The hotel is located right on the beach - which is a pebble beach. We received a great welcome and the hotel has 2 very nice small pools but ideal for a short break with the kids. We had a master suite overlooking the main street and beach. Its true to say the hotel looks/feels a little run down however this does not detract from its charm. Its full of the more elderly people who seem to be out there to enjoy themselves.
They have 2 restaurants one requiring formal dress the other jacket or tie in the evenings. The food is traditional English type and not at all expensive. There quiet a few other places to eat. I can also recommend the Tiger Inn for lunch especially if its sunny day.
I can recommend thsi hotel if you like a little of the old world charm for a short break with children.
The cost of the place is expensive compared to what you could get abroad ie for a 4 night stay for us ( 2 adults + 2 children under 10 ) it was the equivalent of staying for 7 days in a Ritz-Carlton hotel in Portugal.
Worth a visit.
Hotel does have connected internet but not wireless and gets expensive after first 1hr.

This Grand sets the standard for how hotels should be run. So often, establishments get part of the equation right but very rarely all of it but The Grand is spot on in every respect. The service is impeccable and the staff are some of the most consistently professional I have ever encountered. We had an inland suite which was wonderfully spacious with an extremely comfortable bed, a large en-suite and tea and coffee making facilities which included fresh coffee and a cafetiere, which is a first for me. We took our evening meal in the Mirabelle Restaurant which was a treat. The food was divine and the service was attentive but at the same time discreet which is not an easy thing to pull off! A great night's sleep was followed by breakfast which was superb. Cereal, fresh fruit, pastries, a fish course of smoked haddock or kippers and a hot buffet
all of which were of the highest quality. I simply cannot recommend this hotel highly enough and may I also say that it was nice to have staff that were either British or spoke perfect English. In contrast we paid a recent visit to The Waldorf on the Strand and it took my husband 2 attempts to get the cocktail waiter to understand his order which I find appalling in a hotel of this quality. Perhaps they could take a lesson or two from The Grand.

Ten years go my wife and I wanted to celebrate our fist anniversary and were tipped off about the Grand. Each year we return and have the most divine weekend. It's not just that the breakfast is superb nor that the rooms are spacious or the building is a gem or that the facillities are first class or that there is worls class fine dining although all these factors contribute. It is the staff tha make this place unique. If you are looking for perfect service visit the Grand. Every member of staff strikes the perfect balance between attentiveness and good humour, helpfulness but non-subservience, responsiveness but not in-your-face. It is a pleasure to behold and I congratulate every single one them. My wife and I wil go back again and again to appreciate true excellence

We stayed at the Grand last weekend and thoroughly enjoyed the experience from the moment we arrived. Its a real treat to visit a hotel which has so much history and tradition - but equally exceeds the expectation of today's travellers - whether leisure or business. Not only does the hotel benefit from fabulous facilities - spa, gym, indoor and outdoor pool, 2 restaurants, snooker room, glorious public areas and beautiful meeting space - but it also has a thoroughly professional, welcoming team of staff. Nothing is to much trouble - they really do aim to please. Our son was made to feel particularly welcome - in fact it is very clear that children of all ages are positively welcomed with open arms by the hotel - and again great facilities - children's check in, children's high tea, creche and other activities. All meals were enjoyed -great service, menu selection and presentation. We can't wait to return !

this hotel is brilliant well worth every penny we spent, we did the valentines weekend with rose petals on the bed, champaine and chocolate strawberrys.we went in the swimming pool and spa which was very clean and lovely, played pool in the games room.was amazed about the valet parking when got there but if u have a older car tell them too turn the lights off as left mine on by mistake lol.rooms are brilliant i had one overlooking the car park of hotel looking towards the beach.resturant was nice where we had breackfast and staff very freindly. recomend a teadybear from the grand :) 10 / 10 from me

Based on previous reviews we were concerned that the Grand would be reminiscent of a nursing home with an unpleasant aroma! Far from it. This is a lovely hotel in a beautiful position in Eastbourne. We went with our 2 children and our dog! The beach is over the road with miles of fantastic walking on the doorstep. All the staff loved the dog and there was no problem having him in the hotel at all. There was a special welcome pack for the kids, free high tea provided for them every day and cookies and milk at bedtime. The room was lovely, clean, bright, lovely linen and no nursing home odour! My only complaints would be that there really ought to be wireless internet (for free) and the radio alarm clock was rubbish - we needed a replacement and that then went off at 3 in the morning without being asked. Otherwise - a great hotel, good pool and fabulous breakfast. We will be back with the family and the dog - the walks around Beachy Head are amazing - with fabulous rock pools on the beach.

