This is a beautiful hotel on the seafront in Eastbourne. Excellent service in lovely surroundings.

Perfect stay where staff treat you like royalty. Atmosphere is very unique . Have travelled all around the world yet The Grand has a special charm that no other hotel can match. Dining is a marvellous experience full of great food, amazing staff and a lovely ambience.

Just returned from an enjoyable Easter break at The Grand. From the moment we arrived, and for the duration of our stay, the friendly, courteous and extraordinarily helpful staff made our stay a delight. Well done!

We went to the Grand for Easter – me, my parents (in their mid-70s), my brother and my two daughters aged 10 and 7.

The Grand is a real old-school English hotel experience. It isn't the Four Seasons, it isn't Babington, it isn't a trendy boutique hotel, so if you're expecting that, you'll be disappointed. Instead, it's trad all the way, from the Palm Court cream teas to the pianist playing at dinner to the top-hatted doormen who whisk your bags to your room and park the car for you. There's a well-heeled elderly clientele, complete with geriatric poodles and zimmer frames, but there are also tons of kids racing around, and The Grand caters for both groups perfectly.

For my parents, there were charming staff who couldn't do enough to keep them happy – nothing was too much trouble. There were 5-course dinners with palate-cleansing sorbets and fancy puddings. And there was sedate dancing after dinner. For my daughters there was a kids' playroom where they spent 2 happy hours every day (free), there was a (slightly riotous) kids tea that far outstripped the dreary chicken-nugget type offerings you come across in many hotels, even expensive ones, and there was a fab indoor pool where they splashed about like crazy. As it was Easter, there were 54 kids staying and there were also lots of additional amusements laid on for them, such as a visit from the Easter bunny and an Easter Egg hunt on the putting green.

We had a junior suite on the ground floor with 2 singles and a put up bed and it was spacious - you could have put an extra bed in the bathroom alone. My parents had a standard room that was comfortable but much smaller, and the bathroom was very small without much shelving space. Furnishings are chintzy and flouncy with swagged curtains and plush armchairs, in keeping with the general mood and style of the rest of the hotel. Beds were comfy if slightly on the soft side for my taste.

The Grand offers a real English hotel experience and we all loved it. The hotel definitely exceeded our expectations, largely due to the charm, hard work and helpfulness of the staff. Nothing was too much trouble. There were tons of repeat visitors which I think it always a good sign. It's a real family hotel with bags of cross-generational appeal. Highly recommended.

My partner booked this hotel for my birthday and upon arrival I knew it was going to be special. Service was first class - really "old world" feel - nothing was too much trouble.

Ate in the hotels restaurant on both nights and the food was excellent.

Was a lovely time of year to visit this hotel - beautiful Christmas tree.

Would not hesitate in recommending to anyone - hope to go back again this year.

My partner and I recently satyed here for one night and cost was £190 for the 2 of us for a standard double room and breakfast. It was for the night of 13th February so a mark up on the price was to be expected. The hotel looks very plush and impressive on first appearances, but on closer inspection it is a little shabby and dated around the edges. Our room was ok, but not fantastic. I've stayed in better places in UK for much less. The shower in our room did not work, and although the staff were very polite and apologetic, saying they would 'look into it' nothing was done for us. For the amount we paid I do not think it is worth it. Staff all very polite. Breakfast lovely. Room standard, comfortable - but not 5 star or worth £190!

Booked at £170 per night tho when paid were charged £175 - not sure why? Room spacious although at the back of the hotel and no seaview despite asking for a view on booking - I was disappointed. On the plus side the pool was great especially for our little one and she enjoyed an hour in the creche on Sunday morning while we chilled. Had afternoon tea before we left on Sunday - nice but again have had better. Were charged extra for high tea for daughter but were not offered it, make sure you ask if travelling with children. Must admit I expected a bit more from a 5* hotel.

This review is based on one incident but nevertheless shouldn't have happened in a hotel with such a high reputation. My wife and two friends drove 30 miles to have tea at the Grand to celebrate two birthdays. The confirmed booking could not be found, meat sandwiches were served to a pre-notified vegitarian and one lot of sandwiches were still frozen in the centre.

