Best Western Princes Marine Hotel

This hotel is highly regarded for its prime seafront location in Hove, offering many guests beautiful sea views and easy access to the beach. Its signature feature is its ability to combine a peaceful coastal setting with convenient access to Brighton, making it an excellent choice for couples seeking a relaxing getaway, families appreciating spacious accommodations, and leisure travelers looking to explore the area. The hotel consistently receives praise for its friendly and helpful staff, spotless cleanliness, and comfortable rooms. To make the most of your stay, consider requesting a room on a higher floor for enhanced views, and be mindful of the limited on-site parking, though a bus stop directly outside provides effortless transportation to Brighton.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests frequently comment on the hotel's lift, which, while large, is often reported as being slow or out of order, though staff are noted for assisting with luggage when this occurs. Wi-Fi connectivity is generally available and good, though some guests experienced intermittent or weak signals in certain rooms. In-room amenities include tea and coffee making facilities with complimentary biscuits, and fans are provided to mitigate the lack of air conditioning, which can make rooms very warm, especially during warmer months. While a bar is available for drinks and allows guests to consume outside food, many rooms lack a mini-fridge, which some guests found inconvenient. Televisions are present, though a few guests noted limited channel selection or signal issues.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The hotel consistently earns high marks for its cleanliness, with many guests describing rooms as spotless, immaculate, and well-maintained. Rooms are frequently noted for their spaciousness, often featuring king-sized beds and ample room to move around. However, feedback on decor is mixed; while some find the rooms comfortable and well-appointed, a significant number describe them as dated, tired, or in need of modernization, with some mentioning worn furniture or minor cosmetic issues. Bed comfort also varies, with many finding them comfortable, but some reporting them as too soft or in need of replacement. Noise can be an issue, particularly from traffic in sea-facing rooms, plumbing sounds, and noise from adjoining rooms or the corridor, though double-glazed windows help to mitigate external sounds. Bathrooms are generally clean, offering good shower pressure, though some note high bath steps or a lack of shelving.

Dining & Food Quality
The breakfast experience is a consistent highlight for many guests, frequently described as excellent, delicious, and offering a wide variety of options. Guests appreciate the freshly cooked-to-order full English breakfast, often praising the quality of the ingredients. A comprehensive continental selection is also available, though some minor criticisms include diluted fruit juice or doughy croissants. A notable addition to the hotel is the Chilli & Mango Thai restaurant, which receives overwhelmingly positive reviews for its authentic, fresh, and delicious food, making it a convenient and highly recommended dining option on-site. While the hotel does not offer a full evening meal service beyond the Thai restaurant, guests appreciate the flexibility of being able to order outside food and consume it in the hotel's bar area.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent location directly opposite the seafront in Hove, providing easy access to the beach and pleasant promenade walks. While it is a walk of approximately 30-45 minutes to Brighton city center, a highly convenient bus stop is situated right outside the hotel, offering frequent services into Brighton and other areas. Parking is a significant feature, with free on-site spaces available on a "first come, first served" basis. However, guests frequently warn that the access to the rear car park is very tight and challenging, especially for larger vehicles, often leading to limited availability. Alternative street parking is available nearby, though it may be paid. The hotel's position also provides easy walking access to local shops, cafes, and restaurants in Hove.

Staff & Service
The hotel's staff consistently receive glowing reviews for their exceptional friendliness, helpfulness, and attentiveness. Guests frequently highlight the warm welcome received upon arrival and the staff's willingness to go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay. The check-in process is often described as quick and easy. Specific examples of excellent service include staff assisting with luggage (especially when the lift is out of order), accommodating requests for room upgrades, facilitating early check-ins or late check-outs, and providing cutlery for outside food deliveries. The housekeeping team is also praised for maintaining clean rooms and ensuring amenities are well-stocked. Overall, the staff's professional and accommodating demeanor significantly enhances the guest experience.

Additional Information
A recurring theme in guest feedback is the hotel's lift being out of order for extended periods, though guests are often pre-warned about this, and staff are noted for providing assistance with luggage. Despite the building's somewhat dated exterior and interior decor, many guests find the hotel to have a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, often noting its overall good value. The hotel offers a unique service by allowing guests to bring in outside food deliveries and providing plates and cutlery for their convenience, which is appreciated given the limited in-house dining options beyond the Thai restaurant. Many guests also report receiving complimentary room upgrades, enhancing their stay with better views or more spacious accommodations.