The best Airbnbs in Brighton for a short break by the sea

Who needs a spa membership when you've got your own steam room and jacuzzi? This  flat blends period charm with modern indulgence, all just steps from Brighton Station and the eclectic North Laine. Sink into the super king bed under a vaulted ceiling, or cosy up by the Victorian fireplace on a rich Chesterfield sofa with a glass of something cold. The kitchen's fully loaded too, dishwasher, Nespresso machine, the lot, so you've got no excuse not to cook. And when you fancy breakfast without lifting a finger, the neighbour's an artisan bakery turning out fresh bread and pastries most mornings. Honestly, why would you ever leave?

Time Out tip: You're welcome to use the log burner, but the host doesn't supply logs, so pick some up on the way if you want a fire going. There's also a flight of stairs to climb on arrival, worth knowing if you're travelling heavy.

Location: North Laine, Brighton.

Sleeps: One bedroom. Sleeps two guests.

Perks: Private steam room and jacuzzi bath, log burner, dedicated workspace, complimentary luxury toiletries.

Price: From £163 a night.

Welcome to KIRA, a stunning holiday home right by the beach, with Hove Lagoon and its beach park on the doorstep. It's a short stroll to Rockwater for beachfront dining and drinks, or head into Brighton for shopping, bars and nightlife. The lounge has large bay windows and an  Edwardian fireplace, while the master bedroom has its own small private courtyard. You'll have sole use of a landscaped garden too, perfect for breakfast outside after a morning at the beach.

Time Out tip: Hove Lagoon Watersports is right outside, offering windsurfing, wakeboarding, kayaking and paddleboarding tuition for adults and kids, so it's an easy pick if you want an active weekend rather than just sunbathing. A travel cot and high chair are provided too, handy for anyone travelling with young children.

Location: Hove seafront, opposite Hove Lagoon.

Sleeps: Two bedrooms, three beds. Sleeps four guests.

Perks: Private garden, beachfront location, Netflix and fast wifi, free street parking permits provided.

Price: From £298 a night.

This quirky studio apartment is one of the best Airbnbs in Brighton's city centre, making it a must for those who want to be right in the buzz of it all. Around you, you'll find many shops, restaurants and bars, because you'll be just minutes away from The Lanes. The seafront is a short walk away if it's the beach you're after. You'll find the pier, places to eat that are literally on the pebbles and picturesque views (we recommend taking a can to watch the sun go down over the water). 

Time Out tip: It's just a two-minute stroll to the seafront at the end of East Street, and the studio's fourth-floor spot puts you above the noise while still landing you in the middle of the city centre's bars and restaurants.

Location: Brighton city centre.

Sleeps: One bedroom. Sleeps two guests.

Perks: Self check-in, full kitchen, sea views from nearby, 475 reviews with a 4.66 rating, praised for host Charlotte's communication.

Price: From £133 a night.

If you're splashing out on one of those all-or-nothing romantic getaways, this is the only place you should be staying in Brighton. The Grade II-listed building blends spacious rooms with a stylish aesthetic. It's located in Kemptown, so you've got cracking views and easy access to the beach. In fact, you can see it from the balcony every morning. Inside, you've got a double bed and full bathroom with a fabulously large living and dining space. So when you're not trying out the city's best restaurants, you can host cute date nights with homecooked meals. 

Time Out tip: It's a Guest Favourite and sits in the top 5 percent of Airbnb homes, with a 4.95 rating across 1,064 reviews and 13 years of Superhosting from Vikki behind it, so it's worth booking well ahead for a weekend away.

Location: Kemptown, Brighton.

Sleeps: One bedroom. Sleeps two guests.

Perks: 11ft ceilings, sea-view balcony, rainfall shower and heated towel rack, Nespresso machine, pet friendly.

Price: From £135 a night.

