On a glorious sunny afternoon in June we arrived in Eastbourne for the "Queen's Jubilee Afternoon Tea " At about £22.50 per head ( we were a party of 10) our expectations were very high for a sumptuous "Royal " meal.
This was booked well in advance with Reservations . It took them 3 weeks to send an acknowlegement of the deposit and only then because I rang up and asked for one.

Sadly, the tea was cold and the sandwiches would put a Cafe to shame. Not for the size, delicate was the looked for order of the day, but for the fillings. Tiny triangles over spilling with mushy, lumpy white cream (coronation chicken?)and what tasted like shop bought sliced ham covered in a yellow lumpy pickle which spilled out over the sandwich. and onto the plate. Same plate to be used for the cake/scones . Oh for a dainty cucumber and cream, The smoked salmon sandwich was tasteless and the cheese sandwhich, only vegetarian option, was unidentifiable. I won't mention the minute scones. No one came to check on us until it was all over so could not remedy the cold tea. The prepared "hot water" being luke warm. There was no evidence of the Jubilee, not a tiny flag or red, white and blue in site. Not sure why it was called the "Queen's Diamond Jubilee AfternoonTea" - partly the title which drew us here!

Having stayed at the Grand before I knew that some of the staff were not in the least interested in their clients but this time I was pleasantly surprised. There were smiles and help from Front of House and the slow waiting at table, possibly due to staff shortages, was done in an otherwise efficient and pleasant manner. My 4 stars are for everything but the Afternoon Tea. I suggest they contact their sister Hotel, Ashdown Park, who produce an Afternoon Tea to be proud of any day of the year, to ask how they manage it.
And another thing! Dogs are welcomed but only in the room. They can have their supper served there and are given a bed and blanket but they are not allowed in any of the public rooms, terraces, poolside or gardens. In fact they are only allowed to come and go straight to their rooms. Happy Holidays, doggies, but you have a great Promenade and lots of grass across the road to enjoy. Note to Owner - remember to take a raincoat to cover your PJ's if doggie needs an outing late at night!

We take our family away every year for an extended weekend and I only wish we had found The Grand many years ago. We have stayed at many Hotels trying to pass themselves off as '5-star' but do not come anywhere near the wonderful decor, excellent service and delicious dining of the Grand. From the way we were met at the door with a cheerful smile, always, the Reception, the speed with which Housekeeping fulfilled our every wish, to the calm, unruffled way the Dining Room staff went about their duties, was paramount to perfection. What is more my family consists of ten members, the youngest of whom is four years of age up to to Gramps who is seventy- five and we were all treated with the same respect, kindness and care. It was also a pleasure to be able to find a quiet spot in the many Lounge areas where we could have afternoon tea as well as watch the family thoroughly enjoy both the outdoor and indor pools. My family are all clamouring to return, we can't wait.

Having stayed at The Grand several times and frequented the Garden Restaurant many times we have always enjoyed the olde worlde atmosphere and the feeling of escaping from the hustle and bustle of daily life
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However it now seems that it is this very atmosphere that is creating a gloomy and tired feeling throughout the hotel.

We did not have dinner in either of the 2 restaurants as we feel that ,in this day and age, they are overpriced and poor value.

Breakfast was good but the overwhelming feeling in the dining room was of gloom. Management could have done with being more cheerful which might have then encouraged guests to talk above a whisper, as the majority of guests were elderly a rather funereal presence was felt.

The Grand Hotel needs to market their hotel to attract younger guests as well as the elderly regulars to ensure their future in the coming years. It would sad to see this "Grand" old hotel disappear as so many others have.

We last stayed on the 7th June and use the hotel on a regular basis, either for a meal in one of the restaurants, for overnight stays, or for special occasions. The quality of food is almost always of a high standard with excellent service from Ben and his team in the Mirabelle. Every room in which we have stayed has been extremely comfortable, whether it be with a side seaview or an executive suite facing the seafront. The level of service from all members of staff has been of a high standard as one would expect.
Whilst bar drinks do seem somewhat over priced the range of wines in both restaurants is wide giving one every opportunity and choice.
We look forward to many future visits.
KOJM

I took my wife here to celebrate her 50th Birthday and what an excellent choice.

