Brighton rock (and roll) | Hotel Pelirocco, 10 Regency Square, Brighton BN1 2FG

When I was in my late teens I remember hearing about Hotel Pelirocco opening in Brighton, it sounded like the coolest hotel in the world at the time. A rock and roll nineteen-bedroomed boutique hotel with themed bedrooms, including the infamous Play Room, I longed to stay there. Fast forward fifteen years and it is still standing and run by the same guy – Mick Robinson and finally I get to fulfil one of my lifelong dreams.

The hotel is just off the seafront on the mostly residential Regency Square, with no dedicated parking. So we parked at the nearby Regency Mews secure car park (£12 for an overnight stay) and checked in at the Hotel Pelirocco‘s reception, which also doubles up a a bar. I knew I’d like this place. We come to Brighton a couple of times a year and you can absolutely guarantee rain whenever we make the trip. On this occasion it was tipping it down the entire time. Plans of chips on the beach and a wander round The Lanes were well and truly scuppered.

The Gresham Blake room… New and cosy!

Our Gresham Blake room (£135pn) was brand spanking new, music to the ears of someone who has a mild case of OCD, and can’t help but think about the fact countless people have been in a room previous to me. Did you know the dirtiest thing in a hotel room is the TV remote control? It doesn’t bear thinking about. The room was designed by Gresham Blake (we had to Google it too – he’s a local tailor with a shop locally on Bond Street.) It has the feel of a modern hunting lodge, featuring plastic laser-cut guns on the wall, their fluorescent colours along with the embroidered cushions and throw took the masculine edge off the decor. That said, the flooring had bullets imbedded in it! The best bit was the tea-tray with Curly Wurlys – sweet. Amongst the usual hotel paraphernalia we found a menu for She Said sex toys, inside you could even buy a The Ultra Deluxe Hamper for £250 ‘I hope that comes with a person!’ Ade exclaimed.

You Dirty Fuckin’ Rotter…

There really is a room for everyone here, from a knitted one called Do Knit Disturb, to the Peliroccobilly – an authentic 50’s room with its very own juke box. Both Rough Trade and Skint records have put their names to a room at the hotel along with legendary punk artist Jamie Reid of the Sex Pistols fame.

After dealing with our sodden and dishevelled appearances we slunk downstairs for a pre-dinner cocktail. The menu design looks like something you’d see in Yates’s. Look past it and you’ll find naughty and playful creations, such as the Dirty Fuckin’ Rotter £7 – which of course I went for, purely because it sounded like a cocktail my dad would approve of. Ade was temped by a Cowboy Blow Job, but that was one for the end of the night… It goes without saying that the decor is varied and eclectic, brilliant bespoke wallpaper by Brennan and Burch dominates the bar (we’d love some in our bedroom) as does an intricate ‘Romeo & Juliet mirror. Everywhere you look there’s a quirky poster, photo or piece of rock memorabilia. Love it! Even more wallpaper porn was discovered the following day at the new MEATliquor.

A crowd of people on a ‘work conference’ (yeah, whatever) were sat around in a circle drinking and chatting. It felt like being in someone’s front room after a night out in the early hours. When we returned from our meal at the wonderful The New Club up the road we found a more lively situation. A bustling bar with a DJ at the decks. We had a swift nightcap and went to bed feeling rather old and past it.

Ade grumbled the next morning about being kept awake by the party-goers below – what an old git!. The room also had an unsettling sensation of moving as someone walked up the stairs. I was sensible and squished those brilliant silicone ear plugs into my ears so heard (nor felt) nothing. Our bed was large enough to have my own space and the duvet luxuriously soft, had I not had that nightcap I would have enjoyed a good nights sleep.

Poor Ade (see background). Lucky me (see foreground)

At breakfast the same chirpy barmaid was there to take our orders (food, that is). She assured us that she had been home to sleep. Ade chose plain toast and marmalade washed down with peppermint tea, as he was suffering from a weekend long stomach complaint. I on the other hand, devoured a fine Full Monty £7.50, while he could only look on longingly.

I might have to enter this into Hotel Pelirocco’s monthly photo competition

We were offered a peek at the Play Room which we couldn’t resist. Left alone there Ade had an obligatory little swing on the pole (yes, one of those kinds) whilst I took a rare selfie on the ginormous circular bed with a mirrored ceiling. This room must have seen some sights, to be a fly on the wall, or perhaps not…

So finally, after all these years I’ve had the Hotel Pelirocco experience, and it was everything I hoped it would be. Full of personality, with warm and welcoming staff. I probably would have made more of it had I visited when I was an energetic teenager, who could stay up all night rather than being tucked up in bed by 11. Still, it’s a great place to stay and have some fun, in whichever sense of the word you choose. Oh, and they offer a late checkout of 2pm. Now we’re talking…

www.hotelpelirocco.co.uk
10 Regency Square, Brighton BN1 2FG
Telephone: 01273 327 055
Email: info@hotelpelirocco.co.uk

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Nearest station: Brighton