We stayed here for four days in September & it was our first time in Eastbourne. It was one of my parents favourite places & I can now see why. Lovely traditional English seaside town complete with pier and bracing promenade walks.

The hotel is first class. We have stayed in some of the best hotels in the world (and the worst), and, in our opinion, this is probably the best in this country by far.

Old fashioned elegance, politeness and luxury. It has it all!!

We had a lovely sea view room, very clean and comfortable. Breakfast was excellent - great choices for me as a vegetarian and the only hotel we have ever been to where the waitress actually took the time to tell me what was available for me from the kitchen if I decided on a 'cooked' breakfast.

We had dinner in the restaurant on the first evening and it was excellent - good choices for vegetarians and delicious food.

However, what we found most impressive was the impeccable service. Every member of staff from the chambermaids to the management said 'Good Morning' or 'Good Evening' whatever the time of day, and they were all polite, helpful and friendly. Sadly, this is becoming quite a rarity these days and a certain famous hotel in New York could definitely benefit by visiting the Grand to see how a hotel should be run!! The Grand certainly excelled in their staff training and should be proud of them all.

Looking forward to another visit in the not too distant future.

Stayed here just for one night as my husband had a business meeting in Eastbourne.
Staff all lovely and attentive. Hotel was clean and welcoming.
Breakfast was included in the price of our stay, a good selection of continental and cooked was offered. Overall a lovely peaceful stay
Only downside to the 5 star was a dead wasp in the light fitting in the bathroom

The washbasin was cracked and the bed was too narrow for comfort. The breakfast service was quite slow. Otherwise the staff were very pleasant and helpful. I was not impressed with the table d'hote meal on Saturday night, for the price I was expecting better.

Everything was as good as expected. Not all our dining choices were up to expectation but this was perhaps our choices rather than the kitchen prowess.

Shame there is no longer a room bar. Appreciated room service would suffice but less satisfactory.

I spoke with the Hotel direct with regards to the choice of room, the member of staff was both honest and very helpful with her advice and our room was booked with a package for dinner in the restaurant as well.

Stayed here for my husbands birthday, staff are just amazing. Hotel has been updated since our last stay and is first class. We had a problem with internet connection in our room, we phoned reception who immediately rectified it by changing rooms. They could not have been more helpful. The Grand Hotel is so special to us as it was a place my last husband came to relax, unfortunately he died 18 years ago but we come down often to celebrate his life and toast him. Thank you to the staff at The Grand, you never fail us.

Stayed for one night only, which was very enjoyable.
The promenade and seafront was just over the road, a
10 minute stroll to the pier or shopping centre.
My room was clean and comfortable, view awful, but for one
night was ok, if on longer stay would ask for sea view, booked last minute
and this was all that was left,
Old fashion splendour, would definately stay again

The Grand is a lovely, elegant and stylish hotel with attentive and friendly staff. Very old fashioned in its way but still attractive in its re-creation of a bygone age.

Only two adverse comments. Firstly, the beds are quite small; standard double, I think, at least in our room? I’d expect better in a five star hotel.

More importantly, I did not feel that the food warranted the eye-watering prices. We had dinner in the Garden Restaurant which was certainly acceptable but I really expected to be wowed at these prices and wasn’t.

Worse perhaps was the breakfast where the buffet selections were really very limited and would be put to shame by the average Hilton hotel, I felt. Toast was tasteless and of the Mother’s Pride variety!

If cooked breakfasts are your thing then you were probably better catered for but this required a potential wait as it was cooked to order and the standard hot plate selection was quite limited.

Overall I enjoyed the stay but did not feel that the food merited a five star rating, at least in the Garden restaurant.

This is what a seaside hotel should be like. Unpretentious, friendly, luxurious and (in this instance) steeped in history. From the moment you draw up, you're greeted by not one but 3 x smiling doormen, parking space found, luggage carries and a feeling of hospitality. My liitle buuldog was known by name every time we took a walk i or out of the hotel. I LOVED the outdoor pool in October..I lOVED the Molton Brown unctions...and breakfast in that wonderful dining room was joyous. Even the children at the next table were quiet and happy . the vibe had obviously got to them. May I thank the reservationist Joanna..it was her who answered my frantic call saying I needed a room for a break from London. Her calm enthusiasm for The grand encouraged me to book. I shall be back

It is a very nice hotel.
The staff is very friendly and helpful,
they also have creative solutions to problems.
The food is great, maybe a bit expensive thought.
The dining area is beautiful but has no ambiance when it's not busy.
Very clean rooms.

