The Grand Hotel Eastbourne
Latest Reviews
If you find yourself in Eastbourne, you must stay at the Grand Hotel because it is as much a part of the town’s heritage as the gleaming seafront, the pier, shingled beach and the sweet shops selling ‘rock’ . This truly is a grand hotel in the high Victorian/Edwardian style and at one time boasted its own private orchestra, glamorous tea dances and offered extravagant culinary events under the supervision of the best European chefs. Today, even though some of the old traditions are lost, this ‘old girl’ still puts on a good show boasting two decent restaurants, grand architecture, formal (though slightly tired)interior design and a staff very eager to please.
Our third floor bedroom faced the sea and overlooked the swimming pool to one side, which seemed popular the warm evening we visited. The bed was very comfortable, though the ensuite bathroom was small and suffered from poor water pressure.
We ordered a room service supper which was excellent (fillet steak, chunky chips, grilled prawns, Caesar salads) as was the full English breakfast the next morning. In fact my husband said it was one of the best cooked breakfasts he had in a very long time.
Try to ignore the very elderly contingent who still frequent the hotel and focus rather on the hotel’s rich history and great hospitality.......old fashioned virtues which should be applauded. The position overlooking the sea is magnificent and even the cheeky seagulls visiting your window sill do nothing but enhance the whole seaside experience.
Our third floor bedroom faced the sea and overlooked the swimming pool to one side, which seemed popular the warm evening we visited. The bed was very comfortable, though the ensuite bathroom was small and suffered from poor water pressure.
We ordered a room service supper which was excellent (fillet steak, chunky chips, grilled prawns, Caesar salads) as was the full English breakfast the next morning. In fact my husband said it was one of the best cooked breakfasts he had in a very long time.
Try to ignore the very elderly contingent who still frequent the hotel and focus rather on the hotel’s rich history and great hospitality.......old fashioned virtues which should be applauded. The position overlooking the sea is magnificent and even the cheeky seagulls visiting your window sill do nothing but enhance the whole seaside experience.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The hotel is beautiful, our room was beautiful, the breakfast was excellent, staff were excellent especially the doormen who helped us a lot. We give it five stars. It was value for money for what we got except for one thing...
Don’t come here if you want to use the outdoor pool at leisure.
In the morning 20 minutes after it was supposed to be open, the cover was still not off the outdoor pool – and no one was helping the spa lady. I went back to reception to request help
After help arrived, the cover was taken off manually and I was able to get in. I swam up and down next to the wall. Soon after that, four leisure club members got in.
The pool was now crowded. It is a small pool.
One lady swam straight at me. I asked why she was doing that. “This is where I always swim”, she said. I asked why, was she ill or something. “No, I just like to be next to the wall.” I asked why she thought she had priority. “Because I always swim here “
Imagine, there are four members chatting as a clique and only one of you.
So I got out. The pool was theirs to enjoy without any bothersome guests.
The reception staff said they would let the leisure manager know of my experience. But I think the decision has to be made at a higher level. Is this a five star hotel for guests or the local swimming baths for swimmers (with preassigned lanes) who make it clear that hotel guests get in the way?
(I told the hotel while I was there. But perhaps like the leisure members themselves, managers thought I was a here today, gone tomorrow guest...)
Don’t come here if you want to use the outdoor pool at leisure.
In the morning 20 minutes after it was supposed to be open, the cover was still not off the outdoor pool – and no one was helping the spa lady. I went back to reception to request help
After help arrived, the cover was taken off manually and I was able to get in. I swam up and down next to the wall. Soon after that, four leisure club members got in.
The pool was now crowded. It is a small pool.
One lady swam straight at me. I asked why she was doing that. “This is where I always swim”, she said. I asked why, was she ill or something. “No, I just like to be next to the wall.” I asked why she thought she had priority. “Because I always swim here “
Imagine, there are four members chatting as a clique and only one of you.
So I got out. The pool was theirs to enjoy without any bothersome guests.
The reception staff said they would let the leisure manager know of my experience. But I think the decision has to be made at a higher level. Is this a five star hotel for guests or the local swimming baths for swimmers (with preassigned lanes) who make it clear that hotel guests get in the way?
(I told the hotel while I was there. But perhaps like the leisure members themselves, managers thought I was a here today, gone tomorrow guest...)
