Hotel Review: The New Madeira, Brighton

This spacious hotel is wonderfully located right on the seafront almost opposite the pier, giving guests easy access to Brighton's famously labyrinthine lanes. It's nice and quiet for those who want a good night's sleep but also boasts a bar and neighbouring nightclub for more raucous visitors. So far, so good.

My three friends and I were greeted by a friendly receptionist who asked if we'd been out in Brighton before. When we said no, she gave us a map of the area after labelling it with shopping and nightlife hotspots.

We'd booked a quadruple room for £160 for night including breakfast, but were given the key to two twin rooms adjoined by a door. Well, actually, it was one twin room and one oblong, corridor-shaped space with two beds shoved top-to-tail along the wall. The bathroom was clean but tatty and an unpleasant musty smell pervaded throughout.

After Googling the hotel again and confirming that the rooms photographed on the website were far more attractive than ours, we phoned down to reception and complained. Again, the service was exemplary - within five minutes another member of staff knocked on the door and showed us to a very spacious quadruple room with sea views.

Appeased, we headed out to explore, returning a few hours later with a bottle of wine. Realising we had no corkscrew, I took it down to the bar where the tender was happy to open it for me and even offered to lend me some glasses.

After a late night on the town, we awoke the next morning feeling fragile and headed downstairs for breakfast. Ordering four fry-ups - three meat, one vegetarian - we helped ourselves to tea, coffee and juice. Cereal and yogurt were also available.

I really can't praise the breakfast enough. Sussex sausages, back bacon, crispy hash brown, baked beans, mushroom, fried egg and toast, all cooked perfectly and piping hot. Delicious!

I'd describe the New Madeira as an unpolished diamond. The tiny lift only holds two people and some of the rooms aren't great. But the location, service and food are fantastic and our second room was lovely.

I'd definitely recommend this hotel - in fact, we're alraedy planning our next stay.

The New Madeira Hotel
19-23 Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1TL
01273-698331
info@newmadeirahotel.com
www.newmadeirahotel.com