My husband and I took our 6 year old son for s surprise stay at 'The Grand' for one night so that he could see his favourite 'The Red Arrows' the following day. When we arrived the hotel looked stunning on the outside and the concierge was very helpful and polite and offered to take our bags and explained that he would park our car.
We checked in and the receptionist was very helpful and gave us lots of information. We were all surprised by how clean and stunning the hotel looked inside.
Our room was on the 2nd floor and we were amazed how big the room was and the bathroom was clean and very spacious.
We took our son swimming in the indoor pool which we all enjoyed and that was clean and I thought it was brilliant having a little machine that spins out all the excess water from your swimming clothes.
Next day, we all enjoyed a fantastic breakfast in one of the stunning ballrooms and we asked the concierge if it was okay to leave the car in the car park and we would return after the airshow. The concierge and the reception desk let us considering we had to check out at 11am and the airshow did not finish until 5pm.
Definitely a hotel that we would consider staying again!

We stayed here last year for 3 nights, so decided to stay again for a one night stay for the airshow. On arrival the staff were all very helpful. Luggage was taken to our room, which was very spacious, clean and comfortable. the bathroom was small but quite adequate. lounge and bar area's are very comfy. In the evening we dined in "The Garden Restaurant", (A very Grand place) service and food were first class, but breakfast service slow.(over 15 mins for an egg) The hotel is rated 5 star, but 4 star+ would be nearer the mark and looking for some TLC in certain area's, but on the whole a very nice place to stay, especially for a treat. look for the offers, (otherwise it can be expensive) Special staff...... valet car parking guys and concierge.

We went to Eastbourne for a short break and chose The Grand Hotel because it looked spectacular and offered a dinner bed and breakfast deal that looked like good value for money when you consider the quality of the place. They also allowed us to have our 15 year old daughter in the same room for a very small extra charge and half price dinners.

From the moment we arrived we were completely looked after and treated like VIP's. The quality of everything was right up to and beyond the standard that you would expect from a five star hotel.

I am completely baffled by the person complaining that it looked a bit tired. They were there at the same time as me and must have been very unlucky. If it had to be very picky and mention one very tiny weeny disappointment, the bed was a bit too soft for my liking. However, I still slept really well.

We will definitely return to this hotel as it was the most genuinely relaxing experience we have had in a very long time. I also want to say a big thank you to all the staff who were really friendly and attentive.

We just love this hotel - comfort, relaxation, excellent service and helpful, pleasant staff for whom nothing is too much trouble.
From the moment we arrived, they couldn't have been more helpful. They parked the car, helped me in (I'm disabled) and made sure that we were well looked after! Lunch was delicious in the Garden Restaurant with a pleasant table near a window. The head waiter was kind offering useful advice as was the sommelier with his knowledge of the available wines, along with interesting pieces of information regarding some champagnes. It was my birthday and they pampered me, even making my pudding special with birthday wishes on the plate! A fun yet nice touch.
The lounges are comfortable although some parts can seem a little dark compared to the brightness of the large sunny lounge at the front. The swimming pool is fun and the tables set about it make the holiday atmosphere complete.
The position on the sea front parade is excellent and easily accessible. There is a feeling of delightful elegance of years gone by which makes for a happy break from a busy life in London. It's easy and very quick to reach from London which has to be a plus point. There's much on offer to entertain people from the opera at Glyndebourne to Air Display weekends!
We were sorry to leave...
Will we go back? You bet!

The first thing that strikes you is how beautiful the building is. Gorgeous architecture. As soon as you enter you are taken back in time with the wonderful ceilings and lovely atmosphere. The room was clean and decorated sympathetically. Nothing too modern here. The sleep was comfortable. The location of the hotel was ideal as the seafront is right there for you to enjoy. Definitely with every penny.

