Have you ever considered Brighton for meetings and events? Tucked along the picturesque English southern coast, it beckons with a charm, inclusivity, and friendliness, which attract visitors from all over the world.
Who wouldn’t want to be beside the seaside for their meeting or event? From its iconic Pier to its busy arts scene, we explore the coastal gem of Brighton for meetings and events of all kinds.
Accessibility
Conveniently located just an hour south of London by train, Brighton offers easy accessibility for both domestic and international travellers. Its proximity to major transportation hubs, including Gatwick Airport (35 minutes away), ensures seamless connectivity, making it a desirable destination for events of all scales.
Once in Brighton, the city’s compact size and pedestrian-friendly layout facilitate effortless navigation, allowing attendees to explore its myriad attractions easily.
Made in Brighton
Brighton’s vibrant community of independent artisans, designers, and entrepreneurs reflects its creative spirit. From bespoke fashion boutiques to artisanal craft markets, the city is brimming with locally crafted treasures.
Incorporating “Made in Brighton” elements into your event can showcase the city’s thriving creative scene and highlight its unique contributions to fashion, design, and innovation.
Green initiatives
As sustainability takes centre stage in event planning, Brighton emerges as a pioneer in eco-friendly practices. The city has implemented various initiatives to promote environmental sustainability, from eco-conscious accommodation options to renewable energy projects.
Art, culture, and history
Brighton’s rich cultural tapestry is woven with tales of history, creativity, and diversity. From its iconic Royal Pavilion to the eclectic galleries of the North Laine, the city offers a wealth of cultural experiences.
A simple addition to any event itinerary could incorporate art walks, historical tours, and cultural excursions – so your delegates can immerse themselves in Brighton’s heritage for a deeper connection to the city and your event.
Fresh air and wellness
Each year, the city hosts the Brighton Marathon. The route, which winds along the scenic coastline, showcases Brighton’s natural beauty and vibrant spirit. It is also known for its roaring crowd support! The event can motivate an outdoor breakout session or inspire an organised group run before your event begins.
For more simple ways to incorporate wellness into your event, check out our blog.
Sights and seaside scenes
If restful post-conference downtime is part of your event itinerary, Brighton Beach might be the perfect place. You could also include an exploration of Brighton’s waterfront with a trip to Brighton Marina or Brighton Pier.
And if your guests aren’t afraid of heights, the Brighton i360 observation tower is a doughnut-shaped glass pod that acts as a lift and a viewing platform. It carries you up and down with unobstructed panoramic views of Brighton, the rolling South Downs National Park, the UNESCO Biosphere, and, on the clearest days, all the way along the coast to the Isle of Wight.
Brighton F&B
Brighton’s food landscape is as diverse as it is delicious, with many dining options to suit every palate. Brighton’s dining scene offers a feast for the senses, from fresh seafood delights along the waterfront to globally inspired eateries in the city centre. Whether enjoying a leisurely meal overlooking the sea or sampling street food delights at a bustling market, attendees will surely savour the region’s flavours.
How about squeezing in time for a spot of wine tasting in your itinerary? Or even a full-on wine tour? Brighton & Hove’s Sussex County has the country’s largest number of vineyards. But suppose your delegates prefer their beers and spirits. In that case, Brighton Gin, Madame Jennifer and Slake Spirits distil local drinks, including gin and vodka, and UnBarred brewery and taproom pours a wide variety of UnBarred beers in Keg, including some exclusive beers only available at its home in central Brighton.
Our view of the venues
Let’s take a look at a selection of hotels and venues available to you in Brighton for meetings and events:
The Grand Brighton
You could unveil your next grand plan against the breathtaking backdrop of The Grand Brighton on a captivating seafront. Your delegates can indulge in delicious seasonal offerings at its restaurant Cyan, finish a meeting with a sunset stroll and team cocktails in the stunning Victoria Bar, or head to the famous Victoria Terrace.
This 5-star hotel is in a prime location in the centre of an iconic city and has space for every get-together. From board meetings to multi-day conferences and private dining, the hotel has five bright and beautiful event spaces that can be tailored to suit any occasion.
Malmaison Brighton
Discover a place where contemporary chic merges with time-honoured comforts! Perched on the waterfront, the Malmaison Brighton hotel offers event guests boutique bedrooms adorned with oversized, inviting beds and a conservatory that offers mesmerising views of the sea.
It also has top-tier conferencing facilities for event planners! From spots for intimate meetings over afternoon tea, private dinner, or group summer BBQ to versatile spaces with collapsible walls to give you as much capacity as you need – you can mix and match.
Leonardo Royal Hotel Brighton Waterfront
Leonardo Royal Hotel Brighton Waterfront boasts 210 comfortable, stylish bedrooms – some with unbeatable views across the beach – and health and leisure facilities for your delegates. The hotel is just 15 minutes from the train station and a short stroll from the iconic Brighton Palace Pier and Marina.
