I wish Tripadvisor would give an option of "Good". For our stay was "Good". Nothing exceptional for the the price and it was not a cheap visit. One night with dinner and a high tea worked out at around £750. First the good: Very lovely situation in Eastbourne and great doormen who give a very nice welcome on arrival. Suite was rather dated, although clearly keeping with Victorian Charm and there was some of that, it still felt the time was nearing for some refurbishment in our particular suite. I had requested a suite with 2 bedrooms as that was mentioned as a possibility on the web site but this was not assigned to us. I didn't bother taking it further as we were only there a night. The beds were extremely comfortable and there was a turn down service. Negatives would be some very old furniture now residing in the lounge areas simply has no support left in it - you need a shoe horn to get up! High tea was one of the most expensive I've had out of London and one of the most disappointing I've had ever. Very basic, nothing very fancy, and lacking imagination. Dinner was tasty but the menu pricing system seems very strange and we were charged over £40 a head which was the cost of the 3 course dinner despite only having two courses. Not sure if this was an oversight or that if you dine there you simply must pay that price no matter what you choose. Actually ended up paying more than the £40 a head despite not having dessert/coffee due to the fact I selected something on a different page for my main course! I think The Grand really needs to sort out its pricing at dinner (very confusing), especially when deciding we wanted coffee in the bar I then had to purchase coffee there, despite being charged for it in the restaurant due to the set price menu but not having it there! If I stayed here again, it would be unlikely I would use the restaurant although the food was OK. I liked the atmosphere in the hotel, somewhat stepping back in time (I could almost imagine Miss Marple sitting in the corner watching the world go by). From what I could see there seemed to be good spa facilities. Will probably stay again but not in any great rush.

I have been eating as a vegetarian at the Grand for over 30 years. I am sorry to say that despite being a regular customer over that time I fail to be excited by the vegetarian food on offer. The Mirabelle rolls out risotto and goats cheese something or the other time and time again. Just some lovely vegetable dishes would be welcome. The deserts are never labelled as to whether they are vegetarian so I have to ask which is embarrassing. Usually one or two turn out to contain gelatin so I can't have them. Also the cheeses are not marked as to which are vegetarian so I have to ask. On the plus side the service is great and it is always a pleasure to see Ben and his team.

From the www and the photos the hotel look great. It is however not the impression we got. It need a bucket or more of paint, the beds are like sleeping in a water bed.

We got afternoon tea, ok but definitely not worth the price tag. The breakfast was ok but selection more that of a two or three star hotel.

We paid GBP 240 for the night and it is hugely over priced. It is not a bad hotel, but GBP 120 would have been more appropriate for the product you get.

Impressive looking hotel with great features inside and out. Must say the rooms are very dated and could do with a makeover to include air conditioning. We booked a standard double which was very basic but luckily for us for an extra £25 we upgraded to a much better quality room. In general things were ok and worth a visit especially for older people who would enjoy it here.

The Grand is a beautiful old hotel, & the area at the end of the hallway where you have afternoon tea has snug comfy chairs & a piano playing - very atmospheric. We had booked for my mums birthday, & she loved it. You do need to pre book, especially at the weekend.
The food was lovely, especially the scones which were incredibly light & tasty. When it first arrives the food doesn't look much, but as you munch your way through it becomes obvious that the portions are just right.
Your tea arrives in silver tea pots with silver tea strainers, top ups are happily provided, & the whole thing is beautifully presented. Your tea will be poured for you, but just ask if you want to leave it to brew & pour it yourself.
The staff look very elegant in their uniforms, but we did have problems with a staff member who didn't speak English & obviously didn't understand a word when we asked for lemon with the tea. I do expect staff to at least speak English.
When they were serving us the staff were without exception friendly & helpful, but we did feel that they needed to be a little more attentive - be a little more aware that their customers were running out of tea, needed the bill, or were obviously trying to catch their attention. When they did notice us they were excellent though.
Overall, we had a lovely afternoon, we weren't rushed, the food was lovely, & we really enjoyed ourselves.