I thought Berlin was Steam Punk but this place is, in the words of the great Jim Bowen, "Smashing Great Super"

Looking at some of the other reviews clearly some people don't get places like this, If you want a bland Holiday Inn type experience then take their advice but if you want to experience a whiff of what it was like to be a person of means in the late Victorian and Edwardian era then this is your place. It puts the Gentle back in gentleman.

You Hoxton sorts can keep your Hotel du Vin "boutique" type places, this Hotel has more character in it's copper piped khazi than they can ever hope to achieve.

7/10 Martini rating, Tasting menu at the restaurant was 9/10 and good value.

If you want something different take a trip to this Hotel you will not be disappointed.

Over the last 35 years every major event of my life has taken place at the Grand. We have celebrated with 5 Company Dinner Dances, many Company Training days, many Company Dinners, endless business meals with customers and suppliers in each of the restaurants and endless family celebrations of Birthdays, Anniversaries and other celebrations. We also held the funeral teas there for both my Husband and my Mother. The welcome, service and attention to detail has alsways been of the highest standard and never faltered, even when just calling in for a quick coffee break or afternoon tea.We have often stayed there as well and the rooms and comfort afforded us are superb.
This last weekend we again spent a very happy Family weekend together there celebrating a special Birthday and yet again the welcome and service was of the Highest standard.
We feel so fortunate to have such an excellent Hotel on our doorstep and look forward to many more happy times there.

We stayed for 2 nights over the Jubilee weekend. The room (408) was dated and did not, based on our experience of other 5 star hotels, meet the expected standard. Furnishings are old-fashioned; the curtains didn't meet, allowing daylight in; there is no minibar; very few TV channels; and we were amazed to find a carpeted bathroom - surely totally unhygienic! The non-adjustable shower head is too low for anyone of any height and the shower curtain tends to stick to your body whilst showering.

I think the Grand is resting on its laurels based on very impressive common areas and high standards of service. But for the resident guest, more thought needs to go into bedroom facilities.

We were particularly disappointed with dinner in the Garden Restaurant. We were told no bookings were available until 9.15pm. However, when we arrived, there were a number of empty tables, so it wasn't obvious why we had to wait for such a late booking. However, even more importantly, having taken the late booking, we were then rushed through our meal with no pauses between courses and it was clear that staff were trying to get us finished as soon as possible so that they could get away - as confirmed when I asked the waitress what time they closed to be told "when the last guest leaves". In addition, the serving trolley was left next to our table througout the second half of our meal, which didn't exactly add to the ambience. At a cost of over £100 for two, it was not a relaxed experience and not one that I would want to repeat or recommend to others.

Overall, having had high expectations for a very special weekend, we would not stay at the Grand again.

I took my mother here for a Spa Day for her birthday. Unfortunately we were turned away when trying to park so as we were not overnight guests so had to find somewhere to park. The hotel itself is beautiful, nicely laid out with attentive staff. The treatments were good and some of the staff where extremely helpful and very friendly. However, in between treatments, when trying to relax by the pool, it was a pain to find loungers for the three of us. It was was also extremely noisy with hotel guests and their children playing in the pool and certainly not the relaxing atmosphere we were hoping for. At £42 for the privilege of using these facilities (no treatments) this was a little disappointing. I think if i were a hotel guest staying I would not be quite so concerned about the noise (although at £21 for a file and paint manicure, it is rather overpriced) however as a spa it does fall short.

We have been frequent visitors to The Grand and it is always a lovely feeling at the welcome you get and how relaxing it is to sink into one of the chairs in the lounge to have a coffee and snack before we go up to our room. The rooms are spacious and generous with good quality bathroom toiletries.
For the first time, being my birthday, we visited on a Sunday and unfortunately, on Sundays the Mirabelle Restaurant for fine dining isn't open so we dined in the Garden Restaurant.

The dining room is exquisite and I guess if you stick to the table d'hote at £38 a head quite reasonable. We never seem able to stick to a set menu and paid around £45 extra for various items on the menu which clearly wasn't worth the extra money. But the wine choices were good and we enjoyed the meal nonetheless.

I would not let this slight disappointment prevent us from returning. I love The Grand and we have now booked another visit to one of its sister hotels Ashdown Park to see if it's as good.

I would recommend this hotel to anyone who is content with old fashioned courtesy and service, no music intruding anywhere and tip top accommodation in one of the least shabby seaside areas of Southern England.