As we had previously visited Eastbourne's Grand Hotel for afternoon tea, dinner in its Mirabelle Restaurant and for Saturday evening dancing, expectations for our stay ran high - we were not disappointed. From the moment of arrival we felt pampered by each member of staff we encountered who all did everything possible to ensure comfortable settling in. Our room, furnished in traditional style to suit the hotel's ambience, was 'roomy' - plenty of space for the huge and nicely-canopied bed, several pieces of useful furniture including tallboy, desk, 3-piece suite and two capacious fitted wardrobes (one with a personal safe). The elegant drapes, in William Morris design-style, completed the overall feel of comfort and being cared for.
Our dinner party of ten in the Mirabelle was first-class with attention given to every detail. The dancing which followed in the nearby lounge/dance floor was immensely enjoyable with excellent music provided by a versatile trio and good vocalist.
When we made a reservation for Sunday afternoon tea we did not realise, as it was the last Sunday of the month, there was to be a Palm Court String Quartet providing that special brand of 'genteel' music: as it was for the broadcasts from the hotel's Great Hall of the BBC's Palm Court Orchestra every Sunday afternoon from 1923-1939. Tea was presented individually on 3-tier stands - dainty sandwiches on the lower plate, small cakes and a fruit compote on the centre plate, and scones on the top; of course, cream and strawberry jam were provided for accompaniment. This 'Palm Court and Tea' session was a highlight of our stay, but the entire experience was one of magnificent pleasure. It would be wonderful to return for another get-away at this elegant 'white palace' - a stunning building with a comprehensive range of accompanying facilities.

We last stayed at The Grand 13 years ago before its multi million refurbishment and so returned less than enthusiastic. However I can honestly say that it was one of the best hotel stays we have ever had - and we have stayed in a lot of hotels both for business and for leisure! The welcome was incredibly warm, nothing was too much trouble and you got the feeling that the staff really cared about us enjoying our stay. The room was lovely, very comfortable and quiet and the spa (unusually for one in a big hotel) was both reasonable with an experienced team. We had a wonderful evening and our meal at the Mirabelle was sublime, we then relaxed in the bar with the really friendly bar man. All in all a great stay and I am completely mystified about the reviewer who stayed on 23 November. The Grand is not a trendy 'of the moment' hotel, it is better than that - it is a great British classic. I didn't know they still existed.

We paid a visit to the Grand for a surprise birthday treat for my wife with our two young children (7 and 16 months) with high expectations. We were not disappointed. We arrived, to the strains of La Mer by Debussy on the car stereo (composed at the Grand in 1902 apparently), on a tempestuous and rainy November afternoon, and the whole family simultaneously squealed with delight on arrival at the ornate, gleaming White Palace looming above us. The building itself certainly has the "wow" factor. We were greeted warmly by the doorman - the first of many immaculately and traditionally turned-out, friendly staff we encountered during our stay, and ushered into our serene autumnal bolt-hole-by-the-sea graciously and efficiently. We were checked in delightfully by the charming receptionist, and our 7 year-old daughter was impressed by her own special check-in, complete with a Grand rucksack of goodies (surely a valuable life-lesson and incentive for her to go on and earn the money required to treat herself and her family - including, hopefully, her ageing parents - to 5* goodies in adulthood..). From the pristine Victorian splendour of the exterior to the immaculately maintained (and thankfully non-modernised) Grand entrance and galleried halls, we were whisked relaxedly to our suite by our charming and helpful bellboy. The suite we selected (a standard Junior), was spacious and immaculately clean. We were provided with all the items we had requested prior to arrival - a DVD player (plus library of family DVD's available to borrow), kids bathrobes, cot, high-chair, changing mat, and even a Grand Hotel rubber duck, and immediately felt at home. We had read complaints from other reviewers about the dated-ness of the rooms. but felt that the decor suited the overall feel of the place perfectly. A trip to the Health club followed, and we were again impressed by the friendliness of the staff and the facilities provided for a nice chilled-out family swim/sauna/jacuzzi session. We had ordered a babysitter for both nights (a highly recommended option) and we left the kids at turndown with their complimentary milk and cookies to retire to the fabulous cocktail bar for a couple of stunning cocktails recommended by the friendly and knowledgeable mixologist (check out the to-die-for Pyrat XO Sours), and went on to dine at the Mirabelle Restaurant. The Mirabelle was a perfect venue for a romantic dinner a-deux, but failed to deliver to expectation, foodwise, on both evenings. Again, the staff were polished, friendly and attentive in the proper old-fashioned sense, but the food was unfortunately mediocre, apart from the universally stunning desserts - check out the Pear poached in blackcurrant for a distinguished and perfectly executed example. However the experience itself was intrinsically enjoyable, but, foodwise, just not up to other 5* dining experiences we have had in the past. Breakfast was an excellent, relaxing affair in the opulent garden restaurant - we would recommend ordering from the breakfast menu for best results. Throughout our stay, the beautifully turned-out staff (even the chambermaids in their smart fin-de-ciecle outfits) made us feel at home, and were universally charming with the kids. Next time we visit (soon, hopefully), we will plan a weekend/school holiday visit to take full advantage of the excellent kids facilities on offer - the childrens high-tea and playroom, as these were sadly unavailable during our visit. Overall, a hugely relaxing, very child-friendly break in the type of Proper, quintissentially English seaside hotel that we should regard as a National Treasure.