Luxurious Hotel near the sea. If you step out of the hotel, cross the road and infant is the sea and promenade. The room was clean and spacious and nicely decorated in muted tones. The room was quite and peaceful. The staff were very welcoming and helpful. The breakfast was great with a wide choice of continental and hot breakfast items. Would visit again.

Eastbourne was original planned as a resort for the upper classes, the Grand Hotel was purpose built at the time as a 5 star hotel, it was a time of elegance and exemplary service. Nothing has changed it is still stylish, and the staff offer a high level of friendly service.
When we arrived there was a board reserving our parking space with our name on it, the porters were charming, reception friendly and efficient, our room was large with a lovely sea view, admittedly we had a suite but this was a special treat.
The American bar hasn't changed the beautiful dark wood bar the wide range of cocktails, it wasn't just a bar but a statement of an elegant lifestyle, the well padded leather bar stools, the comfy sofas and chairs and staff who know how to make a good cocktail.
In years gone by I spent a lot of time in the Grand and was a little bit nervous that it wouldn't live up to expectations, I wasn't disappointed, it was still as good, and it seemed that at any moment Pepe the legendary barmen who ran the American bar would suddenly come in and greet me. He didn't but he would be proud of the current staff who continue the service and skills he upheld. We enjoyed an amuse-bouche with our drinks, pursued the menu and wine list, discussed our options with the Maître d' and then
we dined in the restaurant, the magic continued, the food was excellent, presented with a flourish of silver domes. Service was good, attentive but not over powering and our wine was discretely topped up, the starters, sorbet then mains followed each one a delight, desert.... why not also excellent and casting all caution to the wind desert wine.
retiring to our spacious suite with large balcony, big enough for 40 guests to party we reflected on a wonderful day, a haven of good taste in an increasingly brash world.
After a wonderful room service breakfast we had to return to reality.
Will we be back, of course, maybe not a suite next time but as long as the hotel has it's 5 star status it will always be one of my favourite hotels.

The hotel is aptly named. The public rooms are fit for royalty with high ceilings, spacious sitting areas and comfortable seating. It manages to be lavish and welcoming at the same time. We had an ocean view room with large windows over looking the English Channel. The room was large, relaxing and beautifully appointed. The staff was very professional. I celebrated my 77th birthday here and my husband and I felt like we were the youngest people registered at the hotel. Obviously, the vibe is not hipster here, which was perfect for us of course. Many of the guests seemed to be regulars who have been coming here for decades. The night we arrived the Mirabelle Restaurant was not open so we had dinner in the Garden Room, the only low point of our stay. The dinning room was less than half full when we arrived for dinner yet the maitre d' inexplicably tried to seat us right next to the traffic of the swinging kitchen doors and seemed offended when I asked to be seated at a more appropriate table. I must say that we were appropriately dressed for the occasion (in fact more so than many in the room) so that was not the issue. Perhaps he thought Americans would not know the difference? My meal of pork, potatoes and green beans all tasted exactly the same, that is to say, flavorless. My husband's lamb was a bit better but my meal was one of the worst I have encountered in a restaurant in a long time. I can only hope that the chef is not the same for the Mirabelle, we decided not to risk it! Breakfast was fine with a nice buffet as well as offerings on the menu. I would definitely recommend the hotel to friends but would warm them away from dinner at the Garden Room.

