As a treat for my husband's 50th Birthday we had afternoon tea at the Grand Hotel in Eastbourne. We felt so spoilt and every staff member gave us their full attention - nothing was too much trouble! We weren't rushed, were comfortably seated and the tea itself was yummy! In fact we were quite full. As a treat we also opted for the champagne option which was outstanding. Highly recommended.

Took my parents for Sunday lunch in celebration of my father's 93rd birthday. Everything was exactly as expected, a piano being played in the background, attentive staff and a good choice on the menu. We had a mixture of soup, pork and fish cakes for starter and all were good. Mains were roast beef (good sized portions) and chicken with bacon and a mustard sauce, all were good. There's a large wine list with prices from £30 upwards.

It's all very traditional but that suits my parents and if this is what you are looking for then you can't go wrong as long as you are OK with circa £40+ per person.

I took my aunt to The Grand for her 90th birthday and the staff made her feel very special indeed. I had requested a flower arrangement in her room upon arrival - it was and very beautiful it was too. The staff gave my aunt a birthday card and the chef went to the trouble of decorating a plate specially and she was given a little cake with a candle....a nice touch. The room I had was lovely, my aunt's was a sea-view and delighted her The beds are very soft (my choice is slightly firmer but I found it completely acceptable) . The food was excellent the service first class. Worth every penny. One has the feeling that nothing is too much trouble for the staff who are all very pleasant and polite.

The service given by the staff was excellent.
The hotel entrance was stunning, however the standard isn't carried through the rest of the hotel. The rooms could follow the high standards. We had a sea view but the the windows were dirty.
The spa is so dated and actually seems dirty- I don't think it is but it looks that way. The jacuzzi wasn't working. The sauna is in the changing room so I had to go by myself and not with my partner.
The spa staff were highly trained but lots of money needs to be spent on the spa.
The afternoon tea was delightful in front of an impressive fire!
Eating in the Mirrabelle was a real treat. The food was good. One waiter had lots of wrong information about the food though.
The breakfast in the garden restaurant was great!
I would go back but wouldn't use the spa.

I stayed three nights with my family and overall, it was really good.
Staffs were excellent and the room was comfortable although I found it might be a little difficult to stay during hot summer...But this classic hotel is where I will definitely return for my family holidays.

I came for a little weekend away, and we were very happy with the hotel overall. Our room was fairly cheap, and so the view was correspondingly limited (a gloomy inner yard filled with pigeon feathers). The interior strays into dated chintz territory a little, but it was lovely and clean and the bathroom was clean and modern and relatively spacious.

The spa and gym downstairs are nice to have, although the gym is only quite small. The thing I liked best of all was the outdoor pool, it's a lovely unique feature, and swimming outside with a view of the hotel is fabulous. Even flipflops are thoughtfully available if you forget to bring your own.

The breakfast was of an excellent standard, loads of choice, and nicely laid out around the dining room so you don't end up in an unseemly scrumdown with other guests.

Oh, and the beds! best night's sleep EVER! It was so, so comfortable, right down to the perfect pillow. Would come again, just for the beds.

Met up with a former colleague for a leisurely lunch. Waited in the lounge which has a definite old world charm and elegance. Friendly polite staff who were helpful but did not hassle you. Newspapers were available. Went through to the dining room which was spacious and a pianist was playing though not too loudly so it was not intrusive. The staff again were helpful and did not rush us. We had a 10 minute pause before selecting from the sweet trolley. Our food was delicious and hot. The guinea fowl was served with a sauce which was slightly mustardy - not a combination I would have thought of, but it worked. Certainly go again.

Booked for a one night birthday surprise for my wife and when I mentioned this we were promised an upgraded room. With the children the minimum room size available was a junior suite which we knew were at the back but that wasn't an issue - we weren't going to spend all our time looking out of the window!
On arrival we were very impressed with the parking/check in system. A nice chap in uniform takes your bags inside and parks your car for you while, after checking in, an equally nice chap takes your bags up to your room and shows you around.
The room was ok - not really a suite but a very large room with a large bed at one end and a sitting area with two armchairs and a sofa (which converted into a small double bed) at the other end (and an extra single bed in the corner).
Although the room did look relatively recently decorated it didn't really have any "wow" factor that may be expected in a 5 star hotel and the furniture was slightly old looking (maybe antiques?!)
Other disappointments were no mini-fridge where we had expected one, only two bottle of water and two kinds on each type of tea (for four of us) and only one packet of biscuits!! However, after calling reception all of these things were brought up very quickly including a mini-fridge which are apparently only "on-demand".
The bathroom was lovely though, with a nice bath and a great selection of quality toiletries.
We had considered eating in the hotel but the only available options after 6.00pm were a choice of two rather expensive three course only restaurants. We only really wanted a lighter meal and although these were available in the bar, only until 6.00pm. They really should extend this as it forced us to go out to eat so they lost our custom.
Location is excellent - just across a green from the sea where it is a 10 minute walk to the pier/town.
Breakfast in the morning was excellent - there was the choice of a buffet which was by far the tastiest and best quality of any hotel breakfast buffet I had ever been to (particularly the mushrooms and scrambled egg). There was also the option of ordering other types of eggs (or indeed any other hot item) freshly cooked if required.
We used the leisure facilities and the indoor and outdoor pool were both great - lovely and warm. The changing facilities were very clean although relatively old and apparently some of the gym equipment was old and not working.
My wife also had a spa treatment in the morning (back massage) which she said was very good.
There is a very nice snooker room with two full size tables in a basement room - get the balls/cues from reception.
Overall this is a great old traditional hotel with great service and excellent staff who do everything to help. The public areas downstairs are all very grand and well decorated. It is not cheap but I think worth doing once for the experience, as long as you are not too bothered about the room (or know exactly what you are getting beforehand).

