The positive things about this hotel are its staff and location. The staff are all very professional, helpful, well trained with the right level of friendliness. The location couldn't be better - right in the centre of Brighton (obviously this impacts on parking - the NCP parking is expensive but the hotel does give a discount). The hotel was nicely decked out for Christmas and the New Year. We had dinner on our first evening at it was extremely good and well presented, if a little expensive (£22 for monkfish). The restaurant setting is very pleasant. The breakfast was one of the best I have had with a lavish range on offer - too much to mention here!
The downside of the hotel for us was the room. At £210 per night (B&B) is was rather expensive for an average room. The room itself was pokey - I banged my leg on the bed post every time I tried to go round it. The housekeeping was not too good either - a light in the wardrobe that would not go out because the door didn't shut properly. A lamp not working and the patio doors (leading onto a bleak little area) kept flying open in the windy night (there was no obvious way of locking it). There was insufficient teabags and milk (no biscuits, although our friends did have these in their room). All all room facilities were a bit hit and miss. The bathroom (cut out from a corner of the room) was so small
you had to manoeuvre your way round the door in order to sit on the toilet. The complimentary toiletries were a nice touch.
Would I recommend it? Our friends got a bigger room than us (at the same price) so perhaps it's the luck of the draw when it comes to rooms. I would probably give it another try, for the positives were very good.

We wanted somewhere special to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Hotel du Vin was perfect - by the sea, chic, cool, and romantic. The room was dark & moody & very atmospheric. The staff were excellent - nothing was too much trouble for them.
Wish we were staying for longer, but all the same we had a wonderful anniversary.