This is our local hotel. We have not stayed overnight but have seen the immaculate and comfortable homely rooms with amazing sea views and would stay there in a flash if we lived further a field. We go regularly throughout the year to treat ourselves or family and friends to a cuppa, toasted tea cake, sandwich or cream tea. You are waited in hand and foot without it feeling uncomfortable at all. Staff are genuinely friendly and happy to help, polite, chatty and seem to love their job and attitude is a little tng that makes a big difference when it comes to service and service with a smile and genuinely happy disposition is important to us and very much part of the 'make or break' experience of treating yourselves when going out. The hot chocolate is amazing! Served with grated shavings of real chocolate, marshmallows and cream so you can add as much or as little as you like. Food and drink is wonderful. The atmosphere is just perfect from quite little nooks and crannies with lovely views privacy and homely cosiness that we love to a more open public room with soft chairs and settees to sink into and relax chatting or reading or snoozing! The mirabelle restaurant is perfect for a special family treat but we love to cosy up in the corridor with a great book and sip hot chocolate throughout a cold wet dreary winters day. The rest rooms are worth a visit with lovely hand towels smelliest and cream and spacious room with long mirrors to check you look ok in! There's an open fire and piano music for afternoon tea time which is lovely though a little dark for us, the cosy corridor makes you feel like you are in the garden or on the beach with lots of natural light flooding in even on the darkest and coldest of winter days. It's our home from home when we can afford it, our first choice of local retreat. A wee bit pricey but excellent value for money in terms of service with a smile and little extras you were not expecting that turn up with your order like a shortbread biscuit freshly bakes in chefs special way or soft bun, muffin that comes with your pot of tea and the hot chocolate, did we mention the hot chocolate is to die for!?!👍😊😘😂😉

We had a two night stay here in early October. Staff were flawless throughout and the property is grand both externally and internally. We had an executive seaview room which was spacious and comfortable. We saw the sunrise over the English Channel, which was beautiful. The car park was a bit oversubscribed overnight Saturday but the valet parkers shuffle cars around to ensure guests can leave their cars on site.

Breakfast is primarily buffet style but you can request table service for kippers or the delicious smoked haddock. We had dinner at the Mirabelle restaurant on the first night which is highly recommended.

The Health club is in the basement and comprises a smallish gym, c12m pool, steam room (out of order during our stay), sauna and jacuzzi. The c16m heated outdoor pool is open until sunset. There are two snooker tables below the Mirabelle but you need to collect cues and balls from the concierge.

Friendly staff. Clean room and public areas. Nice little touches like coffee machine in room.

We stayed just the one night and left wanting to live at the Grand! All of the staff are attentive and friendly throughout our stay. We slept very well in the well equipped room and woke up to a stunning sunny view of the seaside. The breakfast fuelled us perfectly to relax in the spa and to walk along the seafront and enjoy the October sun!

We arrived for a champagne afternoon tea - we were shown to out table. There were various couples with champagne on their tables. The waiter came & took our order for tea. A waitress brought us the tea, so I enquired about the champagne, to which she just smirked and asked did we not order the tea, to which I replied 'yes' so then she
said it would be coming. The waiter came along & we asked again, to which he replied that we hadn't ordered champange, so I told him that we categorically had! The champagne arrived, but after that it just took the shine off the whole experience. What a shame, as it's a beautiful hotel. The staff need some training and get their facts right.

This was our first stay at the Grand Hotel, it is truly a five star hotel without any pretentions whatsoever.
My wife and I had a wonderful relaxing three night experience from arrival to checkout. All of the hotel staff were professional and courteous and made us feel very comfortable.
Dining in the hotel was a real pleasure, the standard of food and service was excellent.
Two members of the hotel team stood out, namely Madeline who greeted us in such a nice manner when we checked in and was so helpful on several occasions throughout our stay, secondly Agita who was highly professional in the restaurant and also very friendly and polite. Agita has a natural and rare quality and is a real asset to The Grand Hotel.
The Grand is a short walk from the town centre, there is a very nice gym, indoor and outdoor heated swimming pool.
In conclusion PERFECT.

Ok, yes I know, but why not? - Not for every day, once in a while maybe......
It just goes to show that there are still the good things in life, so start saving now!
Grand, yup, that`s what it cost me, or best part of, for two days!!!
I am 59, and it was my Uncle`s 90th Birthday. Excellent service, excellent food,
excellent wines, and the room was simply lovely.
Be prepared, this is the only 5 star Hotel left on the coast, but for a special treat,
just do it.....sob,sob, my wallet is hurting!! Loved every minute of it.

