First impressions

The White House is in Kemp Town, the area of Brighton famous for its white Regency seafront houses, many of which have been converted into guesthouses. The well-known boutique hotel, Drakes, is just around the corner but most of the other guesthouses nearby lack refinement, with brash signposts and a gaggle of hen parties passing through the reception.

The White House doesn't take hen parties, or any groups for that matter. It's popular with couples and gets many repeat guests who come back for the warm hospitality and scrumptious breakfast. The four-story house is grand from the outside, and while décor in the lobby is more B&B than boutique, the rooms and breakfast room have been individually decorated in sophisticated but simple themes. The location in a quiet back street a few minutes from the seafront means you can get a good night's sleep but you're still only 15 minutes from the Lanes for shopping and eating out.

Why it's special

Sean and Kathryn are the proprietors who meet guests personally, prepare the legendary breakfasts and are available on a mobile phone should guests need anything. You can expect the warm welcome of a B&B but refinement of a basic boutique hotel.

Hitting the sack

The ten bedrooms vary in size and theme. Mine had a soothing white and lilac theme, with sea grass carpets, a French-style white metal frame bed and elegant white carved wood mirrors on the wall. It also had a small balcony and a view over the courtyard garden at the front of the hotel. All rooms have newly-fitted bathrooms with good showers and Gilchrist & Soames toiletries (two of the rooms share a toilet). There are also televisions and hairdryers in every room, plus fair-trade tea and coffee, a kettle, mugs and milk.

Sampling the food

The White House serves breakfast in an airy room in the basement. A huge blackboard displays the menu, with options including scrambled egg with smoked salmon, kippers with a soft poached egg and a veggie version of a Full English breakfast.

The scrambled egg on sesame and sunflower seed toast is divine, and if you've still got room you can get extra toast and cereal plus tea, coffee and juice. Breakfast is served 8am-9am Monday to Friday and 9am-10am Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Access all areas

There is no access for guests in a wheelchair as there are steps up to the front door and internal doors are not wide enough.

Added attractions

There are sea views from the south facing rooms and a courtyard garden with chairs and a table where guests can relax and eat breakfast on a sunny day. Guests can also access 8MB speed wireless internet access free of charge - impressive for an establishment of this size.

What we think

A fun Brighton bolt hole that's relaxed and sophisticated in equal measure and sensibly priced.

Bottom line

Single rooms start from £45 per night and doubles from £80, including VAT and breakfast.

Need to know

The White House, 6 Bedford Street, Brighton, BN2 1AN, tel. 01273 626266, www.whitehousebrighton.com, email: info@whitehousebrighton.com

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