Often dubbed ‘London by the sea’, Brighton is England’s much-loved hedonistic seaside city. Nestled on a South Coast shingle beach and backed by amusement arcades and grand Regency-era buildings, Brighton has always danced to its own beat—and that’s something I’ve always admired!
One of the things I love most is how it’s packed with so many gorgeous and unique boutique hotels, especially the kind you’d never find anywhere else. I’d long had my eye on one retro hotel in Brighton’s lively Kemptown district that stood out among the coolest places to stay in the city—Snooze Guest House, known for its bold design and pop-culture charm.
I’d always wanted to check out this Brighton boutique hotel with themed rooms, often voted England’s funkiest B&B. So, our videographer Gary Nunn and I took the short trip from London, eager to soak up the salty sea breeze and dive into a fun weekend in Brighton—complete with retro vibes, great food, and a video full of drone shots! We also have our final thoughts on what we liked and didn’t like at the end of the review…
Watch: Our Cinematic Snooze Hotel & Brighton Weekend Video with drone footage (which went viral)!
See us check out the colourful interiors, incredible themed rooms, and drone shots of Brighton’s stunning coast from above in our funky video!
Location
I really liked it’s prestigious location, Kemptown is one of the city’s “villages” which we found had its own unique vibe.
Historically known as the artists’ district, we found it was both charming and lively with an eclectic mix of envy-inducing bow-fronted Georgian townhouses, trendy interior design shops, artisan food stores, a great range of LGBT+ bars, and elegant Regency crescents.
Snooze Hotel
Why Stay at Snooze Hotel in Brighton?
I’m personally always looking for somewhere that’s a true extension of Brighton’s quirky personality, and Snooze Hotel fits that bill. With cult film references, retro design, and a laid-back vibe, it markets itself as the ideal for a fun weekend escape, romantic break, or nostalgic trip with a twist.
What Was It Like Staying at Snooze Hotel?
Snooze totally matched the area’s offbeat charm – eclectic, playful, and full of character! Housed in one of those much-envied Georgian townhouses, its elegant, pure-white exterior I loved that it gave no hint of the vibrant visual feast which waited for us just inside the door.
The first space I saw was the reception and breakfast room—an explosion of colourful kitsch. Vintage movie and music memorabilia crisscrossed the walls, bright pop art clashed (perfectly) with retro furniture, and there was even a graffiti-style mural on the ceiling. It was love at first sight – this place was pure design eye-candy!
What Are the Guest Rooms Like at the Snooze Hotel?
My suite was a spacious loft room with a raised bed adorned in leopard skin print and surrounded by brown beige walls accented with bright pop art.
From the cute Love Heart sweets and Brighton rock left out on the bedside table to the monochrome mosaic bathroom, I loved how every detail felt perfectly thought out, all with an unmistakable sixties-meets-seventies vibe. Sleeping there was like stepping onto the set of Boogie Nights or Velvet Goldmine!
The other rooms were equally as unique and splashes of colour awaited me at every turn – old lockers converted in wardrobes and retro advertisements and art embellished the bright funky walls.
All the rooms were individually decorated and we were told by the owner that they were frequently redesigned to offer visitors a new and fresh experience each time they stay.
I really admired how they took inspiration from cult films and vintage pop culture—Boogie Nights, Mad Men, Goodfellas, Quadrophenia—the list went on and on!
I even spotted a room that looked straight out of Vera Duckworth’s front room from Coronation Street, circa the 1980s, which I thought was an absolutely genius touch!
