Royal Albion Hotel, Brighton

35 Old Steine, Brighton, BN1 1NT
3

Built in 1826, the Royal Albion Hotel is ideally located directly opposite Brighton pier with a sea view The Royal Albion hotel rooms are equipped with the fol... more

 

£ Rooms from £39 (≈ $66) per night
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7/10 Overall rating

Category Average Rating
7/10 Check-in process
6/10 Your room
6/10 Working order of facilities / equipment
7/10 Order and cleanliness of the hotel
6/10 Performance of staff
7/10 Overall experience
7/10 Overall value for money
  • 5/10 Mark ( Young couple) 

    from Virginia water , GB  on  May 31, 2008

    "I used to work in hotels so I am familiar with the trade - Specifically being polite to your GUESTS! I stay in hotels as part of my job and I will admit this is probably one of the worst hotels I have stayed in. The manager really needs to train his/her staff in being more welcoming and helpful, this is paramount in any hotel as its supposed to be a pleasent stay." (97975749)

    Not many good points to be honest, the room was clean and breakfast in the morning was ok. The location is the only good thing going about this hotel and would be so much more popular if it has a re-furb.

    Staff were rude, patronising and generally didn't want to be there. The staff in the mornings were obviously hungover as they were blunt and one lady was rude to me as I was after some coffee (They had ran out) I mentioned this to the duty manager. I was booked into the wrong room and had to have it changed, the lounge area overlooking the sea front was really poor for such a prime location. Also - ONE LIFT FOR 185 ROOMS??? What flagged this was on Sunday, a coach full of elderly people arrived with luggage. I went out for lunch and they were STILL trying to get up to their rooms!

    8 of 8 people found this review helpful:

  • 8/10 Paul ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Goole , GB  on  September 26, 2008

    "When hotels employ immigrants in a position where they have to deal with customers they should make sure they can speak good English" (107920843)

    Excellent buffet breakfast

    Receptionist and bar staff not very friendly

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Group of work colleagues) 

    on  September 23, 2008

    "Very average" (107224912)

    excellent staff service. Very helpfull.

    Rooms allocated stank of smoke.

  • 3/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  September 19, 2008

    AFTER CHANGING OUR ROOM TWICE, THE FIRST BECAUSE THERE WAS A LEAK, AND THERE WAS MEN PUTTING UP SCAFFOLDING OUTSIDE THE WINDOW BALCONY. THEN WE WERE GIVING ANOTHER ROOM WHICH LOOKED AND SMELLED ABSOLUTLY DISGUSTING. WE WERE THEN GIVEN A room ON THE FOURTH FLOOR WHICH WAS A BIT BETTER AND HAD A JACUZZI BATH. THE BEDS ARE VERY OLD YOU COULD FEEL THE SPRINGS THE WHOLE PLACE NEEDS A REFURB NOT JUST THE OUTSIDE.

  • 5/10 David ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Ilkley , GB  on  July 10, 2008

    "OK didnt have breakfast but smelled nice in reception!!" (108090494)

    balcony overlooking pier and free shampoos etc

    carpets grubby - seventies feel

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 5/10 Rosalind ( Group of adult friends) 

    from Bournemouth , GB  on  September 16, 2008

    The hotel was in a good position close to Brighton Pier. The reception staff tried to be helpful.

    The first rooms we were given were horrendous - small, poky, dark, filthy windows. We were moved after complaining to bigger rooms. The bed covers were out of the ark and were inside out to hide the stains! the breakfast was OK but the dining room had wooden tables with no table cloths and coffee and tea was "help yourself" from insulated jugs.

  • 3/10 Anonymous ( Other) 

    on  September 9, 2008

    The hotel was tired and lacked any character - it was overpriced for the facilities offered. The toilet continually flushed, the shower curtain lacked enough hooks and the bath over which the shower was placed was too small so that you had to fight the curtain all the time. The kettle boiled intermittently, there was no hair dryer and insufficient towels. All in all a poor example of British hospitality at a high price.