Stayed here over the Jubilee weekend. This hotel offers 5 star service and is unusual in that 1) It is an old very grand building however is still pristine and very comfortable 2) Not come across such a child friendly establishment given the class of Hotel. This child friendly approach manifests itself in the attitude of the wonderful staff, both professional and friendly. This is a really genuine attitude and the Hotel should be congratulated for this achievement. Room was clean and spacious, breakfast very good. Only slight concern I would make would be at the indoor pool which was busy and the men’s changing area was not clean. Aside from this however a fantastic break.

Service is what sets the Grand apart. From the moment you have the door of your car opened and then the car is parked, the bags whisked away and the gracious welcome, this is the focus of the Grand. Mirabelle restaurant is excellent, the rooms comfortable and totally unflashy.You'll sleep well here, and enjoy a style of hospitality rare these days

Spent two nights here this weekend, our first time, and it will definitely not be the last! The hotel is wonderful, just what you expect from a five star hotel, the plentiful staff could not be more helpful and despite being an older building, was very comfortable. Breakfast was excellent, one of the best full English' s I have ever had despite being a help yourself buffet. Did not have dinner at the hotel as my other half was not keen on having to wear jacket and tie after wearing one all week for work but I would expect we will on a future visit as I am sure we would not be disappointed. Only negative is no wi-fi for the I-pad but in some ways that was a good thing to keep us off the gadgets!!

For our weekend in Eastbourne I booked my partner and I both a massage, and a pedicure (for me). The Grand was the only place I could find that had appointments so we could have them at the same time, so I booked in. It was a little expensive, but I thought it would be a nice treat. We were not disappointed. The Grand is exactly that, the building is amazing. The staff we dealt with were so lovely, from when we first arrived at reception through to the beauty team downstairs in the spa. My therapist Beatrice did a fabulous job, and I'm a seasoned spa goer so I know. She was thoroughly brilliant, making sure we were comfortable, bringing us coffee and tea, and biscuits and we felt suitably relaxed when we left. We might have to come back and stay in the Grand sometime soon.....

Spent a lovely afternoon at the Grand Hotel, we had booked a cream tea and we were not dissapointed. Lovely sandwiches, great selection of little cakes and of course the scones with jam and clotted cream. We sat out side on the terrace and were very full when we left.
Attentive staff , lovely service,cant wait to go again!

This was my third stay at the Grand and the most enjoyable always exceeds my expectations every visit. The staff are so friendly and genuine, the food is top class, i would highly recommend this hotel.

I'm trying really hard to think of a negative about the fabulous weekend that we have just spent at the Grand but apart from the fact that maybe there were not quite enough chairs around the pool when the hotel was extremely crowded, it's dificult to think of any.
From the moment we arrived and our car was valet parked and our luggage whisked up to our room we knew we were in a five star hotel in every sense of the word.
We booked a de-lux double room with breakfast but decided not to opt for our evening meal in the hotel as I really couldn't face having to wear a jacket and tie.
The room was spacious with plenty of shelf room and wardrobe space.
Breakfast was a serve yourself buffet but there were plenty of alternatives from the menu such as kippers and haddock if you couldn't face a full English.
All the staff we encountered were extremely helpful and efficient and nothing semed too much trouble.
We will definitely return