In many ways a unique hotel. You really feel that Pirot would be at home. Very friendly porter, receptionist maybe a little distant. We got upgraded to a sea view room which looked great. HOwever it all seemd to go wrong thereafter. We went for the tasting menu. Two to three of the courses were below standard, the portions really very small and the selection of wine iffy. But what was annoying is that when we complained, nothing happened. One would have expected that paying £500 for the all inclusive one night stay that the level of service would have been better. No one came to appologise or try to put things right. Probably the main complaint, in that there was no onwership of any problem, it was always referred to someone elase. And one more thing, do not be in a hurry. The meal took two and a half hours to serve. I can honestly say I was starving at the end!
Then the room. To put the hairdryer in you lie on the floor to plug it in under the desk! The bed was so soft that if you lay in it, your feet ended up above your head, and lastly in the morning, there was no hot water out of the taps.(8:30 in the morning.)
Breakfast was so so. I was sort of expecting something different to why you pay £7.50 for at a premier Inn, but to be homest they have more choice and the same self service at the Grand.

Shame, as i think it could have been a wonderful experiance.

A lovely short stay. The Grand Eastbourne is beautiful hotel, just sitting in the lobby of the hotel it isn't too hard to imagine the hotel in its pomp with resident orchestra et al.

The service was excellent throughout and meeting staff on the stairs or corridors we always got eye contact and a friendly greeting.

The room was spacious, very clean and well presented but perhaps a little dated. Not in it's condition or the standard of fittings or decoration just in the colours. The bathroom was perhaps the biggest disappointment. It was carpeted and although large enough to have a seperate shower we had to combat a fabric shower curtain whilst using the shower over the bath. The tap fittings left you gambling on the temperature of the water. The bathroom sadly wasn't 5 star, but everything worked and it was very clean and warm.

Breakfast was lovely with a wide range of offerings. Cooked breakfasts can be self served from a buffet or cooked to order arriving on hot plates. The attentive staff ensured that our tea remained topped up with pleanty of toast.

Overall it was very good and we will certainly stay again in a few months time.

Very nice hotel, cannot really say anyting bad
Had a very nice room over looking to sea, very big and spacious.

Breakfast was fine, nothing to rave about, but just ok..
Not for the young, main market for the older generation.

Overall very good. Has a tough act trying to juggle an historic bygone image with a modern appealing hotel that families want to stay at.

Very family friendly and yet still manages to feel like an old Gentlemens' club. Decor stunning in the public areas. Rooms dated but do the job and would be difficult to modernise I suspect.

Staff were very good and friendly. Service was very attentive. Breakfast a slight let-down for 5*. No better than many cheaper hotels.

But we were made to feel welcome even with a baby and that counts for a lot.

I highly recommend the Mirabelle Restaurant. We had an outstanding lunch there. The best aspect of this was the impeccable silver service from the highly trained yet youthful staff. The food also was of a good standard, especially a sensational seafood soufflé starter (at a supplement to the table d’hôte). Another pleasant surprise was some good wines at relatively reasonable prices (or rather, not the total rip off that many 5star hotels indulge in).

