We arrived with my 90yr old father in law and mother in law who is 85. Disabled parking beside the entrance was blocked off, we did have disabled parking on view on dashboard. They would not allow us to park, so had to pull up outside the entrance, empty the car. Then they wanted to drive our car around. Waste of time. Should have just allowed us to park in the first place. Position of power. The Saturday night was very stormy. The sash windows rattled all night long, so very little sleep was had. Staff had been in our room while we were having supper, they would have noticed the noise. When mentioning to staff at reception they they informed me that I should have informed them, they have wedges. Frankly the windows should not rattle at all, very disruptive.
The staff in the dinning room, lounge & bar were very nice and good service provided. But to stay again and not have any sleep, no way.

We stayed one night on a DBB arrangement for my birthday. It's a traditional rather than modern hotel of its class so we had good quality surroundings with the sort of attentive service typical of this hotel's rating. Check in was very good (including a birthday card) and our seaview room was attractive even with its dated traditional decor style. We had a bath with a shower fitting; maybe other rooms have separate showers. Apart from creaking wooden floors the room was perfectly comfortable.
We had dinner in the more intimate Mirabelle restaurant which has a 'jacket & tie' requirement/preference - another tradition? The food was pretty good - the usual morsels being offered before and between the ordered courses - and the staff coped well with our request to change tables after receiving our aperitifs; my wife was uncomfortable being directly in line with the entry/exit doors to the kitchen used by the waiting staff and causing repeated draughts. Another birthday treat provided by the staff was when my dessert came with a birthday message and candle to the tones of 'happy birthday'. We also noticed that a few diners were well known enough to exchange 'old friend' style greetings with staff - rare in my experience unless the reputation is good.
Breakfast was very good in the Garden Room - excellent fruits and individual chef cooked alternatives to add to the already good range of hot items from the buffet. We enjoyed our stay, so I was rather surprised to read a few adverse comments from the experiences of other recent reviewers before compiling this review. OK, it's not cheap but the facilities, service and standard of food were all very good.

We love the Grand for its customer service and traditional approach of a fine 5 star hotel. We have been visiting the hotel for 15 yrs and never been disappointed. This time we had an issue with Wi-fi, we didn’t really make much of an issue of it yet the staff fell over backwards to find a more suitable room for us.

Went for a four night break and from the moment we entered I, particularly, felt privileged and valued. The staff, EVERYWHERE are polite, helpful and respectful. We had a sea facing room which was a good size but the bathroom was a bit squashed. The food - ah, the food! Like the title of this review, Good but NOT Great. Ample portions, hot etc. (unlike the breakfasts which one couldn’t describe as hot by any stretch of the imagination) but we considered our evening meals of a good quality 4 star standard, not 5 star - perhaps we expect too much! Would we stay there again? probably not. We found it very boring after dinner, pretty much everyone went to their rooms by about 9 - 9.30 so there was absolutely no atmosphere. My husband and I are avid card players but there was nowhere with a suitable table, and I’m not necessarily talking about a green baize card table, just a table big enough
to sit at, so we copied everyone else and went to our room. One thing I have to mention, my husband is a Blue Badge holder and as such the hotel policy is to allocate a parking bay for the duration of your stay. The concierge were second to none. As soon as they saw your car arrive in the car park they were right there removing the little board with your name on it in order for you to park, and similarly when you left the car park, they were right behind you replacing your name board in your bay so that it is always free of ‘interlopers’ - and this wonderful service was absolutely without charge. In summary, a fine hotel, lovely lounge areas, a very well stocked bar, staff the management should be proud of, food - perfectly adequate. Let down, for us, by the lack of any leisure facilities, other than a snooker table.

We had a standard double, but it was a really good size with an antechamber (good for taking out noise from the corridor and a feature of premium hotels).

The room was also clean and comfortable, as was the bathroom, with a selection of Molton Brown toiletries.

The bars and atrium are exceptional and the staff provided excellent service. We enjoyed sitting by the big fire while having drinks one evening.

The spa facilities are on the small side for a hotel size and the gym equipment probably needs updating or repairing. But those are small criticisms.

