YHA Brighton Review
Reviewed by Sarah Bryan
Brighton was hungover following the Pride weekend and the huge clear up had begun. Bottles and other rubbish littered the streets and the beach but Brighton YHA was spotless and shiny.
Located in Old Steine, almost right on the seafront, this magnificent regency style building is such a prominent grand structure, facing the Pavilion Gardens and full of character and vibrancy. Built in 1819 and named Royal York after the Duke of York it was once the most fashionable building in town and had many a famous visitor including Disraeli, Dickens and the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall.
As you enter the foyer, stepping across a chequered floor so glossy, rainbow bunting high above your head, you are greeted by a reception area manned by a variety of helpful happy staff with an easy manor. Well-kept and neat displays of essentials to purchase such as plugs, earplugs and water adored the walls and desk and a sumptuous chaise longue sat inviting you to wait. A colourful and creative chalk board advertised a whole host of things to do locally.
The actual checking in process was very swift and straightforward. The form to complete the party details is basic and easy alongside an ID check. We were then handed our key cards and given directions to our room on the second floor.
The lift, stairwell and corridor areas all feel fairly modern and hotel like; the carpet feels expensive and is well kept and cleaned. There were two steps leading up to our room which was a mission with a 10-month-old, a 3-year-old and a buggy laden with bags so if you require an accessible room, do ask when booking. The room we had was 207 and it was huge. High ceiling and a window so big it stretched almost the width of the room and the best part of the height too and the view… of the Brighton Pier. Absolutely stunning. In the daytime it glistened with beachgoers and sparkling stones and at night the amusements on the Pier were illuminated in all their glory. The room had en suite and yes there was mould around the bathroom seals and the bath side was almost rotten and it was tired looking, but it did its job. It was functional, it was clean, it was well stocked with tissue, soap and a bathmat. It’s not the high hotel standard it once was but for £79 a night for a family room, if you expect more then you have to expect to pay more.
Being an old building it was extremely well insulated and on a hot August evening in a South West facing room, it was very warm at 26 degrees. A fan was already blowing air around when we entered and as I read the welcome leaflet we had been given by reception staff, I was overjoyed to read that there was a heat control unit that allowed you to adjust the room temperature between 17-24 degrees… except it didn’t do anything and was set at 21. Reception staff confirmed it didn’t seem to work and posters around the communal areas also said there was no air conditioning – perhaps the leaflet should be amended to reflect this.
There were 7 beds in our room; 3 bunkbeds and a single bed. All with clean linen in a bright lime green colour that gave the otherwise plain and old fashioned room a lovely lift. The bunks were fantastic, each one kitted out with its own socket, shelf and light and all in perfect working order. The room smelt fresh and the standard of cleanliness is really very high. There were comfy chairs to lounge in while you watch the view from the window and plenty of space to store your belongings and hang your clothes with a safe tucked in the wardrobe.
The Brighton YHA is located right in the prime spot for everything a tourist needs, the bars and the restaurants are a stone’s throw away, the casino, the beach, the Pier, the Lanes, SEA LIFE centre and the Pavilion are all just there for your convenience. What this means of course is that you are staying in the very centre so its noisy and bustling with the hubbub of Brighton’s nightlife and the coaches that pull into the coach parking bays below. So if you need peace and quiet to sleep, a stay here is not for you.
The Brighton YHA has very good shared areas, a bar/café that’s available for food 24 hours a day and whose walls are adorned with contemporary art work from local artists. The windows are opaque which is a shame, as it would be lovely to see out to the sea view. There is a self-catering kitchen which is modern and fully equipped and an adequate space with 2 cookers and 2 sinks, 2 large freezers and labels to put on your goods and a handful of tables and chairs. We used the kitchen at 7:30am and were the only ones there for the next 40 minutes. The dining room area is used for those who wish to order breakfast and dinner and the cooked breakfasts looked delicious. There was no toaster in the self-catering kitchen so you have to walk to the other side of the building with your stuff to use the toaster in the dining room which is a bit of a pain. The lounge area at the front of the hostel is tastefully furnished with comfortable sofas and chairs and info on the history of the building and the area are displayed. Books, board games hanging on the walls and table football are all provided for use in the communal areas. WIFI is advertised as being free at the YHA but terms and conditions of using “The Cloud” which is provided by Sky; indicate your details will be used for marketing so we decided against it.
Staff had reported another full capacity night ahead and I was pleased to see the people using the YHA were very diverse; from families with small children, groups of foreign students, walkers, older couples and lone travellers – it’s such a good base to explore from.
I cannot fault the staff in their attitude. Nothing was too much trouble; no bath plug? They’ve got a box full. The room too hot? They’ll try and source you an additional fan. Reception is open and manned 24 hours a day but the front door is locked at 10pm.
Great for a short stay, fantastic location right in the centre of the action, impressive building, basic tired yet functional rooms and noisy outside at night. Would I stay again? Probably yes! It deserves its 4 star rosette status.
Rating: 4/5
Prices start from £16 (bed) / £42 (private room) / £49 (family room).
For more information or to make a booking visit www.yha.org.uk or call 0345 371 9176.
