The rooms at The Lanes Hotel are by no means the most modern in Brighton, not having had any real renovation for a good 15 years. However, they are nonetheless clean, functional and of a good size. Standard rooms, most of which are situated at the back of the hotel (others at the front have a small balcony which can be used for smoking), are decorated in a fairly sober fashion with white woodchip wallpaper, wall lamps, a few small watercolour prints and, in some, cases flowers. The beds are dressed in various old-fashioned covers, and each have a cushion placed their head, just in front on good old wooden headboards. They each have a simple desk on which is a telephone (from which you can only make outgoing calls by asking reception), tea and coffee facilities, a hairdryer and above, a flatscreen television. Both the seating and curtains, whose material sometimes matches, are upholstered in heavy floral patterns, while the wardrobes and drawers, in contrast, are plain, solid dark wood affairs. You'll also find a trouser press in the room although if you require an iron and ironing board or somewhere to keep your valuables, you'll have to contact the front desk. The bathrooms, are, like the rooms a little dated in terms of design and colour (some seem to have been retiled relatively recently), but are in fairly good condition and have either shower cubicles or baths and basic, unbranded toiletries. Larger versions of the standard room are available for family occupancy (up to 4) and group occupancy (up to 7). The balcony rooms, which are slightly bigger than the standards, boast really the only balconies that can be used comfortably on the whole seafront but the room has the same amenities. The four-poster room has a large double bed with drapes and its own spacious balcony, although again, the amenities remain the same, while the premier room also has a four-poster mahogany bed and great views over the sea from the large bay window.
Amy Adejokun
Section editor