Overall, we really enjoyed our stay and we'd definitely go back.

Great service with friendly and helpful staff made us feel very welcome.Excellent food, dinner was made into a special event, and was well worth paying the extra,but wine a bit on the expensive side. Breakfast had just about everything anybody could ever wish for.
Room a bit tired and in need of some updating. Bed a bit narrow, not as comfy as at home.
Overall a very enjoyable stay- we had the two night autumn break- but still felt like a lot of money- you are paying for the service and the cost of running such a grand establishment.

Just a one night stay for our anniversary. It was excellent and I would recommend the Hotel. Dinner was excellent and good value. The staff were very attentive from the moment that the door man parking the car when we arrived.

Most enjoyable few days break - peaceful with excellent service, delightful sea view suite and good food. All in all a most enjoyable experience once again. All staff were excellent but the sommelier was particularly helpful.

Stayed overnight on 19th Oct - hotel looks great from the outside - easy parking and staff were very nice and helpful but hotel needs upgrading in more than a few ways - we were on the 4th floor ( no lift ) only takes you to floor 3 then shout for Sherpa - room was spacious enough view of the sea from side window - no walk in shower - shower curtain over the bath - ( 5* ? ) no fridge no drinks no chocolate ( 5* ? ) 1 packet with 2 small biscuits ( 5* ? ) they did turn the bed down and leave a couple of bottles of water but no chocolate ( 5*? ) we had a couple of drinks in the bar before dinner they did a nice negroni but really need to take all the pith ( yes pith ) off the orange - then 2 waiters approached to organise the food - now what's that all about nice guys but really unnecessary - they both returned to tell us the food was ready - menus were good but not really very exciting - food was delicious and service was very good - hopefully breakfast will be good tomorrow- I think it will

We stayed here for four days in September & it was our first time in Eastbourne. It was one of my parents favourite places & I can now see why. Lovely traditional English seaside town complete with pier and bracing promenade walks.

The hotel is first class. We have stayed in some of the best hotels in the world (and the worst), and, in our opinion, this is probably the best in this country by far.

Old fashioned elegance, politeness and luxury. It has it all!!

We had a lovely sea view room, very clean and comfortable. Breakfast was excellent - great choices for me as a vegetarian and the only hotel we have ever been to where the waitress actually took the time to tell me what was available for me from the kitchen if I decided on a 'cooked' breakfast.

We had dinner in the restaurant on the first evening and it was excellent - good choices for vegetarians and delicious food.

However, what we found most impressive was the impeccable service. Every member of staff from the chambermaids to the management said 'Good Morning' or 'Good Evening' whatever the time of day, and they were all polite, helpful and friendly. Sadly, this is becoming quite a rarity these days and a certain famous hotel in New York could definitely benefit by visiting the Grand to see how a hotel should be run!! The Grand certainly excelled in their staff training and should be proud of them all.

Looking forward to another visit in the not too distant future.

Stayed here just for one night as my husband had a business meeting in Eastbourne.
Staff all lovely and attentive. Hotel was clean and welcoming.
Breakfast was included in the price of our stay, a good selection of continental and cooked was offered. Overall a lovely peaceful stay
Only downside to the 5 star was a dead wasp in the light fitting in the bathroom

The washbasin was cracked and the bed was too narrow for comfort. The breakfast service was quite slow. Otherwise the staff were very pleasant and helpful. I was not impressed with the table d'hote meal on Saturday night, for the price I was expecting better.

Everything was as good as expected. Not all our dining choices were up to expectation but this was perhaps our choices rather than the kitchen prowess.

Shame there is no longer a room bar. Appreciated room service would suffice but less satisfactory.

I spoke with the Hotel direct with regards to the choice of room, the member of staff was both honest and very helpful with her advice and our room was booked with a package for dinner in the restaurant as well.

Stayed here for my husbands birthday, staff are just amazing. Hotel has been updated since our last stay and is first class. We had a problem with internet connection in our room, we phoned reception who immediately rectified it by changing rooms. They could not have been more helpful. The Grand Hotel is so special to us as it was a place my last husband came to relax, unfortunately he died 18 years ago but we come down often to celebrate his life and toast him. Thank you to the staff at The Grand, you never fail us.

