We stayed here at the end of August for a long weekend in the Debussy suite. We didn't go in to the town at all: we had come for the hotel. The large car park was very useful and someone came out to greet us and see if we needed help with our luggage. We were welcomed by the lovely people on reception and given some information about the hotel before we were shown to our room. It was absolutely beautiful. If you want a modern style and sleek furniture, this is not for you. If, like us, you want to be comfortable, with a big balcony and a really homely feel then you would really like it here. There are coffee making facilities in the suite, and even a small bottle of sherry for after dinner. The balcony was one of the reasons we chose the hotel. We sat out there for hours wrapped in our bathrobes watching the sea and the light on the water. The room had a DVD player so we took some with us to watch in the evening.
The public rooms are truly grand - large open spaces, high ceilings and period features. The delicious breakfast is served in a huge dining room which would make a fantastic venue for a wedding, as I'm sure it does. Afternoon tea attracts locals and guests alike, and the scones are really quite something. All the hotel staff are really friendly and helpful and we will certainly be going back next year once the weather is good enough to make use of the balcony.
So what are the not so good things about the hotel?
There was only really one thing we didn't like, mostly because it was so inconvenient. We weren't able to eat in the hotel restaurant because of the strange system. There is a set menu, with choices, with a fixed price and an additional a la carte menu. However, to order from the a la carte, you have to pay the fixed price and then a full price supplement for each item from the second menu. Given the fixed price is not cheap, this would make it an expensive exercise. We therefore had room service. This wasn't always successful either. The club sandwich doesn't come on bread, but something rather strange, and my Caesar salad was, frankly, horrible and small.

My tip is to have afternoon tea. It was really delicious but, as we weren't too bothered about cakes, after the first time we just had the scones which are fabulous. Also, the Presidential suite sounds grander but is on a lower floor, so the view is not as good, and it doesn't have the comfy feel of the Debussy.

Arrived and check in was quick and smooth. Very well maintained hotel with public areas stylish and glamorous. We were there for 2 nights and so I got a rounded opinion of the place.
Breakfast: 10/10
Room: very weak shower pressure & bathroom rather dusty for rates/hotel standard. Whole hairdryer & mirror access situation just doesn't work (in room 335).
Bar staff: really rather inattentive and cold overall. Took an age for the bride to get a round in!!
Concierge: asked us to move away from entrance in very heavy rain (fair enough) but neglected to offer us one of the brollies that we later noticed. Really need to provide some better options for smokers outside than stood in the rain. Also no ashtrays. Surely not a great look for other guests arriving.
Overall. I felt there was an air of smug superiority coming from some of the team and they really need to treat all hotel/wedding guests with equal warmth regardless of age etc.
I appreciate the hotel has history and meaning for the town but more warmth is definitely needed. We almost felt like an irritance at times.

Came away for a weekend, junior suite was cosy and clean. Overall nice hotel but the spa area downstairs needs a massive overhall
If i paid for a spa and got greeted with the area downstairs i would not be impressed. The shower facilities are really old and mouldy. It doesnt reflect the 5* hotel above
Staff were friendly but the lady i was with paid for a luxury manicure £55 - it was basic, the massage was 45 mins but actually was 35 on the day
Dont get me wrong, the main hotel is lovely , but very expensive
Please revamp your spa area

I have never stayed in such a lovely and grand hotel. From the minuet we arrived until we left after three days nothing was too much trouble. The staff were polite and friendly and attentive. We had a lovely room which was cleaned every day and we had a turn down service at night. They got a small fridge for us so we could have fresh milk for our tea in the room. The afternoon tea on my birthday was excellent. an enjoyable time had by us both.

we enjoyed an excellent afternoon tea to celebrate my parents 59 years of marriage. Everything was perfect. The ambiance, the comfort, the tea, the selection of cakes and savouries, the gluten free scones, the service, the warm welcome from all members of staff, the toilets, the value, the valet parking, the background piano music, the decor, the kindness and understanding from staff for one of us with Alzheimer's.It couldn't have been better. Thank you xx

Having stayed at this hotel many time over the last 15 years I thought it was time to do a review....

