County Down Outlook - Features - Have an Adults-Only Break in Brighton

Features

Have an Adults-Only Break in Brighton

Tuesday, 12 April 2011

Seaside city Brighton is great for families with children, yet those up for an adults-only break should know that Brighton isn't just for kids. It's the perfect place to enjoy some action-packed fun, and the wealth of great hotels in Brighton offer some fantastic accommodation choices.

The Myhotel Brighton is a trendy choice; so trendy in fact that it won Tripadvisor's Travellers Choice award 2011 for the trendiest hotel. It's a fun and funky hotel featuring vibrant colours and a flowing design inspired by the principles of spirituality. Surely this has to be the perfect accommodation choice if you wish to embrace Brighton's hippy culture?

Those who like their accommodation a touch more understated should consider the sophisticated Seattle hotel located on Brighton's beautiful waterfront. All muted colours and high-end design, the Seattle is definitely a hotel for adults with taste.

For groups, a stylish apartment would be ideal. The Birdcage is a colourful and beautifully designed apartment located just a pebbles throw from Brighton beach. With three double bedrooms and a double sofa bed, The Birdcage can sleep eight and is located in the hippest part of Brighton, making it the perfect retreat for the coolest 24-hour party people.

By day, Brighton has a cool, kooky vibe. Its traditional pier should be first on your list of places to explore, with traditional fairground rides and attractions including the crazy mouse, waltzer, wild river and penny arcade. The bravest among your group should be dared to try the terrifying super booster!

Once you've warmed up with some scary fairground rides, it's time to really get the blood pumping with an afternoon of fun sporting activities. Brighton is a really active place and offers a wide range of options to get you up and off of your deckchair. Water babies will love the range of water sports available at Lagoon Watersports. With windsurfing, sailing, kayaking and paddle boarding tuition and hire, the experts at Lagoon will soon have you taming the Brighton waves like a pro.

Those who fancy giving surfing a go could try the Pure Spirit Surf School, which is run by two-times English Masters champion Cliff Cox. Offering one on one surfing lessons at various levels, Pure Spirit should have you up on that board in no time. If not, at least you'll have had fun and given your mates a good laugh.

Groups who prefer to remain on dry land should head to the award-winning Nivea Sun Yellowave Beach Sports Centre. There you will find the only sandy beach in Brighton and can take part in various fun team sports including beach football, volleyball and Ultimate Frisbee.

Adrenaline junkies may find they still have energy to burn and nerves to frazzle. In that case, Brighton is jam packed with things to make you go 'ooooh'. You could try extreme mountain boarding at Board360, Brighton's first ABTA-approved mountain boarding centre. Those still craving that elusive buzz should pop next door to Orb360 and give zorbing a try. If hurtling down a hillside in a giant hamster ball doesn't get your heart racing then nothing will!

Outdoorsy types won't want to waste a second of their stay in Brighton. Why waste time indoors when there's mountaineering, go-karting, clay pigeon shooting, quad biking, paint-balling, off-road driving, abseiling and orienteering to be done? The organiser of the group's activities should keep their fingers crossed that all members of the party return home in one piece; otherwise they may have some very angry loved ones on their hands!

As well as a very lively day scene, Brighton also has an even livelier night scene, so make sure that you don't use all of your energy during your daytime pursuits. After dinner at one of Brighton's many great restaurants, you and your group should hit the town and explore Brighton by night. With many bars and clubs catering for night owls of all musical tastes, Brighton is a great place to let your hair down and party.

Those who are due a big group get together, maybe for a birthday, stag or hen do or other special event, should definitely consider Brighton as a worthy destination for an action-packed break. With more activities than even the most hardcore thrill-seeker could fit into a mini break, there's something to suit everyone, from the wimp of the group to the daredevil adrenaline junkie. Brighton is the city with an adventure for everyone.