Alias Hotel Seattle, Brighton, United Kingdom

Alias Hotel Seattle boutique hotel is located in Brighton, England. It’s sandwiched forlornly between an enormous Asda, and its location is in a retail park which is liberally sprinkled with Wetherspoon pubs, plasticky pizza restaurants and the marina itself. From the boutique hotels’ various outdoor spaces you can still hear the temple bell sound of masts clinking in the wind and the waves crashing pleasingly on the sea wall.

The facilities

Alias Hotel Seattle is decorated in neutral tones and clean lines with occasional fun retro touches - think modern-arty posters and classic pieces of funky furniture. Through the first-floor reception, the pleasantly airy Saloon is dotted with bright leather bucket seats and low-slung couches, separated by huge model yachts.

The Saloon opens onto a prow-shaped open-air deck. The Alias Hotel Seattle has plenty of outdoor space in which to sun oneself, a surprising rarity for Brighton. The floor above the Saloon has a little cocktail bar, hung with pictures of the Beatles (Paul McCartney has visited). In season, this must be a very welcome retreat from the pub-going crowds below.

The boutique hotel is a great choice for families. Staff is relaxed and approachable, there is plenty of space and the nearby bowling alley and cinema will appeal to older kids. Alias Hotel Seattle also makes an effort to provide equipment for younger children and babies – a nice change from other Brighton hotels which are aimed squarely at couples. There’s also a lift and – bliss for Brighton – parking space.

The rooms

Alias Hotel Seattle features 70 rooms including king-sized sea-view rooms which overlook the marina. There are little aged-decking balconies and floor-to-ceiling French windows – you can see the sea from bed, another rarity in Brighton. (“Cliff-view” rooms presumably overlook Asda.)

It’s all inoffensively neutral: blond wood, brushed steel, little white leather bedheads. Beds are big, high-quality and comfy enough to spend all day in; linen is bright white and pillows are fluffy. Bathrooms are smart and spacious, with over-bath showers and twin basins.

There are a couple of simple but thoughtful touches to lift the rooms. At night, the tall wicker lamp throws beautiful, wave-like patterns of light. There are big outdoor pillows to take onto your balcony for an evening champagne-and-stars session, and a handsome wool blanket to wrap yourself in should it get chilly. The final plus is that you can have breakfast in a bento box delivered to your room – clever and indulgent.