Imagine a traditional English seaside Townhouse, somewhere that might feature in Downton Abbey, where nobility would stay to take the air for the weekend. That’s the impression one gets walking up to this stylish address facing a beautiful garden—on the outside, at least. On the inside, Square Townhouse is slick, modern, and quirky in design, with a wonderfully luxurious feel.
“There is no hotel like this in Brighton,” says Ginny Porpora, the visionary behind this gem—and it’s hard to disagree. With a perfect 5/5 score on TripAdvisor and the title of Brighton’s Number One Hotel, it’s an extraordinary blend of charm and individuality. In a town traditionally split between large hotels and modest guesthouses, Square Townhouse stands out as the only high-end independent establishment, redefining what boutique luxury can look like.
Grand makeover
The hotel is hidden within two Grade II-listed, five-story Regency townhouses that have been immaculately restored. Ginny acquired the first property in 2016 and refurbished it to create a stunning boutique experience. By 2019, she expanded her vision by purchasing the run-down guesthouse next door, tackling the challenges of Brexit and the pandemic to transform it into part of the now 20-room Square Townhouse. The scope of the refurbishment was enormous; on top of that, it was extremely hard to get hold of materials and labour with material prices increasing by 30%.
They say the details are what differentiates levels of luxury, and that involves everything from touchpoints to design to operations. Square Townhouse definitely gives you a strong understanding of the sense of place.
Bold and quirky
Every element in the hotel, from the elegant chandeliers to the champagne glasses, reflects Ginny’s meticulous attention to detail. “That wall was painted about three or four times because we couldn’t get the colour just right,” she says, pointing to a wall with a fireplace.
There’s a bit of an Alice in Wonderland vibe, and it carries through the public areas into the rooms—particularly with the smaller accents and pieces of furniture you’ll find yourself “discovering” as your stay progresses. Unexpected features include Italian design chairs “Him & Her” by Fabio Novembre, a dog-shaped side table, a full-body mannequin and much more.
Most of the antique furniture and ornaments were personally sourced by Ginny from platforms like eBay and Gumtree. For example, every room has antique French antique chandeliers, no two alike but the same style and every one of them was sourced by the hotel owner, restored, cleaned and rewired. “The most extraordinary things can be found in the most extraordinary places,” she explains. “You just need to do your research and wait for the right item to come up.”
Every room tells a story
There are 20 upscale rooms in the hotel, creating a sense of intimacy and cosiness. As Ginny stresses, “It’s the quality that matters, not the quantity.” Each room is unique, adorned with chic mirrors and decorative chrome accents. The Hemsley Suite or Flagship Upside Down Penthouse, is the biggest suite in the hotel. Spanning the entire Lower Ground Floor, it is complete with a fully equipped kitchen, dining room, lounge and private street entrance. The top floor houses The Bubble Penthouse Suite with a private west-facing Terrace and a free-standing Bath.
We stayed in the Luxury Sea View Room, with sweeping views of New Steine Central Garden and Brighton Beach just a stone’s throw away and admired from the window seat. The bathroom includes the interesting addition of a Japanese bath—shorter but much deeper than a traditional bath tub. Due to the extra depth it was quite a challenge to install, with builders modifying the floor structure to accommodate it. But it was absolutely worth it and pairs well with the complimentary Ritual’s toiletries.
The 13-person team at Square Townhouse adds to the charm, providing a personal and attentive service. When was the last time a hotel manager braved stormy winds to reserve a parking space for you, then offered you a glass of champagne?
Tailored experience
Another perk of Square Townhouse is offering guests additional bespoke services. For example, guests can book the common spaces or even the entire property for private events, whether it be for weddings, birthday parties or corporate meetings. “There’s a boardroom table that transforms; mirrors come off, and screens go up,” Ginny explains, highlighting the space’s flexibility.
You won’t find any standardised packages here, everything is fully bespoke and tailored to the exact specifications of the event. “Our intimate size allows for a personalised touch that larger venues simply cannot match. For a small gathering of up to 35, we have the expertise and resources to make it a memorable affair. No two parties are ever the same, and that is precisely how we like it”, she says.
Exceptional breakfast
Novelo is the hotel’s in-house restaurant, serving breakfast and brunch. This really blew us away—beautifully presented food with high-quality ingredients made to perfection. It’s simply unforgettable, with dishes like Egg Florentine Reimagined, Tian of Crab, and New York Confit Duck with Orange Julienne. It’s the kind of meal that lingers in your memory long after your stay. And despite being a fine-dining experience, it’s a lot cheaper than you would expect. Novelo is open to anyone, not just hotel guests.
Also don’t miss a pre-dinner cocktail at the Lounge Bar downstairs, where friendly manager James will gladly offer you a glass of champagne or a handcrafted cocktail.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Square Townhouse and it absolutely deserves the accolade of highest rated hotel in Brighton.
More information about Square Townhouse can be found here.
Image credits: © Square Townhouse, Travel with Style