  • 3/10 Christopher ( Same sex couple) 

    from Bedford , GB  on  September 8, 2008

    During the online booking process I asked if soya milk could be made available as I am dairy intolerant. I thought I would get an email confirming this but nothing arrived. When I got to the hotel there was no soya milk. I had to complain at reception before anything was done. One of the sash windows did not close properly which caused a big draught (because of the wind off the sea) and a rather cold room. It took 3 requests for it to be sorted.

  • 7/10 Hakimi ( Same sex couple) 

    from London , GB  on  September 3, 2008

    "was fantastic " (108057977)

    everything was ok but the hotel can emprove more on the services,for example buffet

    very rude dinner staff not helpfull at all.

  • 7/10 David ( Young couple) 

    from Chesterfield , GB  on  August 28, 2008

    "A very good weekend, in a hotel which provided us with an excellent base for what we needed to do while in Brighton. Would book again - and would try to get up in time for breakfast!!" (107121666)

    Well placed, quite easy to find (so easy that we actually stumbled across it while we weren't really looking for it!), and easy access to the places we were planning to visit. Door staff at night were helpful and friendly.

    Only real complaints were the facilities in the room. Dripping tap that stopped dripping and started pouring and took two of us to turn off, shower a bit weak (whatever the opposite is of a "power shower", that's what it was.) Other than that though, fine. Room and hotel were clean, staff were friendly and helpful.

  • 6/10 Anonymous ( Young couple) 

    on  August 26, 2008

    "ok for one night but would have not liked to stay longer. " (107145280)

    good size bathroom and view of pier

    rooms very basic and bedding/curtains look old and worn.

  • 5/10 Martina ( Mature couple) 

    from Southampton , GB  on  August 26, 2008

    "Ok, but a few annoying things about the room." (108080972)

    Excellent position in Brighton.

    A blanket on the bed looked like it belonged in a dogs bed. The window would not stay open. The cold tap on the spa bath was very difficult to use.

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  August 23, 2008

    "Would book again" (107130407)

    Good size room, hotel location WiFi connection Good breakfast

    Wash basin tap constant leak

  • 3/10 Robert ( Mature couple) 

    from Guernsey channel islands , GB  on  August 20, 2008

    "sorry but we were dissapointed as it was a surprise for my wife as she hasnt been well, but we all learn by our mistakes all be it very costly" (107268633)

    rooms were not cleand properly-beds the bottom sheet was never seen to the pillows were in the same place with identations from the night before-no extractor in bathroom-the shower was awfull and not working properly (even after be told at the desk) some of the staff were working by remote control and reluctent to get anything for ,this is not all staff-if you didnt get down to breakfast by 7.30 everything was cold and no variation in menu we even had chips one morning to get a fried egg it took 15 mins all in all not good

  • 4/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  August 8, 2008

    "Fair" (107285151)

    Staff was freindly, location was good

    Rooms need improving. I changed three rooms during the stay and all had few problems but one thing was common( mattresses of all 3 room need changing , they were uncomfortable)

  • 5/10 Anonymous ( Same sex couple) 

    on  August 8, 2008

    "Adequate for a 2 night stay but would have been very disappointed if my stay had been longer." (108062595)

    Location of hotel very good. Staff efficient. Buffet breakfast excellent

    Extra bed for my child was broken with slat held together with duck tape and metal springs poking through matress. Under wardrobe obviously not hoovered for a very long time. Paintwork peeling. Shower curtain held up with only 5 hooks. My children would only have showers as no-one wanted to sit in the bath as it looked dirty.

  • 2/10 Nigel ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Brighton , GB  on  June 9, 2008

    "Need i say more!?" (97223842)

    Almost too bad to write down.General manager has heard everything in detail!1st room had rotten windon which fell out on me plus a trouser press which fell off the wall.2nd room had 3 lights not working plus front of drawer fell off in my hand.Duty manager had no real authority to do anything except give me a 25% refund on the evening!GM is giving me full refund.

