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4-star hotel Check-in 14:00 · Check-out 11:00

Colson House

Charming guest house in Kemptown, Brighton with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a garden. Close to Royal Pavilion, Brighton Pier & LGBT-friendly bars.

17 Upper Rock Gardens, Kemptown, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 1QE, United Kingdom View on map
9/10
Exceptional Based on 107 recent guest reviews
Free Wi-Fi Air-conditioned Smoke-free
What recent guests emphasize

Comfortable stay in a prime Brighton location

Recent visitors appreciate the clean, cozy rooms and friendly service, highlighting the guest house’s great location near the beach and city centre. Some small maintenance issues were noted, but overall it suits those wanting a quiet, convenient base without extra hotel amenities.

Guests often praise

  • Spotlessly clean and comfortably decorated rooms with thoughtful touches like tea and kettle.
  • Highly convenient location close to Brighton’s beach, city centre, and vibrant neighbourhood.
  • Friendly and welcoming staff providing helpful assistance during the stay.
  • Easy, contactless self-check-in with timely code delivery for smooth arrival.
  • Quiet accommodations with comfortable beds and fresh linens.

Worth knowing

  • No on-site parking; street parking and council permits are available but should be arranged ahead.
  • Access involves steep stairs, which may be challenging for some guests.
  • Minor maintenance issues reported, such as faulty blinds and bathroom lighting, but fixes are generally prompt.
  • No breakfast, restaurant, or other hotel facilities like a pool or fitness centre.
  • Walls can be thin at times, so some noise from other rooms might be heard.

Best for

  • Travelers seeking a charming, quiet guest house with a personal touch.
  • Explorers wanting to be close to Brighton’s beach, cultural spots, and nightlife.
  • Visitors comfortable with self-service check-in and minimal hotel amenities.
  • Guests prioritizing cleanliness and friendly service over luxury facilities.
  • People who prefer a smoke-free environment in a lively LGBT-friendly neighbourhood.
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About this property

Welcome to Colson House

Colson House is a guest house situated at 17 Upper Rock Gardens in the lively Kemptown area of Brighton and Hove. The property features individually decorated rooms, each equipped with air conditioning and complimentary Wi-Fi. Guests have access to a pleasant garden space, contributing to a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere during their stay. Check-in begins at 14:00 with check-out by 11:00.

The guest house operates on a self-service basis with remote check-in codes, which some visitors have found convenient, although a few have noted minor issues such as steep stairs and occasional maintenance quirks. Breakfast, parking, pets, and on-site dining are not provided, so guests should plan accordingly. The smoke-free environment adds to its appeal for those seeking a quieter stay.

Located in a buzzing LGBT-friendly neighborhood, Colson House offers easy access to an array of bars, cafes, and cultural spots including Brighton Flea Market and the Marlborough Theatre. Notable attractions nearby include the Royal Pavilion, Brighton Palace Pier, and the Brighton i360, all within walking distance. This makes the property particularly suitable for visitors interested in exploring the city’s vibrant social scene and iconic sights.

Guest reviews highlight the property’s cleanliness, cozy rooms, and convenient location close to the beach and city centre. While some have experienced minor service hiccups, many emphasize the welcoming staff and overall positive experience. This makes Colson House a practical choice for travelers seeking simple, well-maintained accommodations in a central Brighton location.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Facilities & essentials

What's on-site and what you should know before you arrive

The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.

Most popular facilities

Free Wi-Fi
Air-conditioned
Smoke-free

Not available at this property

Breakfast
Parking
Pool
Pet-friendly
Restaurant
Airport shuttle
Fitness center
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

CN
carl neale Apr 16, 2026
8.0

Stayed here for one night in a single room. It was on floor 4 of the building. Very steep stairs. That was fine for me, but something to know for other people On entry i realised I didn't have an email with the codes to check in. I phoned and it took them 20 mins of me stood there, to find my reservation. When i eventually got the codes, I got to my room. The room was clean, plenty to drink, a nice tv and a decent loo and shower. Very compact but more than enough. The floor however is on a slope, it's completely wonky and really strange. The room walls are paper thin. The door handled need to be slammed to shut the door. So you hear everything all night. That was a big downside. Apart from that it was comfortable and I'd stay again. If you havent got your emails the day before, I'd suggest calling them ASAP

