insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 11 - January 2016 | Page 79

GETAWAYS

A TOUCH OF CLASS AT THE
HOTEL DU VIN, BRIGHTON
Ideally situated a pebble’s throw from the beach, a five-minute amble to the iconic pier and
slap bang in the heart of Brighton’s iconic Lanes, why not treat yourself to a touch of class, a
bucketload of chic and a most comfortable stay at Hotel Du Vin? B Y S A M A N T H A G

Despite being hidden away in a little side street in the oldest part of
Brighton, you can’t really miss the Hotel Du Vin. Lit up with its ambient
green lighting it was almost like stumbling upon Oz’s Emerald City, the
winding higgledy piggledy Lanes a somewhat hipper alternative to the
yellow brick road and of course the gem at the end of this journey was
the sleek, dapper, epitome of French style, class and service in the guise
of Hotel Du Vin’s Brighton offering.

of our ‘Hepworth’ Junior Suite. Flooded with light from the large windows
(which we were pleased to see had additional glazing to aid an even more
restful night in this bustling city) the room proffered a king size bed, fullsize sofa, coffee table, chaise lounge, flat screen TV, wardrobes and desk
(with complimentary Nespresso coffees) and there was still room to move!
The bathroom was just as impressive with its roll top bath and huge walk
in shower.

One small step into the entrance and the hubbub of the city and the
beach dies away as the quaint terraced courtyard – perfect for al fresco
dining and summer evening drinks – tempts you further into this quaint
and interesting gothic-style abode.

Checked in, and with an appetite enhanced by an afternoon’s
meandering, my guest and I were more than ready for a Sunday evening
dinner at Bistro Du Vin, where rustic hops and artistic murals meet the
sleek combination of Champagne magnums, dark wood tables, black
leather benches and chairs - creating not only an interesting visual (aided
by the soft wall and candle lighting) but also a flexible restaurant space,
perfect for intimate dinners and larger groups.

The quaint mock tudor building, aptly first built by a wine merchant, has
a labyrinth of spaces, staircases and rooms which have been renovated
and restored to provide 49 bedrooms, function rooms, private dining
nooks, a trademark Bistro, 24-hour plush residents only hotel bar and its
own ‘Pub’ as well as, of course, ample cellar and storage space for the
plentiful wines, whiskies and rums on offer.

Settled into our cosy corner table for two, we perused the choice of
dishes from the well conceived French menu featuring classics such as
moules marin ere, French onion soup, cassoulet, beef bourguignon and
steak frites. We finally settled on the fougasse (garlic bread) and Shetland
scallops to start, which came with a crunchy sweet mix of red peppers,
onions, tomatoes and olive dressing, and were swiftly devoured.

Ascending the winding staircase and heading through the corridors to the
rooms above Pub Du Vin, my guest and I were impressed with the size

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