Eing the most historic hotel in brighton the old ship hotel plays an integral role in brightons history the hotel was closely linked with the escape of charles ii in 1651 and was home to brightons elegant assembly rooms where many a grand occasion has been held from the prince regents ball in 1819 to nicolo paganinis violin recital in 1831 and the banquet celebrating the opening of the london to brighton railway in 1841 to name a few in 1995 the hotels wine cellars were lovingly rest