Our experience here was excellent from start to finish - friendly helpful reception staff; lovely room; comfortable bed; great location; nice food; Molton Brown toiletries; good value spa treatments. The price was pitched just right for this resort. Couldn't fault anything.

We stayed for 3 nights in a sea view executive room. The view made up for the old fashioned faded furnishings. Be warned a sea view is south facing and the room became very hot, no fan provided or air conditioning. The bathroom was huge, but only a small bath with shower over, equally south facing and it some became like a sauna!
We booked a package including food, but was not impressed. The breakfast buffet was poor, the staff attentive but it was like a huge cafeteria in a holiday camp! Dinner was very disappointing. We ate in both restaurants. The menus looked interesting, but the food bland. Portion sizes were out of control and prices very high. Starters were the size of a main course and a main course was enough food for 2! We faired no better in the gourmet restaurant. Wine prices very high for ordinary wine, they could not provide the vintage on the wine list and could not understand why we had complained.
The indoor pool, changing area was dirty and clearly needed upgrading. The bar empty in an evening I think due to high prices.
Overall a grand building that does not live up to its name

This wonderful hotel is a gem. The service is first class from the minute you arrive. There is limited car parking at the front and somehow they manage to squeeze in your car.

The building is very impressive and unlike some older hotels it is very well maintained. The decor is grand and plush and you feel like you are stepping back in time.

Our room was a deluxe sea facing room. It was very spacious and everything was to a high standard from the furniture to the toiletries. To add to the feeling of luxury was a nightly turndown service.

Breakfast was included in our rate and this was also a great experience with a delicious hot and cold buffet on offer.

The lounge and bar are great for relaxing or drinking or both.

The leisure facilities are you excellent particularly the heated outdoor pool.

Overall this was a great weekend away. We were made to feel special from the minute we drove through the gate.

Stayed for 10 days. Mostly excellent. Service was great, breakfast okay but nothing special, bar prices astronomic (£6.70 soda) the spa and leisure facilities brilliant and the staff there couldn't have been better. Think the management need to rethink breakfast when the place is busy.

We've just spent 3 enjoyable days at this very comfortable, traditional hotel. Our light and airy room was enormous and very well equipped with two large wardrobes, settee, armchairs, coffee maker and kettle. The bathroom too was spacious with 2 sinks and good quality toiletries. As befits a 5 star hotel, our room was turned down each evening, without our having to request the service. Breakfast was generous and freshly cooked. The outdoor heated pool is a pleasure. We have stayed here many times over the years and shall definitely look forward to returning.

Happy to be here again after an enjoyable time last year ( see previous review). However, a year on and the hotel seems a lot more old-fashioned and faded than last time. We had a "deluxe" double room but it had dated furniture, creaking taps, a tiny TV set and the smallest double bed we have ever slept in! Also, no a/c and in the hottest week of the year we had to keep the window open with a depressing view of grey roofs and had to suffer the constant noise from a huge extractor fan outside; There was a portable fan in the bedroom but that was even louder than the extractor outside.

On the plus side the staff in all areas were excellent, always helpful and kind and nothing was too much trouble. The concierges were great, always there to organize our free parking in a very congested car park. The swimming pool was very good and it was lovely to sit and relax in the garden after a swim. Food was also good at breakfast but lunch and dinner were much too expensive for us so we always ate out. We would go there again so long as we didn't get Room 324.

And very grand it is too, the splendid Victoriana wedding cake exterior perhaps surpassed by the sumptuous interior.
Made to feel welcome throughout with old-fashioned courtesy.
Breakfast great, greeted at door. Nice touch, asked for name, not room number. Led to table and toast and tea/coffee ordered on way. Arrived promptly, toast freshly warm, and nice soft pats of butter on table. Cooked fare available from kitchen, or help you self from eclectic choice.
Cosy room, with comfortable chairs and bed.
Nearly every day room serviced whilst at breakfast, so came back to tidy room, shortly after getting up.
Concierge service most helpful in suggesting things to do, plus arranged Gatwick airport taxi, which was prompt and efficient.
Cannot comment on evening restaurant, as dined elsewhere, but a companion said it was excellent.
Bar comfortable, and staff helpful.
Huge, comfortable lounge area, with lots of papers and magazines.
Lift a bit tired, and floor buttons a bit hard to see, but a very minor issue.
I hope the hotel continues to thrive. It was as good as any I have stayed in, and not seriously the worse for its age.
It ain't cheap, but well worth it.

