In the United Kingdom, Malmaison operates sixteen hotels. Frasers Property now owns the company, which was founded in 1994.

Malmaison was established in 1994 by Scottish hotelier Ken McCulloch in collaboration with the hotel group Arcadian International. The first hotel opened in Leith, Edinburgh, followed by a second in Glasgow a month later. The hotel chain is named after the Château de Malmaison, which inspired the design and style of its hotels.

Malmaison hotels are primarily found in city centers. Each hotel has 70 to 200 rooms, a bar and brasserie (branded as Chez Mal), private dining rooms, and meeting rooms. Some hotels have a champagne bar, three have spas, and several have gyms.

The chain has sixteen hotels, fifteen of which have been converted from historic structures such as a prison, a post office, a church, and a brothel. Malmaison’s only new-built hotel opened in Liverpool in January 2017.

Malmaison Brighton review

Description

Malmaison Brighton is a modern hotel with a big personality on the waterfront of Brighton Marina. 

Ideally situated to provide the best views of Brighton Marina. Close enough to enjoy the vibrant life of Brighton but far enough away to enjoy a more relaxed environment with great hospitality, fresh & local produce menus, and something a little different. 

Seattle is a hotel to discover; sit back and relax in the lounge as the boats pass by, or perhaps the retro pop art will entice you, or relax on our terrace and enjoy the buzz of our restaurant in the evening.

Scene

Striped floorboards and Brighton-themed artwork mix with bold-toned crushed velvet sofas and chairs, resulting in a refreshingly on-trend look. When the sun shines, the harbourside terraces are ideal for drinks and dining al fresco.

Location

Although Brightonians dislike the marina, it has evolved into a lively entity in recent years, with numerous restaurants, shops, and bars, as well as interesting harbor boardwalks. 

It’s a 10-minute drive east of the pier, there are regular bus services into town, and Malmaison provides free parking in a nearby multistory parking garage.

Service and Facilities

Upon arrival, guests are given recommendations for places to see and eat, including marina options. 

There is no swimming pool, but the beaches of Kemp Town are only a 10-minute walk away. The hotel also has excellent conference facilities.

The following services are available:

•  Bar 
• Laundry  
• Parking  
• Restaurant  
• Room service  
• Wi-Fi

Rooms

Standard rooms are smallish, owing to the prominence of the beds, but they are extremely comfortable, with high thread count linen and high-quality pillows. Spend a little more to get one of the 39 sea-facing rooms with balconies. 

All 71 rooms have the same décor as the hotel’s public areas, with bold color accents offsetting an overall dove grey theme, stripped floorboards, and walls covered in blow-ups of old Sussex maps.

Designer rockers or sofas, Lavazza coffee makers, a well-stocked minibar, and a snack tray with Nom confectionery and Burt’s crisps are available in Deluxe rooms. 

Bathrooms are minimalist with white and gray tiling, powerful monsoon showers, and quirky toiletries emblazoned with slogans like “The best shampoo you will ever steal.”

Food and Drink

Begin with a cocktail at Mal Bar; if the weather permits, take a sofa outside. The enormous Chez Mal brasserie, with its attractive overhanging copper lights and velvet banquettes, serves dinner, and while the menu is somewhat unimaginative, the cooking shows flair, from a well-executed scallop starter to a flavorful, perfectly cooked ribeye steak.

However, the side dishes were disappointing: crushed winter roots that were actually thickly cut and barely cooked vegetable slabs; and truffle and Parmesan Pommes Frites that lacked both crunch and flavor. A two-course fixed menu is available for £20, but à la carte prices are high – £26 for a 300g ribeye steak.

Breakfast and lunch are served in the conservatory, which overlooks the yachts. The latter offers a good breakfast buffet with fresh fruit, Bircher muesli, and pastries; cooked options include grilled kippers and eggs Benedict, as well as freshly made waffles with maple syrup, smoked salmon, and cream cheese.

Pros of Malmaison Brighton 

• Wonderfully contemporary interior design and incredibly kind and helpful staff.
• Incredible breakfast
• Inclusive of breakfast
• Rooms that are both clean and comfortable
• Upgraded Balcony Rooms with a View of the Sea

Cons of Malmaison Brighton 

• Rooms lack soundproofing
• Very few toiletries are available, including neither body cream nor conditioner.

Restaurants near the Malmaison Brighton 

• Constantinople Restaurant
• Pizza Express
• Chez Mal Bar and Brasserie
• Barracuda Restaurant
• Nando’s Brighton – Marina
• Frankie & Benny’s
• Morelli Zorelli
• Taste Sussex
• Malika Indian Restaurant
• Cafe Rouge – Brighton Marina