We stayed at the Grand for two nights to celebrate our Ruby Wedding Anniversary. We asked for a quiet room, but I got hardly any sleep on the first night because of the noise of an air-con unit outside the window. On complaining, we were moved to another at the back of the hotel, which was newly refurbished, slightly bigger and very quiet.

On say this though, the hotel is very imposing and in a very good location on the sea front. The staff were wonderful, pandering to your every need, and the foot was superb.

We have stayed at this wonderful old hotel for several times over the past forty years. Our recent visit was certainly up to scratch. Rooms were spotless and service impeccable. Its location cannot be bettered. Well done old lady!

We stayed for 5 days . The initial suite allocation was not what we had booked as the balcony was very small but they moved us reasonably quickly to a first floor sea view suite with a large balcony. The suite is pink and chintzy - not my taste but plenty of space. If you do book a sea view suite ask for one with a large balcony on the first floor. The furniture is dated and a bit worn but very clean. My only dislike in the room apart from the colour scheme was the hairdryer which is screwed into the drawer and you have to keep your finger on a button to make it work and I found this quite difficult in blowing drying my hair, Most of the rooms in the hotel have been refurbished but they have not started to refurbish the suites yet. The bed and pillows are very clean and comfortable. The towels are generous and of good quality. The Molton Brown products in the bathroom are lovely.
The great plus for this hotel is its location right on the sea front a little way away from the town and also the staff. There was not a single item I asked for which they could not supply and everything was brought very quickly. The staff are all extremely pleasant and polite.
The Mirabelle restaurant was okay. The service was slow but the food was okay but not wonderful. Cost is £26 per person for a three course lunch.
Afternoon tea cost £26 per person and was very pleasant but not as good as the Ritz in London . There was a definite shortage of sandwiches. Again the service was very good and the staff lovely.
Room service was excellent but takes a little time.
Breakfast was standard buffet with orders from the kitchen. The head waitress Barbara was excellent . The quality of the food is very good and the service again excellent.
The spa is good with a small pool and Jacuzzi. There is also a heated outside pool. The beauty therapists are again very professional and nice and I enjoyed my time in there.
Wifi is free and of a reasonable speed.

I rarely see such reviews, but even though we did not end up staying in the hotel, the interaction with the staff, their availability to answer questions, their readiness to help with scheduling blunders of our own creation, and the fact that they went out of their way to help us deserves a commendation. We hope to be able to visit the hotel soon but in the meantime we are extremely grateful for the help and support off the Grand Hotel's management staff.

After a terrible drive from Cheshire the hotel and the staff picked us up in their velvet glove and nothing was too much trouble.

I have nothing but the highest praise for everyone at this hotel and perfect doesn't do it justice.

Thank you to all the staff who helped make this experience unforgettable thank you

Our suite was very spacious and comfortable. The service was good and the staff attentive. The food was good. The spa and pools were fine. We enjoyed our stay very much. The surroundings are elegant and nostalgic, although in places the furnishings a little tired.

Just had an extended weekend away with all the family (16 people). Perfectly organised for us with a lovely atmosphere, great food, marvellous location and somehow even the weather turned up trumps. If you want some luxury and excellent service in a great location look no further.

We were at The Grand to celebrate our 40th Wedding Anniversary, with our family. The hotel is magnificent and on the sea-front at Eastbourne. The rooms are clean and tidy, although in need of a little attention. I believe that the current owners are in the process of upgrading the rooms and facade. In our room, we were kept awake by noisy air conditioning unit or boiler noise, but the staff quickly gave us another, which very quiet. The food was wonderful, both lunch and breakfast. I cannot praise the staff enough, all were polite and helpful.

This is our second visit to this majestic hotel. Don't expect modern 5 star standards - this is refined, olde worlde elegance, with service to match. The staff appear just when you need them and are extremely attentive and helpful. The breakfasts are a grand affair in beautiful surroundings, unrushed and ultimately indulgent. The rooms are huge and well equipped, but dated in terms of décor, but anything else would clash with the hotel's feel. The only thing that lets the hotel down is the indoor pool area - cloudy water, way too warm, and so the area around is damp and grubby. The outdoor pool is a far nicer option, as it is heated and well maintained whatever the weather.