The room itself is well maintained and traditional. The china, crystal and silver are all immaculate and there are also delightful feature flower arrangements. They have a self playing piano which drew mixed comments from our group. A piano playing in the background belongs to the traditional grand hotel ambience and whilst it would be nicer if played in person I would rather have a ‘fake’ than nothing at all.

I have eaten (and stayed at) many Grand hotels as I am a fan of them. However, the vast majority in the UK are now trading on past glories and offer a disappointing and all too frequently depressing service (e.g. The Imperial, Torquay; The Royal Bath, Bournemouth; The Grand, Brighton etc etc). The Grand at Eastbourne is one of a tiny tiny number which is managing to maintain traditional luxury standards. It is such a rare treat to find this and we all left the place feeling very happy. The Management and staff are to be commended. Based on the experience of this lunch I plan to stay here for a sojourn before long.

This hotel is what all hotels with history should be like and lives up to its "Grand" name. It is unquestionably traditional, chintzy decor etc and the only really obvious concession to modernity is the flat screen tv in the room. It is clean and well maintained. The outdoor heated swimming pool is a real treat although this facility was made easier by the unseasonably great weather at the end of Sept. I stayed as part of a large group - corporate but leisure combined so did not have to pay for the privilige of staying here! Breakfast was very good catering for all requirements and the service was very good. This is Eastbourne - not Ibiza so if you are looking for wild action it may not be the place for you. If you are looking for a quiet relaxing break in a well maintained gem in a great location this might just be the place. Although you may have to delve deep into your pockets to pay for it.

We spent the weekend with girlfriends to relax and have fun in Eastbourne. We decided not to stay at the Grand but instead opted to organise a spa day for ten of us. We had the best time and couldn't fault the spa.

Although at the beginning our enquiry was a little neglected, we couldn't fault the staff at the Grand. the spa facilities are good, probably not the best, but certainly good value and very relaxing. We were made to feel so welcome and Anna our contact at the Spa delivered faultless service throughout our day. Adam the manager was equally attentive and all of the staff at the spa made us feel very special.

We used the swimming pool, sauna and steam room which was all clean and inviting. The changing rooms are a little snug, but that didn't really matter too much.

Lunch was exceptional - we opted for something simple and had soup and sandwiches, but it was all delicious and served brilliantly.

The treatments were all good and we didn't stop smiling all day. I'm already booked to go back in two weeks time, but this time, i'm staying at the hotel! It's a stunning hotel and you feel so welcome from the minute you step through the door - if only more hotels adopted this attention to detail and welcome approach to customers!

well done everyone at the Grand Spa!!

This hotel was lovely, had a real olde worlde style with grand entrances and old fashioned charm. The only downside was that the rooms were a bit dinky, with chintzy decor, but that was to be expected. Would definitely stay again if in Eastbourne.

This was a delightful place to stay. If you stay at this hotel on the last Sunday of the month you must have high tea at the hotel. They have an orchestra playing. We sat in the front foyer with a sea view and could still hear the music. The room was acceptable. We had a small room, but the bathroom was huge. The carpet in the bathroom was suprisingly clean. Small TV. The common areas are beautiful, so there is no need to hang out in your room. It is situated in a great part of town. We rented bikes, but had to travel quite a ways to pick them up. Hiking to the top of beachy head was fabulous. The town was a bit old for us . (we are in our early thirty's) but was perfect for a relaxing get away wihout nightlife. They did have an outdoor pool, but to get there you had to go through a mold filled hallway. That was the only negative. You should go to The Farm if you have time. It is a bit out of the way from the hotel, but worth it.

I've visited The Grand a couple of times (most recently in the summer) and have to say that it is consistently the best service I have ever experienced. It's not intimidating, just warm and friendly.

Nice restaurant, good rooms and sea views. What more could you want?

Myself and my husband used to stay in this hotel every year for the tennis season. We loved it every time we stayed there. There were lots of guests and the staff coped very well, we could not find a single fault.

This year I decided to take my mother for a 3 night break for some "luxury" as a special present for her 60th birthday. Unfortunately it was not so special at all.