This hotel is one of very few that still believe in traditional values and good customer service!
The staff are always very attentive and really do care about you, always happy & smiling, always willing to help & make your stay a pleasant one.
The interior & exterior of the hotel is a little tired and could do with some refreshing, but I don't think this spoils your experience here.
The Food is absolutely first class whether it's in one of the restaurants or in the bar area, as is the service.
The only 'moan' I have is that the dress code for dinner is not strictly upheld, I enjoy dressing for dinner in such a lovely place, but unfortunately some people feel the need not to, wearing jeans & t-shirt etc, I understand we are all different but I feel the dress code here should be upheld more rigidly, but that's only my opinion of course!
The facilities are excellent with both indoor & outdoor (heated) pools, with great spa/treatment facilities too.
The beach and promenade are just across the road for a lovely walk along the seafront.
So if you are looking to stay somewhere for a special occasion or celebration or even just to treat/spoil yourself, book here!

Helpful staff when we arrived. We were pleased that we had a room with a walk in shower-not a shower over thebath which my mum cannot manage. The dissappointment was that the water at 8am was barely warm. Reception did volunteer someone to take a look, but because my mum is 90 it takes a long time to get dressed and ready!
Hospitality tray had very little choice-I did ask for a sachet of hot chocolate for mum but none available!
I enjoyed a swim in outdoor pool, which was excellent.

We had two rooms booked, one was newly refurbished the other was not and had a very soft uncomfortable bed which my parents got no sleep in. The building is beautiful although a little tired. The staff were all wonderful. The evening meal we had was rather old fashioned but very good. We paid for seaview rooms but I didn't feel it was good value which tainted our stay.

I am not fan of old style hotel. I prefer more modern style like the Hilton. But I must admin that I was impressed by the Grand Hotel. The attention to details is excellent. The staff is very helpful. The oldish type of features are well coordinated, even for me who is not into this type of style. Even housekeeping wear uniform that you would probably see only in the Middle Ages. So yes I recommend.
During breakfast the tea and coffee could have come much faster. But this is a very tiny minus.

I absolutely love having my lunch here, and when you compare the prices to a coffee shop a la Costa or Starbucks then actually for another drink and light lunch it is very competitive, only the staff are polite, the food is amazing, the drinks are lovely, the place is clean and it's no where near is grim as a coffee shop.

it was to celebrate an 80th birthday - we had a card and a room upgrade.

My 7 years old great-nephew Harry and I stayed at the Grand for a few days during half term. This is his favourite place - he has been visiting since he was 2. The Kids Club run by Carina and her team is second to none. It is free and provides a wide range of activities for different age groups. Both indoor and outdoor swimming pools are heated and the hotel is across the road from the beach. All Harry's meals and accommodation were free during half term and family dining is available at 6pm - the children's menu provides excellent choice. All members of staff are extremely friendly and helpful.

Lovely looking hotel, very nice, professional and well trained staff. Excellent pillows, good quality robes and towels (but no slippers). Great coffee making machine in room. What I found really unacceptable was being asked to pay for our stay at reception before even getting to the room (usually card details taken and charged at the end) and being charged £3.50 for what should be a complementary shaving kit (see photo) - ridiculous!! Spa facilities dated. Breakfast wasn't as fulsome as when I last came here a few years ago but good quality produce none the less and more than sufficient.

Second visit to the Grand and must say it does not disappoint. We're given room 116 which did not have a sea view, however, the room was tastefully furnished and spacious. This staff are very attentive and no request is too much for them. The breakfast is the best I have eaten in a hotel with smoked haddock and poached eggs which was delicious, and worth the wait for it to be cooked fresh. Option of breakfast buffet if needed quickly. Car parking was easy in the spacious car park.

