We stayed for a week in a suite and had a very nice time. The opinions of the hotel are quite far ranging and this may reflect that it isn't everyone's cup of tea. The hotel is old world and, contrary to some reports, in good condition. The average age of guests is around 60, but don't let this put you off. Yes, the spa could be better (though it is still good) and the afternoon tea service could be better organised - it is good, but if you want to see how it should be done go to the Peninsula in Hong Kong. Still good service though and very polite staff.

Overall we had a good time and would be happy to return.

I visited on Easter Sunday afternoon when I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and listened to Shelley van Loen & The Palm Court Strings. The decor is elegant and the service attentive. I did not order the afternoon tea but had instead the Grand Club Sandwhich and French Fries. It was superbly presented with a little cup of Minestrone Soup and Crisps and it was delicious. The music was outstanding and I had a memorable afternoon. I will definately return.

The Grand still delivers old world values with its large, high-ceilinged rooms and lounges and wonderfully polite and helpful staff. The two restaurants deliver good quality food from menus that provide plenty of choice and the buffet breakfast is plentiful. It's current clientele obviously appreciate what this hotel offers but younger visitors will probably be disappointed with some aspects of this 5 star hotel and expect better spa/pool facilities, bigger and better equipped bathrooms and double glazed bedroom windows.

My mother, sister, aunt and myself went for coffee and delicious bacon muffins on Monday morning. A crackling fire welcomed us into the grand hall and we collapsed on comfy sofas and chairs. Service was excellent and friendly from the valet parking to our waiters. This is a lovely place to pop in for coffee after a bracing walk on the seafront. It also does a fabulous afternoon tea if you fancy a treat for a special occasion.

We visited the Grand recently to celebrate my daughter's 21st birthday. We found the staff all very welcoming and friendly and before our meal we sat in the lounge for a drink - the hotel has several areas to relax in comfort for this. We had a window table in the Garden Restaurant which I said I would prefer when making the booking. We have eaten in the restaurant several times before and it is always beautifully decorated with fresh flowers, our table had lovely orchid arrangements, which definitely add to the overall ambiance of the room. The service was good and any problems we had were quickly dealt with by the staff - my chair had some leftover marmalade on it from breakfast and the waitress even offered to give me a replacement chair. We all enjoyed our meal (especially the puddings which were excellent) and overall I feel the lunch time menu is good value for money and I would definitely visit the hotel again for similar family occasions.

We spent a long weekend here in February when England had joined the Arctic Circle. It was freezing outside yet the moment we had handed over our car keys to the helpful concierge and stepped inside, we were able to forget about the wretched Winter we were 'enjoying'. The staff are warm and welcoming, the rooms beautifully clean and with the extra touches that make your stay a little more special and once I had sat down in one of the elegant lounge areas to enjoy a totally indulgent hot chocolate (which arrived with small marshmallows and extra chocolate flakes on the side) I knew that going to Eastbourne in the worst of weather for a family reunion was a very fine idea indeed!
Our group had four rooms and we noticed that the hotel is refurbishing the bedrooms. Ours still had carpet in the bathroom, but the other three were now tiled, which was my only complaint from my last visit.
Breakfast and dinner were both first class and I can also highly recommend afternoon tea!
If you are thinking of going to Eastbourne, I can think of no better hotel to stay in. I am looking forward to my next trip.

A wonderful 4 night stay with family. The moment you arrive you feel welcomed to the hotel, all of the staff are absolutely lovely. The rooms are warm and comfortable, with all the little added luxuries making the stay very pleasant. The food is outstanding at both dinner and breakfast, the choice is wonderful and it is all cooked to perfection. The leisure facilities and spa are very relaxing.

I took my mother along to the Grand for a two night stay to celebrate Mother's day. Alas, the weather was dire and planned walks along the beach had to be postponed. How fortunate then to be staying in such a beautiful hotel where the aggressive cold and snow outside had little or no impact on our break.
From the moment we arrived and stepped out of our cab we had the feeling that we were going to be well looked after and we weren’t disappointed.

