairs is pleasant enough, but it can’t compete with any of the excellent watering holes you can find in and around Brighton, and the food is passable but won’t be winning any awards any time soon, either.
It is right on the seafront, which is very handy, and it’s only a 2-mile walk or drive from the centre of the city. If you want to splash out, they’ve only recently opened The Penthouse, and while we wouldn’t necessarily book it for a honeymoon, it is quite posh and provides a private terrace overlooking the sea.
7. The Old Ship Hotel
Luxury With Occasional Free Parking
Address: King’s Road, Brighton BN1 1NR
tel: +44 1273 329001
The Old Ship Hotel does not always offer free parking, it seems to come and go at different times of the year. So, it’s important to check first because while they always have onsite parking – their valet parking options when it’s not free are very expensive even when compared to parking costs in the rest of the city.
It’s fair to say, though, that if you can afford to stay at The Old Ship, you’re probably not going to worry too much about the price of parking. The hotel is a genuine landmark on the seafront and is absolutely luxurious.
The rooms are all fitted with luxury effects; most provide a perfect sea view, and, of course, the hotel is only a short walk from the rest of the city. Their Mess Deck Bar is a wonderful place to grab a drink and an informal bite to eat after exploring the city, and the Wardroom is one of Brighton’s better hotel restaurants.
They are very popular during wedding season, and The Old Ship Hotel is rarely quiet even in the rest of the year – so try to book early to avoid disappointment.
8. The Lanes Hotel
Stay In The Heart Of Brighton
Address: 70-72, Marine Parade, Kemptown, Brighton BN2 1AE
tel: +44 1273 674231
It doesn’t get much more centrally situated than The Lanes Hotel, which, as the name suggests, sits in the heart of the city’s “Lanes”. That’s Lanes with a capital L. That means you’re right in the heart of the city’s best shopping and dining scene.
Their balconies allow you to see the finish line for the Vintage Car Races, London to Brighton bike ride, and the Brighton Marathon. You can also get a nice view of the Brighton Pride parade from there too.
It’s a short(ish) walk to the beach, and the lounge overlooks the sea. There are only 34 rooms on site, and they are all fully ensuite. Do they have a pleasant licensed bar on the premises but in that location? You might as well go out and enjoy the city’s watering holes for a less expensive drink.
Free parking is available, but it is street-side parking and only available if nobody else has already parked in it. So, you might need to get there early if you want to ensure you don’t pay to park.
9. Innkeeper’s Lodge
Stately & Fun
Address: Miller & Carter, London Rd, Patcham, Brighton BN1 8YQ
tel: +44 1273 552886
The Innkeeper’s Lodge is run by Miller & Carter, the Steakhouse people and has been recently renovated. The fact that they offer free parking is an excellent reason to stay at this rather stately hotel with a very reasonable price tag attached to its rooms.
They claim to have the best steaks in town, but we’re just going to say there’s a lot of competition for that title, and they are most certainly in the running for the title. They have a fantastic drinks menu in the bar there, which is appreciated at the end of a long day.
However, we’ve heard a few hotel guests haven’t been entirely happy with the level of service at The Inkeeper’s Lodge recently – you might want to keep an eye on the review online before you book.
10. The Courtlands Hotel
Great Free Parking, But, Only When You Book Direct
Address: 19-27 The Drive, Hove, Brighton BN3 3JE
tel: +44 1273 731055
The Courtlands Hotel does deal in free parking, but according to their website, you can only get this deal when you book direct – so you want to make sure that their overall price is competitive with the online directories, which often offer better pricing than going direct with a hotel, we recommend you at least check TripAdvisor.
We like the fact they offer unsecured Wi-Fi, but we wonder if that’s not a recipe for a data security disaster. However, you can’t argue with their location on a beautiful tree-lined avenue within walking distance of the beach.
It is closer to Hove centre though than Brighton centre, which may be something to bear in mind when you calculate your cost savings for not paying for parking – taxis aren’t cheap either.
11. The Brighton Beach Hotel
A Bit Past Its Best
Address: Kemptown, Brighton BN2 1PE, UK
You should be warned that The Brighton Beach Hotel is looking a little run down according to recent guests and is also happy to host stag parties, which will inevitably interfere with your sleep pattern. If that doesn’t matter too much, then you’ll be very pleased with the location.
You’ll also be happy to make use of their free parking, though it is a little limited, and you’ll want to check in advance to see if you are likely to get a space.
It’s also very cheap compared to most hotels in the area, and we think you can forgive a lot of faults in a hotel if you want to save money. It’s a 2-star hotel when all is said and done.
Conclusion
Brighton is one of the best cities in the country to spend time in, and sadly, it shows in the paucity of parking available in the city. If you want to get the best value out of your budget on a Brighton vacation, you’ll want to stay in one of our 11 hotels in Brighton with free parking. However, it’s fair to say that they’re not all of the same standards, and you should choose your hotel with care to make sure you have the best possible weekend in Brighton.
