The Old Ship Hotel
Kings Road, beside The Lanes · Hotel
View on Google MapsPhoto: The Old Ship Hotel
Brighton's oldest hotel, trading on the seafront since the sixteenth century, with 150-odd rooms and Georgian assembly rooms behind the facade.
Photos
Photos via Google
About The Old Ship Hotel
The Old Ship has been an inn on this stretch of seafront since the sixteenth century, which makes it the oldest hotel in Brighton by several hundred years. The Grade II* listed building at 32 to 38 Kings Road is largely Georgian and Victorian on the outside, but the assembly rooms added in 1767 survive inside, and the guest list over the centuries has taken in the Prince Regent, Samuel Johnson and Charles Dickens.
It is a large hotel now, with around 150 bedrooms spread through a warren of interconnected buildings, and the rooms reflect that. Standards vary between wings and refurbishment cycles, so it is worth paying up for a sea-view room at the front, where the outlook across Kings Road to the beach is the same one guests have been paying for since the Regency. Rooms at the back are quieter but plainer, and the corridors take some learning.
Public spaces are the strongest part of the hotel: the panelled lounge bar, the historic assembly rooms used for functions, and a restaurant serving straightforward British food and a proper cooked breakfast. There are ten function rooms, so weddings and conferences are a regular feature of the place.
What the Old Ship offers is central position at a price the newer seafront hotels cannot match. The Lanes begin immediately behind it, the Palace Pier is a five-minute walk east and the Royal Pavilion about eight minutes inland. It is a historic building rather than a polished one, and guests who want everything uniform will be happier elsewhere, but for location and value on the seafront it remains hard to beat.
Reception hours
- Monday
- Open 24 hours
- Tuesday
- Open 24 hours
- Wednesday
- Open 24 hours
- Thursday
- Open 24 hours
- Friday
- Open 24 hours
- Saturday
- Open 24 hours
- Sunday
- Open 24 hours
Current hours may differ from the usual schedule above (e.g. holidays) — check Google Maps for today's hours.
What guests say
I reckon I would have had a different experience had I not visited in summer. This Hotel is incredibly hot inside, we thought that the temperature would drop inside after it was cool in the evenings but nope. Repeatedly had really bad night's sleep. Couldn't even open the window to get the cooler evening air as the windows have a blocker that only let you crack them about 8cm. It feels like the owners should try and get some portable AC units so that people have some way to stay cool, as the fans just don't cut it. The breakfast was okay, nice to have a (close to) full English every morning or some croissants. The building is very old and is currently being refurbished, hopefully the new rooms will be much better when they open later this year. The shower kept randomly swapping to hot when I wanted a colder shower which was frustrating. The location of the hotel is really good, being right on the seafront, also being so close to the lanes was really good and it's only a 15 minute walk to the station. The staff are also very friendly, Lez was very helpful and informative Personally I also enjoyed the lift, I hope during the renovation they don't change it too much and keep the original fixings, maybe just a clean and some paint. I can't recommend this hotel in its current state, hopefully when the new rooms open it will be a different experience
a month ago · via Google
Highly recommend this hotel. Everyone was friendly and welcoming throughout our stay. The staff were especially impressive when they quickly rescued a baby seagull that had become trapped in some netting outside my window. A staff member carefully returned it to its nest and back to its mum, which was lovely to see. The hotel was clean, the bed was very comfortable, and the overall experience was excellent. We would happily stay here again.
a month ago · via Google
Can't recommend this hotel highly enough had a wonderful stay. Room was great. Mattress was so comfortable. Pillows were comfy. Had ceiling fan also a stand-up fan which which was greatly needed with the hot weather, the food was outstanding. So much to choose from. Cooked and continental, beautiful old building. So much character, the staff with amazing especially Sarah who took us to the cellar to find the ghosts LOL, across the road from the beach. Couldn't ask for more will 100% stay again
a month ago · via Google
Me and my son stayed here just recently the room was clean and well kept. The hotel is opposite the beach and situated next an amazing fish and chip shop. There is a convince store next to that as well. So it everything you might need is right there. The service of the staff was great nothing was a problem they are polite and friendly with it. I’d highly recommend the old ship and will stay there again if I’m in Brighton. The lift that is over a hundred years old was really cool as well. Me and my son had fun imagining the sorts of people that might have used it in the past.
2 months ago · via Google
Guests describe this hotel as having a charming, quirky, and historic vibe, along with delicious breakfast and friendly, helpful staff.
Other reviews mention the rooms can be poorly maintained and the service can be inconsistent.
Summary via Google
At a glance
- Address
- The Old Ship Hotel, 32-38 Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 1NR Get directions
- Property type
- Hotel
- Location
- Kings Road, beside The Lanes
- Star rating
- 4 star
- Guest score
- 8.0 / 10 (4,500 reviews)
- Prices from
- £89 per night
- Destination
- Brighton