The Grand Brighton wins bronze at prestigious national tourism awards

A proud moment for Brighton's landmark hotel

Brighton and Hove's beloved Grand Brighton has been named among the best large hotels in England, winning bronze at the prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026. The iconic seafront hotel was recognised for its exceptional quality, outstanding customer service and innovative approach to hospitality.

The awards ceremony took place on 3 June at Aerospace Bristol and was hosted by journalist and broadcaster Sean Fletcher. The Grand Brighton's bronze accolade places it among the very best in its category, with Bovey Castle in Devon taking gold and Watergate Bay Hotel in Cornwall winning silver.

Celebrating Sussex's tourism excellence

It wasn't just The Grand Brighton making waves at the national awards. Butlin's in Bognor Regis also received special recognition, winning the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism award in honour of its 90 years of delivering memorable family holiday experiences.

The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence celebrate outstanding contributions across the entire tourism sector, from hotels and pubs to glamping sites, museums and visitor experiences. This year, winners were selected from 21 local awards across 17 different categories, including Regenerative Tourism, Accessible and Inclusive Tourism, New Tourism Business of the Year and Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year. Three special awards were also presented, with the Tourism Superstar Award going to Mick Hurst of the Battle of Evesham historical events and re-enactments.

Supporting England's world-class tourism industry

Stephanie Peacock, tourism minister, praised the award winners for their dedication to making visitors' stays memorable. "I am delighted to see so many businesses across England being recognised for their outstanding work, helping to make people's stays as enjoyable and memorable as possible," she said.

"From hotels and pubs to glamping, museums and experiences, these awards are a real testament to those striving to ensure our tourism industry remains outstanding."

Andrew Stokes, director at VisitEngland, added: "The awards are a celebration of England's outstanding tourism industry and an opportunity to highlight the excellence that makes it world leading. I congratulate the wonderful range of first-class award recipients, all of whom are so passionate about tourism."

The recognition comes as Brighton and Hove continues to establish itself as a premier tourist destination, with The Grand Brighton's success reflecting the city's commitment to delivering world-class hospitality and unforgettable experiences for visitors from around the globe.

Source: Sussex attractions celebrated at VisitEngland Awards 2026