click here for the Eastbourne Herald

the big sleep hotel

REVIEW | Monticelli 

The excellent Big Sleep Hotel, situated opposite Eastbourne's picturesque seafront, is the third link in the chain of chic, boutique hotels on a budget - other properties are in Cardiff and Cheltenham.

The name refers to the book of the same name and is a play on words, with the company's marketing having devised some impressive branding and website.

the big sleepStandard rooms are reasonably priced. But a standard room can be a bit bland compared to the trendy and spacious suites, despite all rooms being fitted with state-of-the-art technology. If you are after a bit more luxury and/or space, then it is definitely worth upgrading to one of the bespoke rooms that come in different colours, shapes and sizes.

As it is a relatively new establishment, the former Wish Tower Hotel has yet to be given a star rating. The only thing that lets down this hip hotel are the tiny, slow lifts.
But the retro vibe, slick white facade plus professional and friendly service makes this modern hotel a pleasure to visit. 

And for those with four-legged friends, The Big Sleep Hotel also offers accommodation for dogs as part of the national Paws for a Walk facility. 

thelocation

Seafront | By being the nearest seafront hotel to Devonshire Park, Eastbourne Theatres and the Towner Art Gallery - all less than a five minute walk away - helps make The Big Sleep Hotel a perfect place to stay during the tennis and/or for a beach holiday at the sunniest place in Britain.

Town centre | A 10 minute stroll to the centre of town, the hotel offers easy access to all points of interest. If you get a room with wondrous sea views - well worth the extra money - the bustling seafront is literally across the road and very tempting to sneak off for a paddle, swim or walk.   

thereception

trendy receptionEntrance | After entering the building through automatic doors, a few stairs bring you to a smart white reception and friendly faces. And for those that need assistance, there is also a wheelchair stairlift.

The clean designer facade, complete with the hotel's huge logo, makes a most welcoming entrance.

Key to success | Guests are immediately made to feel at home, handed keys shaped like miniature flip flops and offered a special parking permit to use - which costs 50p for the day rather than the high parking prices that were introduced in the town centre since early 2009. 

After dashing back to your vehicle, it would be better to find your luggage taken to the room but this is a budget hotel. And the antiquated lifts are the surprise package at this otherwise clean and sleek accommodation.

thelobby

love & peaceImage matters | Although not yet bustling - as it is so new and relatively unknown - the long lobby suits business people, couples and families beneath chandeliers and retro furniture from the 1960s.

The low, soft sofas with large 'love' and 'peace' slogan-blazoned cushions and bright spotted lounge chairs give the spacious area a convivial ambience, despite the unusually thick grey fluffy curtains.

Designer bar | The compact yet well-stocked 24-hour bar may not offer draught beers and lagers, but is starting to prove popular with guests and locals. And the glazed chillout area near the bar is a terrific place to recline and watch the world go by on the picture postcard seafront.

Luckily, the thirty-something locals seem to be keeping this designer bar a well-kept secret from the throngs of twenty-somethings who feel obliged to drink too much.

Food for thought | Unusually, The Big Sleep Hotel encourages guests to bring back takeaways - a clutch of menus sit at reception - to eat in the breakfast area by the widescreen TV for a home from home experience.   

thebedrooms

standard bedroomRooms with a view | The white standard rooms with an oblique sea view are relatively small, but are comfortable and up-to-date for the 21st century thanks to a wall-mounted widescreen TV and fashionable furniture.

The spacious suites come in all shapes, sizes and colours. The textured wallpapers bring these rooms to life, complemented by the wall-mounted flat screen TV and swivel bucket chairs. The crisp, clean cotton bedding and wide beds really did help make sleeping a luxurious experience.

Wi-fi | Wi-fi is available in the bedrooms but has to be paid for. And downstairs - directly below the reception - is a devoted area for five computers to use broadband free-of-charge, on a first come first served basis.

thebathroom

Sleek & sparkling | Designer bathrooms serve all the necessary functions with panache and good quality bath products. The colour-coded bathrooms are exceptionally clean and gleaming with sleek metal taps.

An eccentric note is struck by inexpensive net curtains barely covering the window - that could be awkward when showering.

The palatial, sparkling clean bathroom is possibly larger than some rival hotel bedrooms and replete with mounds of fluffly white towels.   

thebreakfast

Continental style | There was no sign of staff during continental breakfast, but the selection available was decent and there was plenty for everyone.

Guests can help themselves to cereal, cheese, creamy yogurts, fresh fruit, hot French patisseries and toast, while a coffee machine - delivering a reasonable espresso - is available alongside fruit juices and squash. 

theinternet

big sleep internet facilityGo surfing | There is wireless Internet access throughout the modern hotel,  a real plus nowadays. And the broadband facility directly below reception is available free-of-charge on a first come, first served basis for five computers.

Also neatly positioned underneath the reception area, the hotel offers guests the opportunity to play darts, table tennis and pool for free.

thedisabledfacilities

Ramps | The hotel has a single and double bedroom suitable for disabled guests. Access ramps can be provided.

thebottomline

Hip hotel | The location is exceptional for the beach, tennis courts and theatres and the hotel has a hip ambience with its retro plastic lampshades and pastel colour-coded rooms.

The standard rooms veer towards a pleasant yet typical seaside feel, as they are compact and white. But the spacious suites make the stay a much more enjoyable experience, and with such stunning sea views it is worth negotiating an upgrade at whatever cost.

thegood

Best thing | Incredibly convenient for the beach, theatre, tennis and town centre - with excellent sea views from the front rooms.

thebad

Worst thing | Sport scores are impossible to read on widescreen TV sets in the bedrooms because of the way that they've been set up.