We came down for our first wedding anniversary. It was a lovely place, good dinner and breakfast, we enjoyed the big rooms with high ceilings! The hotel is right on the seafront and is only a short walk from the pier.

Excellent experience including evacuation at midnight for fire alarm which luckily was not triggered by fire - well co-ordinated and exciting!! Try cream teas. Plenty of parking available - (free for disabled badges)

My friend and I were looking for a last minute spa weekend somewhere in England in October for a reasonable price, with a bit of charm. There was an offer on the Spabreaks website for £105 which included bed and breakfast for one night’s stay, full use of the spa facilities, and a 25 minute back massage. This fit the bill perfectly for us. We had to pre-book the massage but the times offered were very limited (dinner time Saturday or early morning Sunday). In the end we were able to get a booking after our check-out time on the Sunday but I preferred this to very early slot on a Sunday morning. We did only book the spa break quite last minute so I guess it’s par for the course.

We took the train from London to Eastbourne for £30 on the Saturday morning and arrived at 11am. It was a 20 minute walk from the rail station to the hotel. We could not check in immediately so we left our luggage and went for lunch at a nearby Italian restaurant (Little Italy, delicious food) which the hotel recommended. After lunch, we were able to access our room. The room was very spacious, clean, a bit worn and tired, but had old school charm. Rustic and quaint is how I’d describe it. We then decided to go for a swim. Luckily the outdoor pool was open as it was unseasonably warm (it is usually closed in October). There was also an indoor pool with a lovely hot tub and sauna. The steam room was closed as it was broken, which was disappointing.

In the evening, we walked 20 minutes into town to eat dinner, as the restaurants in the hotel seemed very expensive and full of elderly people in smart clothes; we wanted something more casual. We ate at a Mexican in town (Tres Amigo, very tasty). When we returned to the hotel, we sat in the lounge where there was live music and old couples dancing ballroom and Latin. It was a sight to behold and I felt like I was transported back in time - so classic and beautiful. The men were leading the ladies around the dancefloor and it all looked so romantic. My friend and I are in our 30s but nearly all other guests in this hotel were aged 65+. I think some couples live locally and come here to dance, while others were staying for the weekend.

The next morning we had breakfast in the hotel. I was very disappointed as the options were so limited for vegetarians and the service was incredibly slow and frustrating. I had to get up at least twice and almost go into the kitchen to find a member of staff and ask for something. After breakfast, we checked out and then went for a swim and a massage. The massage was very good but not long enough. We left our luggage in the hotel as our train back to London was not until the evening. We had lunch in town (Gianni’s, good Italian food) then took the tourist bus and went to see Beachey Head (breathtaking!). We returned to the hotel to pickup our luggage and also had some afternoon tea.

Overall I’d say the hotel is fantastic; it’s really retained its charm and feels like you’re in another era! Would recommend.

Well - I have travelled a lot across Europe and America but I doubt even the swankiest Upper East side hotels could beat the service I have received from this wonderful hotel, just down the road. The staff are so sweet and solicitous - opening doors, carrying bags, even parking my car! My daughter and I felt looked after from the moment we arrived until we said goodbye. Every member of staff was happy to go that extra bit further to make you feel like a VIP. Special mention to Chris and George at the front of hotel and to Ahmed who served us our delicious afternoon cream tea. Five star staff and service. Just shows you really can’t beat traditional good manners and courtesy. We will be back!

Excellent hotel in a seafront location that's hard to fault. Staff are courteous and knowledgeable at all times and the restaurant facilities (especially the revamped Mirabelle Restaurant) are top notch. Rooms are traditional and elegant though could benefit from some updating in the bathrooms (especially the shower arrangement).

I took my mother in law for a early spring break. She thoroughly enjoyed her stay as all the staff were extremely helpful and friendly. And she enjoyed using the facilities while we're easy to access.

There were two problems with the room - a light not working and a wash basin tap not turning off properly. Reported at 7 pm, neither were sorted that evening. A 5* hotel should have the capability to remedy problems, even on a Saturday evening.

My wife, son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren checked in at the Grand for my son's birthday weekend. Even upon arrival Gary, Tony and the superb concierge team made us feel welcome (and do an excellent job - please note Jonathan Walby). It was my son's first stay at the Grand, an old lady with class and charm, my wife and I simply love it here - always impressed.

One minor hiccup, I had arrange bubbly and flowers in both rooms - but the bubbly did not appear in my son's room (not good) - however it was quickly rectified by housekeeping.