Brighton is full of vintage, retro goodness thanks to its quirky vibes and abundance of quaint independent shops down the lanes. This Airbnb cottage is situated in the heart of Brighton, only a five-minute walk from the train station and the beach. Nestled in the Laines conservation area, Brighton's bustling local shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars are all at your doorstep where you can easily spend the day exploring and rummaging for some unique buys and antique treasures. The Airbnb sleeps four guests in a double bed and a sofa bed, making it the ideal stay for friends or a romantic trip away for couples. Your new home away from home comes with everything to make your trip comfortable, including a log-burning stove in the living room for chillier evenings and a fully-equipped kitchen. The interior has an overall country charm to it with hints of retro colour and unique furnishings to give it that Brighton persona. 

Time Out tip: It's a Superhost stay with a 4.93 rating across 392 reviews, and guests rate the neighbourhood highly for walkability, so you can leave the car behind and explore the Laines on foot.

Location: The Laines, Brighton.

Sleeps: One bedroom, two beds. Sleeps four guests.

Perks: Log burner, self check-in via keypad, espresso machine and filter coffee maker, five minutes from the train station and the beach.

Price: From £128 a night.

Planning a group trip? This house has enough room for up to eight guests. Decorated with bright colours, stylish furnishings and eclectic original features, it's got all you could need to make lasting memories with your crew. On the ground floor, you've got a spacious living and dining area, along with a balcony – a nice spot for your morning coffee. As for sleeping arrangements, there are three large bedrooms (so no bickering over who goes where) and an additional pull-out sofa bed downstairs. The home is in the Powis Square area, which prime position for exploring the city. 

Time Out tip: All group guests must be 25 or over, and the property runs a strict no parties or late-night noise policy with a noise monitor installed, so it's built for a relaxed group getaway rather than a big blowout.

Location: Montpelier, Brighton.

Sleeps: Three bedrooms, four beds, 1.5 bathrooms. Sleeps eight guests.

Perks: Freestanding bath, self check-in, balcony, fireplace, fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher and washer/dryer, 4.78 rating across 107 reviews.

Price: From £253 a night.

Obsessed with the idea of glamping? Check out this charming shepherd's hut at South Downs Rural Retreats. You'll be able to get a little R&R while soaking up incredible views from your idyllic temporary home, which just so happens to be located on a working farm. As well as offering a comfortable bed, open-plan living and kitchen, the stay includes our very own hot tub tucked away just behind the hut. You can wander directly off the farm to the South Downs and Findon village, with Brighton just a short drive away. 

Time Out tip: You can walk straight off the farm onto the South Downs, or head into Findon village in around 20 minutes for a choice of pubs and restaurants, so you don't need a car once you're there. Note it's strictly no pets.

Location: Findon, South Downs.

Sleeps: One bedroom. Sleeps two guests.

Perks: Private hot tub, en-suite rain shower, communal sauna and chill tub, direct farm access onto the South Downs.

Price: From £177 a night.

This unique loft-like flat is found down a Victorian cobbled street near Hove station. The host is an interiors architect by profession and it really shows in both the expertly curated open-plan setup and the choice of furnishings. There’s a wonderful mix of vintage furniture here – with a penchant for mid-century modern – but without the place feeling cluttered. Each piece, here, is very carefully chosen. We love the black SMEG fridge, the vertical bike storage and a quintessentially ‘Brighton’ feel!

Time Out tip: Free street parking is a rare find this close to the centre, and the mews itself has history, the coachmen's cottages here date back to 1860, and one of the first ever silent films was shot nearby in Cambridge Grove. Head two blocks south to the sea and you'll land among restaurants, pubs and bars.

Location: Hove.

Sleeps: One bedroom, two beds. Sleeps four.

Perks: Free street parking, blackout blinds throughout, bike and pushchair storage, spare mattress and sofa bed topper available, no washing machine but the host can arrange a service wash.

Price: From £97.50 a night.

Who doesn't want to live like a king? The Regency residence will have you lapping up a life of luxury, from lounging on plush velvet sofas with bonbons and glasses of fizz to doing gold face masks in the bloody huge standing bath. The townhouse has enough space for 16, yes 16 guests across five large bedrooms. The house retains a lot of its original splendour, so expect to find high ceilings, wooden flooring and grand fireplaces. There is also a state-of-the-art smart home automation system and, this is the best bit, your very own cinema.