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a great hotel with parking. Lovely breakfast - although they do not cope very well when it is very busy. Lots of noisy seagulls - keep your bedroom window shut - even if it is hot! Cocktails lovely - but expensive!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The hotel was superb and we had a lovely room, spotlessly clean, with a balcony overlooking the sea. However, the restaurant let this hotel down. An inferior breakfast, specially in the cold breads/fruit/cheeses etc department and not a particularly high quality hot choice. Unfortunately, we abandoned our dinner reservation: after being shown to a table and given dog eared menus (but no wine menu) we sat waiting for 20 minutes with no bread or water being offered nor wine menu. When we asked for water, the waitress leaned across my husband to pour the water and then again to put the carafe down. As we were spending £200 for a meal in a 5* restaurant all this spelt warning to us so we just left the restaurant. Such a shame.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Stately hotel on the seafront with easy access to the tennis tournament and the town centre. Plenty of helpful, uniformed staff and an atmosphere of elegance and tradition. The bedroom was spacious and comfortable with plenty of drawers and clothes hanging space. However there is no fridge, which is a surprise considering that there was plenty of space to fit one.
Source: expedia.co.uk
This is by far the best hotel we stay at in the UK, it’s majestic entrance and large spacious lounges along with its superb staff, great food and leisure facilities makes it just brilliant.
As it was my wife’s birthday we were kindly upgraded to a large executive room and she was even presented with a birthday card, nice touch. Afternoon tea was very good with great service again.
My only very minor criticism is that the toilet in room 17 is too close to the door and needs relocating.
Superb stay and thank you so very much.
As it was my wife’s birthday we were kindly upgraded to a large executive room and she was even presented with a birthday card, nice touch. Afternoon tea was very good with great service again.
My only very minor criticism is that the toilet in room 17 is too close to the door and needs relocating.
Superb stay and thank you so very much.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A quality hotel. Staff all welcoming, efficient, polite and helpful. A smallish car park but staff perform wonders to fit everybody in. Service a little slow at the bar but the cocktails were worth the wait.. We’ll be back
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was the third visit to the hotel and I must say the most disappointing. Whilst the public areas are in pristine condition, the rooms are slightly tired looking. We had an executive inland room and it was very small and a little tired looking. We were greeted by the most giant of moths eating the curtains and the room was very hot and stuffy, whereas our previous 2 rooms were light and airy. The tv did not work on bbc1 and 2 because of weak signal and whilst we are not staying there to stay In the room I do think if a tv is there it should work. The decor was dated and is very sad with the wallpaper pulling away from the walls with damp damage. The concierge service as usual very polite and attentive and the waitressing staff are hardworking and attentive. Next time we visit Eastbourne, we will visit another hotel which is more up to date and better decorated.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My husband and I stayed here on the 30th anniversary of our meeting. We had a package from Buyagift, which included 3 course evening meal, bed and breakfast and 2 spa treatments each too. Our room was large, with a large comfy bed, nespresso coffee machine, WiFi, bath robes, slippers and Molton Brown toiletries. A lovely experience, friendly, helpful staff, fantastic room, delightful evening meal, everything you could ever ask for at breakfast, we used the jacuzzi, unfortunately the steam room was not working but, our spa treatments were very professional and Relaxing, we were also given a complementary extra hour in our room due to clash of checkout time and our treatments. We would highly recommend for a special occasion and a memeorable weekend.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Staff were all very courteous and friendly, hotel was immaculate and food was absolutely delicious. The room in the hotel was spacious and clean. Excellent hotel which we would highly recommend! Will definitely be re-visiting in the future.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We’ve been to the Grand a number of times; although an old building it’s very well maintained and our room was bright, nicely furnished and spotless. From the welcome when our car was parked for us, friendly & efficient reception staff, everyone we met working there was cheerful and getting on with it.
With the hot sunny weather the open air pool was popular and it is very nice. We enjoyed the live bands in the bar on Friday & Saturday evenings, most enjoyable. We love just crossing the road to walk beside the sea and altogether had a very good stay.
With the hot sunny weather the open air pool was popular and it is very nice. We enjoyed the live bands in the bar on Friday & Saturday evenings, most enjoyable. We love just crossing the road to walk beside the sea and altogether had a very good stay.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Friendliness and helpfulness of staff made stay very enjoyable.