We first visited The Grand in Eastbourne 30 years ago,just before we were married and it was a delightful experience to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary there with our children and their partners. My husband and I have visited many times over the years and it is always lovely to come back. Having good weather was a real bonus as we were able to sit outside in bright tho chilly weather but nice enough to have lunch and tea outside on the terrace in full view of the swimming pool. The hotel was full to capacity when we arrived late Friday afternoon (by the way, it is an easy journey by train from London Victoria, only one and a half hours) direct into the little Victorian station. Then only a 10 minute walk through the pedestrianised shopping area onto the promenade and a further 10 minutes along the prom to the hotel.....it is worthwhile doing this if you don't need your car. As the hotel had a visiting conference we were placed in the Mirabelle Restaurant that evening and the food and service was superb. The next evening we had dinner in the hotel's main restaurant which is always lovely to dine in.....a feeling of grandeur and elegance and tie or jacket for the men is a nice requirement these days. Food as ever is excellent. We could not get our requested sea view rooms as these were all taken up by the conference delegates but our inside view rooms were huge and very prettily refurbished.
We could have moved to a sea view the next morning but we were happy to stay where we were.
Breakfast is a fabulous affair with hot and cold buffet and anything else ordered from the waiter.
Plenty of obliging staff caters to everyone's needs. Overall, I have no complaints at all about the restaurant. Only my son used the facilities of the hotel's spa and as the weather was so good we didn't hang around the hotel during the day. It is very well placed here for visits to Beachy Head, a ten minute drive away or to the delightful towns of Rye and Alfriston, not far by car. I especially love coming back into the hotel after a long day touring the area and resting in the lovely lounge area to be served traditional afternoon tea. This is always busy with hotel guests plus outside visitors usually celebrating birthdays, anniversaries etc....the atmosphere is great.
A Golden Wedding party was going on on the Saturday evening with many guests staying over but at no point did we ever feel we were not getting attention or that standards or service had slackened because of a full-house. I find it a wonderful experience every time I go back to The Grand - it certainly deserves its five-star status. It would be nice next time tho to simply enjoy the hotel more, sit around the pool for a day or just relax and read the papers for the afternoon in the splendid lounge and bar area. By the way, there is a terrific hard-back publication on the history of The Grand avalable for purchase at the reception desk. Do read it!!!

S. Sternberg, London

Had a spa day deal for a reasonable price including lunch and coffee, and a treatment. Had afternoon tea, which was lovely. Nicer when weather good enough to use outdoor pool too.

This was our second stay at The Grand in the last twelve months,and it will not be the last.Elegant is the best way to describe it,but the most impressive part are the levels of service from the greeting at the Hotel Entrance on arrival, to the Bar,Lounges and Dinning Rooms.
The staff are always available but never imposing but there to help when needed.
We find it a Hotel which is difficult to fault.

B & G Long Eaton

Right on the Seafront a short walk to the pier......from the moment you arrive Valet parks your car for you...Shown to reception and taken to your room...your holiday starts.
Can not fault hotel....(floorboads a bit old a creaky) not as cool as the RITZ but very close for half the price.

Stayed here again and cannot fault the service. Especially the reception and concierge staff.
Breakfast is great.

We had Afternoon Tea at the Grand and it was a real treat. Pure luxurious indulgence with perfect scones, cream and jam, delicate little sandwiches and the most delightfull Eton Mess in tiny sherry glasses. The service was first class.
Can I also praise the very helpful girl who dealt with my telephone query when buying a gift voucher for some friends and I was having a little difficulty doing this via the website. She was very patient with me and explained everything clearly.

We visit The Grand quite regularly for Sunday lunch but have noticed a gradual decline in standards and had a very disappointing experience last Sunday. We had drinks before hand in the bar - delicious canapes used to be provided but this has ceased and we weren't even given a crisp or a peanut! Even though we made it aware that we were there for lunch we were not offered menus and had to ask for them, no-one then came to take our order and again we had to ask for this to be done. The service in the resturant has declined - the wine was not poured and the serving staff were unaware of who had ordered what. Three of our part ordered the beef and, as always, asked for it to be well done - when the chef carved it he acknowledged that it was not well done but just served quite red meat anyway. Those who had ordered this did not eat it but when the plates were cleared away this was not questioned in anyway.
The dessserts too were very poor all the more so as they had sat on an uncovered trolley for over two hours.
All in all a disappointing visit and a shame to see a drop in standards in somewhere that used to be excellent.

We attended a post-funeral tea at The Grand. The place has a lovely feel about it - very plush, clean and with friendly staff. Excellent toilets, too! It also has a great sea-front location. The tea was excellent, tasty sandwiches and cakes, tea, coffee and very good wine. We had a 360-mile round trip for the funeral and found ourselves wishing that we'd booked a room at The Grand for the night.

We stayed at the Grand in May 2012 part of my year of celebrations for a special birthday. From we arrived in the car park we were made to feel like we were the most special people in the hotel. We were made incredibily welcome by all staff. We had afternoon tea while there which was absolutely delicious, drinks in the bar, but on this occassion did not dine in the restaurant as we already had other plans, however we did have breakfast which was delightful. Our room was lovely as is the whole hotel. I did not want to leave. I recommend the Grand. All of the staff are 5* and a credit to the Grand. We will be back.