Was placed in room 105. What a grim shabby affair. Worn out and the view from the window like a Victorian tenement. Didn't sleep a wink!

But in the morning had a fantastic trolley full of breakfast in the room for an extra £16 or so. The room service meal the night before wasn't bad either.

And the staff were superb. I complained and got moved to 149 a newly refurbished huge room which was more like the Grand and grand price paid for the stay.
The room spacious. Luxury toiletries. Amazing bright and airy room and beautiful tasteful decor.

Would I go back. Hell yeah not to room 105. But 149.

Staff are faultless. Absolute credit to the hotel. And from your first step into the grand you are treated like a VIP.

The Hotel and dinner where as good as the first time we stayed.

Spent a very pleasant 2 day at the grand.Very British feel nothing was to much trouble,beautiful suite and helpful staff.

just come back from spending two nights at this magnificent hotel - we upgraded on arrival to a suite which was superb - views across the sea were just lovely and we had an incredibly large balcony - its like stepping back in time everyone so courteous and super efficient. Definitely a must stay

I stayed at the Grand with my Mum for her 60th. The hotel lives upto it's name and is truly "Grand". We arrived and our car was parked for us, the staff welcomed us and were very friendly. We did look slightly out of place. Eastbourne is known for attracting an older crowd and this place is no exception. The evening is particularly formal as they have a spectacular restaurant.

The room was reasonably sized and had a wonderful sea view. The decor to some may seem a little dated, but I feel that is part of the charm of the place.

The food was good, an excellent breakfast with lots of space on the table which was good.

We visiting the health club at 8am on Sunday morning. It was a real treat to have a swim outdoors in the heated pool in October, the steam room and indoor pool were also nice. I'd advise going early to get it to yourself.

A lovely hotel set on the sea front in Eastbourne - we were staying here for a conference at the Winter Gardens which it was very close too staff were friendly and helpful - Breakfast was lovely - one of the best I have had in a hotel. Hotel was very hot, but once we had worked out the heating in our room , that was OK

Was treated by my hubby for my birthday as am a big Miss Marple fan and I had found out "A Body in the library" was filmed here. Never ever have I pulled up and someone take my bags and park the car which was lovely. We felt very special (silly I know). Our package actually had a main meal included and breakfast and my goodness it did not disappoint on both parts. Everyone was dressed so nicely and in the evening the piano was playing and we sat and had a drink and thoroughly enjoyed taking in the atmosphere with all that was going on. The pool was great and had the weather been nicer I would have used the fabulous outside pool too! Our bedroom was lovely and when we ran out of the complimentary tea we rang down and another was brought up immediately. We stayed on a Saturday and a complimentary newspaper was delivered to our room our bed was turned down when we arrived back after dinner. It was as though we'd stepped back in time. Eastbourne is quite nice too. We went for a long walk and they had some great shops. If you want a touch of old England then this is the place to go. The staff were very friendly too!

Excellent food, great service. We've been there with our family and our grand daughter who was only two at the time. The staff couldn't have been more obliging or helpful.
One of my favourite go to places to eat. We've been there many times and have not been disappointed.
We don't usually revisit restaurants very often as we are usually disappointed.
I've taken a couple of friends over the past two years to celebrate their birthdays. The staff make sure the "Birthday guest" is thoroughly taken care of.

We visited the grand Hotel again last week. If you want great service, good food and a comfortable stay this is the hotel for you. From the time you arrive until you depart the staff are always welcoming and want to offer a good service.

This is a historic hotel with character and modern facilities. I attended a wedding and then stayed the night. The rooms were clean and the staff were very friendly. Perfect for special occasions or a night in Eastbourne.

We spent two lovely nights in the Grand ,the staff were very welcoming and helpful, nothing was a bother.The room was spacious and very comfortable, our evening meal was marvelous and the breakfast sets you up for the walk up to Beachy Head . Enjoyed the spa and the outdoor heated pool also good cocktails, recommend the old fashioned
for those who enjoy this drink .
Terry/Beverley Docherty