    11 of 11 people found this review helpful:

  • 3/10 Ann ( Family with young children) 

    from Newton abbot , GB  on  August 6, 2008

    got a good refund for a very poor breakfast. excellent location

    breakfast was inedible, room was small and very poor value for money, cleaning of room was rubbish.

  • 4/10 ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    from Amersfoort , NL  on  July 25, 2008

    "I know the Royal Albion originally being from Brighton so I wasn't expecting too much. I was very surprised at the deterioration of the building considering the re-build was only ten years ago: there is a rather depressing air about the place. During my time in Brighton I discovered that this hotel is not the best budget option in the city. However the location is great." (108087753)

    Red-haired (possibly Eastern European) receptionist was very polite and extremely helpful regarding my internet problem. Despite the fact that she is new she was knowledgeable and pleasant.

    Sometimes ignored at reception while people chatted on the telephone. Man people into breakfast was not polite and was eating and drinking at his post.

  • 8/10 Andrew ( Young couple) 

    from Hailsham , GB  on  May 30, 2008

    The split level of the room was a very nice feature as it gave a nice seating area away from the bed.

    Thought that the tea/coffee making facilities coul dhave been better and there was not enough shampoo/shower gel.

    4 of 5 people found this review helpful:

  • 7/10 Melvyn ( Mature couple) 

    from Bexley , GB  on  July 23, 2008

    "The hotel looks very tired dated decor outside looks tatty noisey position of the room" (108001992)

    Staff were very good and helpfull

    The room was very small for the price

  • 8/10 Derek ( Mature couple) 

    from Stafford , GB  on  May 20, 2008

    Large spacious room. Quiet, though 'Pool Valley' is being modernised!

    Dirty windows.

    4 of 5 people found this review helpful:

  • 4/10 Ian ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    from Grays , GB  on  July 6, 2008

    "Only stay in this hotel if you are not worried about cleanliness or shabby decor. If you have any standards at all then this is not the hotel for you. I would advise that potential guests take their own bleach as the housekeeping department does not seem to realise its importance. Very, very upset by my stay and was glad to get home and wash all my clothes to try and rid myself of the experience." (108042338)

    Good position in Brighton. Breakfast is good is you get to the dining room early when the food is still hot.

    Housekeeping is poor - I had to be moved rooms twice as they were very unclean, full of dust and litter. Even the third room was not clean, though I managed to correct this myself. My feet got dirty when stepping on the carpet. Decor throughout is scruffy and tatty - chairs are torn, bedclothes are stained, wallpaper is peeling and paint is cracked. The two managers that I spoke to said that the experience that I had was in accordance with the standards of Britannia Hotels.

  • 5/10 John ( Mature couple) 

    from Wisbech , GB  on  July 2, 2008

    Staff were all very polite and helpful

    Wallpaper coming off bedroom walls/Furniture extremely tatty/Air Con did not work/No BBC1 available/Mattress extremely lumpy/

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  April 6, 2008

    Very central, competitively priced.

    My standard room was slightly on the small side

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 5/10 Suzanne ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Torquay , GB  on  July 1, 2008

    "Disappointing. Although to give credit the duty manager did give me a reduction based on my issues. I would have liked more." (108098275)

    Staff that could understans English were very helpful. Breakfast was good

    Was given a room with no window, No TV and shower flow power was poor

  • 4/10 Stuart ( Mature couple) 

    from Weymouth , GB  on  March 10, 2008

    "Disappointing for the star rating claimed and price. Great location and views but the hotel is in dire need of refurbishment if our room is anything to go by." (97601711)

    The view and location.

    The room was shabby with a large hole in the middle of the headboard, veneer on the wardrobe doors and table was badly split and peeling, bathroom was similarly poorly maintained. However, the trouser-press was hung at a pleasingly jaunty angle; it`s good to know that the Great British workman has discarded his spirit level in favour of eccentricity.

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful:

  • 7/10 Steven ( Young couple) 

    from Slough , GB  on  May 26, 2008

    it ws close to beach and in the middle of town

    the bath handles were lose and mad it hard to get out of the bath.

