The Neo
The Neo, Brighton by William Lacy
Brighton is a known trendsetter as a location for boutique hotels, the Neo is part of the original collection. In an age when it is too often seen as a category which only denotes that a place isn’t part of an anonymous chain, it is sometimes useful to think back to what the original concept really meant: different, elite, contemporary, towards the top end of the market, small enough to offer a personalised service.
The Neo is certainly all of these things, and more.
For one thing, it curiously offers itself as a corporate environment. Clearly the owners have not missed a trick. Noticing a growing corporate boredom with the same old away day merry-go-round, the Neo have stepped in to provide a much wanted, more intimate, change. This has certainly been taken up. On The Sussex Newspaper’s visit, we shared our breakfast time with small groups of guests huddling around tables with pots of coffee and notepads.
But while we were technically on duty, it was nice not to spend time in this place staring at pie charts and flow charts. It really would be a waste; this is the archetypal get-away location. The address, Sussex Place, is perfect; it is out-of-the-way-but-not-out-of-the-way. It is away from the main thoroughfare, enmeshed in a residential area and so understated that you’ll miss the front door if you’re not too careful, but the beach and the city centre are still only a stone’s throw away.
The place is actually an old Regency guesthouse which has been modernised indoors, with deep red and contemporary art everywhere. But they have kept the best bits of the old charm. A rather impressive stag’s head stares down at you as you enter the front door. The only (slight) downside to this is that space is a real premium, which means that there is no lift. If you are located on the room at the top, you are out of breath upon reaching the top. Fortunately, as part of the very comprehensive concierge service – surprisingly comprehensive, given the visibility of staff – they helpful deal with your luggage if requested.
The staff are very helpful, although, befitting a small place, there is a limited manned reception. Despite being small, however, it has a lot to show for it. There is a small bar, which is open to the public, with a great cocktail menu. Venturing a flight below the ground floor, there is an area where you can book massages and beauty treatments.
Our breath collected after the upstairs trudge, it was quickly expelled again as we entered the room. The Neo have really gone to town on the rooms. The vast bed is adorned with red to match the theme of the room, in keeping with even the smallest details, such as the Chinese-style silk robes you can slip into. The modern touches are there too; the bathroom incongruous to the Regency settings; and the TV so modern that it was too baffling to turn on. At times, it felt like they were doing too much in the space they had; the hospitality tray was found in a strange place, for instance, and there was not much floor space once you put down your bags. But you certainly do not want for anything. A double ensuite is £135 (midweek) and £165 (weekend) per night. This price includes breakfast.
The breakfasts are very special indeed, particularly the American buttermilk pancakes with crispy bacon. The Neo certainly achieves all the hallmarks of a quality boutique hotel and, which is more, a thoroughly deserved Sussex Newspaper recommendation!