We have just had a most enjoyable lunch in the Garden Restaurant. The food was beautifully cooked, and the service faultless. The staff were attentive and efficient. The Grand is an elegant hotel with a cuisine to match.

Hotel staff welcoming and friendly. Hotel clean. Room luxurious and spacious. Breakfast just as good.

I took my wife and mother for one night as a belated 90th birthday celebration for my mother.

We arrived at midday. We drove up to the front entrance where we were met by the concierge who unloaded the car and then parked it for us. We went to check in, my mother's room was ready so the porter led us to the room through the sumptuously Edwardian public areas. He pointed out all the facilities on the way to the room.

The rooms (they were virtually identical - just a mirror image of each other) were beautifully decorated with a comfortable bed and an enormous tiled bathroom with full length bath with a shower over it. There was more than adequate wardrobe and drawer space, a safe in the wardrobe and a nespresso machine on the desk. There was a small television and a clock radio by the bed.

We were going to a matinee in the Devonshire Park theatre in the afternoon so decided to have a light lunch in one of the lounges. We ordered sandwiches and drinks. The service was attentive and very friendly. The lounge was extremely comfortable with large armchairs, sofas and coffee tables.

On our return from the theatre we picked up the key for our second room and made use of the bath etc... to get ready for dinner. When we booked for dinner a couple of weeks earlier the earliest reservation we could get was 8pm which was a bit later than we ideally wanted. When we checked into the hotel the receptionist confirmed that they had been able to move our reservation to 7pm.

We went to the cocktail bar for pre dinner drinks and got a massive choice of cocktails to choose from. Whilst we were have our drinks we were invited to order our dinner and when we arrived in the Garden Restaurant it arrived almost immediately. The food was simply wonderful. The restaurant itself is large and extremely well presented. A pianist played unobtrusively at one side of the room. Service was fast and attentive.
We took our coffee and liquers back in the cocktail bar. There was a band (actually a singer and a pianist) in the adjoining lounge which played from 9:30. Staff appeared just before to roll up the carpets and reveal a dance floor.

After a very comfortable night's sleep we went down to breakfast in the garden room. A large and varied breakfast buffet is included in the room price. It was also possible to order things like porridge, kippers and eggs (other than the scrambled eggs which are also on the buffet). Again service was attentive and friendly.

Overall a really luxurious night away. My mother wants to have her next birthday there and is keen to try their afternoon tea as well.

We were guests here for one night and we were really impressed. The hotel is an old-style building full of grandeur but unlike many of its type I have seen this one is beautifully maintained and just beautiful throughout.

Add to that a quiet location, a free car park in front of the hotel, well-dressed and perfectly mannered staff and you have a winner.

Difficult to fault anything, and although I would have liked more choice at breakfast it would be unfair to give it anything other than a top rating. Do go and see how it should be done.

This Grand Dame of the Eastbourne seafront holds an imposing, assertive position at the West End of the sea front.

High ceilings, pillars, drapes and hushed conversation in the public rooms all hark back to the glory days of fine service and accommodation.

Arrival lives up to expectations with a warm welcome from the concierge staff, who seamlessly absorb both suitcases and car to the room and car park respectively.

The rooms are variable, with some having fresh, traditional furnishings and modern bathroom and walk-in shower, while our executive room was a little tired, with worn carpet and flaking paint on the inside of the window frames. Unusually, the rooms had no mini-fridge.

Our bathroom was sadly well below the expectations of a five-star hotel, with a bath-shower combination and a gravity-fed dribbling shower that used to drive American visitors to distraction in the 1970’s. The shower had no thermostat and so it took many minutes to avoid scalding hot water from the mixer. No screen or door, but a shower curtain....

However, the service, bar, restaurant and even the live entertainment were all excellent, and indeed the friendly, professional staff go out of their way to look after the many older guests in dignified style.

The table d’hote dinner menu was delicious and the wine list exhaustive, but both good value. The full breakfast buffet was of the expected high standard and again the staff were efficient, charming and friendly.

This is a wonderful base for a seaside staycation on the South Coast; The Grand would have scored five stars, but for the very poor quality bathroom and al dente poached eggs at breakfast.

Putting those aside, wonderful atmosphere and staff who will indulge your stay with stylish attention.