East Sussex

Hotel du Vin Brighton

The Brighton Hotel du Vin stands on the site of an old coaching inn on the edge of Brighton's Lanes conservation area. It has an eccentric feel, with a strange gothic revival meets mock Tudor architecture, but is just a stone’s throw from the Brighton promenade and its pebble beach.

Eat: The HdV experience is all about affordable luxuries, including excellently simple French dining and great wines. Food is exactly what you expect from a modern interpretation of French bistro food, all made to a consistently high standard with a wine list to match. Better sommeliers than you’d expect at this standard of hotel are also a nice feature. The menu from the Bistro can be served in the bar, including at breakfast (although dogs are also allowed in the rooms on their own). Room service is also available. The double-height ceiling in the wine bar creates a buzzy atmosphere and there is a nice, if small, courtyard and upstairs terrace that excel on a summer’s evening. There is a Pub du Vin next door, which does exactly what it says and serves up classic pub dining. Dogs are welcome here as well.

Sleep: All Hotel du Vin bedrooms are dog friendly and dogs are allowed in all the public areas, with the exception of the Bistro du Vin restaurant. The rooms are classic Hotel du Vin, with the minimum standard being a bloody comfortable bed and a great shower. The best of them, such as the Crystal Suite, are immense. Rooms in the next-door Pub du Vin are perfectly pitched for a seaside pub with rooms, with comfy beds and plenty of driftwood art.

Walk: The beach is stone's throw from the hotel, or wander around the quirky shopping of Brighton's Lanes. There are plenty of more demanding walks nearby (including along the coast) if you need one. Further inland pick up the South Downs Way.