    3 of 4 people found this review helpful:

  • 9/10 Ron ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Weymouth , GB  on  May 18, 2008

    "very good" (97971247)

    The help from staff

    no mini bar , no biscuits, no chocolate drink.

    2 of 3 people found this review helpful:

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  May 16, 2008

    "Good and helpful staff, the hotel is quite labarinthine - complex journey to the reception area, might be dangerous in case of fire." (97206232)

    Good sea view

    Distant parking facilities, couldn't open the window (too hot).

    2 of 3 people found this review helpful:

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  May 9, 2008

    "great location ,very clean hotel, i would stay here again ,great breakfasts" (97464922)

    location, very clean,

    none

    2 of 3 people found this review helpful:

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Same sex couple) 

    on  June 16, 2008

    "Comfortable, pleasant hotel." (97266371)

    Pleasant lounge overlooking sea. Efficient buffet breakfast.

    No car park. Possible noise problem at night due to clubbers - not an issue with windows closed (double glazing) but could be a problem in summer with windows open.

    1 of 2 people found this review helpful:

  • 4/10 Anonymous ( Young couple) 

    on  March 20, 2008

    "The toilet cistern was broken for the stay, it hissed incessantly. The room was clean and tidy but very small, in complete contradiction to the marketing information for the hotel which made a big deal out of the size of the rooms. The buffet breakfast was fine, although the failure to adequately control the flow of guests made it resemble a salvation army soup kitchen. In addition, on the plus side the plates were warmed but the down side to this was that they were heated to such an extent that asbestos coated gloves were required to hold the plates for more than a few seconds to avoid losing layers of skin." (97672472)

    Excellent location

    Size and condition of the room

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  March 6, 2008

    "Location is excellent,Great view of the pier from the sea view room, especially at night time.For a lovely Grand Hotel she is crying out for some T.L.C." (97356548)

    Location of hotel is excellent.

    It is sad to see that the maintenance of the hotel is lacking,she would of been very grand hotel in her day.

  • 3/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  March 3, 2008

    "Over- priced" (97870999)

    Centrally located

    Very uncomfortable beds, sad decorative order, dirty windows, long queues at reception

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  February 25, 2008

    "Overall satisfactory for price." (97637556)

    Location

    Cold - no heating and curtains billowed from draughty windows

  • 8/10 Fiona ( Group of adult friends) 

    from Stratford-upon-avon , GB  on  February 18, 2008

    "I have stayed in this hotel before and would choose it agian because it serves the purpose of a short stay in Brighton very well. Good value for money- clean, pleasant rooms(apart from lack of any view from bedroom windows), good breakfast - although as a vegetarian choice was more limited. Excellent location for shopping enjoying seaside walks etc. Staff efficient and polite." (97301146)

    Plenty of space, clean bathroom with plent of hot water, execllent views from the hotel lounge.

    I booked two rooms at the same time and we were given rooms on different floors (1 and 3)- not ideal.

  • 8/10 Maimunah ( Group of adult friends) 

    from Kuala lumpur , MY  on  May 6, 2008

    "Very good!" (97389717)

    The location was very strategic and the room was big and quiet. The breakfast was good so on the whole it was excellent

    It helps if the reception counter staff can smile more often.

    1 of 2 people found this review helpful:

  • 7/10 Duncan ( Group of adult friends) 

    from Peterborough , GB  on  February 15, 2008

    "Had a really pleasant stay and would happily use this hotel again." (97113241)

    Simply, comfortable and affordable in a great location with a great sea view.

    The rooms are a little bit dated - but in good order, so not really a major dislike.

  • 5/10 ( Mature couple) 

    from Windsor , GB  on  February 14, 2008

    "Nothing to complain about and overall everything was adequate but my dislikes mean that I probably wouldn't stay again" (97477551)

    Lovely view in lounge

    No double glazing - very noisy outside Room lighting (but think it was eco friendly which is good for a big hotel!) Room/bathroom was very small and difficult to move round Hotel generally had a feel of being a bit run down

  • 5/10 Maria ( Young couple) 

    from London , GB  on  February 5, 2008

    Excellent location and cheap price. Good shower and room was quite clean.