I've wanted to go to the Grand Hotel Eastbourne since its Mirabelle Restaurant was listed in the Good Food Guide - which was a long time ago. The excuse finally came with a wedding anniversary which we celebrated with a night's stay and dinner.
We were delighted with the experience. The food was excellent, our room (upgraded) very comfortable, the ambience and the service appropriate to the High Victorian setting.
The visit was like going back in time - but in a good way.

Lovely food and good service for a family celebration with a group including a wide range of ages from young children up to grandparents in their 80s. This is a lovely place for a celebration meal or a special week-end away.

Excellent service throughout the weekend stay. Staff were always there and always helpful. Food was excellent and the service in the Garden Restaurant was over whelmingly good for the family birthday dinner. Grandchildren were rewarded for their good behaviour at their dinner table. Would recommend and will stay again.

Have eaten at the Grand on 3 occasions, twice before for a business lunch/meeting & this weekend as a guest at our friends wedding.

The service was slick silver service, as to be expected from this hotel with our glasses being refilled quietly & efficiently. The warm chocolate brownie was heavenly (for a serious chocolate lover, it is one of the best I have ever eaten). The only slight minus was that the coffee was not particularly warm & we were not offered a refill.

Overall - very enjoyable

I booked The Grand for a family afternoon tea to celebrate my fathers 60th birthday and we weren't disappointed.

We've dined at the Grand on numerous occasions over the years for special family meals and each and every time the service and food is impeccable.

This being my first ever afternoon tea experience, I wasn't sure what to expect. There were a selection of sandwiches, cakes, pastries, an Eton Mess shot glass and probably the best scones I've ever had.

To compliment this a tea menu is available with 10-15 different varieties of tea to choose from. I had coffee which was excellent, both are regularly topped up without us having to ask.

Our server also presented my father with a special 'birthday brownie' with a candle in it which was very sweet - thank you!

Overall the experience was excellent and one I'd be keen to repeat again - even if it's not a special occasion!

The price of £25 a head for the Grand Tea at first sight seems expensive, however you are paying just as much for your surroundings as well as the food and service. We all actually commented how full we felt afterwards, which I didn't expect.

My niece had the £15 a head junior tea which comprised of a sandwich selection, jelly bowl, chocolate eclair and a big chocolate cookie as well as a seriously good looking chocolate milkshake.

Will definitely be returning in the near future!

There were 16 of us to celebrate my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary. The organisation before we arrived was done superbly, and everything went smoothly on the evening. My room (20) was very good - nice comfortable bed and a lovely waterfall shower. Great to have Molton Brown toiletries as well.

Breakfast was very filling and tasty. Did not use an spa facilities but my parents used the pool and enjoyed.

We stayed there for one night and it was a great experience. The spa facilities are very good, you can relax there during the afternoon. There is an amazing outdoor pool which is heated ! So you can swim there early in the morning. We had a deluxe room and the bed was very comfortable. There was a noise coming from the kitchen extractor but they switch it off at night so it was fine. The staff is extremely kind and helpful, Madeleine at the reception is a very helpful lady who recommended us a great restaurant. Great breakfast served in a beautiful dining room ! We highly recommend !

Excellent. Service and food delicious. Staff very friendly.
the lady from Poland/Warsaw extremely efficient (working in dining room) Receptionist (Melanie) excellent. Very knowledgeable, spoke perfect German

Not overly inpressed, they gave us swipe keys to a wifi keyed room, 20 minutes to get a room change as housekeeping locked the room. Tv didn't work, no pen to complete the room service card for breakfast, not a complainer but not up to standard for the price. Our honeymoon night and should have stayed at a premier

My wife surprised me with Sunday lunch and a nights stay for my 60th birthday, lunch was very good, service excellent, the room, sea view with balcony was outstanding everything you needed and to top it all had to endure afternoon tea the following day which again was first class, overall a very nice hotel, excellent staff and food, would highly recommend.