Only booked a week ago as a spur of the moment idea. Wanted lots of sun and relaxation and that is what we got. Pool was great and poolside staff especially James were helpful and pleasant. Pool bit tired and needs a bit of a makeover but despite being busy was great to cool off in. Our first room, 343, was fine but the view was awful. We knew we weren't going to get a sea view but still at £215 a night to have a view of decaying external pipes, rotting windows and roofs was a bit much, plus we were near the kitchen extractor so our room smelt of cooking and grease. In the 30 degree heat that was a no no. So after a restless night we asked if we could move and we got lucky. For a £25 upgrade we moved to room 331 which had a fabulous side sea view. Worth every penny.
Food expensive but special, we ate in both restaurants. Staff all helpful. Breakfast was superb. We chose to have ours cooked to order and it was excellent. Lots of choice and good quality.
The hotel is a bit tired in parts and on checkout we commented again about the need to do some work on the exterior parts to make the views from rooms like our first one better. We were told that there is a plan to do some refurb in the near future. When we return we will be sure to ask for a side sea view room like 331; worth paying extra. Parking and bellboy arrangements worked well and overall we were happy with our stay. Would have given top rating if the maintenance issues were not apparent. Hopefully next time we visit, the whole hotel will have been spruced up to a 5* standard, but at the moment it falls a little short. But had a great stay overall.

Been for a short summer break. My wife and I wanted to relax next to the sea after a hectic summer in London. However, the hotel is not for young couples that want luxury and amenities.
First, Wifi was pretty much non-existent. I had to make Skype calls with my partners abroad but that was almost impossible. Moreover, I went to the business room but Skype was not installed to the computer. Connection was only good to receive emails.
Second, quality and variety of food best matches a 4* hotel. A weak point especially during breakfast time. For instance, we asked for a decaf coffee and it was the worst coffee ever (check coffee's colour in the image attached).
Third, the initial room that we had was small and definitely not for a 5* hotel. (Please see image attached).
The silver lining was that personnel was extremely polite, helpful and ready to assist. They directly understood that we have to change the room and they provided a far better one.
A final plus was the indoor pool and the gym that were clean and well-organised.

This was just an excellent break...my wife and I had three days in Eastbourne........granted we got the weather.........gosh it was hot........lazing at the pool...............strolling into town...........and THEN ..experiencing the 6 course taster menu at the Mirabelle restaurant.......MARVELLOUS...just do it...it was wonderful...so refined (not like me) ...so tasteful...so sophisticated (is my spelling correct............hehe)..............no seriously.................what a place .....what a team...what service...what luxury.....7STAR

I went to boarding school 40 odd years ago...... and when ever we walk passed The Grand Hotel I would wonder at the size of it and wonder about the people who would go there.... Now I am in a position to return and visit I did.
I booked a long weekend but then had to cancel and rebook the weekend before due to a family wedding, it was dealt with it smoothly and no issues arose.
We arrived on a Friday evening after a seven and half hour drive, we booked in and had our room upgraded for free, we had booked a sea view but ended up with a sea view and veranda and huge suite. My wife and I loved it.
Breakfast was perfect, what ever you wanted was there, you just had to ask and we were very well looked after by our waitress(who looked after us at most meals).
Off for the day around Eastbourne...( Eastbourne is'nt a place to visit for the town) We visited a few old haunts, the school I went to is now closed and turned into flat, the games field is a block of flats...I guess its progress.? We walked up to Paradise woods and up to the dew pond, it all brought back a lot of happy memories.
Back for afternoon tea, I would recommend it, We had to wait for a table but the wait was worth it, the 'tea' was great, and all served with the grandure that befits the hotel, infact I think I would come back just for that.
Dinner in the Garden Restaurant, (well where we had breakfast) was good but not amazing, but still good and not a let down. The hotel info in the room says jackets and ties for dinner, I had a shirt with a collar and was allowed in, once again everything was done as it should be in 'The Grand'
The Hotel is old (not worn out) Everything is done as it should be, I loved the chambermaids dressed in the 'old fashioned' frilly outfits, I bet they hate it and it doesn't help when cleaning the rooms but It is 'it is the grand'.
We had a lovely time in The Grand, the sea front was enjoyable as you might expect but the town isn't.
The room was spaceous and the bed was sooooo comfortable y clean.furnishing were grand and there was plenty of hot water and the room was clean.. ver
The Hotel is GRAND in every sense of the word, everything is done well, all the staff are helpful and a credit to the Management.
Would I go back....YES YES YES for the hotel... but not the town.

