The Oriental Brighton is another Brighton bed and breakfast that is known for its high standards of service as well as its elegant interiors. One of Brighton’s original boutique hotels, The Oriental offers sophisticated, modern interiors with traditional exterior architecture. Feeling the urge to spoil yourself and the one you’re with? The Oriental staff offers champagne, chocolates or a love box to those looking to add a special twist to their holiday. Just a few minutes walk from the beach and trendy restaurants and cafes, The Oriental is one of the best places to lay your head in Brighton.

New Steine Hotel offers both the charm and atmosphere of a boutique hotel, with the affordability of a hostel. For those on a budget, especially those traveling with a family, New Steine is just what you are looking for with rooms and rates starting at just  45 GBP. New Steine is a family-friendly hotel with modern amenities, keeping you and your family comfortable and content during your stay in Brighton. Right in the heart of the city centre, you and your guests will be sure to enjoy a plethora of activities while not having to worry about your wallet.

For the most laidback of travelers, staying in a hostel is the most convenient and budget-friendly accommodation option. Check out Seadragon Backpackers, the hostel that is owned and operated by a couple of former backpackers. Friendly service and central location make Seadragon one of the best hostels in Brighton. Whether you are looking to stay for a long weekend, or chill out for a few weeks, Seadragon is welcomes its fun-loving travelers with open arms.

If you are looking for a hotel rich in amenities, including a private beach hut and luxury-style suites, then Hotel du Vin and Bistro is the hotel for you. Situated in the historic Lanes conservation area, Hotel du Vin is right in the heart of Brighton’s most beautiful districts. The hotel is comprised of 49 bedrooms which are housed in revival and mock Tudor buildings. The bedroom’s interiors cater to clean, modern decor. Consistent with the bedrooms, Hotel du Vin’s one-of-a-kind features, including gargoyles and carved staircase, add to the stylish décor of this hotel. Hotel du Vin, as its name suggests, also boasts a wine bar which overlooks the gallery. Enjoy the best of Brighton at Hotel du Vin, it’s a hotel you and your family won’t forget.

Sit back and relax as you sip your cold drink on Barefoot Bar’s outdoor patio. Overlooking the sandy Yellowave volleyball courts and Brighton Beach, Barefoot Bar is one of the most popular seaside bars in Brighton. Enjoy lunch on Barefoot’s patio and then head over to their Yellowave sand volleyball courts for an afternoon of sun and sport. Barefoot Bar’s menu offers summertime food favorites including a smoky BLT, corn on the cob as well as salmon and red pepper kebab. Not only can you enjoy beachside sports at Barefoot Bar, but once a month, Barefoot offers live music and BBQ to its beach-loving patrons. Join in on the fun in the sun at Yellowave and Barefoot Bar, your afternoon will be nothing short of fantastic!

Brighton is known for its extensive amount of vegetarian restaurants. For almost two decades, Terre a Terre has established itself as one of Brighton’s premiere vegetarian restaurants. The veggie-friendly and almost entirely gluten-free menu (drinks, too!) boasts not only the healthiest of dishes, but also affordable food. Some menu highlights include creative concoctions such as Lettuce and Loveage, British pea and parsley pikelets with St. Germain sauce, as well as starters like Idil Pom, steamed Idil served with hot chili tamarind tomatoes and curry leaf and mustard seed coconut chutney. Whether you are vegetarian or just in the mood for uncommon cuisine, Terre a Terre satisfies your most colorful culinary needs.

Italian cuisine is at its best at Al Duomo. Located next to the historic Lanes, Al Dumo offers its guests traditional Italian al fresco dining as well as five floors of indoor dining with separate dining and drinking areas. Formal and rustic dining rooms, outdoor terraces and large banquets halls make up Al Duomo’s large, stylish interiors. Al Duomo has been one of Brighton’s top Italian restaurants thanks to its long established reputation for serving only the best Italian food and its intimate, hospitable staff. Taste a little bit of Italy in the heart of Brighton at Al Duomo.

With its homey atmosphere and feel good Italian cuisine, Pinocchio is a favorite restaurant among Brighton locals and travelers. Stop in for a slice of pizza or sit down for a big fat bowl of spaghetti. Try out Pinocchio’s three course menu, serving your choice of a starter with pizza or pasta entree and your choice of dessert. Get all of the traditional Italian goodness without all the pomp and circumstance at Pinocchio’s. A great place for the family or just to linger through the afternoon with nothing but a good book and glass of chianti, be sure to take in all Pinochhio’s has to offer.