Our room was lovely; cosy and clean with the touches of luxury you would expect from such an impressive establishment. We had two nights uninterrupted slumber partly aided by very comfortable beds and partly by visits to the gym and spa which soothed our aching limbs.
Dinner in the restaurant was delicious and the next morning we weren’t disappointed at breakfast either, where we were treated to a banquet.

All the staff were utterly charming and made our stay a pleasant and restful experience.
We were sorry to leave after two days but we hope to fit in another visit very soon.

We had a fantastic weekend celebrating my parents 50 th wedding anniversary. We were four families totally 14 and everyone was made to feel very welcome. The dinners on both Friday and Saturday night were amazing. The evening entertainment in lounge was very good. The only downside is the beauty treatment centre. Do not waste your money! I had the most terrible pedicure. My 8 year old niece could have done better.

This is our second time down to Eastbourne and The Grand Hotel. Yes, the hotel is a little tired looking, however it's like painting the Harbour Bridge, once you finish you have start again. What really makes our stay is the staff, their attitude and attentiveness to detail is outstanding, nothing is ever a bother.
Our rooms have been well appointed and very comfortable, along with our beds. This is an important area for us as we are travelling around for 4-5 weeks, therefore we must have a good nights sleep. Also, we have fallen into the age bracket where our bones are not as flexible as they use to be.
We love returning to The Grand, seeing yesteryear of past, the high ceilings, grand entrance and beautiful large public rooms. The staircase whispers with history, even the floor boards that creak have a story.
The name is very apt, it is very grand!

Returned during somewhat miserable weather but once inside the Grand the mood changes,
the room allocated very bright, comfortable, and very warm. They have even listened to many customers and have started to tile all floor areas in the bathrooms. A relaxing and very enjoyable
evening meal, wonderful menu and fantastic food delivered with excellent and attentive service.
Thanks to all at the Grand for another enjoyable stay. Best hotel on south coast.

I only comment on the dining aspect of The Grand as I am lucky enough to live close-by. We have dined there on a number of occasions, usually to mark a special event in our lives, birthdays,anniversaries, what have you. As far as we are concerned, for us, this is the special place to go. The attention from every member of staff the food, the ambience is all at least five star. Can't wait for my birthday.

Sadly in need of a refurb. Spa area smelt dank.Hospitality tray in room was housed in redundant tv cabinet
Most staff charming with the exception of waiter in Mirabell restaruant who was positively hostile when a comment was passed on the' grey' potatoe dish. Definite does not warrant 5 star rating or cost!
A very disappointing Birthday treat

My wife and I stayed one night at the Grand in Eastbourne when we travelled there in March 2013 to take in a show. The hotel was excellent, a cheerful and exceptionally helpful staff who are all so obviously well trained in looking after their guests. The whole experience was a pleasure. The room was clean elegant and spacious and well equipped, the Times was complimentary (thank you). My wife and I made good use of the indoor pool and steam room which was lovely and very warm. Breakfast in the morning was first class and the service impeccable. The hotel has an aire of grace about it, it is aged but also it is ageing well. A comfortable stay and run the way a hotel should be. In the summer, this would be a lovely spot just across from the beach.

This lovely, elegant hotel is from a bygone era but everything you should expect from a 5 star hotel. I stayed in a first floor suite with large balcony with sea view. Everything from walking in the front door was perfect. Fantastic attentive staff, excellent food, great night sleep..... I loved the welcoming atmosphere everywhere. Interesting that it apparently affected everyone because every time we passed other guests they said hello!
The place is full of character, and you will certainly not be disappointed if you stay here.

I've visited The Grand on many occasions but this was my first accompanied by a party of 11 family members ranging in age from 18 months to 88 years. The service, from beginning to end, was excellent - the rooms were well appointed, clean and equipped with a selection of Molton Brown toiletries, tea and coffee making facilities. The hotel was busy but still managed to offer its customary marvellous service. We will be back.