Snooze Hotel, Brighton – At a Quick Glance
- Location: Kemptown, Brighton (a 10-minute walk from Brighton Pier)
- Vibe: Eclectic, retro, fun, design-focused B&B
- Best For: Couples, design lovers, boutique hotel fans
- Accommodation: Individually themed rooms and suites inspired by cult movies, 60s/70s decor, and vintage pop culture
- Facilities: Funky breakfast room, free Wi-Fi, tea/coffee trays, locally sourced breakfast
- Top Features: Boogie Nights Suite, themed rooms, mismatched retro crockery, colourful murals, vintage memorabilia
- Parking: Street parking available (permit system – check with hotel)
- Booking Tip: Popular rooms get booked up—reserve early for themed suites
Exploring Brighton – Food, Lanes, and the Pier
The next morning, I woke up to a very tasty veggie cooked breakfast and fresh tea served in purposely mismatched crockery (vintage, of course!) and then we ventured out to explore the rest of the city.
I’ve visited Brighton many times now, and it’s a place I know I’ll never tire of. Its obvious love of the outlandish, the carnivalesque pier, the warren of alleys and stone-paved streets lined with independent boutiques and cool eateries, and that bracing salty air all combine to create a feeling of familiar welcome I’ve come to really cherish.
After a slow meander through the narrow bohemian backstreets of the North and South Laines, a vegan ice cream from Boho Gelato and a quiet moment in one of the city’s vintage tea rooms, we headed to the pier with Gary’s trusty drone in hand…
Brighton’s kitschy main pier was a true assault on the senses—in the best possible way! I loved how the air was thick with the sweet scent of burnt sugar from candy floss machines, the shrill cries of seagulls echoed overhead, and the candy-striped helter-skelter and rickety roller coasters teetered above the sea on the sturdy iron girders of the old Victorian structure.
Our evening ended with a stroll along the pebbled shore, edged by impressively turquoise waves, eventually arriving at the derelict, burnt-out West Pier just as the sun began to set.
I watched the nightly dusk ritual—the gentle babble of starlings as they circled and settled to roost on the remains of the striking, hauntingly beautiful structure. Brighton always seems to soothe my soul, and this moment was no exception…
Brighton – At a Quick Glance
- Location: South Coast of England, ~1 hour by train from London
- Famous For: Beachfront, independent shops, LGBTQ+ scene, street art
- Best Time to Visit: May–September for beach weather, but fun year-round
- My Must-Do’s: Explore the Lanes, stroll the Pier, try Boho Gelato, enjoy vintage tea rooms, and soak in the sunset at the West Pier ruins
What I Didn’t Like – for a Balanced Review!
As much as I adored Snooze’s playful personality and incredible themed rooms, there were a couple of small things I should mention. First of all, I did love the more local vibe of Kemptown, but the guesthouse was on a residential street, so it was a short walk to the beachfront, pier and also all the city centre action (although this was also a blessing)!
Also, the bold décor might in the small guesthouse not be for everyone – if you’re after calm neutrals and spa-like minimalism, Snooze’s riot of colour and kitsch might feel a little overwhelming.
Lastly, parking was via a permit system on the street, which worked fine for us, but it might be a slight hassle for anyone arriving by car during busier times.
My Final Thoughts
If you’re planning a fun break in the UK and want to stay somewhere bursting with personality, I honestly think Snooze Guest House should be top of your list. With its retro-themed rooms, vibrant Kemptown location, super-welcoming owners, and a whole lot of charm, it was easily one of the most unique places I’ve stayed in Brighton—and one I already can’t wait to return to!
My Other Favourite Unique Places to Stay in Brighton
I’ve also stayed in many of the other hotels in the city and there are a few other awesome ones to choose from, here is a short list of the rest of my nearby favourites…
- Artist Residence – I loved this stylish but relaxed boutique hotel which had very unique art-inspired rooms.
- Hotel Pelirocco – This place had awesome rock ‘n’ roll themed rooms and a cool quirky vibe.
- Hotel Una – I found this place was home to very Insta-worthy decorated self-contained apartment style rooms some with private hot tubs. I stayed in the striking and relaxing Belize Spa Room which had a seating area with a sofa and a flat-screen TV, a private sauna, a private patio space and a gorgeous whirlpool bath.
- Drakes Hotel – This was a chic hotel with gorgeous sea views and is perfect for couples in love, it made an excellent upscale boutique base for an elegant and romantic weekend away.
