We booked our room well in advance using the Internet. We have stayed in many Hotels in Brighton and as the Abbey was described as a ‘3 star hotel’ we thought that this award indicated that the hotel would have to meet certain basic standards. We arrived on the Friday to attend the Pride weekend and we were certainly not impressed. The receptionist was placed behind a large thick glass screen and his customer care skills were nonexistent. As we were allocated a room on the third floor we were directed to the lift - the lift was minute; I think it could only accommodate a large suitcase and one person (or one large person and a small suitcase).

The carpets in the communal areas were worn and dirty. When we arrived on our landing there was a group of people going from room to room being very noisy. We then noticed communal showers and toilets. When we arrived in our allocated room we realised that there were no toilet or washing facilities contained within the room (we had thought that these would be provided as there was no indication otherwise when we booked). The room appeared to be clean but the bed was worn out and everything else in the room was worn and tired. We left our luggage in the room (reluctantly) and went straight into Brighton to see if we could book a room in another Hotel or B&B. We were lucky; although this is probably the busiest time of the year in Brighton, we found a room in a nice hotel that was not much more expensive than the ‘budget’ prices at the Abbey. This hotel also included breakfast in the price, our room had toilet and washing facilities and had a lovely sea view .

On our return to the Abbey the reception was crowded with people either complaining about the accommodation or the fact that they had to pay in full before being allocated a room. It is clear that anyone who had not paid in advance would be very reluctant to stay at this establishment. The whole atmosphere of the place menacing. We returned to our room and collected our luggage. The lift now appeared not to be working so we had to carry our case down what seemed like an endless amount of dirty winding stairs and landings to get back to reception. We handed the key to a man who appeared to be the receptionist minder, he looked surprised to hear we were not prepared to stay there, he then grunted and took the key. No doubt they re-let our room making even more profit.

Again, we were fortunate to have the resources to pay for another hotel as the Abbey has a clear no refund policy. My advice to anyone thinking of booking this hotel is don’t! This hotel cannot compare itself to any 3 star hotels in Brighton that I have ever stayed in.

1. 24hr Self service restaurant - Room with snack bar vending machines.

2. No compromise on cleanliness - Vomit left in the hallway for a known time of 9hrs (may still be there). (Hygiene Hazard)

3. Faulty mains electricity (tested by mobile phone charger - would only work in one of 3 chosen rooms).

4. Poor fitting doors/locks. - Heavey applied pressure to enter your room only then to struggle to get out again (fire hazard)

5. Communal shower area never seen clean over the weekend. Consitent gathering of soap bars and packets in the shower cubicle (who is the cleaner and how often).

6. Faulty appliances - Kettles with sticking 'on' switches ( 2 kettles tested )

7. 3rd floor room with waist high full size sash windows open fully with no security or safety features. (Geoff capes could fall out if not for the table infront of it).

8. Secure parking!!! CCTV camera for the car park was only seen switched on once.. always usually 'off'

9. Key control very poor. Just ask for a number for a room and they give it to you. My mate asked for a wrong key and was given it. Lucky he realised.

10. Lift system dangerous and ancient. Use this if you want to lose a limb or two.. Oh and no baggage as you wont get in the lift its that small.

Overall for a STAG Party it added to the fun of the weekend and created endless banter and amusment.... For a single traveller or couple or family.... RUN RUN RUN... or take out serious insurance and some vaccinations....


OH the plus side - has free interenet.. (if you laptop doesnt get nicked)

We stayed there for a Hen Party in Brighton. There was 8 of us. Two twin rooms and 4 singles. I called up the day before and got a parking space in hotel parking which is only 2 mins around the corner - £8. Would recommend booking as soon as you can to get a space as there are only 8 spaces.

I had a single room and I was happy with it. It was like being at uni again. Had a TV, fridge, kettle, toaster, tea and coffee facilities, even milk in the fridge. The bed was comfortable with a pillow and duvet.

The room was clean.

Even though shared toilet we were lucky as the 4 of us girls with single rooms just shared the same loo. This was clean as well. There was no other visitors using our loo.

Would recommend for a cheap weekend in Brighton.

We stayed in this hotel for a girly weekend, there was 12 of us so we had 6 rooms overall..the rooms were clean with nice beds and mirrors (which are NEEDED on a girly weekend) we did only use the hotel to get ready in etc but it was clean and we didnt have any complaints..
the hotel do say you cannot consume alcohol in your rooms but we did :)
the toilets are not in your room but their is a toilet and shower for every two rooms..!
we didnt see many other people whil ewe were there and it was not very noisy..its abit of a walk to the peir but cabs are cheap and there is an off license 2mins down the road...!
the lift is LEGEND, and you MUST go in it..! haha..!
great hotel and i would defo stay again :)