Stayed for one night only, which was very enjoyable.
The promenade and seafront was just over the road, a
10 minute stroll to the pier or shopping centre.
My room was clean and comfortable, view awful, but for one
night was ok, if on longer stay would ask for sea view, booked last minute
and this was all that was left,
Old fashion splendour, would definately stay again

The Grand is a lovely, elegant and stylish hotel with attentive and friendly staff. Very old fashioned in its way but still attractive in its re-creation of a bygone age.

Only two adverse comments. Firstly, the beds are quite small; standard double, I think, at least in our room? I’d expect better in a five star hotel.

More importantly, I did not feel that the food warranted the eye-watering prices. We had dinner in the Garden Restaurant which was certainly acceptable but I really expected to be wowed at these prices and wasn’t.

Worse perhaps was the breakfast where the buffet selections were really very limited and would be put to shame by the average Hilton hotel, I felt. Toast was tasteless and of the Mother’s Pride variety!

If cooked breakfasts are your thing then you were probably better catered for but this required a potential wait as it was cooked to order and the standard hot plate selection was quite limited.

Overall I enjoyed the stay but did not feel that the food merited a five star rating, at least in the Garden restaurant.

This is what a seaside hotel should be like. Unpretentious, friendly, luxurious and (in this instance) steeped in history. From the moment you draw up, you're greeted by not one but 3 x smiling doormen, parking space found, luggage carries and a feeling of hospitality. My liitle buuldog was known by name every time we took a walk i or out of the hotel. I LOVED the outdoor pool in October..I lOVED the Molton Brown unctions...and breakfast in that wonderful dining room was joyous. Even the children at the next table were quiet and happy . the vibe had obviously got to them. May I thank the reservationist Joanna..it was her who answered my frantic call saying I needed a room for a break from London. Her calm enthusiasm for The grand encouraged me to book. I shall be back

It is a very nice hotel.
The staff is very friendly and helpful,
they also have creative solutions to problems.
The food is great, maybe a bit expensive thought.
The dining area is beautiful but has no ambiance when it's not busy.
Very clean rooms.

Luxurious Hotel near the sea. If you step out of the hotel, cross the road and infant is the sea and promenade. The room was clean and spacious and nicely decorated in muted tones. The room was quite and peaceful. The staff were very welcoming and helpful. The breakfast was great with a wide choice of continental and hot breakfast items. Would visit again.

Eastbourne was original planned as a resort for the upper classes, the Grand Hotel was purpose built at the time as a 5 star hotel, it was a time of elegance and exemplary service. Nothing has changed it is still stylish, and the staff offer a high level of friendly service.
When we arrived there was a board reserving our parking space with our name on it, the porters were charming, reception friendly and efficient, our room was large with a lovely sea view, admittedly we had a suite but this was a special treat.
The American bar hasn't changed the beautiful dark wood bar the wide range of cocktails, it wasn't just a bar but a statement of an elegant lifestyle, the well padded leather bar stools, the comfy sofas and chairs and staff who know how to make a good cocktail.
In years gone by I spent a lot of time in the Grand and was a little bit nervous that it wouldn't live up to expectations, I wasn't disappointed, it was still as good, and it seemed that at any moment Pepe the legendary barmen who ran the American bar would suddenly come in and greet me. He didn't but he would be proud of the current staff who continue the service and skills he upheld. We enjoyed an amuse-bouche with our drinks, pursued the menu and wine list, discussed our options with the Maître d' and then
we dined in the restaurant, the magic continued, the food was excellent, presented with a flourish of silver domes. Service was good, attentive but not over powering and our wine was discretely topped up, the starters, sorbet then mains followed each one a delight, desert.... why not also excellent and casting all caution to the wind desert wine.
retiring to our spacious suite with large balcony, big enough for 40 guests to party we reflected on a wonderful day, a haven of good taste in an increasingly brash world.
After a wonderful room service breakfast we had to return to reality.
Will we be back, of course, maybe not a suite next time but as long as the hotel has it's 5 star status it will always be one of my favourite hotels.

