Where mod meets pop culture: Brighton’s Hotel Pelirocco

Editor’s Note: I was a guest of Hotel Pelirocco in Brighton, England. If you have questions regarding this, please read my disclosure policy.

Tucked into the posh Regent Square in the famous seashore of Brighton, England, is Hotel Pelirocco.

This pink-halled 19-room hotel, dubbed “England’s most rock ‘n’ roll hotel” isn’t just a place to sleep. The edgy property, in its 15 years of life, has morphed into a cultural hotspot for Brightonians and travelers, treating them to a hedonistic (if they want) place to unwind and tuck into the town.

Brighton, an easy escape for Londoners looking to hit the shore, is also known as London-by-the-Sea. In its recent history, the seaside town has become the place to have “dirty weekends,” something Pelirocco caters to.

The hotel even gives visitors an abridged look into the history of the town — namely back five decades to when more than 3,000 mods and rockers came to a head in riots. Clashes between the two cultures heated up the city, resulting in violence during the “Battle of Brighton.” (Note: to learn more about this event, check out the film “Quadrophenia (Criterion Collection)“)

Today, both are celebrated inside Pelirocco.

From the outside, Hotel Pelirocco is unassuming. Sure, it’s got a purple light announcing what people have stumbled upon, but other than that it’s quite … normal. A 200-plus-year-old, four-floor townhouse overlooking the green of Regent Square and beyond, to the sea, it fits right in with the rest of the neighborhood lined with tourist haunts like fish n’ chip shops, hotels, pubs, and of course, the infamous Brighton Lanes.

And yet, once you step inside, it is clear Hotel Pelirocco is nothing like its surroundings.

For starters, there is nothing PC about this hotel. If easily offended, skirt your eyes from the thousands of pictures and photos hung from the Peptobismol-pink walls.

For those who delight in brash humor, racy images and naughty language, walk in and enjoy.

Part 1920s carnival atmosphere, thanks to its lush velvet curtains and lighting, and part hip décor complete with butterflies with skull faces adorning a wall in the bar/restaurants, we’ve stepped into the heart of the action at the hotel for a Sunday.

Inside, men and women don blonde wigs, plaid shirts and massive cleavage as they compete in a Dolly Parton look-alike contest in the bar.

“This year marks our 15^th annviersary,” Cecily, the marketing manager and lifelong Brightonian explains from behind the little, dark bar. “Every month, we are celebrating with a special event that ties into one of our theme rooms. This month, its Dolly, which honors our Dollywould room.”

The two of us survey the crowd before we head into Pelirocco’s world — an adult play land of sorts — which taps into the history of Brighton’s mod scene, pop culture and grown up pleasures.

We’re checked into a large room on the third floor – Pretty Vacant – a room dedicated to The Sex Pistols. Inside, the carpet is a bright, deep pink and leopard print and Sid Vicious photos and band images deck the walls.

In the bathroom, handcuffs (no, you can’t use them) hang from a paperclip modeled towel rack, above a toilet seat covered in thumbtacks, razors and barbed wire under a safe clear covering.

 

The two-bed room (one single and one queen) delivers gorgeous views, thanks to the three windows in the middle which offer views of the square and the sea.

In the morning, Pretty Vacant glows a gorgeous pale pink as the sun rises, and the cries of gulls make their way into our almost-awake soundtrack.

THE ROOMS

Like the quirky hotel itself, the rooms at Pelirocco run the gamut. From sexy and naughty (including a chest of toys for couples) to geeky/cool Star Wars, every room is different. It takes me zero time at all to resolve to come back to the property and at least see each room, although in reality, what I really want to do is move in to the hotel and experience each unique one for myself.

All rooms come equipped with complimentary wifi.

The Bottom Line

I’ve never stayed in such a kitschy, cool hotel before. Hotel Pelirocco, with its location, its friendly staff, cool events and amazing design, take the cake. I liked Brighton before I stepped foot in the property, and after my stay at Pelirocco, I full-on loved the town. The hotel echoes the spirit of the beach city, and it is well worth the £100+ per night price tag. Go. Go now. And let me know which room you choose.

Resources

For more information on planning a trip to Brighton, check these out:

Brighton Travel Guide 2015: Shops, Restaurants, Attractions and Nightlife in Brighton, England (City Travel Guide 2015)

Brighton, A Very Peculiar History

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