Celebrities including Kate Moss, Ronan Keating and Caprice flock to them. Now Brighton is to get its own £6 million Hotel du Vin.

Managing director Robin Hutson has chosen the former Bar Centro site in Ship Street as the location for his fifth stylish hotel and bistro.

He is now racing against time to finish the work before the opening in October.

The transformation will include 33 bedrooms, three suites, two dining rooms, a wine cellar and a walk-in cigar humidor. There will be a courtyard with vine-covered pergola and a fine wine bar with more than 400 bins.

The hotel will create 60 to 65 jobs, with about 50 people recruited locally.

Mr Hutson said the new hotel would boast sumptuous bedrooms and the best wine list in Brighton.

He said: "I am very excited. We have been inundated with calls about the hotel.

"I've had my eye on Brighton for some time - it is so vibrant now."

The other four Hotel du Vins, in Winchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Tunbridge Wells, are known for their wines, cocktails, cigars and Egyptian cotton sheets.

This formula has already proved a hit with celebrities including Sophie Dahl, Emma Thompson, Massive Attack, Marti Pellow, James Brown, Westlife, UB40, Bryan Ferry and Gabrielle.

Mr Hutson said: "We certainly have a good spattering of celebs but we leave them alone and they feel comfortable with that."

For Brighton, Mr Hutson has imported an American machine to serve wine by the glass.

He said: "Wine-tasting doesn't have to be stuffy. Our staff will advise customers in an unpompous manner."

Robin Hutson and wine expert Gerard Basset opened the first Hotel du Vin in Winchester in 1994.

Mr Hutson first spotted the gothic-style building in Ship Street three years ago.

He said: "The building had been neglected but I was fascinated by its eccentricity and fantastic location.

"There is a gap in the market for what we do. The hotel will be small and stylish."

The largest bedroom suite, The Loft, will come with the use of a private beach hut in Hove. The suite will have an 8ft bed, "party" shower room and roof terrace. The decor will include leather, suede and wooden floors.

Mr Hutson, who designs the interior himself, said: "I want it to look like care and passion has gone into it - not like an airport lounge."

Bookings can be made from November 1.