    Room was very cold. Double doors leading onto a dirty first floor balcony had huge gaps along the frame and let draught in. Someone (hotel staff? previous occupant?)had obviously tried to exclude the draght with masking tape along the bottom of the door, but this definately did not work! I woke frequently in the night feeling cold despite using the extra blankets provided.

  • 9/10 Helen ( Other) 

    from Swansea , GB  on  February 5, 2008

    "Good, but would choose somewhere more quiet next time." (97484887)

    Comfortable. Good location. Excellent breakfast.

    There was quite a lot of noise in the corridor late at night and the noise from the streets below made it difficult to get a good night's sleep - but it was a Friday night. Some extra double glazing would help and notices in the corridors. There was no noise at all from adjacent rooms.

  • 6/10 Anonymous ( Group of adult friends) 

    on  March 19, 2008

    "HOTEL WAS IN A LOVELY POSITION IN BRIGHTON BUTIS IN DIRE NEED OF UPGRADING. STAFF FRIENDLY AND BUFFET BREAKFAST VERY GOOD." (97047612)

    WHERE HOTEL WAS SITUATED.

    NEEDS REDECORATING -CURTAINS AND BEDDING VEY OLD AND SHABBY.

    1 of 2 people found this review helpful:

  • 8/10 John ( Mature couple) 

    from Hemswell , GB  on  January 29, 2008

    Proximity to Brighton Pavilion

    Dirty windows

  • 5/10 Anonymous ( Other) 

    on  January 23, 2008

    Ideal location for getting around Brighton

    Paid £10 extra for sea view, could only see the roundabout and front on Pier. Single glazing so room extremely noisy all night and very cold.

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Young couple) 

    on  January 12, 2008

    the jacuzzi in the room !!!!

    The room was a bit hot.

  • 10/10 Nikki ( Young couple) 

    from St.albans , GB  on  January 12, 2008

    We took the offer of an upgrade to a room with a jacuzzi bath and sea view, and couldn't have been happier! It was great to look out the window and see Brighton Pier and the sea directly outside our window! I'd definately stay here again and recommend it to friends!! All the staff were very nice - receptionist/bar man/breakfast ataff - great service!

    N/A Nothing to dislike about this hotel - its great!

  • 5/10 Anonymous ( Group of adult friends) 

    on  January 12, 2008

    The room was big,a sea view .Bathroom o.k.breakfast was good,plenty of choice,staff were generally helpful especiatally in the bar.Also the hotel was in an excellent location,and the christmas trees were nice .

    The room was damp,smelt musty,cold at night.Generally it needed sprucing up and the damp sorted out.There should be better standard of bedding,although the bedding was clean and fresh.Some lights also did not work and the carpet and chair near the bed was actually wet from the damp as were items of my clothing

  • 3/10 Robert ( Solo business traveller) 

    from London , GB  on  June 22, 2008

    "dreadful" (99600051)

    room dingy, had jacuzzi bath that didnt work stained dressing table uncomfortable bed

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 5/10 Ian ( Mature couple) 

    from Coleshill, bucks , GB  on  March 12, 2008

    "The hotel's location was brilliant. Car parking a problem but they do help with the cost of parking. Reception area was very poor we were left waiting for ages to be given our rooms. There was only one person available as the other receptionist was dealing with problems. The standard rooms do need upgrading especially the bathrooms." (97603082)

    We were upgraded and the room was very nice. Lovely views of the sea and pier.

    The standard rooms were not good at all and poor bathrooms. I felt The bed covering to be inadequate. Nowadays quilts are used and not blankets.

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful:

The views expressed on this page are the personal opinions of guests and therefore do not necessarily represent the views of Active Hotels, Active Reservations or our distribution partners (About our hotel reviews).

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