Well; here we are again ! Descending like 'culture-vultures' on East Sussex for our annual pilgrimage to the Opera at Glyndebourne and, like many like-minded (and deep pocketed) music-lovers, breaking our sojourn at 'The Grand'.
But never before at the season's close (August Bank-holiday weekend) .. and so we got to see the hotel functioning when at full capacity.
Arriving is a joy. It's the only hotel on this sea-front with its own in/out drive and off-street parking .. and there are a number of 'door-men' who have 'meet-and-greet' off to a fine art, welcoming you after a fraught journey and transferring your luggage to your room as well as valet-parking your car. Their driving skills are exemplary and they cope with every and all size and make of car. Gentlemen, I take MY hat off .. to YOU.
The suite in which we stayed had, this year, a number of minor faults; one being that the phone wasn't working so we were unable to report what was amiss ! When we eventually contacted Reception .. nothing happened (other than the list we had left in the room informing House-keeping of the problems being tidied away.. !).
It was only when 'drowning our sorrows' at the bar (where else) that Oliver McTear, the attentive and alert Drinks Manager, took it upon himself to go immediately and get things sorted on our behalf and progress was made. It took a little time to obtain all the working bits-and-pieces but things were eventually sorted.
And then there was the annual "Challenge Gabor" to make me a brand-new cocktail .. ! And once again he excelled himself and devised 'The Glydebourne' - a brandy-based extravaganza - which bore repeated visits on further nights !
Well done, Oliver and your staff, for thinking outside your department-box to improve the overall experience of the guest and for 'going that extra mile' !
Food features high on The Grand experience and we were delighted with The Mirabelle Restaurant’s delivery of their Tasting Menu (plus flight of accompanying wines) and pleased that they were able to accommodate our suggested alternatives - since age and experience have brought with them certain dietary difficulties. Lunch in The Garden Restaurant was tasty and there was sufficient variety to please most palates. Breakfast likewise. Since there were many (well-behaved) young families in residence, the hotel had taken the opportunity of sectioning part of the room off exclusively for family use so that, if it was necessary, junior Miss or Master would be neither seen nor heard.
The management have obviously responded to earlier comment and have replaced bathroom carpeting with tiles (for obvious hygienic reasons). Bathrooms are clean and well-maintained – and the main Gents on the ground-floor positively gleams and glistens with polished wood, shining copper pipe-work, neatly folded fluffy hand-towels, and cologne (just so you know, ladies).
We would anticipate that the never-ending struggle to preserve a pure-white Victorian exterior from the salt-water ravages of the sea-air will be renewed before next season and so remove the occasional blemish which can be seen when close-up.
Oh .. and the Red Arrows gave an impromptu fly-past as they returned to base from a display further along the coast !
What else can a hotel do to impress its guests ?

Truly a GRAND place, feelings of a bygone age pervade the rooms (and some of the residents) the Grand definitely lives up to its name, its not cheap and Im pleased to say that the price is being reflected in the staffing, the Hotel was full for the bank holiday weekend we were there (a Birthday treat from my wife) but the service was still excellent with plenty of attentive and very friendly staff.
The traditional breakfast was good, the dinner was also good though not exceptional.
The indoor pool was pleasant and the whole place was very clean, though with a Hotel of this age its hardly surprising it clearly has its maintenance challenges with evidence of some pealing paper and wear and tear.
Tip - Dont pay for parking ahead of arrival, they squeeze the cars in.
From my experience this is a 4+ star not really 5* but that doesn't mean we didn't thoroughly enjoy our short stay.

The building is very impressive- one can clearly see how rich and wealthy used to live in old times. Sadly what is left is a bit scruffy -faded furniture and carpets, pealing paint. The bed valance had falen away leaving mattress exposed, there was bird poo and cigarette buds on the balcony in our room. 250£/ night seems a bit overpriced!

If you like colonial style,old-fashioned hotels,this is it!!!!!!
Very clean nice large rooms.Good breakfast.Other meals nearly splendid.
The young people in the bar served our wine ,put the bottle in a cooler......nothing more.My husband had to play sommelier!

We have visited the Grand Four Times and ind the service excellent nothing is too much trouble for the staff.The food is excellent choice at breakfast is good and the Hot Chocolate is fantastic.
I only wish i could afford to stay longer.Sheer relaxation,

We booked for lunch as non-residents 22nd Aug.
I object to having to pay to gain access to the restaurant ,by virtue of having to pay to park the car outside the hotel.
If the Grand cannot accomodate our car in their park ,I believe that they should pay the parking cost.
The service in the bar and restaurant was 1st class as was the quality of the food.
Superb!

We stayed at The Grand for three nights and were delighted with everything - in particular the staff's passionate affection for this old palace.

The food , the ambience and the rooms were all splendid ... and unpretentious.

Recommended if you like traditional, old-fashioned English charm and good service.

