Wanderlust - No. 124, Brighton, By Guesthouse Hotels
- nicolameirholistic
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Welcome to Wanderlust. If you find yourself here I hope you have time to discover some of the locations I've visited recently. This is where I'll share places that have really impressed me.
First up is Brighton and in particular No.124 By Guesthouse Hotels. As a city it's a bit light on great places to stay in my opinion. If you're looking for a hotel it's pretty difficult to find somewhere to lay your head that has a good mix of style, comfort and great service. I've found it's much better opting for a B&B or a guest house, and if you do your research there are several fantastic places which are much more personable and individual. No. 124, Brighton By Guesthouse Hotels is one such find.
Guest House Hotels have four locations - Brighton, Bath, Margate and York. Brighton is the latest addition to the collection. They all offer luxury hotel rooms and suites along with the coziness of a smaller property.
Some of you know that Brighton has a really special space in my heart. I was born there, grew up there, left to go to uni, moved back for a couple of years and then moved to London where I've been ever since. I absolutely love Brighton and pop back semi frequently to visit family and friends and to just explore. I never tire of it. But as our kids have got older we've outgrown comfortable sleeping arrangements with family and so are now always on the look out for places to stay over.
The first thing that drew me to No.124 was the fact that it's situated right next door to where I used to live at the end of the 1990s/early 2000s. It was the perfect spot to watch the sea front happenings and an ideal location to walk anyway and everywhere in the city and the guest house is no different.
So No. 124, Brighton is nestled in a row of Victorian and Georgian buildings directly on the seafront opposite the beach. The conversion, from what I presume were residential properties into this guest house, is pretty impressive. It accommodates 32 beautiful bedrooms, a restaurant, bar, spa and outdoor seating area plus many cozy nooks and crannies, all with plenty of victorian and georgian features.
The rooms are the perfect mix of stylish, inviting and restful with each one offering everything you need for your stay. A super comfy mattress, super soft bedding, still and sparkling water and fresh milk (non of those tiny capsules of milk here!), coffee pods and coffee machine, kettle and a selection of teas. Plus WildSmith toiletries (so if you forget your shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion you're covered), slippers and bathrobes and a TV with Freeview. But what I really appreciate are the little individual touches that Guest House Hotels do so well - a turntable with records to play, a bluetooth radio and a pantry fully stocked with snacks and drinks which you can raid as many times as you like.
We've stayed here twice now, once in a large guest room with a seaview and once in a Lookout Suite with french doors out to a balcony overlooking the sea. Both absolutely gorgeous. I've already booked us in for a night in December, this time in a smaller room although I know it will be just as beautiful minus the sea views.
As you enter the guest house you are welcomed by a really beautiful fragrance. It's their own signature fragrance created in partnership with Oast & Rye and is a really welcoming mix of oudh, cedarwood, sandalwood, amber and vetiver among other notes. You can even purchase a reed diffuser or candle in this scent to remind you of your stay whilst at home. This sort of touch is right up my street! Fragrance is so important to me. Checking in is not complicated, it's quick to receive your key and be given directions to your room. It's at this point we were shown the bar and the pantry.
The bar has an opulent feel, dark and moody in decor, full of comfy sofas and chairs, with games available. It even features two peacocks! In stark contrast to this there is also an indoor courtyard area which is much lighter and brighter in texture and feel. The drinks list is comprehensive and the cocktails are good!! As is the hot chocolate!
The pantry is such a great touch! A real point of difference. This is an area only accessible if you are staying at the hotel where you can help yourself to soft drinks and snacks including crisps, fruit and sweets etc. You can fill a bag up as much as you like!
The Pearly Cow is the hotels restaurant. If you stay overnight this is where you have breakfast (unless you decide to take it in your room). However, you don't need to be a resident to eat there. It's open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and also private functions. I've only eaten breakfast there which was delicious. It's a two part menu. You can order light bites like croissants, granola, fruit, juices and coffee to begin with and then choose a hot dish. You'll find your traditional english breakfast (but with a stylish twist) and also dishes such as Shakshuka which is my personal favourite.
For me, one of the most important parts of a hotel is the spa. I appreciate not all hotels have a spa and in Brighton good quality spas within hotels are few and far between. Because of the industry I'm in I'm always interested in visiting the spa. Accessible from a separate entrance on the street as well as being able to walk through via the hotel this is a beautiful spa. A real oasis hidden at the back of the hotel. I love to take in the decor, the design, the service and the treatments. I'm always looking for inspiration and I certainly found it here. On arriving you're taken to a relaxation room to decompress from your day with a drink before having your treatment. I loved this room. A calming muted palette, wall hangings, vases, a comfy sofa and arm chairs plus lots of books. Some of which I've since bought myself for my own treatment room. My therapist was so intuitive. I'd booked in for what I thought I needed but she could see and sense I needed something a little bit different and I was super grateful for this. It's a special skill in itself to be able to pick up on what a client really needs. What was also impressive was the aftercare I received. Not only your regular advice but also a mini bath oil, an accompanying tea bag plus a QR code which took me straight to my massage playlist so that I could recreate the calm relaxing feeling at home. Aftercare is such an important part of a treatment and so often lacking in hotel spas. This went above and beyond and I will definitely be back even when I'm not staying there overnight.
The only the downside is the parking situation. This is not in the hotels control, Brighton is one of the most expensive places to park in the country. It cost us around £50 for two days in a nearby car park! We sometimes park our car further out and travel in via bus or cab and this can often be more cost effective.
Brighton has gained a gem in No.124 and I have plans to go back.
If you are interested in reading about my stay at No. 42 at Margate I'll be writing about that too.
Until next time ...
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