We spent 5 nights in junior suite 220, with our son on a creaky sofa bed in the lounge and it cost a LOT of money. The whole hotel is actually a bit shabby and needs a refurb (peeling wallpaper, cobwebs, patchy carpet). The breakfast started off ok but on our last day it took 4 attempts to bring us 2 medium boiled eggs each correctly. My husband got one hard boiled and one soft and when mine arrived 5 mins later, both were so soft they were entirely liquid and I couldn't stomach them. I gave up at this point and had cold toast as it had taken over an hour. The day before that it took over an hour to get breakfast because the staff were run off their feet and it took an age to get served. We spent a nice couple of afternoons by the outdoor pool, which was the primary reason we booked as we thought there was nice weather coming, but the water had a visible film on it, there are not enough sunbeds for hot days and it's almost impossible to get served a drink. Staff should be walking round the beds all the time. The indoor pool is small and dark and none of it felt very clean. Although they have their 5 stars in all honesty it needs a lot of work. The staff were lovely but I didn't notice really exceptional service over and above what we'd reasonably expect at those prices. No air con in the room and wifi was patchy - lounge ok, bedroom nothing. As mentioned by others the Windows rattled when it was windy at night. If we hadn't used the pool during our mini holiday I'd have felt I didn't get value for money - as it is I am still wondering if it justified the high price tag. I got the impression that many of the guests like to think they are a cut above staying here, the rest chose what they thought was 5 star and got a poor relation.

I am a disabled person and upon arrival we found that we had a designated parking space (with our name on it!) very close to the entrance. Immediately. John, a member of staff appeared and took our luggage into the hotel for us. Unfortunately rooms are not available until 3.00pm, so we had a few hours wait before we could get changed and into holiday mode. When we were eventually given our key my husband went to look at the room and was dismayed to find that it was on the fourth floor, the main lift stops at the third floor and you have to walk round to another lift to take you up to the next floor. This lift, however, is so small that it would not accommodate my mobility scooter. I must say that we were allotted another room quite quickly but had to wait (again) this time for it to be inspected. It was a pleasant room, much better than the one originally allotted, which according to my husband was like a small garret room with small windows! Although room was OK with nice sea views, there was no wow factor. This room was £260 per night (we took advantage of a deal on offer).

The outside of this hotel is very impressive but the inside is faded grandeur. It certainly does need a refurb. The hotel is situated at the end of the seafront and although this makes for a very quiet night, it is quite a long walk to the main area, pier etc.

We had lovely weather and the swimming pool is lovely, with a lifeguard on duty all the time that we sat there. The children seemed to be having a lovely time. Possibly could do with some more sun loungers, especially some that don't leave black marks on your clothes.

We had dinner in the restaurant, ordering a sirloin steak and crepes suzette each. This was ridiculously expensive (£104 for two, no drinks) given the very average steak and SIX chips, two mushrooms and a few tomatoes on the vine! I must say, however, that the Garden Room restaurant itself was very classy. Service was very good. Food mediocre.

We had breakfast (and dinner of which all must be booked beforehand) in this restaurant and was taken on a route march through the restaurant, passing empty tables laid for two, given that I have walking and breathing difficulties, this was quite an ordeal. We were eventually shown to a table outside of the main restaurant, in the corridor alongside and I was offered a glass of water! Breakfast, again, average. Quite a good selection but our toast must have just been waved over the toaster, all white and floppy, and should you be able to SLICE scrambled egg?

Did not get the morning paper we ordered.

I hope this doesn't sound too negative because the service we received from the personnel was great, just a few tweaks in the hotel itself are needed. Would we stay here again? Maybe!