The Grand is a huge Victorian building on the sea front in Eastbourne.
It's exterior has been recently repainted (in brilliant white) and really looks the part. The interiors are very grand with the main foyer (and staircase) especially impressive.
We had a bedroom on the first floor which had a side view of the sea, and it had everything you'd expect in a hotel of this class, including a very modern bathroom (which itself had a window which is always a plus point in my eyes!).
The building is old so you do get some noise creeping in from outside (unfortunately there was a triathlon taking place on the seafront which kicked off at 6am which we could havve done without!)

We arrived early and so had a late lunch in the bar/lounge on the terrace overlooking the outdoor pool. We had a couple of club sandwiches (which are often a hotel staple) and am pleased to say the Grand does them very well.

In the evening we ate at one of the two Hotel restaurants (Mirabelle) where the service & food were exemplary. They also offer a wide selection of English wines which was a nice touch.

The breakfast didn't quite live up to the room or dinner experience, being no more than adequate - but with definite room for improvement.

So all-in-all a great stay for a night away treat especially if you can get a good deal on the rate. There aren't many of these big Victorian hotels left and it's great to see this one prospering.

Gentile atmosphere of bygone days and superb staff. Do it before its too late you wont regret it. Go for a sea view if you can pay the extra its worth every penny. Wonderful food cooked to perfection. Go for the freshly prepared cooked breakfast rather than from the buffet as its served under big silver serving covers ~ very grand.

BOOKING
My wife and I decided at the last minute to have a short break away and as we had stayed at the Grand before decided to return, as it had been a long time since our previous stay.

I booked by telephone directly to the hotel and the lady I spoke to was interested in what I had to say, offered suggestions about the best deal and we agreed on an Executive Sea view room.

The booking process was quick and efficient.

ARRIVAL
When we drove into the hotel car park the Consierge asked us if we were staying, when we confirmed that we were, our car boot was opened, our bags were removed and carried by a second concierge into the hotel. The concierge then parked our car whilst we registered and paid for the room. This s quaint process especially as you have to pay when you leave, but the whole process was undertaken politely and efficiently. Before I knew it my car key was returned to me.

ROOM
Our room had a sea view and was located above the Garden Restaurant on the second floor. A pleasant room, clean and tidy. The decorations are 'old fashioned' but the room was spacious. There were two easy chairs in the main section of the bedroom and a large bed. In a smaller detached section of the room there was a dressing table and large fitted wardrobes. Through this room was a large bathroom.

The bathroom was spacious with a shower fitted over the bath but the bath, however the bath was very narrow although the bath rim was relatively low. This meant that access was relatively easy although you almost had to stand in the bath sideways if showering. A wider bath and a wall grab-rail would be an advantage for the generally elderly clientele.

I had emailed the hotel before our arrival, requesting that our bed be fitted with sheets and blankets. It was. We both find duvets to be too hot, and there is no chance of cooling down. Sheets and blankets provide that option.

The bed was extremely comfortable and as the weather was extremely mild we slept with the window open and were very comfortable.

HOUSEKEEPING
The housekeeping staff were extremely efficient, and very polite when we did see them. They are to be complimented on the service they provide.

BAR
We visited the bar each evening for pre-dinner drinks. The staff were polite and mainly attentive, save for one night. On our second evening we were not served any canapes and our drinks took a long time to arrive, both due to the seemingly low staff levels on that evening.

Our drinks were served with trays of crisps, nuts and olives. Each evening the crisps were 'soggy' and had obviously been left exposed for too long. We don't eat crisps so this was not a problem for us.

Whilst in the bar we were provided with the menus for the evening and so we were able to order before entering the dining room.

One minor point was that we were not invited into the dining room, but told to 'go through' when we were ready. This meant that we had to carry our own drinks in, something that we did not do on our previous visit.

DINING
We generally ordered from the daily menu but I did make two forays into the a la carte menu for scallops on one occasion and the brown shrimps on another. The former was not worth the additional cost as it was served with crisp slices of chorizo, or something similar, which were hard and tasteless. However the brown shrimps were excellent and well worth the additional charge.

The menu describes a 'three-course' meal but is in fact five courses. Firstly there was an amuse bouche served, before the 'starter.' Then there is a different sorbet every evening, before the 'main course.

The sweets changed each evening, although some were very similar.

We both thoroughly enjoyed all of our evening meals, despite the problems with the scallops described above.

We chose a different wine each evening and Ronald the sommelier was very efficient and attentive and our glasses were not allowed to get empty.