Had a great stay, But we were surprised how small The room was was expecting a little more at over £200 per night. We ate out for dinner but the breakfast was excellent and staff were very nice.

I had the pleasure of staying in this hotel and can definitely recommend it whether it is for a romantic weekend, girlfriends wanting a catch-up, break from the city.
The decor is old fashion but still offer some luxury.
The maitre d'hote is the nicest person i've met and the hotel staff is very friendly.
The hotel offers wonderful 5 stars facilities - spa, gym, hairdresser, swimming pool.
The food in all restaurant is delicious.
I had the pleasure to witness a wedding and can highly recommend it; the staff is so professional and really supportive to make it a special.
The suite I stayed in had a wonderful view, the bed was so comfortable. The decor was a bit old fashion but really fit the hotel. The bathroom was of a good size, with Molton Brown toiletries.
I can't wait to go back; it was my most relaxing stay in a hotel.

Got a good deal on a junior suite, to accommodate family of four. But still this is never going to be a cheap hotel.
Room: old fashioned - that's not a criticism. Spacious.
Bathroom: all in good working order, which many hotels don't manage. But perhaps one of the ugliest bathrooms I've seen for a long time - neither timeless style nor modern luxury - more like what would have been thought very fashionable in maybe 1990?
Food: There are two restaurants: the Garden is the usual one (dinner £40/adult) and the Mirabelle (more expensive but closed during our visit). Afternoon tea was fabulous but again at 5* prices. Wonderful breakfast - enormous and varied - and more than the continental choice advertised.
Family-friendliness: better than expected: attentive and welcoming, not stuffy and just-about-tolerant. Goody bags on arrival, milk and cookies in room at night. Family dining, with kids buffet selection in rate, and adults free to enjoy the normal food in a more relaxed setting. Junior afternoon tea. Board games available. Small putting green. Indoor and outdoor pools - not large but very warm - and floats available.
Beware of the £10/night/child extra charge though - in the scheme of the bill you can rack up here that's small-fry and it just seems a bit beneath the place to make it an extra rather than including it in the rate.
Staff: genuinely helpful and friendly. Not always 100% on top of things when busy - we had two orders we had to chase as they seemed to have been forgotten (we're talking 20 mins+...) one of which was a freebie apology for the room being unavailable on checkin after 3pm. But when quieter they were exemplary, truly.
The hotel lounges are great, suitably grand. Smells of polish and carpet (naturally of the kind you would only ever spot in a grand hotel) along the corridors. I think some of the printed pictures looked a bit tacky and would have been better replaced with originals. I'm being picky now, its a good place I'm happy to recommend.

On 28th May 2016 my daughter had her wedding dinner in the Presidential Suite which they had reserved for themselves. As one guest couldn't come, the hotel jigged all the furniture around to take a huge oval table for the 25 guests. It was amazing. The food was the best one would get in the top London restaurants. Canapes and drinks beforehand were served by friendly staff. Following morning bride, groom and family breakfasted together and once again very attentive staff and such a selection of food no one would be disappointed.Excellent. I applaud the Grand. Thank you for a remarkable wedding celebration.

We stayed here for 2 nights if you really want a decadent break this 5 star hotel is the one to stay in.
They really spoil you however it comes at a price we stayed in a deluxe bedroom not even a sea view for £115 each per night b and b but well worth it.
Everyone of the staff are extremely friendly and treat you like royalty.
The food in the evening in the restaurant is sumptuous and the waiters and waitresses tend to your need very professional .
its sheer pleasure to be waited on we shall return.