We had a fantastic time at the Grand hotel for a short weekend break. The hotel has lots of charm and although it is in need of renovation in some areas it is a fantastic seaside hotel. The location is great and we were able to walk to the famous downs within 15minutes. We ate out of the hotel at local smaller restaurants but enjoyed a very good breakfast. Our room was number 229 and we had a beautiful view of the sea. On request we asked for more shower gels and this was also no problem.

Wonderful experience in this hotel. Exellent staff who are very attentive. Aloways willing to help . The hotel is like going back in time and is a splendid venue to enjoy a relaxing break. Can highly recommend. Good breakfasts. Parking is tight but the staff do their utmost to take the stress out of finding a spot. Wonderful service.

Beautiful hotel, lovely room. Expensive drinks in the bar and restaurant. However, our stay was a wonderful experience, and perfect for a special occasion. The staff were welcoming and extremely courteous.

We stayed at the Grand Hotel for my husbands birthday in a partial sea view room (132). The room was lovely, loads of space, big windows which let the light pour in and the bed was huge and spongy. The staff at the hotel are amazing, all of them friendly, polite and attentive. We ordered some bubbles through room service and it was presented beautifully. Breakfast was delicious, with a huge selection of hot and cold choices. This is one of the more expensive hotels along the sea front but you get what you pay for and this was defiantly a five star hotel. We look forward to coming to stay again.

Another delightful stay at this wonderful hotel that is in a prime position for viewing the annual Airborne Eastbourne Air Show. Like something from an Agatha Christie film you step back in time to this wonderful, charming, welcoming white palace. Staff in abundance to ensure all visitors are served quickly and politely. The health club is a fabulous way to start a relaxing stay with a massage. The outdoor pool heated and bathed in the summer sunshine was a delightful place to be as the aircraft displayed above our heads. A delicious breakfast each morning set us up for the day. Thank you to all at The Grand for what was an absolutely fabulous weekend.

I've just returned from a very relaxing, three night stay at the Grand with my mother and my two daughters. This was my first visit to the Grand hotel but my mother has stayed here previously, including Christmas.
The hotel throughly deserves 5 stars as the staff were utterly brilliant. From being greeted as you arrive by the porters who park your car and reception staff, to the bar and dining staff, and housekeeping and spa staff. They were all amazing.
We booked the dinner, bed and breakfast package and found each meal very enjoyable. We also dined in the Mirabelle and highly recommend booking this restaurant if you are considering staying at this hotel.
We stayed in two suites with stunning sea views which were large and comfortable but a tad dated. On our last night, I moved with my children to a refurbished room which I much preferred and will certainly book again.
We were extremely lucky with the weather and able to use the outdoor pool ( spotlessly clean) and sun loungers ( limited amount available ) and go for lovely walks along the sea front.
I would highly recommend this hotel and will most certainly return again !!!

Our daughter booked us all into the Grand for Sunday lunch as an anniversary treat and WOW! what a treat it was. I have been there for a drink before but never a meal well we really look forward to next time. If you are looking for fabulous surroundings, good service and great food well we got all that and what's more it was not over priced. To be fair you wouldn't want to pay much more for lunch but it was worth every penny.
They even did a special 'extra' dessert for our anniversary.

This hotel has the best staff, the beautiful rooms and the perfect location. The hotel ca park was full when we arrived on a Saturday afternoon as a wedding was taking place and they had 95% occupancy. The doorman noticed we had driven in and out of the gates, he actually came out onto the road where we were parking, took our bags and told us to bring the car around so he could double park it for us in the car park. Our bags were inside with the concierge when we had finished checking in with the friendly & polite receptionist, we were taken to our room by the concierge & he pointed out where everything was enroute to our room, which was large and classically decorated, huge sash bay windows, tea & coffe making facility, with an good sized ensuite which was a shower over a bath tub, with small sized toiletries provided. I was feeling unwell the following day after eating out at a local restaurant so we used room service for 3 meals - the service and food were excellent, the server/room service manager knew we were gluten free and suggested what we could eat safely. We ate in the hotel restaurant on Monday morning, again service was impeccable- I cannot fault this hotel, it is, what I wish other hotels would be, in the UK a true 5 star experience without being snooty with fabulous staff who appear to go the extra mile.

