The good points - food of a high standard, staff friendly and helpful,good location, reasonable free car parking at the back of the hotel, the public areas have been refurbished.
Bad points - apart from the dining room the public areas were cold, you could not sit in any comfort. Part of the Sun room was out of bounds because of water pouring in from the ceiling, the whole area smelt very damp and in need of complete refurbishment.
Our room 429 was in a terrible condition -damp and mould on walls ,the window frame also needed replacing. the bathroom window was almost rusted right through, and considerable mould on the tiles, the razor socket did not fit properly. Tiles broken because of door stop not doing its job, both rooms were cold untl the radiators were bled. (2 days later)
The TV picture in our room was the worst in any hotel we have stayed in, the lifts were inadequate for the size of the hotel. This is supposed to be a 3* hotel - not in my book.
This is a grade 2 listed hotel which needs alot of money spent on it before I would stay there again.

I was concerned before I stayed at the Burlington because of all the bad reviews on this site, and the horific photos of damp bedrooms and mouldy bathrooms. I had no such problems.
I went on a coach holiday, and included in the total price I got;-
Picked up at home in a taxi to stretton interchange, and coach travel to Eastbourne return.
Six nights half board accomodation in a single room, with 4 free drinks per day, and a full day and half day excursion, with some entertainment each evening. ALL FOR UNDER £300.
The reviewers who class this hotel as terrible expect too much for this sort of money, it is not 5* prices. Those who rate it as excellent probably have not stayed in many hotels around the world.
The Hotel is a mid range ENGLISH hotel nothing more nothing less.
Reception was friendly and efficient.All public rooms had been decorated and were clean and reasonably furnished. Lifts were somewhat innadequate ie. one held 4 or 5 people, the other 2 or 3, and since many guests had mobility problems, there could be a wait at peak times.All the coridors had been refurbished. I booked a single room at the back with shower on a high floor.
which I got, the room was clean, The furniture adequate, The bathroom tiled, with stand alone shower and working plumbing. The radiators did not work however but they had supplied a small oil filled electric radiator, and a small eletric convection heater which kept the room at a good temperature.
The food in the restaurant is a basic 3 course dinner with choices for each course served to table, not gourmet, but edible.
The entertainment was held together by compere Mark Snow and was of variable quality
The staff throughout the hotel were very friendly and helpful.
Not the best hotel in the country but certainly not the worst,

A 6night stay 14th /21st April. was a great break with great service from all staff. The food was very good with a good selection. The entertainment tip top with a first rate compere (Mark) we will definately return after this our first visit.
Mr & Mrs G.Hope.

The hotel is ideally situated on the sea front and walking distance to the shopping centre. All the staff from the room cleaners, waiters, reception staff and bar staff work very hard and are very helpful and professional. We did not think much of the food, but all in all it is good value for money and we had an enjoyable stay :)