Images via Prlog.org, Barefoot Bar, Veggie Places, Al Duomo and igougo.com

The Royal Pavilion is one of the most majestic attractions in Brighton. Built in the 19^th century for the Prince Regent (George IV), the seaside palace is now a place where tourists can enjoy the Oriental style architecture and lavishly restored rooms. Some of the Palace highlights include The Banqueting Room and The Music Room. The Banqueting Room will overtake you with its crystal chandeliers and silver gilt. Keeping with its Asian influence, the wall canvases and canopies are decorated to depict Chinese domestic scenes. Enter the fully restored Music Room and see just how deep King George IV’s love of music ran. Lotus-shaped chandeliers, red and gold canvases supported by painted dragons and windows dressed with opulent blue silk-satin draperies supported by carved flying dragons are just the beginning when you enter The Music Room.  The magnificent gilded domed ceiling is made up of hundreds of plaster cockleshells creating an illusion of height. Get a taste for 19th century royal life when you stop by the Royal Pavilion Tearoom. Overlooking the Royal Pavilion Gardens, the Tearoom is the perfect place to take a break and enjoy afternoon tea unlike any other.

Connected to the Royal Pavilion and located in Pavilion Gardens, the Brighton Dome is Brighton’s premiere entertainment venues. Consisting of the Concert Hall, Corn Exchange and the Pavilion Theatre, Brighton Dome is the place to see just about every major performing art show you can think of. The Indo-Saracenic style glass dome, covering the main hall, has featured such legendary music acts like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and even staged ABBA during the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974. While planning your trip to Brighton, be sure to book tickets for one of the many shows at the Brighton Dome.

If the roller coasters on Brighton Pier aren’t enough to satisfy your thirst for an adrenaline rush, then consider paragliding over Brighton’s seashore. Airworks Paragliding and Paramotor Centre offers paragliding to those ages 12 to 100+. Located in South Downs between Eastbourne and Brighton, Airworks has the best instructors and equipment to get a bird’s-eye-view of Brighton and the its dazzling sea shores. Flight training and tandem flights are offered to those of all experience levels. Skipper Steve Purdie, a former BHPA Competitions Panel safety officer, British Champion and British Bleriot Cup Team Captain will keep you in the best of hands while flying free in the bright, open air!

Images via Flickr, DailyMail and newsimg.bbc.co.uk

Opened in 2005, Audio is a leading venue for international club and music culture in Brighton. Make your way down to the basement where your ears will be infiltrated with the sounds of indie, hip-hop, dubsteb, electro and house music. Audio offers an intimate setting where you can enjoy the talent of acts like The xx, Lily Allen and Hot Chip. In just a short time, Audio has earned a reputation as “a genuine clubber’s club,” making it the place to see and be seen for those in need of a sublime music fix.

In need of a break from all the throbbing beats and incessant laser lighting? Before Brighton was known for its new age nightclubs and music venues, bars and pubs like The Lord Leconfield Arms were rulers of Brighton nightlife. A local favorite, Leconfield is better known for its selection of beers and ales rather than events, but still offers screen sports matches, pool and darts and occasionally hosts various live music events. Stop by Leconfield for a quick drink or an all-night bender. The atmosphere is always warm and friendly and a great place to get a feel for pre-club invasion Brighton.

The Exchange is a venue/pub located in the heart of Hove. Head over to The Exchange and catch the latest football match or live it up during the weekend with the featured musical guest. During the week, take in the mellow atmosphere where you will find locals enjoying a pint or two. Serving up 5 star quality Thai food at pub food prices, The Exchange has an extensive Thai menu featuring Thai style BBQ during the summer, as well as perfect end-of-the-weekend Sunday roasts. Unwind at Exchange’s outdoor beer garden year round, where the log fire and built-in AC unit will keep you nice and comfortable on a chilly night or sunny summer days. Make sure to stop by The Exchange for a traditional English pub experience during your stay in Brighton.

Images via Flickr, Brighton Life, Drink in Brighton and Real Brighton

Most of the workshops are kid-oriented in design, however several of the activities are created with family interaction in mind. The sunrise and sunset tours and walks allow visitors to not only get a better sense of the history of Brighton, but are also informal walking tours of the town. Best of all, practically all of the events are free, with the exception of the “What A Wonderful World” interactive show and the Grand Hotel Mini Mile – a mile-long race for ages 8-17 that runs in conjunction with the Brighton Marathon and passes by some of the most iconic structures in town, such as the Grand Hotel and the West Pier. Many of the events are drop-in, but because of the popularity of the festival, it’s best to book spots in advance.

[photo courtesy of jem]