The hotel is aptly named. The public rooms are fit for royalty with high ceilings, spacious sitting areas and comfortable seating. It manages to be lavish and welcoming at the same time. We had an ocean view room with large windows over looking the English Channel. The room was large, relaxing and beautifully appointed. The staff was very professional. I celebrated my 77th birthday here and my husband and I felt like we were the youngest people registered at the hotel. Obviously, the vibe is not hipster here, which was perfect for us of course. Many of the guests seemed to be regulars who have been coming here for decades. The night we arrived the Mirabelle Restaurant was not open so we had dinner in the Garden Room, the only low point of our stay. The dinning room was less than half full when we arrived for dinner yet the maitre d' inexplicably tried to seat us right next to the traffic of the swinging kitchen doors and seemed offended when I asked to be seated at a more appropriate table. I must say that we were appropriately dressed for the occasion (in fact more so than many in the room) so that was not the issue. Perhaps he thought Americans would not know the difference? My meal of pork, potatoes and green beans all tasted exactly the same, that is to say, flavorless. My husband's lamb was a bit better but my meal was one of the worst I have encountered in a restaurant in a long time. I can only hope that the chef is not the same for the Mirabelle, we decided not to risk it! Breakfast was fine with a nice buffet as well as offerings on the menu. I would definitely recommend the hotel to friends but would warm them away from dinner at the Garden Room.

This is our local hotel. We have not stayed overnight but have seen the immaculate and comfortable homely rooms with amazing sea views and would stay there in a flash if we lived further a field. We go regularly throughout the year to treat ourselves or family and friends to a cuppa, toasted tea cake, sandwich or cream tea. You are waited in hand and foot without it feeling uncomfortable at all. Staff are genuinely friendly and happy to help, polite, chatty and seem to love their job and attitude is a little tng that makes a big difference when it comes to service and service with a smile and genuinely happy disposition is important to us and very much part of the 'make or break' experience of treating yourselves when going out. The hot chocolate is amazing! Served with grated shavings of real chocolate, marshmallows and cream so you can add as much or as little as you like. Food and drink is wonderful. The atmosphere is just perfect from quite little nooks and crannies with lovely views privacy and homely cosiness that we love to a more open public room with soft chairs and settees to sink into and relax chatting or reading or snoozing! The mirabelle restaurant is perfect for a special family treat but we love to cosy up in the corridor with a great book and sip hot chocolate throughout a cold wet dreary winters day. The rest rooms are worth a visit with lovely hand towels smelliest and cream and spacious room with long mirrors to check you look ok in! There's an open fire and piano music for afternoon tea time which is lovely though a little dark for us, the cosy corridor makes you feel like you are in the garden or on the beach with lots of natural light flooding in even on the darkest and coldest of winter days. It's our home from home when we can afford it, our first choice of local retreat. A wee bit pricey but excellent value for money in terms of service with a smile and little extras you were not expecting that turn up with your order like a shortbread biscuit freshly bakes in chefs special way or soft bun, muffin that comes with your pot of tea and the hot chocolate, did we mention the hot chocolate is to die for!?!👍😊😘😂😉

We had a two night stay here in early October. Staff were flawless throughout and the property is grand both externally and internally. We had an executive seaview room which was spacious and comfortable. We saw the sunrise over the English Channel, which was beautiful. The car park was a bit oversubscribed overnight Saturday but the valet parkers shuffle cars around to ensure guests can leave their cars on site.

Breakfast is primarily buffet style but you can request table service for kippers or the delicious smoked haddock. We had dinner at the Mirabelle restaurant on the first night which is highly recommended.

The Health club is in the basement and comprises a smallish gym, c12m pool, steam room (out of order during our stay), sauna and jacuzzi. The c16m heated outdoor pool is open until sunset. There are two snooker tables below the Mirabelle but you need to collect cues and balls from the concierge.

Friendly staff. Clean room and public areas. Nice little touches like coffee machine in room.