Nice rooms, Food good, but portions small, Entertainment average,

My wife and I stayed at this hotel on a 5 day break from Monday to Friday with National Holidays in January during one of the coldest weeks of the winter.The hotel is ideally situated right on the front and near to the pier.We were allocated to our room on the third floor but were not satisfied with it as we could here the sound of runnung water in the radiators and central heating pipes.I went down to reception and the receptionist was very polite and understanding and gave us keys to look at alternative rooms on either the 3rd or 1st floors. After reading previous reviews about the lifts we plumped for the 1st floor room so that we would'nt need to use the lifts, which as it turned out was the best decision we could have made as during our five day stay only one of the lifts was working.The one lift that was operational was only a two person lift and it was that small that it was like being in a vertical coffin! The hotel was quite full so you can imagine the queues of people waiting especially at peak times such as breakfast and dinner. Most of the guests were pensioners like ourselves and a lot of them had no altermnative than to use the staircase which for guests on the upper floors was hard work to say the least especially as many of them had walking sticks. We were also lucky in as much that our room on the 1st floor was sufficiently heated with a large electric radiator as well as getting heat rising up from the ground floor public area.The guests on the 4th floor were not as lucky as besides having to walk up and down the stairs, the central heating in their rooms was out of order for the first three days and this particular week was the coldest week of the winter so far with temperatures down to zero. Bearing in mind that the lift and heating problems in this hotel are not isolated occurences I think it is totally out of order (excuse the pun) on National Holidays part to keep using this hotel especially when there customers are generally older people in their sixties and seventies. The showers are also dangerous as the water runs very hot and there is no thermostatic control. Putting a sign up saying "caution hot water" will not absolve the hotel from it's responsibilities under Health & Safety regulations should anybody get scolded.
The food was ok both at breakfast and dinner, but I found the portions to be a little bit on the small side. The service was very good and our waiter was very friendly and obliging.
The evening entertainment was ok if you like bingo and quizes and the live entertainment basically came from the compare who sang a few songs and told a few jokes. Although he had a great personality I don't think he would get through the audition stages of Britains Got Talent and should really stick to calling out the bingo numbers. There was a female singer on the last evening who was in her own little dream world singing songs from the musicals. She had no stage presense and bored the audience to death.
In conclusion I found all the staff in this hotel to be very friendly and obliging and its a pity that the hotel cannot permanantly sort out the problems with the lifts and heating

Having been on many Shearings breaks,we spent a Monday to Friday `Inclusive` break with Shearings at The Burlington Hotel , Eastbourne from 5th to 9th March 2012 after being recommended.
Tony `Two Teds`, our coach driver was absolutely the best ever of all the Shearings drivers we have encounted. He was so interactive with everyone on the coach, so full of knowledge and fun and gelled everyone on the coach together.
We were disappointed with Shearings, who a week before we were due to leave for the trip, broke their contract with us and everyone else, replacing the open bar from 7.30pm to 1030pm with 4 drinks on a `voucher` system. Not only a contract broken but a trust broken, (everyone on our break and other breaks were of the same opinion). It was not so much the change of policy, but the way in which it was done, and the principle. Apparently Shearings, having taken heed of `alcohol awareness` and binge drinking in the country, have decided that the health of their clients on `inclusive trips` is to be improved and prevent binge drinking.
On arrival at the hotel we were very disappointed with our room (303), a sea view room for which we had paid extra. Set high up on the 3rd floor in the `annex` roof of the Claremont Hotel, next door. We had paid extra for a sea view and got it!
The window frames in the room and the bathroom were mouldy and black, with big damp patches on the ceilings, cracks and paper hanging down. There was one radiator in the bedroom which did not work, a small plug-in electric radiator was supplied instead. There was not a radiator or hot towel rail in the bathroom. The `HOT` water was always only warm. The furniture in the room and bathroom were the usual old tired fittings. Still, mustn`t grumble. It`s what we expect I suppose from Bay.
All the staff in the hotel were friendly, efficient and helpful, although the bar staff obviously had not been told that the queues at the bar were supposed to be a thing of the past.
The evenings entertainment is in charge of Mark Snow. What a great MC, he was born to be in the business, He engaged everyone every night in the dance/lounge/entertainment area, which was full every night, a great compliment to him and his talent. The Burlington and Shearings are lucky to have him.
Summarising, a good trip but marred with disappointments outlined.

not a bad hotel for the price, location very good, food and hotel staff good but bedroom and bathroom needs a complete revamp. from loose floor boards that creak to a brand new bathroom,followed by central heating system that does sound like a vaccum cleaner at night.
then you could consider the decore which has water marks running down the wall where the room above had a major water leak.which still leaked while we were staying there.

On the plus side...the location of the hotel is excellent - right on the prom; opposite the pier and just 5mins walk to the town centre and nearest bus stops for Brighton & Hastings.The staff (especially the servers & bar staff) are friendly and helpful & generally make you feel welcome. The free drinks vouchers (4 per person per day) were also much appreciated.
However,on the downside, our bedroom/ensuite bathroom badly needed repairs & redecoration - as do other areas throughout the hotel. The quality and variety of the food is pretty basic & very much what you usually get with mass catering - bland, often over-cooked and with limited choice. Whilst the entertainment itself wasn't too bad (singers, a comedian, dancing & bingo) we were never able to watch it because of the very limited seating within view of the stage and dance floor.
Having pointed out the negatives, I have to say that taking account of the cost, if you can live with the above, it does represent very good value for money!