There are many good things about this hotel: superb seafront location, stunning building, great food and most of all really excellent, friendly staff. However, it feels old fashioned and not always in a good way. Most of the guests seem to be elderly. No disrespect to them and they are treated really well here. But it does give the place the feeling of a very grand old people's home. If you are younger ( and I'm over 50!) you may have expectations of a better experience. The rooms are tired and really need an upgrade in terms of decor, furniture and facilities. There is no wifi available for example and the bathrooms are dated. The bar areas have rather tired, drab chairs and are very brightly lit, so not cosy and intimate for that late night drink. I felt the hotel was possibly trading on past reputation and perhaps doesn't want to change for fear of alienating existing guests. It's a shame because with a subtle upgrade it could keep its tradition for great service while offering the standard and facilities of a 21st century hotel. I wouldn't go back because despite the lovely staff it was a slightly depressing place to stay.

Stayed here for my fathers 70th birthday with family, which just happened to be over the xmas period. Had no idea what the hotel would be like and arrived in Eastbourne on a cold grim, foggy December morning with trepidation. On entering the hotel it was like going into another world with its lovely staff and beautiful xmas trees in the lobby, all warm and welcoming. We used the health club and childrens facilities and had a fabulous dinner and delicious breakfast. I was going to say that the only letdown were the bedrooms, very pink and chintzy and well overdue an update but as everything else was so perfect it seems petty to mention (though the sofabed is a little small to accommodate two children and one ended up in our bed!) - they are all part of the Grand's charm! Even the laundry staff smiled and waved as we walked past the window of the laundry room from outside - all staff were amazing - thank you! The hotel was full of extended families all getting together over xmas - it was all very heartwarming! Would I come here on a romantic break with my husband - no. But as a venue for some quality time with extended family - definitely. There is something for everyone here and I would love to go back, perhaps in the summer when the fog has lifted and you can actually see the sea!

I can't really understand why this hasn't got more top reviews? This is one of my favourite hotels to stay in, the service, food, rooms and facilities are pure 5 star luxury, and I'm fussy! Eastbourne isn't for everyone, but the hotel is great.

Gorgeous hotel in a lovely setting, plus wonderful helpful staff and terrific attention to detail, made our 3 day stay an absolute joy. All this combined with delicious food, served beautifully, either in the very attractive Garden Restaurant or luxurious lounge, comfortable rooms complete with Egyptian cotton sheets, bathrooms with Molton Brown products and dancing to a live band after dinner - perfection! And finally, fabulous buffet-style breakfasts, with everything imaginable on offer including a selection of delicious pastries, several different fresh fruit salads, smoked salmon, fresh honeycomb, as well as the traditional English cooked breakfast with fried bread and large field mushrooms. A real treat for anyone looking for somewhere really special.

Me and my partner stayed at this hotel for just one night, but I really wished we could of stayed longer!!! The entrance and reception hall to this hotel is stunning. All staff from porters to reception to waiters and concierge can not do enough for you. There is no need to think for yourself as the staff gently to this for you. Nothing is too much trouble!! Every part of this hotel as far as I could see was spotless, leisure facilities were perfect for a relaxing time. We got our room on a special deal, so I was imagining a small lower rate room. This was not the case, the room was a double, but it was so spacious airy, clean and light, with a few added extras, bath robes, complimentry bottled water which was replaced again and again. Food was also very good in this hotel, and this hotel is just across the road from the lovely Eastbourne seafront. We had a very relaxing time at this hotel and we will return again soon.

The Grand is Grand.
From the welcome, its history, the facilities.
We love it and so do our children.
( Don't be put off my some of the petty comments you may read - it really is a very happy place for a holiday ).
The room was lovely, the breakfasts will last you all day, and the location, just opposite the sea is great. The children love the swimming pools, and all the staff are very kind and polite.
10/10

Great hotel perfectly located in Eastbourne. Can't find anything negative to say about it. I especially love the size of the room, the SPA, the heated outdoor swimming pool, great beds and delicious breakfast. Perfect break in a beautiful hotel, 2 min walk from the beach.

