Brighton Harbour Hotel & Spa, Brighton, East Sussex

We love being able to step out of our room and cross the road to Brighton beach before the masses descend, especially on sunny days.

The hotel is right on Brighton seafront, next to the quirky shops and bars of The Lanes, and a short walk from the city centre and Royal Pavilion.
By car: Brighton is around 2 hours' drive from London and 45 minutes from Gatwick Airport. There is a private NCP car park 5 minutes' walk away, which costs £18 per day for guests.
By train: London Bridge and London Victoria to Brighton takes around 1 hour. The station is a 15-minute walk or 5-minute taxi from the hotel. thetrainline.com
By coach: Coaches run everyday from London, once an hour. A stop-off point is located 10 minutes' walk from the hotel.

The hotel is popular with young couples on a cheeky seaside break, and mothers and daughters or girlfriends looking for a spa break - with prosecco on tap and nightlife round the corner. We love the sailor-style tattoo wallpaper in the Harby's Bar and Diner, and light features including 'Lick Me' on a vintage ice lolly sign and a fairground carousel horse on the bar.

The relaxation room, hidden on the lowest level of the spa, features a gorgeous bronze statue of a young woman relaxing on a deckchair.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Terrace
• Beachfront hotel
• Spa and gym
• Swimming pool

The five Seaview Corner Suites are our favourites. They have roll-top baths and a raised seating platform in the bay window where you can enjoy 180-degree views of the seafront. We loved watching the sun set and starlings form and then disperse from the lounge seats in our bedroom window.

Cosy Single, Cosy Double, Inland Double, Seaview Glimpse Double, Superior Seaview Double, Deluxe Seaview Double, Seaview Corner Suite
Facilities include: ensuite with waterfall shower, The White Company toiletries, complimentary gin and sherry, Nespresso coffee machine, Free Wi-Fi, kettle, TV, DVD Player, hairdryer

Kids (big and small) will enjoy the 'Fun Fair Favourites' afternoon tea, with mini fish finger sandwiches and cotton candy on a stick. We love the Chip Shop Classics feasting tray, with haddock and chips as well as scampi, tempura prawns and a saveloy - all essential on a seaside break!

Harby's Bar & Diner: seaside classics, burgers, small plates, desserts, afternoon teas, cocktails. Open daily for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Mains from £12.