It offers eight spacious function rooms, accommodating up to 300 guests, perfect for hosting a meeting, conference or training session, and even your company awards night.
Leo’s Bar and Lounge provides homemade food and drinks in a unique glass-ceilinged setting, and the Seaview bar and lounge on the promenade allows guests to enjoy unrivalled views of Brighton Palace Pier and the seafront.
The Waterfront Hotel also offers leisure facilities, including a convenient Brighton gym, swimming pool and spa.
Harbour Hotel Brighton
This luxury boutique hotel, set in a restored Regency building on Brighton’s iconic seafront, has 79 rooms with a nautical theme that’s on another level of comfort and style!
The beach is right outside the door, and if your guests don’t fancy the fresh air or a sea swim, they can access the gym and a luxury subterranean HarSPA with a serene heated pool, a Scandinavian hot tub, and treatments.
The Brighton Harbour Hotel has two impressive, flexible rooms for meetings, conferences, or events of up to 160 delegates, and it can offer your delegates complimentary off-site parking. However, parking T&Cs apply, such as minimum numbers and with prior agreement.
Hotel Du Vin
The Hotel Du Vin Brighton is a beautiful, refined and elegant sanctuary in Brighton’s former fishing village and cobbled streets of the Lanes. It is a perfect mix of blend of Victorian elegance and modernity.
Any of the luxurious rooms will make your guests feel special and comfortable. Even the bathrooms are sleek!
Its on-site Bistro Du Vin offers French-inspired cuisine with locally sourced ingredients, all served in an elegant, relaxed setting.
And whether you’re looking for space for an intimate business meetings or a grand event such as training conference or awards, the venue’s versatile meeting and event spaces deliver an impeccable setting. The private dining here is on point!
Old Ship Hotel
With some parts dating back to 1559, Brighton’s most historic hotel, The Old Ship Hotel, sits on the busy seafront, a short walk from the Pier.
The Old Ship Hotel offers 12 event spaces, all with different capacities and styles – something for every type of event. It has smaller rooms perfect for team meetings and ideation sessions, plus larger, more elaborate spaces for conferences.
The largest space, the Paganini Suite, can host up to 250 delegates theatre-style, while the Cellars, part of the original building, can accommodate up to 28 for private dining.
Brighton Centre
The Brighton Centre is centrally located on the seafront, within easy walking distance of the city’s major hotels, restaurants and attractions. With light, airy and spacious interiors, panoramic sea views and easy access, it offers a flexible, compact venue with the capacity to accommodate conferences of 300–4,450 delegates, offering 5,000m2 exhibition space and 23 syndicate rooms.
The fully glazed front to the venue gives a bright entrance Foyer. And with the third-floor Restaurant’s full height glazed frontage, providing dramatic and sweeping views of Brighton seafront and the English Channel, it really gives your delegates a wow factor.
Royal Pavilion
When it comes to Brighton for meetings and events, no list of potential venues is complete without the The Royal Pavilion. Steeped in history and heritage, it has been hosting the city’s finest events since the 1780s. Restored to its original 1823 splendour with Indian architecture contrasted with exotic and lavish interiors inspired by the Orient, it was originally built as a seaside pleasure palace for the Prince Regent.
The Prince later became King George IV when Brighton was at the height of fashionable Regency society. George, renowned for his extravagant and decedent lifestyle, almost bankrupted the country in pursuit of building this magnificent palace.
The palace boasts six event spaces, and some of its most impressive event spaces are former State Rooms.
The venue’s beautiful red drawing room was where the King’s female guests would withdraw following dinner in the banqueting room. It retains much of its original striking decorative scheme from the 1820s, incorporating the Royal Pavilion’s distinctive dragon wallpaper and palm tree pillars. The room offers a warm and welcoming space for smaller events, ceremonies, standing receptions for up to 50 guests, and intimate seated dinners for up to 30. Hire the Red Drawing Room alone or with the King William IV Room as a suite of rooms.
The King William IV Room, on the first floor above the Red Drawing Room, offers an elegant setting for day and evening events. With exquisite hand-painted Chinese-style wallpaper and hanging lanterns, it benefits from a private entrance, a lobby, and a caterer kitchen. It is a versatile space for meetings, lunch, seated dinner for 60, a standing drinks reception for 80, or a board meeting for 28.
Fancy Brighton for your meetings and events?
Whether you want venue in Brighton, or full event services overseas, we can arrange it all for you, and anything in between. Explore Bien Venue’s corporate event management services and venue finding services, and get in touch to plan your next meeting or event.
Looking for more destination inspiration?
Have a look at our back catalogue of ‘Spotlight On’ and our other blogs. Our previous ‘Spotlight On’ features include everywhere from Belfast and Brighton, to Sydney and the South of France.