TS
Tim Sully Mar 14, 2026
8.0

We really enjoyed our stay in Brighton once again and there were so many things we liked about our room. The only reason we didn’t give 5 stars for service and room was because there were a few small things which weren’t quite right. Firstly, two of the three Venetian blinds on the windows didn’t work and wouldn’t raise or tilt; secondly, only one of three bulbs worked in the bathroom light fitting; thirdly (being a bit picky here I admit) we were cold for a good while until we worked out the radiators, so it would have been nice if someone had switched them on for us that afternoon (just enough to take the chill off the air). However, these didn’t detract from our enjoyment in fairness. We felt at ease as soon as we walked through the lobby and stairs which is very nicely decorated with a lovely quirky edge. We were also happy to see we didn’t have to worry about keys thanks to the combo locks on all the doors! The bed was lovely and comfortable and we both slept like babies both nights, helped no end by the room being so quiet! Once the radiators got to work, we were lovely and cozy, and there were plenty of hot drinks to greet us which was just what we needed after a rather problematic journey due to train issues in London! The TV was perfect for the room (I hate huge TVs!) the furniture was good too, especially the lovely bed. The decor was really well finished, there was plenty of storage for our things, and the bathroom & shower were just right for us. The building looked lovely even at night and the location could have barely been more ideal for us: just far enough from town to be cozy, near enough to be very convenient, and just the right walking distance to clear one’s head before turning in for the night! There’s great shops nearby and you can get a cracking cup of coffee and a bite at the Al Forno Pizzeria just round the corner, plus you can literally fall out the front door and roll down to the seafront, though I’d recommend just walking personally! As I say, there were some tiny issues which is why we couldn’t quite give the 5 stars we would otherwise have given. It wasn’t expensive either so great value for money.

CR
Caroline R Mar 02, 2026
10

John was very welcoming and made sure we were all set for our trip. We were able to park in the road and pay the hotel for council permits to cover our stay, which was a way more reasonable price then any other parking in Brighton. The room was really nicely decorated, clean and in a perfect location, everything was in walking distance. Would definitely stay again when in Brighton.

EE
Emin Efendi Jan 25, 2026
10

Coulson House is one of the loveliest places I’ve stayed. The staff were extremely friendly, the rooms were spotlessly clean, and everything felt welcoming and well cared for. Excellent location, just a short walk from the beach and the city centre. I would definitely love to stay there again.

AS
A Sure Jan 19, 2026
8.0

Nice rooms, clean, but no hot water which kinda sucks Edit: fixed within an hour, nice

TT
Thania Than Jan 05, 2026
10

I recently stayed at Colson House, and it was a delightful experience! The room I booked was incredibly cozy and clean, making it a perfect home away from home during my stay. One of the nice touches was the amenities provided. It had a kettle, water, glasses, and some tea, which was perfect for enjoying a warm beverage in the comfort of my room. It’s those little conveniences that really enhance a stay. The location couldn’t be better just a short stroll from both the beach and the vibrant city center of Brighton. Whether I wanted to enjoy the seaside or explore shops and restaurants, everything was within easy reach. Overall, I highly recommend Colson House for anyone visiting Brighton. The cozy atmosphere, clean accommodations, and great location make it an excellent choice for a relaxing stay!

R
Raine Dec 26, 2025
10

Good self service guesthouse / hotel. Even the basic double rooms were nice and spacious with a decent bathroom and decent sized shower. Only complaint we have is slightly thin walls; not a huge issue but you can hear others at times. The booking, check-in and check-out process was easy with codes for the building and room sent to my inbox before check-in time.

MN
Mmua Ngwako Dec 24, 2025
10

Conveniently located near all amenities. Very clean and well managed including remote check-in. Comfortable bed with freshly laundered linen and toiletries. It was a pleasure to settle in after a long commute all the way from Peterborough! Thanks

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find Colson House

Brighton, United Kingdom

Buzzing LGBT neighbourhood with cool bars & cafes, Brighton Flea Market & Marlborough Theatre.

  • Brighton 23 min Walk
  • Moulsecoomb 49 min Walk
  • Devonshire Place 3 min Walk
  • Heathrow Airport 1 hr 23 Car · 2 hr 8 Transit
  • London Gatwick Airport 44 min Car · 1 hr 15 Transit
  • London Stansted Airport 1 hr 52 Car · 2 hr 58 Transit
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in Brighton. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

Royal Pavilion 13,277 reviews

Royal Pavilion

4/5 Pavilion Buildings, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1EE, United Kingdom

4.6 · Museum
Brighton Palace Pier 37,051 reviews

Brighton Palace Pier

Madeira Dr, Brighton BN2 1TW, United Kingdom

4.4 · Amusement Park
Brighton i360 14,756 reviews

Brighton i360

Lower Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2LN, United Kingdom

4.5 · Tourist Attraction
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