Each room is individually styled

Blanch House, Brighton

Esther Selsdon

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Brighton's first genuine boutique hotel for guests with an eye for sexy, 70s kitsch and a sense of humour. Each room individually designed in a Victorian building across the road from Brighton pier.

Very near central Brighton, this is a top location for a gaggle of girls on a fun-filled hen night. First impressions were slightly off-putting as I had to ring a doorbell to enter and, mid-morning, the whole place was deserted. The reception was in the cool beige bar and the glaringly white, Glam Rock basement restaurant seemed like a chic place for a drink, although perhaps not on your own. After 6pm though, the joint began to jump with Zoë Ball look-alikes and couples called Smith.

The rooms have names instead of the usual numbers, and each is themed for a guest with a sophisticated sense of humour. 'Boogie Nights' is bright orange with metal bookcases but my favourite was 'Snowstorm' which contained nothing but two glass display cases of those small plastic, er, snowstorms. I wouldn't necessarily want to live here but it made me laugh and it was comfortable, too. The goose-down duvets and the complimentary Belgian chocolates were a nice touch.

Self-indulgent maybe - one of the rooms is called 'Decadence Suite' - but it is rather knowing and feels very grown-up. Attention to detail extends to the girls' toilet in the main corridor where a 50s-style shopping bag offers an ample and varied supply of sanitary towels and tampons. No hotel should be without.

Room rates : £150 regular double to £250 'special' double (breakfast included)

Rooms to ask for : Snowstorm

Number of rooms : 12

Phone : 01273 603504

FAX : 01273 689813

Address : 17 Atlingworth Street, Brighton BN2 1PL

Website : www.blanchhouse.co.uk

Map : link to Multimap

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