Having returned from a superb weekend celebrating my hubbies 60th birthday I would like to thank all of the staff who made a landmark birthday a memorable one! We booked a meal for a gathering of 39 family and friends and all without exception had a great time. All of the staff did their utmost to ensure our weekend ran smoothly and they succeeded. Can't wait to return and cannot recommend highly enough.

This was our third time at the Grand, as with the other stays it was again perfect. The staff are very attentive particularly the concierge staff. This time we had a lovely suite which was both clean and very comfortable. We will be back

This was our first stay at the Grand, and we really enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and excellent service throughout the hotel.

Our bedroom had a lovely full view of the sea from its big bay window. It was a large room, with two cosy armchairs by the windows, and a very large and comfortable double bed. Even the pillows felt really luxurious and the bedding and bedlinen were first class. The room was attractively decorated and furnished, clean and fresh, and well-equipped. The bathroom was a good size and stocked with Moulton Brown toiletries.

We had the champagne afternoon tea in the Great Hall, which felt like a grand location with its extra high ceiling, large fireplace, oil paintings and opulent decor. The afternoon tea service was excellent, and with a good range of sandwiches and cakes.

The breakfast in the Garden Restaurant was delicious. There was a broad selection of good quality cold and hot buffet dishes. Service was very friendly and efficient in the restaurant as well.

The spa facilities are good. The pool was a warm, comfortable temperature for a swim, and the steam room, hot-tub, and sauna (located in the changing room) were relaxing to use.

Overall, this was an excellent hotel, backed up a great team of staff.

During February this year (2013) we had occasion to stay once again at The Grand Hotel. We have visited the hotel on many previous occasions and once again we were treated to the most wonderful hospitality. The quality of the visit begins the moment one arrives at reception. The staff have the ability to make you feel welcome and at home, they have a charm including a smile making the greeting a real pleasure. The rooms are superb, spotless and well appointed as well as being very comfortable. Dining is what should be the norm in any quality hotel, a treat and something to be cherished. The cuisine is impeccable with a great range of choices on the menu. The breakfasts are a great start to every day. Dietary requirements are dealt with with great care and thought.
The Spa is an excellent way of relaxing and enjoying the amenities on offer.
Overall the quality of service which is discreet, thoughtful, and of the highest standard demonstrates what a "Gold Standard" level of hospitality should be delivered in every quality hotel (sadly not the case in many instances) in the country.
Having this wonderful experience maintains our continuing visits to The Grand Hotel. We cannot wait to return!
What is more, there is the added bonus of bracing walks along the promenade and to Beachy Head.

Wonderful hotel for special occasion (our 47th wedding anniversary). We were upgraded on arrival from a front seaview room to a suite on the first floor with an enormous balcony. Pity the weather was so appallingly cold that sitting out on the balcony was not really an option, but a nice thought. The rooms were very nicely furnished and very comfortable, very clean and tidy with sufficient complimentary tea and coffee and fresh milk. As there was only an over-bath shower, the hotel very kindly put a stool in the bathroom and a grabrail over the bath to assist me in getting in and out. Funnily enough, we met the couple who we think had been upgraded to the room we had originally booked which they described as "palatial".
We had our evening meals in the Garden Restaurant (set menu). Quite acceptable, nicely presented, for two nights. For our anniversary we had wanted to have our dinner in the Mirabelle but this was closed that night, so instead at the suggestion of the young lady at the desk had our anniverary dinner in the Garden Restaurant using the al la carte menu (a copy of which she had sent up to our room. Cannot describe how incredibly perfect this meal was. Food, service and a "Happy Anniversary" piped in chocolate round the desert plate!
There were two niggles. Firstly, the central heating and the plumbing were noisy. We know it is an old building and that it will cost them a fortune to upgrade, but it really must be done.
The second niggle is the breakfast service. You have a choice of either the buffet (usual cooked and continental do-it-yourself) OR you can select items from the breakfast menu (waiter service) which seemed a great idea (I like porridge and kippers). However, the staff are inclined to take your order into the kitchen and then just forget it! This happened twice in three days. Not very good is it. Could do so much better.
All in all, an extremely nice hotel with very nice staff. Service on the whole was excellent although let down by the kitchens. All in all I would stay there again, although I will have to start saving up my pension now.