Location: Kemptown, Brighton.

Sleeps: Five bedrooms, six beds, 3.5 bathrooms. Sleeps 16 guests.

Perks: Private cinema, smart home automation, freestanding bath, working Regency fireplaces, sea-view Juliet balconies.

Price: From £440 a night.

The Duck Lodge is just as cute as you would hope. An upgraded log cabin with its own hot tub, this cosy spot in Pyecombe will have you waking up in tranquillity. Have a morning coffee and croissant in a lush green garden, or you know, in a hot tub if that's what you're into (might be a bit soggy though). The space is kitted out with Sonos, Sky TV and Nespresso coffee machines, so you can seclude yourself in style. Around you, you've got the drop-dead stunning countryside of the South Downs. Or Brighton if you need some civilisation. 

Time Out tip: The Plough in the village serves food until 8:30pm and does a proper Sunday roast, and there's a Marks and Spencer at the bottom of the village that's open 24 hours, handy if you land late. For a walk, Wolstonbury Hill and the Jack and Jill Windmills are both a short stroll away.

Location: Pyecombe, South Downs.

Sleeps: One bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms. Sleeps two guests.

Perks: Private hot tub, breakfast included, Sonos sound system, honesty bar fridge, self check-in.

Price: From £118 a night.

Located out of the city and within the South Downs National Park, this cute little Shepherd’s Hut is powered entirely by solar power (and some subterranean worms who help make the composting loo work). It’s on a hilltop farm close to the River Ouse and offers plenty in the way of ‘getting back to nature’ and ‘switching off’. Inside, it’s a super sweet green-tinted haven with an extremely cosy-looking nook for the double bed. And don’t worry, if all that off-gridness has got you craving culture, it’s only a short drive from all Brighton has to offer and Glyndebourne.

Time Out tip: There's no mains electricity here, just solar and USB charging, so bring a power bank if you're relying on your phone. The hut is a five-minute uphill walk from the parking area with no lighting along the way, so pack practical shoes and try to arrive before dark. Parking itself is free, a rarity for the area.

Location: Near Lewes, South Downs National Park.

Sleeps: One bedroom. Sleeps two.

Perks: Wood burner, outdoor fire pit, solar festoon lighting, hot shower, free parking.

Price: From £89 a night.

This Airbnb rental located right by the station is the epitome of calm - if you're looking for some interior design inspo, this place will give you a run for your money. Featuring two spacious bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen all of which sport a bright, boho minimalist feel that makes for irresistibly cosy evenings and an instant mood boost.  

Time Out tip: It's a one-minute walk from Brighton Station, so you can skip the taxi entirely, and North Laine's shops are two minutes the other way. The road can get a bit lively at night with a couple of nearby pubs, but the host provides ear plugs, handy for the seagulls too.

Location: Brighton city centre, next to the station.

Sleeps: Two bedrooms, two beds, 2.5 bathrooms. Sleeps four.

Perks: King ensuite bedroom, patio with bi-fold doors, French press for coffee, downstairs washroom, 4.91 rating with guests praising host Emma's communication.

Price: From £137 a night.

The chances are you came to Brighton for one of two things: the nightlife or to be by the sea. This seafront apartment is a stunning spot for both of those things. Wake up to the chorus of seagulls each morning followed by seaside views at breakfast -  the windows here are epic, so there's no lack of sunlight here, further complemented by the bright walls and bold sofas for contrast and style. As you gathered, kicking back at the apartment is a cosy affair, and luckily this one is big enough to house six. Ideal for families, a friends' trip or even a base for your bachelorette. 

Time Out tip: Check-in is 24/7, so a late train from London won't throw off your plans. There's no dishwasher, worth knowing if you're cooking for six, but everything else is hotel-quality, right down to the linen and towels. It's smoke-free throughout, including the balcony.

Location: Brighton seafront.

Sleeps: Three bedrooms, four beds, two bathrooms. Sleeps six.

Perks: Sea and pier views, ensuite in one bedroom, 24/7 check-in, hotel-quality linen, close to North Laine's flea markets and restaurants.

Price: From £362 a night.