On the Friday evening we took Gary (Concierge)'s recommendation to eat at Ashoka Indian restaurant nearby, and that was an excellent choice - superb food, service and atmosphere.

Saturday was pool day for us as the hotel has superb indoor and outdoor pools (indoor for us as it was snowing outside). In the evening we had a superb meal in the Garden restaurant where all the staff are superbly attentive and extremely professional at their jobs. I highly recommend the beef blade - a joy to the tongue.

This hotel is indeed one of England's finest 'genuine' 5 Star hotels with standards. It's a 'must' to visit.

We have stayed at the grand several times before. This time it was exceptional. Our room had been completely refurbished as had the Mirabelle Restaurant. The staff have always been attentive and friendly but were more so this time. Couldn't fault it. In particular the Mirabelle Restaurant was fab.

Good things come in threes. For my wife and me this means a great hotel, with excellent food and drink and good walking nearby. Let’s start with the hotel. Quite simply we found staying there a joy - all the elegance of a bygone era with 21st century comforts. Staff are courteous and attentive - the warm welcome starts at check in. Staying off peak we benefitted from a 2 nights for the price of 1 deal so treated ourselves to an Executive room with full sea view. Well equipped, we loved sitting in the comfortable arm chairs admiring the view that inspired Debussy to write “La Mer” in the suite that now bears his name. To get this deal you need to take dinner one night in the Garden restaurant. Not exactly a hardship - food and wine are pleasant, service attentive and the room has a reassuring grandeur. The Mirabelle fine dining restaurant up the corridor is extraordinary - see my separate review if u want to know why I make this bold claim. Wherever you eat you can take aperitifs or coffee in the wonderfully spacious public rooms. If you want full afternoon tea there is a charming lounge with roaring fire - it’s small and popular so best to pre-book. Wonderful cliff top walks are 15 minutes walk away. After ur exertions the hotel’s spa is a great place to relax, with decent sized pools outside (heated) and inside, steam room and jacuzzi. If walking’s not ur bag the hotel is within easy walk of Eastbourne’s many other pleasures.

All in all a really enjoyable hotel that ticks all the boxes. I’m sure a return visit won’t be too far away!

Great staff, friendly and helpful. Room a little tired. A lot of day members in the pool and gym in the early morning. Restaurant staff were amazing, food very good. Bar staff chatty and the bar spotlessly clean. Romantic package was lovely with champagne and Strawberries in the room waiting on arrival and rose petals on the bed when we got back from supper and drinks. Breakfast in bed worth the extra payment for a real feeling of decadence.

The services were great but it's not as grand as before. The quality of the services especially at the reception and generally with the staffs are great but not fabulous though. Perhaps, they might have changed their management, I would still recommend this hotel as it's one of the oldest hotels in Eastbourne.

The Grand, Eastbourne ticks all the boxes for me. I have visited The Grand at every celebratory opportunity possible over the last five or more years as it provides an opportunity to relax in luxurious surroundings in a beautiful location and to be absolutely 'spoilt' by the wonderful staff who really care about the people they are looking after. For as long as I can afford it, I will continue to visit the Grand, Eastbourne, I only wish it was more often!

Beautiful building on the seafront. Reminded me of the Taj in Mumbai, another great hotel. Great welcome and great departure. The staff couldn't do enough for us. We ate out in town but breakfast was fantastic.

Stayed at The Grand Eastbourne, for the weekend. I arrived at about 9:00pm just when the dancing that they have on Friday's and Saturday’s was starting.  As I had arrived so late I had sandwiches in the bar which were delicious.  I found all the staff to be efficient and helpful. Special mention should be made for Emily and Jessica in the bar who remembered my name and what I like to drink even though I had not been back for months. I have put this in other reviews, but as it is still relevant I will repeat, message to management, look after them they are good.  Talking of the staff all the staff there are brilliant when I say that I am including all the staff that we do not see without which the Hotel would not run so smoothly.

The room I had was nice and spacious and there is a nespresso machine in the room as well as a normal kettle.  
The reception at the Hotel is open 24/7 so there is not a problem about paying if you have to leave the hotel really early like I always have to do.

They have an outdoor AND indoor pool. I have been told that the outdoor pool will be open beginning of April. So it should be nice and warm by the time summer comes.

The Hotel has managed to keep up the high standards that it has kept for years.

I will definitely be back to the Grand Eastbourne again soon.

