GoHotelly
3-star hotel Check-in 14:00 · Check-out 11:00

Starlings Guest House

Elegant 1807 regency townhouse in Brighton's Kemptown offering free breakfast, Wi-Fi, and close access to Royal Pavilion & Brighton Palace Pier.

12 Upper Rock Gardens, Kemptown, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 1QE, United Kingdom View on map
9.8/10
Exceptional Based on 63 recent guest reviews
Free Wi-Fi Breakfast Beach access Smoke-free
What recent guests emphasize

Outstanding hospitality and prime location

Guests highlight the welcoming hosts, spotless and comfortable rooms, and proximity to Brighton's seafront and lively neighbourhood as key strengths of this charming guest house.

Guests often praise

  • The warm, friendly, and attentive hosts who create a welcoming atmosphere.
  • Spotlessly clean, comfortable rooms with thoughtful amenities like tea and coffee supplies.
  • A delicious and generous breakfast, including vegetarian and vegan options.
  • Convenient location near the beach, cafés, bars, and key Brighton attractions.
  • The charming, cosy ambiance of the historic regency townhouse.

Worth knowing

  • No free parking, air conditioning, pool, or airport shuttle available on-site.
  • Guests must navigate some steep and narrow stairs, which may be challenging for those with mobility issues.
  • The guest house is located on a quiet street slightly away from nightlife, offering a peaceful stay.
  • Direct booking on the property’s website can offer better rates than third-party sites.
  • Only five rooms available, so booking in advance is advisable.

Best for

  • Visitors seeking a quiet, friendly base close to Brighton’s seafront and main attractions.
  • Travelers who appreciate personal service and a homely, boutique guest house experience.
  • Guests looking for a breakfast included stay with vegan and vegetarian options.
  • Solo travelers, couples, and small groups prioritizing cleanliness and comfort.
  • Explorers interested in the vibrant LGBT neighbourhood, cafés, and local culture.
Compare booking partners

Open this hotel on the platform you trust.

GoHotelly doesn't process bookings — we open this property on each partner so you can compare live rates, cancellation rules and loyalty perks side by side.

Some links are affiliate — if you book, GoHotelly may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure.

About this property

Welcome to Starlings Guest House

Starlings Guest House is set within an 1807 regency townhouse in Kemptown, Brighton, offering guests a blend of historic charm and modern comforts. The elegant rooms come with thoughtful touches such as tea and coffee provisions, and Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. As a bed & breakfast, it includes a complimentary hot and continental breakfast to start the day. Check-in is from 14:00, with checkout by 11:00.

The guest house is located on a quiet street just a short stroll away from the seafront, shops, cafés, and vibrant nightlife. It sits within a buzzing LGBT neighbourhood known for its cool bars, Brighton Flea Market, and Marlborough Theatre—features that add to its appeal for visitors looking to explore local culture. Many reviewers highlight the welcoming hosts and the spotless, cosy rooms as key reasons for return visits.

While there is no free parking, pool, air-conditioning, or airport shuttle service, the property maintains a smoke-free environment and provides beach access. Its proximity to popular attractions, including the Royal Pavilion, Brighton Palace Pier, and Brighton i360, is appreciated by guests who enjoy sightseeing. The friendly owners are noted for their helpfulness in recommending local activities and dining options.

Starlings Guest House tends to suit travellers seeking a quiet yet central base near Brighton’s seafront and cultural spots, especially those who value a personal touch and a breakfast included with their stay. Guests should be aware that the building has some narrow, steep stairs, which may be a consideration for those with mobility challenges.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Facilities & essentials

What's on-site and what you should know before you arrive

The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.

Most popular facilities

Free Wi-Fi
Breakfast
Beach access
Smoke-free

Not available at this property

Free parking
Pool
Air-conditioned
Pet-friendly
Airport shuttle
Fitness center
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

L
Lorraine Mar 23, 2026
10

We stayed here for 5 nights and can not fault the location, the service or the room. Julie and Melina were excellent hosts, very welcoming and friendly and more than accommodating. The Breakfast was brilliant and the room was super clean. I will be staying here again and would definitely recommend The Starlings guest house.