We stayed here for my birthday two years ago in March. We were greeted on arrival by a very smart doorman who unloaded our bags and parked our car for us, something one doesn't find in most hotels these days. The entrance hall and foyer was splendid with beautiful chandeliers and marble pillars and floors. Reception staff couldn't be faulted. At least two very charming restaurants and a breakfast room. A lovely and charming lounge area with views of the sea where we were served afternoon tea on plush seats and just a really good relaxed feel to the whole area. The only let down was our bedroom which was even then looking rather tired and in need of redecoration and recarpeting. We had a front sea view room but sadly no balcony. There was a separate lounge area with TV and beyond that a very lovely bathroom. Sadly my sleep was disturbed by the softness of the bed which was very bad for my back (I am registered disabled). But in general I would recommend this hotel to anyone. My husband had just been diagnosed as diabetic and the chef was very helpful in recommending dishes suitable for him. We have recommended this hotel to friends and they too stayed there. Their and our only problem was that unless one books a table for dinner in advance, you will probably not be able to eat there unless you use room service. Just improve your bedroom decor Grand Hotel, and we will return again and again.

I visited the Grand for just one night, with my 80 year old mother and 8 year old daughter and it catered for them both perfectly. Without exception every member of staff we encountered was polite and helpful, and the hotel itself was in excellent condition. The ambience in the restaurant was lovely, and the food excellent. Will almost certainly be going back.

Very good all round ,nice rooms, superb food and great service worthy of its 5 stars

I booked a night at the Grand as a treat for myself and my partner for our aniversary. We had a wonderful time!
It was exciting to be greeted at the entrance from our taxi and shown promptly to our (lovely) room. The spa/swimming pool was fun, and we thoroughly took advantage of it.
We did not eat at the resturants, but had late night room service which was speedyily delivered and delicious.
The staff were very polite and corteous and made us feel very welcome.
The experieince wasn't cheap for a couple on a budget like us (hence not restuarnt etc) but worth every penny.

Simply one of the finest hotels I have stayed in anywhere. The standard of service is second to none. The rooms are beautifully maintained and the quality of the linen, towels etc is exceptional. We ate well be it breakfast, afternoon tea or dinner and the leisure facilities are superb. We shall return - often.

Just got back from a two night stay at The Grand and would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone. A few more "old people" than I was expecting but that was no disadvantage. The building is delightful verging on the magnificent,. We ate in both retaurants and would recommend both. The stafff were friendly and helpful, and service was first class. - It's not cheap but the best rarely is!

Entering the Grand feels like your first venture into the British Museum with huge marble pillars and spacious surroundings, but you are then welcomed by everyone from the doormen/concierge and reception with smiles and genuine 'feelings' of warmth. The hotel is very grand, but also comfortable with a gorgeous lounge which is resonant of palm court orchestras and the 1920s/30s (No, I'm not THAT old)

Rooms are clean and spacious without being overly grand and although we stayed in a standard room - we were very happy with the amount of space and facilities available.

The Mirabelle restaurant is superb. Not cheap, but then fine dining never is. I had warmed squab salad and my husband had seared scallops - both well cooked and delicious. We both had beef Buccleuch (I have no idea why it was called that beyond being Scottish beef from that estate). But it was exceedingly good, medium rare as all good beef should be, it was served on a bed of sliced roasted potatoes with mange tout and very young carrots.

We were, sadly, too full to sample the desserts menu. We chose a bottle from the Sharpham Devon winery, Dart Valley Reserve, different grape varieties - but as we sampled the wine we marvelled at how much English wine has improved over the years.

The Grand Hotel - expensive - but worth every penny.

We had a chance of a few days break and returned to the Grand, the experience was as always amazing. The staff are attentive and considerate, the location is wonderful giving the chance to explore the downs and beach walks are really relaxing and the food is exceptional. The hotel is a real luxury treat.

We loved the hotel as soon as we arrived and found the staff most helpful. They done everything they could to make our stay a pleasurable and memorable occasion. The rooms were beautifully clean and we had a lovely view of the sea. We ate in the garden restaurant the three nights that we were there. The first two nights were fine and we were really looked after by the waiters but the last night we were disappointed. The service was very slow. But the breakfast made up for it, there was everything there we wanted and everything was very appertising. On the whole we had a lovely break and will be coming back again soon hopefully.

This has been our third stay at the Grand Hotel and we have thoroughly enjoyed our visits in the past; on this trip we've started to notice things starting to slip.