No negatives whatsoever

Was treated to 3 nights at this hotel for my 70th. Reserved parking space well marked and easy to find. However, the car park was half empty so felt that being charged £25 per day for reserved parking unnecessary (certainly when hotel nowhere near full) and expensive. Added to which, someone else was parked in "our" space the last night!
Check-in was efficient and friendly.
Our room (with side sea view) was a bit smaller than expected but I suspect furnished with the same amount of furniture as the larger rooms. We had to move the table with the kettle on in order to reach the socket, with the result that we couldn't open the dressing table drawer! Bed and pillows were very comfortable but the room sloped from the sides to the middle and items placed on one bedside table frequently slipped off! Long stool at bottom of bed unnecessary as had to be moved out of the way overnight to make sure it wasn't a hazard on midnight trips to the bathroom! Bathroom, though small, was well equipped with ample supplies of quality Molten and Brown toiletries. Bottles of water in room daily appreciated.
Breakfast in the Garden Restaurant was excellent with good choice of continental and cooked..However, dinner was very disappointing. Limited choice of main courses unless a supplement was paid on top of the £40 charge. My partner had roast lamb which was very mediocre.My stuffed red pepper (half only!) was tasty but insubstantial. We were not tempted back.
Hotel pool and gym spotlessly clean. Didn't try the spa.
Overall, management should be proud of all their staff who without exception were efficient and friendly. But consideration could be given to improving choice of food and to allocating our "sloping" room as a last resort, particularly as a premium is charged for this side sea view room.

I treated my friend to a spa break overnight for her 60th.was told what room but not how to get there.It was a bit of a maze and of course we got lost.we had to find one of the staff to help us.The room although a bit dated was large and comfortable.No view only houses opposite,but I know they do lovely sea view rooms.The bed and pillow were so comfy.Usually take my own pillow,so I was a bit worried,but it was perfect.We had to move the kettle and coffe machine because there was no plug nearby where they were.
we then headed to the spa which was very enjoyable although couldn't stand the heat in the sauna pheww.Jacuzzi was wonderderful and the swimming pool was nice and warm.We also braved the outside pool even though it was cold outside,but the pool was suprisingly warm.We didn't have dinner in the hotel,but we did have the breakfast.It was wonderful.Everything you could want,and the chef would do you kippers eggs etc.
We then went off for a massage treatment and it was wonderful.This took us up to our leaving time,so we reluctantly left.

Took my girlfriend here for her birthday taking the 1 night spa package. Fantastic decision as the hotel was lovely and definately 5 stars. The massage that was complementary was amazing and the staff bent over backwards to accommodate us. We had breakfast brought to our room (cost 6 pounds extra) and we were allowed to order everything and it was great. The pools were heated and there steam room was good too. When we left we even got our checkout extended by an hour for free because we were disorganised. 5/5 and would come again!

My wife and I stayed at The Grand Hotel for a weekend and had a most enjoyable time.

From our arrival by car we were welcomed by the door staff who assisted with luggage and parked the car. Check in was very swift. We were shown to our room with facilities and restaurants explained enroute - we travel all over the world and honestly the service here is impeccable and genuine.

We booked the lowest category of room however, we were very comfortable. The room was quiet, warm, more than adequate in size, bed and furnishings were excellent as well as very soft towels and Molton Brown toiletries.

The hotel has a strict dress code for its two restaurants - for men you need a collared shirt and preferable a jacket in The Garden Restaurant and for its signature restaurant men need minimum of shirt and tie as well as preferably a jacket. We thought this was slightly over the top in this day and age, surely a shirt is adequate? We suspect this is partly due to the slightly older age average demographic? However, we couldn't complain about the variety and standard of food. On one night we didn't feel like attending a restaurant and instead of the normal room service we were offered the full Garden restaurant menu instead which we were impressed by. Room service was prompt.

Only points I would recommend are improved is ensure that flowers in room window boxes are looked after and also the exterior metal work could do with a lick of paint.

We definitely would come back in the future.

Old fashioned luxury and good service in a beautiful hotel. The dining room and the lobby are stunning while the rooms might use a bit of renovating. The SPA was lovely but quite small. We also had a very nice dinner for a reasonable price.