Myself and my family went to Eastbourne for the airshow on 18th aug 2013 we booked two rooms at The Grand excellent start to day parked our car for us and too our luggage even though it was not time to check in yet. Hotel lovely albeit a little dated but I suppose that's the Grand in Grand. Room very nice and pool was good too staff were all very helpful and polite, they forgot mt daughters cookies and milk but when I mentioned that it was soon dealt with. they even found a bath robe to fit her although that would have been nice to have that in the room when we arrived instead of me asking as the one she had was an adult size. Breakfast was good and I would recommend this to everyone who can afford it as it is not cheap

My son and I stayed here for the Air show last weekend.
I know the Grand as my friend lives just around the corner so I was looking forward to an old fashioned quality hotel with 5 star service.
We loved it here, there was a slight delay in the car park but the concierge took it in his stride an parked my car for me, then went back to get my phone which I had left, after all it was air show weekend so any parking was a challenge, they coped very well!
We got there early and the room wasn't ready but they took our bags and when we returned they were all in our room ready.
My son enjoyed a cocktail for children in the bar and we were made very welcome, we had breakfast in our room which I can only describe as incredible, far too much but he enjoyed ticking all the boxes!
I agree the room wasn't modern but I wouldn't expect it in a traditional hotel, it was lovely quality and very well presented, the public rooms are breathtakingly good, as is the service food and drinks, the pool is good but we didn't have time to use it.
All in all i would highly recommend this lovely well run quality hotel which is full of tradition and good service!
Thanks for a lovely stay!

justback from 3 day break in Eastbourne, stayed at the Grand 5* Hotel on the seafront.
Prime position, really nice , quite traditional, so bit old fashioned for me. Breakfast disappointing, just average, nothing out of ordinary. Toiletries supply very sparse, we only got one tiny bar of soap for our 3 day stay. If you are over 60 its a great place for you, as i'm not there yet guess i may enjoy it more in my later years. Didn't realise when we booked it was the annual Airbourne Show thurs-sun. eastbourne was very busy and parking a problem, but the whole show was a great experience. I loved the Red Arrows displays. We find Eastbourne a very friendly place, and are looking to buy a property there, it was our 3rd visit. Apart from the M25 nightmares, everything was very enjoyable.Sovereign Harbour is lovely area to visit, just outside the town. Perfect place to buy somewhere. Hope we succeed.

Have just returned from a fabulous 3 night stay at the Grand, with my husband and 2 children, 8 and 11 years.
We contacted the hotel directly to book our room, 134, a master suite did not disappoint.
The sea view from both our bedroom and lounge was spectacular and worth the extra that we had paid to upgrade.
The girls shared a large sofa bed in the lounge, which was made up for them every evening and they loved the warm milk and cookies delivered by room service before bedtime.
The bed in our room was the largest I've ever slept in and the most comfortable, the attention to detail by the staff is commendable, our bed was turned down every evening with water and glasses placed on the side tables, nothing was too much trouble.
The bathroom was lovely, marble floor, large jacuzzi bath (used extensively by my daughters) and an excellent power shower, with all the toiletries we could want, including mouthwash, we couldn't fault it.
My daughters enjoyed the whole experience immensely, the indoor and out door swimming pools being firm favourites, the jacuzzi in the indoor pool area was a tonic and the warmest I've ever been in.
Afternoon tea was enjoyed by all, definitely a must and the girls loved the mock tails they had in the evening.
The Drusillas animal zoo is definitely worth a visit, only a 20 minutes drive away and one of the best zoos as a family we have been to.
Breakfast, served until 10am has everything, the scrambled eggs with chives are to die for.
Overall a very pleasant and enjoyable stay, the staff have to be commended for their attention to detail and their polite manners at all times, especially the concierge staff who go out of their way to park your car, supply hotel umbrellas if going out for a stroll and it looks like rain, taking suitcases to rooms quickly and assisting with general knowledge of the surrounding area.
Will definitely be returning and will be booking my parents in for a 2 night stay for their Christmas present, that's another one ticked off the list.
Thank you for a great few days.

We were looking for a few days of real luxury by the sea and chose the Grand because of its 5* rating and its position. The hotel is undoubtedly grand and the public rooms downstairs are impressive. We chose an Executive Sea view room which was certainly very expensive. The room was a great disappointment. It was tired and shabby. The facilities were adequate but their use had not been thought through so there was no special feeing of luxury.
We have commented to the management but have been fobbed off.
Overall the hotel is perfectly adequate and, if you can get a cheap deal you will probably be satisfied, but don't expect luxury.
A hotel which is complacent with its reputation.

Just got back from The Grand Hotel, stayed in one of the suites over looking the sea, and cannot fault the service and food.
You can be as lazy as you want, and why not when you work hard all year.
If there is one little moan, a walk in shower would be nice.
Thankyou for a great stay.

We have had several family 1 or 2 night breaks here and I have never been disappointed. The room was lovely, comfortable with a great sea view. Granted, it's more of a traditional hotel rather than your boutique style but that's half the charm of it. The service is consistently good, dinner was excellent as was breakfast. All the waitresses were brilliant, whether it be in the restaurant or having tea in the lounge. I just love it there (although I do wish they'd remove the carpet from the en-suite and replace with tiles!)