Stayed 27th Feb. to 2nd March.
We have stayed at this hotel 6 times previously - last time 2 yrs. ago.
The hotel decor is much improved and the food has improved hugely.
The braised beef was the best I have eaten anywhere, the Salmon mousse was amazing.
The breakfasts were much improved.
I prefer the drinks voucher system as it allows one to drink at leisure throughout the day.
The coach journey was from hell.10.5 hrs from Grimsby to the Hotel and the same time on return. This was with no traffic delays!Normanton is nothing other than a cattle shed.
NEVER by coach again.
Well done the Burlington - Keep it up.

We were at the Burlington on from the 20th feb till the24th Feb.We had a wonderful time.Food was good, seaview room room great.All the staff superb.My husband hired a mobility scooter through the hotel which made me happy as i didnt have to walk at snails pace on our way to weatherspoons.Mark Snow was a briilliant compere.I had a dance with him.He's lovely.OH NO NOT 20.LOL.i Wish we could go back again before September.Well done Burlington hotel.We met some lovely people when we were there.Tony two Teds who was our driver was great.Just one thing room 307 could do with some fresh silicone sealer round sink in the bathroom.See you all again soon.janice and steve smith x

Had a great holiday Valentines Week - all our requests re-room, location etc were met - staff were excellent - entertainment was varied and seemed to suit all the people - just a mention for our compere Mark who was excellent throughout our stay. The choice of food was very good with a fish course every night and the service in the restaurant was also very good. The standard of food was excellent for a three star hotel. The location of the hotel is excellent, overlooking the pier and just a short walk from the town centre. This holiday had an all inclusive period in the evenings and the drinks served were all major brands.

we have just returned from the burlington hotel eastbourne our stay was for four days from friday 24th until monday 27 feb, on arrival met by the manageress who gave us all the usual information and advice regards the use of the hotel. we found the hotel very pleasant the staff
were really good and helpful particularly our waitress on table 62 her name was maggie she had a smile every morning and every night she was prompt and very helpful. the bar staff and the reception were all pleasant workers and we were always met with a smile. the entertainment was really good but the compere mark snow, hes worth a visit all by himself he mingled with the customers always had a laugh with everyone and danced with some of the ladies who had celebrations taking place...
why did i only mark 3 out of 5, the bathroom ! the bath, washbasin and toilet were all on one wall
and without being too personal when using the toilet we had one arm up against a wall and the other over the top of the sink, the wash basin could have been moved to other end of room also
incidentally thats where we found the toilet roll holder it was about seven feet away from where you needed it.. the sink was full of scratches which made it look dirty and unpleasant.
hence only 3/5...
our other problems were with shearings and not the hotel, they told us they gave drinks vouchers
now because they had been specially asked to change the system, yet no one we met knew anything about this. a man who had been to whitby said they had been told it was down to a change in the licencing laws , twaddle,
had an enforced delay on arrival because there was a coach in front of us and told we couldnt
double up and when we did arrive the other coach had been running late but our driver wasnt told.on the return again told we couldnt enter stretton until four oclockwhen we could have been there before three. as it was we were on the road for 8 hours when we could have been home
stretton itself is more akin to a cattle shed, and is referred to as such by many passengers
in fact if it was a cattle shed the rspca would close it down

great location and good size room overlooking pier.
staff helpful and friendly.
food was major disappointment, all processed, soup was powdered and gluppy.
roast meat was named after packet it came in. the hotel really needs a chef.

