This is clearly a hotel with a history. Don't stay here if you're expecting a flashy new, all mod cons, type of hotel. Do stay if you're looking for a hotel with great character and a really good location. Service was good, and breakfast runs late at the weekend which is good if you want a lie in. I'd certainly recommend this hotel for its value and location.

The Old Ship is in a great location, but beware of the noise. I stayed over on a Thursday night for business. All I wanted was a good night's sleep ahead of a presentation the next day. Unfortunately, I could barely sleep until the party in the street outside subsided at about 3am. I would definitely recommend avoiding the first and second floor rooms in favour of something on the 4th or 5th floors where it is bound to be quieter.

On arrival at the hotel, there was nowhere to park to unload our luggage. Checking in was easy. We stayed in rooms 120 (Premier suite) and 121 (Double)
Parking is available, but at the cost of £23 per day and the hotel holds no resposibility for the safety of the vehicles.
Wifi is available throughout the hotel, but is charged. Not good for a four star hotel.
The hotel is comfortable and clean and the staff are very attentive and courteous.
The hotel is not very disabled friendly as there are no ramps, small lifts, heavy doors and a revolving entry door. Wheelchair users would not cope well.
The rooms are clean and comfortable, although housekeeping could have been more attentive. A bulb was missing from a table lamp and the tea/coffee supplies were minimal, although more was brought on request. One of the kettles had to be replaced and there was no spare blanket in room 121. We found a rusty stanley blade on the table which could have been found by a child.
In the bathroom, (room 120), there were 7 cracked floor tiles which could be dangerous. The blind in the bathroom did not close right down which allowed anyone in the street to see into the bathroom which has clear windows. The hook on the back of the bathroom door was missing.
The windows were filthy on the outside and I feel that an hotel chain as large as Barcelo could afford window cleaners.
On Thursday night, Corporate guests were making a lot of noise in the hotel up until 2am.
The noise from the street was very disturbing all through the night, which is not unusual for Brighton, but the windows were too thin to dull this.
All in all, the stay was pleasant, mainly due to the excellent, friendly staff.

This hotel is ideally located with friendly approachable staff.
The breakfast was fantastic, the bar area was clean and spacious.
The only down side to the whole experience was our room was not cleaned during my two night stay nor was I given fresh towels........
Once I contacted reception, they were very apologetic and couldn't do enough for us.