My partner and I have stayed at the Grand on a number of occassions and have never been dissapointed, and this stay was no exception. We had booked a Deluxe room, and on checking in, we were informed that we had been upgraded to a Junior inland suite, courtesy of the Grand, a very nice gesture. The room was amazing and so much space, a lovely 4 poster bed, large en-suite, and as usual, cleanliness was of a high standard. All of the staff are so polite, friendly, nothing is too much trouble, and appear proud of the work they do, and of the hotel they work for. Mr Webley, the manager must be so proud of all of his staff.

We have enjoyed another overnight stay at the Grand, having enjoyed dinner and drinks. Service and food was excellent for dinner, the hand carved serloin is fantastic.
Our room this time was an improvement and had been redecorated. The carpet in the toilet had been replaced with tiles so is more up to date. Nice shower, but the pressure wasn't great and not very hot. The staff are all excellent and will take the time to talk. Concierge parking is a very nice touch and make arriving that much more pleasant.
Breakfast was excellent, but whilst the session was busy, it was a shame to see the hot buffet run out of most of its items. They were replenished though and the ingredients are of the best quality. For the price and experience and service, the Saturday night fixed dinner menu at £37 perhaed is good value. Can spend nearly this is a local eatery with ping meals and items. This hotel remains excellent, not tottal perfect but apart from the Savoy where is. Good value for money, pool etc is great which we used again. Nice to experience a hotel where all the staff are pleasent and seem to actually enjoy their work, and smile while working very hard.

We have just had afternoon tea at the Grand, and it was indeed a grand experience. The staff were attentive, polite and friendly and put us at our ease immediately. The tea was very tasty and beautifully presented. They also provided a special child's version for a little boy at a table near ours - he was absolutely thrilled with it , as we were with ours. We would certainly recommend it as a special occasion.

There is a distinct mismatch between the Downton Abbey splendour of the Grand Hotel's imposing exterior and reception area, and the pokey, seaside B&B-style bedroom where we slept. The door to the bedroom opened directly on to the bed, which provided an uneasy feeling that one of the hotel staff might, at any moment, walk in! We could clearly hear the conversations of other guests passing along the creaky corridor at night and in the morning, which added to our unease. The one small window looked out over the back of the hotel and on to a pigeon net - not very pleasant - and brought very little daylight to the dingy room. There was a single old fashioned armchair - velveteen green - which we used to dump our clothes because the wardrobe was difficult to access. The bathroom was small and carpeted (ugh!) and in serious need of tarting up. We had to call the consierge to turn on the shower tap, which was stuck, and the water pressure was too low for an enjoyable shower.
Downstairs in the spa we were similarly underwhelmed. It is much smaller than it looks on the website and because of half term, was full of children and teenagers. Fine if you're on a break with the kids, but not great for those of us escaping family life for a night away. There are separate saunas in the male and female changing rooms and an over-crowded steam room and jacuzzi. The spa did clear out significantly around 6.45pm but as we left at 7pm we didn't have too much time to relax in peace.
I have stayed in 4-star hotels far more luxurious than the Grand Hotel, and better value too. For a 5-star hotel, at £150 per night (excluding dinner and expensive bar drinks), one expects a little more than an old-fashioned back room. Looking at the amazing bedrooms with sea views on the website, I can't help but feel a little cheated by the experience. Interestingly, it was one of the valet staff who gave us a 'heads-up' on why our room might be disappointing. It seems that the better rooms are reserved for guests booking directly with the hotel, while inferior accommodation is off-loaded via the online booking sites. Worth remembering!
Will I stay there again? Unlikely. I prefer my luxuries a bit more '21st century'. But Eastbourne itself is worth a visit, to see the glorious cliffs of Beachy Head and eat fish and chips on the windy prom.