Re: Autumn 2016 | Page 49

Blanch House is a four-storey Georgian townhouse that is famed for starting Brighton’s trend for boutique hotels. The Grade II listed property is tucked up a quiet Georgian terrace just off the seafront in fashionable and bohemian Kemp Town. It’s a pleasant short walk from the centre of Brighton and literally a stone’s throw from the city’s stunning Regency seafront. When Luke let us in to the Perrier Jouet Room he admitted that this was the best they had. I don’t mind confessing that I was blown away. We were warmly greeted on arrival by the manager Luke who swiftly checked us in from his desk in the chic bar and guest lounge before showing us to our room. Now when reviewing a hotel I often get given the best room in the place, for obvious reasons, and I have had the pleasure of staying in some rather fancy rooms. When Luke let us in to the Perrier Jouet Room he admitted that this was the best they had. I don’t mind confessing that I was blown away. On first glance it looked like one of those rooms for extra special occasions; it was a large sumptuous room where nothing but the best would do. The room had many of its original architectural features, tall velvet draped windows, decorative wrought iron balcony and a side view of the sea. The decoration was tasteful and chic with plain dove-grey walls and opulent gilded details. The bed was ginormous! An emperor size that measured 6’6” square with quality thick cotton bedding that promised a restful sleep. The furniture was in keeping with the room and the only thing that looked out of place was the modern flat screen TV that every hotel room seems to have to have. Tucked in a cupboard was the obligatory coffee making facilities but with the added surprise of some truly delicious homemade biscuits. The ensuite boasted a roll top bath and separate walk-in shower and quality toiletries that may have accidently slipped into my bag when I left. I didn’t take a robe, honest. Many hotels cover their walls in ‘art’ but this room was super stylish with a feature chandelier and huge gilded mirror. This was a room that I could envisage as my bedroom at home. I would have thought that there can be few better places for celebrating that special romantic occasion with a glass or two of the hotel’s favourite Perrier Jouet Champagne! We headed back down stairs to chat to Luke who offered us a complimentary cocktail from the well stocked bar. I’m not sure if everyone gets this star treatment but the cocktails were delicious and are worth checking out. Having been out to attend a work engagement in the centre of Brighton we were ready to turn in. Climbing into that huge bed felt epic and it was so comfortable that we were out like lights. After a restful and undisturbed sleep I was surprised to notice just how quiet the outside world was. Being so close to the seafront and busy Kemp Town I had expected to be woken by traffic or general sounds of a city waking up but I was pleasantly surprised. It felt quite tranquil. anywhere near as expensive as it feels. Jeremy later explained the Blanch House philosophy: ‘To create a very special environment, providing guests with a home from home, with that little bit of luxury and the service ethos that “nothing is too much trouble for our guests.”’ I can vouch that they very much lived up to this mantra. If you would like to stay somewhere fancy that is quiet yet almost in the heart of the city then you should definitely check out blanchhouse.co.uk By Jason Edge We headed down for breakfast and I was surprised to see a full house. The hotel was so quiet that I thought we were the only guests but I later found out from Luke that they were, in fact, fully booked. The breakfast offering was great and included homemade muesli, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, pancakes and of course the full English. Nice extras included homemade jams and marmalades and served with an infectious smile from the attentive staff. Blanch House has 12 individually themed bedrooms with stylish décor and ultramodern bathrooms and, with prices starting at just £109 per night; it is not 47