After a long debate with my husband whether to come here it was definitely by far the best choice. Our room was lovely, spacious and comfortable.
The Garden Restaurant served good quality food with excellent service.
The breakfast buffet offered lots of choice with additional items available of the menu if you preferred. The breakfast supervisor is a credit to your team, nothing was too much trouble for her and with my husband having certain dietary requirements she ensured that we had plenty to eat and were happy.
The hotel is old fashioned and may not be to everybody's taste but it certainly adds to the character of the hotel.
We will be sure to visit again with our family next time.

This hotel could be amazing but is let down by the rooms. I can only speak about the room i had which was small, dated and looking out onto another wall of the building. Not what you expect for +200 GBP per night 5 star hotel on the beach. The furnishings were dated, TV small, bathroom old. The building itself is very grand, and has a great history, but they need to spend some money on the rooms, and they should not rent out those interior looking rooms at that price. Simply not tolerable. To the managers credit, they fully understood the concern when discussed.

With no airconditioning, the room was stuffy. They provided a fan, but not the same. 5 star hotels always have room temperature control.

We had a function there, and can commend the staff who ran the function. They did an excellent job.

I would recommend the hotel but they should not sell those rooms that look at another wall via the internet or disclose it fully when they do.

My husband planned a Birthday surprise at this 5* hotel, I was very much looking forward to it, however was very disappointed by the quality of the bedroom and the service!! The lounge areas and entrance/lobby area are stunning, lovely tall ceilings and quite grand but the bedrooms are in desperate need of modernisation and upgrade, We had to have a 'suite' as we have x2 children, it wasn't cheap but was disappointing. The main problem was there was CARPET in the BATHROOM - frankly I think this is gross!! A hotel of this standard should definitely not have carpet in a bathroom! it is so unhygienic and totally dated!! The room was also tired and chintzy!!

We had afternoon tea during our stay, the service was very slow to the point that I had to ask if we had been forgotten?? it took 30 mins (after ordering) just to get the tea!!!

All that said it is in a very good location and the outside pool was very nice. The breakfast and afternoon tea (once we got it) were good.

I wouldn't return and wouldn't recommend to friends, but mostly this is due to the bathroom issue!!!

we stayed for 1 night on 10th august this hotel is the best hotel in the area it has the wow factor very classy excellent service friendly lovley staff excellent spa lovley rooms spotless very clean indeed coffee and tea in rooms robes molton brown tolietries nice touch the breakfast was very good i stayed in the ritz last year and this is similar but a fraction of the price and loved the jazz singer and band on sat night see you very soon we can wait to come back we will eat in the restaurant next time it looks wonderful.our pillows were quite soft i called for some more and got a lovley selection which did the job this hotel is 5 star and deserves five stars.

Where to start? Having tried a few options here over the years there is no question that this is the best Hotel in Eastbourne.
Staff on this and previous visits are great, excellent greeting at the door, car affectively valet parked.
Reception was friendly and quick. Bags taken to our sea-view room as booked. Beautiful views from the room, windows that open allowing the relaxing sound of the waves breaking onto the seashore to be heard.
Good quality cotton bedding and Molton Brown toletries.
Food is overall very good, main Restaurant served a good diiner with good choice and service. Just bear in mind that it's a large restaurant, and despite a note to the contary, there were babies and very young children in there at 8.30pm.
The Mirabelle served a very fine meal, excellent service and good atmosphere - would recommend.
Breakfast was excellent.
We had a club sandwich in the bar; high price but well presented and a clever twist.
Afternoon tea was excellent, served by the old fireplace - very stylish.
The area that shows a real lack of investment is the bedroom, we have found the same issues on previous visits and various rooms. Bed well past its best, old and soft enough to give back ache. No mini-bar, Tiny TV. All the room furniture looks to be poor reproduction (drawers made from MDF). Carpet on bathroom floor always a No! Shower a hopeless trickle and being over 6' tall involved crouching down to get under it. Overall bathroom absolutely tiny. Bathrobes supplied - but no slippers.
The staff who were all so professional deserve the owners to address the room issues.

Unless your taste in 5* hotels is for modern & sterile, this is a fantastically elegant hotel, with the most friendly service from ALL staff that we encountered. Great facilities too with heated outdoor & indoor pools, all usable before check-in, & after check-out, plus lovely lounges, & restaurants. I'm sure some rooms are better than others - which will affect your experience - but our executive 'triple' on the East side of the hotel (1st floor) was spacious and very comfortable, with a sofa bed for our 8 year-old. The kid's dinner, bed & breakfast package is amazing value!