The room was OK. Only in the morning at about 7 a.m. there was terrible noise from outside as if somebody was disposing of tons of empty bottles, that happened every morning. Clean towels were never replaced without specifically asking for that. One evening after a so called "turn down" service our rubbish bins were not emptied and to make things worse my dental device was stolen from the bathroom. Of course I mentioned it but nobody bothered to take this seriously.

As part of our deal we had to dine in one of the restaurants twice. I used to love Garden restaurant in the past and was looking forward to taking my mom there for dinner. The service was appaling. It was incredibly slow between the courses. I had to ask someone to remove our plates after waiting for about 40 minutes. They only said "sorry". My mom pointed out and I agree with her that the food was quite average, nothing special. As I understand you pay 5 star hotel prices for a dinner which is not really anything special but you expect to be treated as a 5 star hotel guest and you put up with it. Unfortunately that evening was spoilt. I did copmlain about the service and asked to have at least a nice table by the side for our next dinner as a good gesture. Reluctantly we were offered a specified table but with the words" Somebody just cancelled that table so I am going to put you there. Is it OK with you?" I noticed that there were quite a few side tables available so there was no point to be so sarcastic about it without acknowledging the poor service the day before.

We used both pools (outdoor and indoor). Very unpleasant experience. The changing rooms and shower rooms were very dirty, lots of mould, outdoor swimming pool was extremely dirty/ That was supposed to be a spa but the first thing we did when we returned to our room was having a thorugh wash!!!

Everything that I mentioed above is just not acceptable for a 5 star hotel. Probably if you want to be treated nicely you'd better come during the tennis season....

This glorious old hotel sits on the seafront at Eastbourne like some great Duchess. Set slightly back from the road but overlooking the seafront it is a timeless, classic, old fashioned hotel with excellent service. If you like modern hotels with glitz and chrome do not visit here. If, on the other hand, you want space, comfort, excellent service, good food, then you'll enjoy the ambience.

For starters there is no piped music at all. Heaven! To sit in the Great Hall and watch the comings and goings is a wonderful experience in itself. This is a three story high space with grand painting, loads of squashy, comfy sofas and chairs. Just the tinkle of tea cups, the clink of glasses, the chatter of guests and passing staff, the chiming of the clock above the big fireplace. At teatime there is a piano and once a month an old fashioned palm court trio. There are even two writing desks with hotel paper - when did you last see proper writing desks in a decent hotel!

Even a simple coffee will be served with style and elegance. There are comfy chairs in the lounges and quiet nooks and crannies for a snooze or just to read. We intended exploring a bit more but the hotel is a destination in itself and is so comfortable it can be hard to drag yourself out, let alone down to the spa.

Other reviewers seemed disappointed with the Mirabelle but we found it to be excellent. The staff was formal and attentive but not overpowering. The food was excellent and well presented. During one luncheon we were the last in the restaurant yet at no time did any of the staff make us feel we should eat up or that it was time to go. It is a delightful restaurant and we liked the more intimate feel to it. The other restaurant, The Garden Room, is bigger and seemed a little less inviting.

As befits an older hotel the rooms vary in size but are roomy and comfortable. It's true some of the floor boards squeak as you go about the room or up and down the corridors but that is all part of the charm and only to be expected from a great lady of this age!

The staff seems happy in their work and there is always a cheery smile or hello as they pass in the corridors. Managers walk about in smart black jackets and striped trousers and the whole building seems to hum with efficiency and people who know what they are doing quietly going about their business.

We thought the hotel timeless, classic, and elegant. In some ways it is like being on a great old fashioned ocean liner. Magic!

We loved the grand Hotel , everything was as we expected, very well run with plenty of staff, room was spotles as where the common rooms. Indoor swimming pool was lovely and clean. Breakfast as first class and nothing like a school dinner !!. Be aware of the dress code for evening meals

I found this hotel to be a haven of peace. It didn't start off like that, there were a number of minor complaints but the measure of a good hotel is how complaints are dealt with, and they were resolved quickly. The beds and pillows were amazing - it felt like I was sleeping on a cloud. Thoroughly enjoyed the food, although the service from the kitchen needs improving. The staff really do want you to enjoy the hotel and it shows, nothing is too much trouble and if you have a criticism they take it constructively and fix it ! We had a large mixed party and all of us would definately return. Well done Grand Hotel - this type of service is sadly lacking in many hotels.