LOUNGE
Our coffee was served in the lounge and I had a brandy each evening. I do not understand why hotels and restaurants do not include coffee within the meal price. A Cafetiere of coffee was served, together with petit fours.

BREAKFAST
This is the worst thing about the hotel, not that the food was poor, but that it was self-service. With a little organisation at least the cooked breakfast could and should be served, which would just raise the standard just that little bit more. I did order poached eggs one day which were delivered to the table plated with other selections I had ordered.

There was always a good selection of freshly prepared fruit and plenty of cereals.
The cooked food from the display was sometimes cool and the plates could have been hotter.

STAFF
The staff we met were all polite, informative and most listened to what we said. There is a trend, not present at the Grand, for waiters/waitresses to ask if your are enjoying the meal, and then not listen to the answer, here they do listen.

BILLING
I don't like the way we had to pay for the room on arrival, and I suggest that the billing system for the meals could be improved. If the system requires a signature than it should be requested, this did not happen every time.

OVERALL
My wife says that we have never visited any hotel for a third visit, but the Grand is the exception. Neither of us would have any objection to visiting the hotel again.

We purposely did not stay at a weekend, and so the hotel was reasonably quiet, although we did count 50 guests dining one evening, just in the Garden restaurant. The service was still excellent.

The Grand Hotel is absolutely wonderful. Of course it's expensive but if you can afford to really treat yourself and want to sample old world charm and first class service, this is the place for you. My wife and I have been visiting the grand for several years and our most recent stay (last week commencing 18th Sept) was excellent. There were one or two surprises. One evening a young woman, dressed as an ice cream, was waiting for the lift.
When she got to the lobby she was joined by a pirate and an assortment of beech themed people. Obviously a party was taking place. There was a great jazz band on a Saturday night in the lounge. The singer (a woman) was really good. There were guests dancing and some, I suspect, had been influenced by "strictly" with twirls and outrageous posing. All great fun and that is the point, the Grand is not stuffy. Wonderful.

Lovely hotel, perfect for a short break. The staff are friendly, guests are offered a warm welcome on their arrival and this continues throughout the stay. The Mirabelle restaurant is well worth a visit during your stay.
One of our favourite hotels in the UK.

I've been coming to The Grand with my family for nearly 20 years and remember my first visit here when my children were very young and the hotel went out of its way to welcome them. We have always had wonderful times here. My last stay here was as always immaculate. I get really fed up with people posting reviews on the hotel about its decor and "faded grandeur ". This was a purpose built hotel in 1875 and I love the fact that it's STILL HERE standing imperiously on the seafront dominating the shoreline and looking like a fairytale castle. What's so special about this most majestic grande Madame is the atmosphere and how friendly and welcoming all the staff are. Whether you turn up in a Ferrari or a push bike, everybody is welcomed warmly and I especially notice how well all the staff get along together. Many of them have been working at the hotel for years and the service is always outstanding and they will always go the extra mile to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. The food in both Restaurants is always of a very high standard. I really like the fact that there is a dress code in the evening as the setting really lends itself to "glam up" and my husband when he stays , always wears a black tie!!! The hotel is not at all stuffy and there is a real feel of understated elegance and luxury of a bygone era. I've stayed in most of the room categories and they are all beautifully appointed in a style which is fitting for a hotel of this age. If you want contemporary, sleek and sterile, this hotel is not for you. If you want elegance, comfort and a hotel with a huge heart then you won't be disappointed. I also don't understand when people post negative comments about the hotels appearance. The rooms are very clean and a lot of them have recently been refurbished. The outside has been painted too, a huge task for such a large intricate building!!
The health club is run by a friendly team and has everything you need to relax. I had a wonderful massage and used all the other facilities. The outside pool is a very nice!
Room service is one of my favourite things at the Grand. I like to order breakfast in my room and it's always beautifully served and presented with a huge choice.
This trip I took my young Labrador with me. For £20 a night he was treated like a king. He had room service with a ready supply of food from
Arden Grange and the staff kept bringing him treats. Much better than a lot of other supposedly "dog friendly " hotels I've stayed at .It was very handy as the beach and promenade are directly opposite, so ideal for walks.
Children are very well looked after here. Little touches like complimentary milk and cookies at bedtimes, robes and goody bags are really well thought out. The children even have their own check in area. Nice touch. There is a playroom too which is open during the school holidays and at weekends. It is complimentary. My two always enjoyed going there and had lots of fun.

Thank you to all the most amazing staff who made everything so special. See you soon!

we had a room on the 4th floor which had a duel aspect; the Downs on way the seafront the other. The room was well appointed and in very good repair. There was a very large comfortable bed. The bathroom was adequate with plush robes and well sized towel. one thing that could have been better was the strength of the shower but it did the job.

We had tea in the lounge with scones which were very good.