Brighton is famous for its regency architecture, and the white-washed city once oozed with fashionable day-trippers out to take the sea air while they paraded along the pier in all their finery like a bunch of peacocks. But these days it’s a far more common bird that stumbles along the decks and the city centre heaves with the hustle and bustle of an eclectic mix of boutique shops and busy bars. It is an exciting city with much to offer and there’s no doubt that staying in the centre can be handy, but it’s not always ideal if you’re after a little R and R. So when I heard about the Hotel Seattle perched on the edge of the more serene Brighton marina, I knew to expect something special – and I wasn’t wrong!

This newly built hotel is an architectural wonder. The sleek curves, frosted port-holed doors and crisp white decor easily trick the eye into believing you are looking at the interior of a luxurious cruise liner. Arriving at the hotel we were soon shown to our room overlooking the marina and I was pleased to find it was no pokey cabin. A king size white leather bed held centre stage in a room which was a calm combination of nautical design and New England style with a hint of space age minimalism.

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Tearing myself away from the room, it was time to head to the bar for a little pre-dinner cocktail. Like the rest of the hotel the bar benefits from a sleek, modern decor – but the colours are warm creating a cosy and relaxed drinking hole. In the summer you can take advantage of the stunning views by enjoying drinks and dinner on the balcony, but as I visited in February I stuck indoors to admire the marina from behind the warmth of double glazing. You will find the bar stocked with all the usual suspects, however this hotel has a cocktail menu that would put Tom Cruise’s ‘Cocktails & Dreams’ to shame. A must-try is the molecular cocktails. Not the cheapest on the menu – but a work of art that will be sure to impress a hot date! For those of you who would rather keep it real, then tickle your taste buds with the locally produced ales also on offer.

And the homegrown gems don’t stop there. The Seattle is head and shoulders above its peers when it comes to food, and it’s no wonder with the restaurant in the capable hands of quietly confident head chef David Edward. David presides over an ever-changing seasonal menu of fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. We couldn’t resist the potted shrimps, goat’s cheese crumpet with pickled beetroot, Sussex sirloin steak and roast belly of pork on a bed of lentils. Faced with all of this local fare, it was only right that we should wash it down with a splash of English wine and luckily restaurant manager Mattia Casadei was at hand to recommend the best matches to our food, pointing us in the direction of Sussex-based Bookers Vineyard’s Blackbird Merlot and Pinot Noir, both 2006, which set off the steak and pork beautifully.

After a quick nightcap at the bar, it was time for bed, and despite being full to the brim, my tummy was already groaning with excited anticipation at the breakfast that awaited it. As soon as the alarm went it was straight into the ‘monsoon’ shower and then downstairs for the next round. A light breakfast is not an option here. After helping myself to the well-stocked continental buffet and mixing myself a much-needed Virgin Mary I settled down to await my full English breakfast complete with Sussex-reared sausages, bacon, black pudding and a generous dollop of homemade baked beans but you can also choose delights such as eggs benedict, smoked salmon with scrambled eggs or brioche French toast with apple and blackberry compote off the a la carte breakfast menu.

Without a doubt, this hotel is far more than a crash pad. It’s a destination hotel that deserves credit for supplying its guests with a great night out and a good night’s sleep. So whether you’re planning a romantic tête à tête or a chilled night with friends, don’t overlook this modern gem in a Georgian crown.