This is a five-star experience at a five-star price, but you do really get what you pay for. From excellence of the valet parking (going like one-armed paper-hangers on the busy Friday of the year), reception staff, bar staff and waiters, the staff are almost universally well-trained and courteous. I say almost because the lead waiter at breakfast was the exception with his surly manner and inefficient management, leading to several grumbles about delays in delivery of tea and toast. However, this was a minor quibble. The hotel is a throwback to an age of service and elegance, lovely public rooms, well-appointed and comfortable rooms and a smashing, secluded outdoor swimming pool. Brilliant located on the esplanade, yet feeling as if it's in its own exclusive world. None of this comes cheap but as a treat it was hard to beat. We've already booked the same weekend for next year!

We stayed 3 nights during the Eastbourne airshow 2016.
The position of the hotel is great and they have on-site parking (which is a great benifit during the airshow).
The staff were fantastic, but the wi-fi was non-exisitent in our room (#235).
We had an executive room, which advertised as having free wifi, obviously executives in Eastbourne are so high flying they don't need wi-fi !!!
Reception were well used to dealing with this complaint, so I guess its a common one (I was not the only one complaining at the time).
We used the in-house Garden restaurant twice and were very happy with the traditional english food - prices were about double what you might expect in a local restaurant, but the service and quality were worth it.
For the in-house restaurant in the evening they want you to wear a collar, tie and jacket, which is fine, but there was no iron / ioning board in the room with which to make sure your shirt, or dress for that matter is crease free. So I guess they don't mind if you clothes look a mess as long as you tick the boxes for what you are wearing.
Breakfast was excellent - best fried bread I have had for years !!!

We spent 3 nights at this fabulous hotel in 2 rooms as our first rooms' window opened onto roof space where the very noisy fans for the hotel were located. We were lucky to be able to move to a junior suite, at an additional cost, which then opened up onto a busy road where the builders opposite provided the noise. We were unable to have the windows open at night because of the traffic noise and unbelievably a room that cost over £300 per night did not have air conditioning or a fan provided, unless requested. The rooms also do not have a mini bar or a fridge which lesser hotels provide as a matter of course.

My one real complaint is cleanliness, in both rooms the toilet had a wooden toilet seat, which isn't a problem unless, as in both these cases, the wood veneer has blown which allows germs and bacteria to grow and multiply in the toilet seat, easily remedied replace with hygienic resin seats. There is lovely wood paneling up the staircase above the hand rails which doesn't appear to have been dusted or cleaned for quite some time as do the skirting boards in the halls and rooms. I spilt some body lotion on the floor in my bathroom and when I wiped it up I noticed the tissue was dirty so I took a lovely fluffy white face cloth, run it under the tap and wiped the bathroom floor, not impressed as it was very dirty, I left a note for the maid to not just sweep the bathroom floor but to wash it as well, I really do think this should be done on a daily basis.

Having said that everything else is perfect, the level of service is as you would expect, the food is beautifully presented and delicious and you are looked after by the staff as if royalty. The attention to detail is phenomenal from the appetisers delivered to your table before dinner down to the room maids traditional outfits.

I will go back to the hotel, despite my previous comments, as you really are looked after and totally spoiled during your visit all in all I believe everybody deserves to experience this level of luxury.

My husband and I fancied a night somewhere new & different - so decided on The Grand Hotel Eastbourne.

Overall, I felt it was good value at £165 per night for a double room with breakfast. However, I was disappointed by the room (room 217).

More detail:

Pros:
Impressive looking hotel
Good location right of the seafront & a short walk from the pier & town centre
Well maintained
Good service
Friendly staff
Impressive looking common rooms (louge, bar, dinning room etc)
Very clean
Good quality bedding (lose the bedspread!) & towels
Molton Brown toiletries

Cons:
Room - I was so disappointed as I walked into the room. It felt like my grandmothers spare room, last decorated c.1988. Matching floral bedspread, valance & curtains!?!
Corridors leading to bedrooms - smelt like an old library & could with a good airing.
Common rooms - grand, well maintain but a little dated. Lacked atmospher & 'life'.