On arrival we were disappointed with the attidude of the male receptionist who completely ignored us, didn't even say hello, will be with you in a minute or even smile at us but thankfully a lovely helpful and friendly lady came and dealt with us. We had room 312 which was spacious and had a lovely sea view, their was a water mark/stain on the ceiling but that didn't bother us. My husband and I were extremely surprised at the friendliness of the staff (except the male receptionist) at this hotel, the waitress/waiters, barstaff and cleaners all worked so hard and were polite and friendly all the time. I must mention Mark the entertainer who was amazing and Marc the barman who was very polite and friendly. The food was obviously done on a budget but very enjoyable and hot. We felt that our self drive, all inclusive weekend break was an absolute bargain and we really enjoyed ourselves even though we were one of the youngest couples at the hotel.

This is no fault of the hotel but we did find the people smoking outside the main doors of the hotel a problem as you had to walk through a smoky atmosphere to get in and out of the doors.

Just come back form a wonderful stay at the Burlington Hotel. 

Our room was warm and cozy which was lovely when the snow came in at the end of our stay.

The food was enjoyable but obviously on a budget.

Our waitress was always friendly and helpful. 

The bar staff were equally as friendly with Marc at the main bar who is a real sweety and Laura the trainee at the smaller bar, they did a fantastic job considering the queues they faced. 

Last but not least Mark the entertainer kept our night fun and enjoyable! 

Will stay again and recommend to others. 

we really enjoyed our stay at burlington...hotel was very nice and clean but a bit dated upstairs...unfortunately the lift was not working during our stay but not really an issue...food was really nice and the waiters and waitresses very helpful...entertainment was good the compere Mark Snow was really good.

Recommend that when booking in special requests you request a good bed / mattress. Break in November - dbl bed called to be replaced due to feeling springs but was provided with thin mattress topper rather than new mattress. Break this month January - twin beds / mattresses one with springs felt but other when even sat on settled down on base giving no comfort at all - request was not met by new mattress but again by the cheap alternative a thin mattress topper.
Mattress in Blackpool Liberty was of the same standard. Now the Burlington has been freshened up Shearings should now replace their worn out mattresses. What is the benefit of the break if you don't get a good nights rest

With Shearings you know broadly what you are going to get, but the Burlington is above average. It occupies one of the best positions in Eastbourne, just opposite the pier, and only a short walk from the town centre. Externally the building shows its age, but it has been nicely refurbished inside. The hotel is justly popular, to the extent that in the evenings it was sometimes difficult to find somewhere to sit. Nice restaurant, with friendly and efficient service and food second to none.
Two slightly negative things: it's a large building, but has only two small lifts, one of which was out of order so many guests were using the stairs, themselves rather narrow. And we found our bedroom too hot, even with all the radiators turned off.
Overall, though, we would not hesitate to go back again.

Just returned from the Burlington. This is by far the best holiday every with Shearings. Let me start with the driver Tony two teds, he got everyone mixng and couldnt do enough for you even down to getting rid of your sweet wrappers and rubbish and opening the middle doors to let you off the coach and letting you use the loo. His knowledge of the area is unbelievable and kept everyone interested. Trips were nice full day to Brighton was lovely, not too impressed with the half day to Bex Hill on Sea, wasnt a lot to do unless you like charity shops.The free day was lovely and we spent it in Eastbourne lots to see and do. The hotel is central right overlooking the prom. We had a fantastic tripple aspect view from room 320 twin on the 3rd floor, as requested it was large and airy, cleaned and towels changed daly. The weather was just fabulous would think you were abroad.The staff are wonderful and the lovely manager of course a Liverpool girl like myself should be proud to have such a wonderful team. The dining room is very large but so well organised, our waitress was Daniella, the service in the dining room was quick, great choice of food and always hot, you could have anything you wanted, at breakfast we asked for extra sausage and every day she remembered. Now to the wonderful bar staff who worked so hard always with a smile on there face, a special mention to Marc and James who were attentive and couldnt do enough for you. The all inclusive bar was the icing on the cake, bit of a queue when they first opened at 7.30pm which you would expect as everyone went up at the same time as we mad English do, but fine after that.The entertainer Mark is a scream, got the crowd going, brilliant sense of humour and not a bad dancer. In general the entertainment was good except for the last night, had a young girl singing musicals etc, was embarasing as you could hear everyone talking over her, that is the only thing I would make a change to. It wasnt that she was bad it just didnt go down well with the clientele. Came home exhausted was in bed for 8pm, thats what you call a great holiday.