IJ
Ivana Jelinić Mar 11, 2026
10

I’ve stayed at the Starlings Guest House several times and it’s always fantastic. Melina and Julie are so kind and welcoming. Rooms are spotless with comfy beds, fresh sheets, quality towels, and thoughtful touches like tea and coffee. It’s in a perfect spot as well, with shops, cafés, and the beach minutes away, and just 15 mins to the centre. Cosy and homey with a boutique feel. Every stay has been excellent. Highly recommend!

L
Lee Mar 01, 2026
10

Our new fave place to stay in Brighton! Lovely guest house, our room was spotless, modern & of a high standard. What made this place stand out though, was the lovely owners Melina & Julie, we could talk to them all day & we nearly did! Great location & delicious full English in the morning! We shall definitely return..

ZW
Zoe Winters Feb 27, 2026
10

Lovely stay at Starlings guest house - would recommend it to anyone. The hosts were lovely and super friendly. The place felt very welcoming. The room was very homely, cozy and comfy. Absolutely spotlessly clean. Very near the sea front, lots of cafes and eateries. Thanks for a lovely stay!

GG
Grace Green Feb 13, 2026
10

beautiful rooms, such lovely people, delicious breakfast. So comfy and clean. The most gorgeous rooms so close to the sea front! We had a wonderful two-night stay here and would wholeheartedly recommend! A very sweet little gem perfect for exploring Brighton.

A
Asher Feb 04, 2026
10

I had a lovely 2 night stay in this guest house/hotel. It is a very short walk away from the seafront, nightlife, and is located on a safe-seeming street with other guest houses and residences. I was pleased to get a room 2 weeks before my with such excellent reviews and price. I went out to explore nightlife and got back late which wasn't a problem. There are 5 rooms available. I stayed in the Single Room / standard which had a double bed, shower and tap in the room and a toilet outside in the hall. The room came with a glass bottle of water, a Kit Kat, coffee / tea, and small milk containers. Also it had cups, three drawers, a hair dryer, TV, wifi, and shower gel. I thought the building and room were beautiful in terms of decor and paintings. Julie and Melina were excellent hosts. I enjoyed chatting with them, and the full English Breakfast I decided to get filled me up for the day. They also have vegan and vegetarian breakfast options. The coffee they made was also delicious and they offered me extra toast both days. I saw them helping other guests with questions about what to do in Brighton and they are both very kind and friendly, and patient with visitors from other countries who are not fluent in English. I recommend booking from their website directly for the cheapest price rather than through a booking website! I think i saved £20 that way. I loved my stay at Starlings and I am planning to stay here next time in Brighton and to tell my friends and family about it.

BM
Binoy Mohan Jan 24, 2026
10

I stayed here last August and just realised I missed leaving a review on the site I made the booking on. First and Foremost the hospitality of Melina and Julia was stellar. They were extremely helpful, friendly and great fun to talk to. Breakfast times were great fun and I loved chatting with them about my day and the things to do in and around Brighton. The property itself is very charming and a great location, just a short walk from Brighton pier and all the sights in Brighton. Lot of great places to eat nearby, but the property itself is on a quiet residential street away from the night life, so you don't get disturbed. The breakfast was sumptuous, generous and delicious. I would highly recommend staying here to anyone and hope to do it again myself with my family. Just a fair warning that you have to climb up some steep and narrow stairs so you may want to pack lightly, if you have trouble with stairs. I was aware of this before I booked the place so it was not a negative, but you should consider this when booking for yourselves.

PM
Patrick Morris Jan 22, 2026
10

Melina and Julia are very helpfull and friendly, a fresh decor and very clean, aproximately five minutes walk to beach, would stay again and thank you for making visit welcoming.