Dining room service has been sporadic to say the least. Lots of flourishes when being shown to the table followed, on most nights, by a long delay before being served followed by more delays between courses. On our last evening we poured our own wine and received little more than cursory attention. But when "dignitaries" appeared in the dining room the service shown to them was embarrassing to watch, I've rarely seen so many grown men struggling to "out fawn" each other and the sight of five or six "Black Jacket" staff jockeying for attention was quite sad...and I couldn't even get the horseradish sauce I'd asked for! And when I mentioned this omission to the gentleman who served us, he blamed his assistant and sulked. We walked out.

In fairness John, a member of the restaurant team did follow us out and find out what was wrong and we told him and he and the duty manager did show real concern.
Reading this you might well think these are the comments of a sulky couple who weren't made the centre of attention and didn't get their horseradish sauce, far from it, we didn't want to be any more than paying guests expecting the same level of service as others.
Perhaps the seagulls that grace the hotel terraces have got it right by hanging around the food tables that look to offer the best tit bits and perhaps the guests that are surrounded by fawning "Black Jackets" should shoo them away in the same way as the "Black Jackets" do the seagulls.

Two last points to mention, The bathroom carpet has some very unpleasant stains around the toilet pan, whilst I'm told the carpets are going to be changed at some stage surely someone should go round and shampoo the area, I'm sure the Hotel General Manager wouldn't stand by one of his toilet pans in his bare feet. And if you've paid extra for a suite, like we did, you'll need to be careful not to rest your arms in the vast amounts of guano on the balconies.

All in all a hotel that's resting on its laurels which needs a critical eye run over it by its own management. There are still some very good attentive staff but it's hit and miss.

From arrival to departure the level of service was excellent. Our children were made to feel welcome immediately with welcome packs and their own signing papers. It was the small details which stood out for us. The high tea for the children, the cookies and milk before bed all very nice touches. The staff generally from front of house to housekeeping where very pleasant and extremely helpful. We will definately go back and would recommend this hotel to anyone, young or old all are catered for with the same level of care.

We booked this hotel fairly last minute, so as to see the Airbourne air show in Eastbourne. On arrival you can't fail to be impressed by the scale and beauty of the building. Attentive doormen took our luggage and parked the car within moments, and check-in was just as simple. We were shown to our room - 142, which was an 'interior' room (i.e no sea view), which was clean and tidy. I would agree with many reviews on this hotel - the public areas are beautiful, but the rooms are somewhat dated - disposing of the chintzy curtains and bedspreads in favour of plain fabrics would immediatley give the rooms a lift. And the too-small pictures hung randomly on the walls could be done away with. We had a nice tray of teas available, and a sachet of coffee for the cafetiere - all very well until you want another cup later on. The kettle didnt work - I had to keep the switch depressed by means of resting something on it. The view from the inside room was over the roof - not pretty, but at least the window opened. One piece of advice - leaving the window open all night (which we needed to as the room was so warn) means that you will most likely be woken by the screech of seagulls at around 4am. Not something the hotel can do anything about, and in a way it's quite nice as it adds to the feeling of being by the sea - but not great if you have filled up on wine from the restaurant the night before.
As far as the restaurants go - we ate in both. The Garden room is where breakfast is served. We read the information booklet on arrival, and it stated that men were required to wear trousers to breakfast - strictly no jeans. This came as a surprise - we knew this was the case in the evening, but didnt expect it for breakfast too. However, on arriving for breakfast we noticed all manner of clothing, from shorts to jeans, to smart trousers, so the rule has clearly been abolished. In the evenings, the restaurants seem to run a tighter ship in regard to clothing, and jacket or tie is required for the men. Food - very very good, in both the Mirabelle and Garden room. I would say the Mirabelle is the more 'refined' restaurant - everything done 'properly', - a quiet atmosphere with live piano in the background. On the evening we dined in the Garden room, there was a whole table allocated to some german children - all of whom thought nothing of running riot up and down the restaurant, and casuing havoc to the poor waiting staff. All of this going on behind the table of completely oblivious parents - all of whom were far too concerned with their ipads and conversation to take any notice whatsoever. I was surprised that the restaurant didnt insist on putting at least one adult on the childrens table to supervise. We were sat on the next table to this group, and suffered in silence for the evening - which may explain the fact we were given a complimentary glass of rather nice red wine..... The location of the hotel is superb - a mere stone's throw from the promenade, and an absolute corker of a spot for the airshow. For a taste of how Brits used to holiday, stay at the Grand - a lovely piece of history, and charming staff - just try and ignore the chintz in your room!