firstly we would like to thank the staff. tony two bears coach driver the best driver on shearings we have had next bar staff and maids who made our holiday so great next mark who was fab loved him to bits room brill light and airey with three large windows faceing sea and pier what a sight to see first thing in morning food really nice with lovely waitres danella and we was blessed with the weather could not fault anything at all me and my friend bernie will be booking again so thank you the burlington hotel for a wonderful stay

I have just returned from a holiday at this hotel travelling with National,,,there were 5 of us ranging from 14 to 90, including disabled and special needs.
I have nothing but praise for this hotel, it was superb,
Blaze serving us was very smiley and efficient, but not too pushy, Laura was on hand with the drinks served with a smile.Bar staff were very efficient and happy and nothing was a bother.
Evening entertainment with Mark was superb, he must of managed to cover everybodys requirements, His humour and friendliness was second to none, even though it was obvious he was ill.
The whole place was clean, newly painted and kept really well,rooms were cleaned and a pleasure to return to after a busy day,
I would only suggest one thing, to re locate the smokers, this is no fault of the hotel, but we found it difficult to get down the steps but smokers should be able to go somewhere.
I will certainly return to this hotel, superb in all areas.

Again went on a Shearings Coach, i dont know why people bother driving.Seen one or two reviews that didnt do the place justice,i am pleased to say our group of 6 loved it.In the process of being redecorated we were on the second floor and i tlooks graet ,brilliant to see a beautiful building like this being used to its full capacity.Bedrooms warm,newly decorated along with the dining room and ballroom,xmas decorations made it look a treat.Food superb, staff excellent if anyone tells you otherwise then they must be on medication.Compere Mark does a great job keeping everything running smoothly the best we have seen in all Sheraings hotels.Would we book again try and stop us, roll on next year!

we stayed here with shearings on there turkey and tinsel and i must say i was very pleased with the hotel, the position was near to the shops and it was right on the sea front.
we had very good meals the best i would say we have had on a shearings holiday. the staff were very friendliy and the xmas decorations were lovely.
the only criticism was the room we had was cold and the lifts were too small and not adiquate for the size of the hotel.
overall we had a jolly good time and mark the entertainment chap was fab

I have over the last few years used Shearings coach trips with girl friends on a regular basis because they are a cheap break and we don't have to drive. Having just returned from a Turkey and Tinsel at the Burlington we all were of the opinion we would return again and had no real complaints about anything. We all agreed the tiny lifts were not big enough for a hotel of this size but decided it would do us more good to use the stairs anyway and finding ourselves puffing and out of breath on reaching the 3rd floor confirmed this for us! I would think the cost of altering the lifts might be prohibitive.
The public rooms were lovely, the colour scheme very nice and the Christmas decorations the best I have seen for a Shearings hotel. Our sea view rooms were large and airy as were our bathrooms. The only concern we had was that as there was no radiator or other heating in the bathroom we wondered how cold this room would be in colder weather, but it was certainly okay for us. The staff were lovely, in particular our waiter Daniel and the lovely Laura who circulated the dinning room for wine/drinks orders and who was so pleasant and friendly despite I'm sure dealing with some decidedly unpleasant and unfriendly customers. The food was fine, okay not fine dinning but very good value keeping in mind the cost of the holiday and again possibly the best food we have had in a Shearings hotel. There was a mixture of Shearings coach, self drive and those who had booked independently, including some families with children, not a common sight when booking with Shearings. We will definitely return to this hotel and would look forward to it, it's position more or less opposite the pier was excellent, it's appearance lovely and once inside we had a thoroughly good time.