My partner and I booked to stay here for our Anniversary last week. The overall experience was excellent. Great Room, top quality service checking in and out. Staff all on top of there game. Thank you.
However.....the only thing that ruined the stay was our dinner in the Garden restaurant on Thursday. We had informed the chef previously that one of us is vegetarian and gluten free. There was no effort put into anything other than the commonly boring Risotto that most chefs think people with allergies are supposed to be happy with.I am not a chef and yet I turn out the most incredible vegetarian gluten free menus, so Im wondering why in a five star hotel is this ALWAYS a problem. Bearing in mind the person whose Vegetarian and Gluten Free is the one paying for the meal, they are expected to be happy with the most boring meal on the planet. This issue really needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency, because most people dont choose to have these allergies. That was the main meal of our stay and it wasn't pleasant.

Another enjoyable visit to the Grand where service is always first class. Dinner was good with a relaxed atmosphere and close attention. We appreciated the unexpected upgrade and look forward to our next visit in a few weeks.

The grand was a lovely hotel, the staff were so lovely, could not do enough for you. The bedroom was lovely only criticism was I felt the bed seemed quite small, more of a small double than a double. In the room it was nice they had an actual coffee machine rather than just sachets of coffee. A lovely dressing gown and slippers and lots of lovely molton and brown toilitries. We had a lovely afternoon tea and asked for more sandwiches which was no problem, the sandwiches were gorgeous. We also had a lovely Valentine meal on Valentine's night. We had such a lovely stay at the Grand and visited the local theatre to see The Kite Runner which I was hoping to see in London so it was lovely to see it in Eastbourne, only a 10 minute walk from the hotel, we had a lovely few walks to the pier, though it was shut one day because of the winds. My husband has Parkinson's and walking is sometimes difficult for him so I went out walking one day and left him in the hotel but they have plenty of places just to sit and relax, have a cup of tea and you get a complimentary paper each day if you would like one so he was happy to sit reading the paper when he felt he could not do much walking. In all we had a lovely stay at the Grand and will definitely go back.

Given one of the newer rooms which was clean and very pleasant if perhaps not the best view. Beverages are very expensive and I did not receive my ore booked vegetarian option which was disappointing. Staff on front set and concierge excellent.

The food and service at this hotel must be one of the best in the UK
This hotel holds a standard that is almost forgotten , it’s like going back in time to time when service was service.
The food was excellent and the drinks in the bar were fantastic

My husband, baby and I stayed for two nights and staff could not have done more for us. Our every need was catered for and we felt that all staff were genuine and warm, everyone from the cleaners to the management. The hotel is beautiful in an old-world way and retains some of the nice perks of an old hotel experience such as fancy toiletries, coffee or a newspaper if you wanted. We enjoyed watching some regulars ballroom dancing on Saturday night in the bar and brought our daughter for a swim in the heated pool. The hotel is located centrally and on the seafront which is perfect for walks. I heard a lot of couples say they had been there before and we definitely plan on returning.

We stayed here with our 2 dogs for one night. This is a period hotel & the interior is in keeping with this. The staff attire is very smart & everyone was extremely friendly. The location is opposite the beach & there is a great little cafe by the sea that we found. Whilst the hotel is dog friendly, they are not allowed in the bar or restuarant, so your only option for food in the hotel is room service which is little dissapointing.

Arrived windswept and I mean windswept at the most beautiful frontage a hotel could have after walking and finishing the South Downs way - and I am in the midst of a most glamorous wedding shoot absolutely surreal !!

Very grand on entering, lots of staff, room most pleasant with the appreciated bath - a must for a walker who has just walked the seven sisters and more!!

I should have had dinner there but not being in the mood to dress up in the one item of clothing brought solely for this final destination - I returned to walking attire and proceeded to walk round my final destination of the walk- and discover 2 sides to this interesting final destination! Quite a contrast but interesting.

Great weekend at the Grand. The staff at this hotel are fabulous and the dinner experience in the Garden Restaurant is superb. Only area for improvement is the prices and service levels in the Cocktail Bar. Will definitely be returning.

Small car park making it impossible to make use of car after finding a space as there was no guarantee of returning.

Unknown to us there was a wedding which was situated directly under our room, once the festivity started we were subjected to all the noise and celebrations of the event.

Why, with such a huge and beautiful hotel with hundreds of rooms available would you place guests directly above the festivities, UNBELIEVABLE.

The hotel and all the staff were first class , however check before you book that you will not be placed above a function room.
We were booked for 2 days but left after 1 night. The hotel apologised and refunded us for 1night for the inconvenience.
Will not be returning because a hotel like this should have known better.