An impressive building and elegant interior..
Lots of comfortable sitting areas .Relaxed atmosphere.
Rooms nicely tidied during day. Would highly recommend.
An impressive building and elegant interior..
Lots of comfortable sitting areas .Relaxed atmosphere.
Rooms nicely tidied during day. Would highly recommend.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A lovely, stylish hotel. Comfortable and friendly with great service. Rather pricy but worth it for a special occasion or treat. The staff are very helpful and courteous. Old school, upmarket traditional seaside values with every modern convenience. The food in The Mirabelle Restaurant was quite good but portions are a bit on the small side. Great buffet breakfast.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is just a lovely hotel and is immaculately maintained but beware the prices - not just the rooms but also the food and drink. Then again, you do get a great setting. Having stopped for drinks at the bar we were however a little surprised how understaffed they were and how long it took to get served, particularly as it didn't seem that busy.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Touches of a by-gone era, with the advantages of modern living. Our one night stay was very enjoyable. The staff were wonderful, friendly and very helpful. They were almost too attentive at dinner, but that’s being very picky. The bar prices were quite high at £30 for two G&T’s, but that’s what you get at 5* hotel. The room was lovely, but it was at the back of the hotel and we could not get a WiFi signal, so I had to sit in one of the large corridors to receive email and get online. The bathroom was a little cramped and the shower curtain kept attaching itself to us, as the bath was rather narrow. There was a much needed fan in the room as there was no air conditioning and it was hot in Eastbourne. Parking was available but only if you had pre-booked - something that would have been helpful to know from the hotel website. That said there is parking available outside at a cost of £4 per day which was pretty reasonable. All in all it was a lovely hotel in a great position.
Source: expedia.co.uk
Would highly reccomend to all people who used to enjoy proper service with linen on the dinner table , silver cultery and someone to turn down the bed - just like the best hotels in the 70's. It was a pleasure to stay.
Will def.be back.
Will def.be back.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Grand Hotel has everything you could wish for, First Class service.
Beautiful rooms and a lovely stay for another year. A hotel to totally relax in. Ideal for the tennis at Devonshire Park, and other events.
Beautiful rooms and a lovely stay for another year. A hotel to totally relax in. Ideal for the tennis at Devonshire Park, and other events.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It was my parents 50th wedding anniversary and we were 14 staying in the Grand for the whole weekend! It was amazing, even though it's quite old fashionaed it is an amazing place to stay!
We hope to go back every year!!!
We hope to go back every year!!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Room far too warm during a hot tennis season.Very difficult to sleep.Cylindrical fan ineffective and contributed to asthma.No improvement despite reporting problems. Told the hotel was fully booked.Extremely upsetting and disappointing.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A great place to stay for the Eastbourne tennis and Eastbourne in general. A very friendly hotel with attention to detail at the forefront in the public areas from the doorman and reception to the bar and restaurant staff all superb.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Wonderful stay at The Grand Hotel. Staff were very attentive even though it was very busy as the hotel was full as it Eastbourne tennis week. Lovely room with everything we needed and lovely massage in the spa.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our recent visit to this grand old lady, was our 5, in about 10 years. Whilst there has been some maintenance / updating in certain areas it is time that there was a major injection of funds to bring it into the C21st. Whilst our room, on the 3rd Floor was nice and spacious the cold water pressure in and over the bath was practically non-existent. Therefore the water was either hot or scolding.
The staff made our stay memorable, as they went out of their way to go above and beyond.
The staff made our stay memorable, as they went out of their way to go above and beyond.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Prior to Dinner the selection of menu choice and acknowledgement to enter the dining room was somewhat uncertain, resulting in added delay to the original appointed time of dinner. Otherwise a pleasant experience for that special occasion.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A very grand hotel indeed. Outdoor heated pool was wonderful. Spa break p- had a wonderful manicure. Great staff. Restaurant was excellent. Beautiful surroundings. Great service. Breakfast was one of the best I have received. Drinks from the bar were very good too!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Loved the stay and hospitality of the staff. Highly recommend it. Everyone was helpful. The location is not that far to walk from the pier. The hotel has amazing views from their hotel room balcony. Thank you!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
