Hotels in Brighton and Hove are booked up until the end of the summer holiday and traders are making hay while the sun shines.

A new survey by TripAdvisor shows tourists are willing to pay top prices to experience the best the city has to offer.

The TripIndex UK Cities compares the cost of visiting the UK’s 20 most popular cities.

According to the survey, a night out for two people in Brighton, including a premeal cocktail in the bar of a top hotel, a meal out, taxis, and an overnight stay for two in a four-star hotel during August costs an average of £261.41. Only London, Cambridge and Edinburgh are able to charge their visitors more.

Andrew Mosley, general manger at The Grand hotel in Kings Road, said the city is perennially popular because it offers good value for money.

He said: “Brighton and Hove may not be the cheapest place to visit, but it is all about the quality of what is on offer.

“We have the fantastic beach, top restaurants, great places to shop, and fabulous entertainment. Of course if you avoid the peak seasons, you will get better bargains, but overall it is about delivering on people’s expectations and that’s why our visitors keep coming back.”

The Argus:

Adam Rice, deputy general manager at the trendy Hotel du Vin in Ship Street, said there are pockets of availability in the middle the week for the rest of the month but that the hotel was filling up fast for the approaching bank holiday.

He said: “The figures in the survey don’t surprise me. The four-star hotels on the seafront are very competitive and we have a really strong choice of accommodation.”

TripAdvisor spokesman James Kay said: “With the great summer we’ve been enjoying, staycations are sure to be a popular choice for UK travellers over the August bank holiday, but where you go will have a big impact on howmuch you’re likely to spend.”

The city used to have a reputation for bucket and spade holidays and dirty weekends but can now attract visitors from around the world enticed by luxury hotels, restaurants and designer shops.

 

The Savvy Traveller's Guide to Brighton and Hove

 

Visitors do not have to pay top dollar to have a great time in the city.

Here is an example of the variety on offer

Taxi from Brighton Station to seafront: £6

The Argus: Campaigh highlights zero tolerance of abuse of cab drivers in Worthing and Adur:

One Tuesday night in a hotel:

  • The Grand hotel, Kings Road, £124

The Argus:

  • My hotel, Jubilee Street, £75
  • Thistle Hotel, Kings Road £101

Pre-meal cocktail for two:

  • Happy Hour Martini at The Grand hotel £10

The Argus:

  • Slush Puppy Cocktail at Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar £8

A meal out for two:

  • Riddle and Finns, Meeting House Lane, £50 (no alcohol)

The Argus:

  • La Choza, Gloucester Street £24 (no alcohol)

MOST EXPENSIVE: £190

CHEAPEST: £108

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