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find Starlings Guest House

Brighton, United Kingdom

Buzzing LGBT neighbourhood with cool bars & cafes, Brighton Flea Market & Marlborough Theatre.

  • Brighton 24 min Walk
  • Moulsecoomb 50 min Walk
  • Devonshire Place 3 min Walk
  • Heathrow Airport 1 hr 23 Car · 2 hr 8 Transit
  • London Gatwick Airport 44 min Car · 1 hr 15 Transit
  • London Stansted Airport 1 hr 52 Car · 2 hr 58 Transit
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in Brighton. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

Royal Pavilion 13,277 reviews

Royal Pavilion

4/5 Pavilion Buildings, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1EE, United Kingdom

4.6 · Museum
Brighton Palace Pier 37,051 reviews

Brighton Palace Pier

Madeira Dr, Brighton BN2 1TW, United Kingdom

4.4 · Amusement Park
Brighton i360 14,756 reviews

Brighton i360

Lower Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2LN, United Kingdom

4.5 · Tourist Attraction
People also viewed

Similar Guest Houses in Brighton

Hand-picked alternatives with a comparable feel, size and price band.

The New Inn Hotel, High St, Clovelly, Bideford EX39 5TQ, United Kingdom

New Inn Hotel

Stay at New Inn Hotel in Clovelly, offering cosy rooms, free WiFi, petfriendly access, and a traditional bar & restaurant. Near ...

4.3 (351) View
306 Whitepark Rd, Bushmills BT57 8SL, United Kingdom

Grays Hotel and Brasserie

Stay at Grays Hotel and Brasserie in Bushmills, featuring top guest reviews, easy access to Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle, and ...

4.5 (148) View
25 High St, Mildenhall, Bury Saint Edmunds IP28 7EA, United Kingdom

The Bell Hotel

The Bell Hotel offers cosy rooms with free WiFi, parking, and a relaxed bar and restaurant in Mildenhall town centre, near Newmar...

4 (230) View
3-4 Deemount Terrace, Aberdeen AB11 7RX, United Kingdom

Inn At The Park Hotel

Inn At The Park Hotel in Aberdeen offers elegant rooms, a cozy bar and restaurant, free breakfast, and free WiFi. Near Aberdeen M...

4.2 (279) View
Northcott Cottages, 2 Dunsbridge Turnpike, Shepreth, Royston SG8 6RA, United Kingdom

Cambridge Motel

Stay at Cambridge Motel, a familyrun 4.6rated lodging in Shepreth offering free WiFi, parking, and a bar. Close to IWM Duxford ...

4.6 (29) View
St Martin's Rd, Looe PL13 1PB, United Kingdom

The Bolt Hole

Stay at The Bolt Hole in Looe, a 5star guest house offering kidfriendly amenities. Close to East Looe Beach, Adrenalin Quarry, a...

5 (27) View
Promenade North Wales, 11 St George's Cres, Llandudno LL30 2LF, United Kingdom

Elsinore Hotel

Elsinore Hotel offers modest seafront rooms with en suite bathrooms, free breakfast, and a bar. Located in Llandudno, near Conwy C...

3.3 (426) View
The Merlin, 5-9 Wilmslow Rd, Alderley Edge SK9 7QL, United Kingdom

Innkeeper's Collection Alderley Edge

Stay at Innkeeper's Collection Alderley Edge, a laidback hotel with free WiFi, parking, and a restaurant. Near Tatton Park and Q...

4.2 (114) View
21 Pembroke Terrace, Bridlington YO15 3BX, United Kingdom

Blantyre House

Stay at Blantyre House Guest House in Bridlington, a 4.6rated pet and kidfriendly accommodation near Sewerby Hall & Gardens and ...

4.6 (61) View
Share your stay

Stayed at Starlings Guest House? Help the next traveler decide.

Short, honest notes are more useful than long ones. A few sentences about what worked, what surprised you, and who the hotel is best for will go a long way.

Your email is only used to verify the review — it won't be shown publicly.