Overall very good. Has a tough act trying to juggle an historic bygone image with a modern appealing hotel that families want to stay at.

Very family friendly and yet still manages to feel like an old Gentlemens' club. Decor stunning in the public areas. Rooms dated but do the job and would be difficult to modernise I suspect.

Staff were very good and friendly. Service was very attentive. Breakfast a slight let-down for 5*. No better than many cheaper hotels.

But we were made to feel welcome even with a baby and that counts for a lot.

I highly recommend the Mirabelle Restaurant. We had an outstanding lunch there. The best aspect of this was the impeccable silver service from the highly trained yet youthful staff. The food also was of a good standard, especially a sensational seafood soufflé starter (at a supplement to the table d’hôte). Another pleasant surprise was some good wines at relatively reasonable prices (or rather, not the total rip off that many 5star hotels indulge in).

The room itself is well maintained and traditional. The china, crystal and silver are all immaculate and there are also delightful feature flower arrangements. They have a self playing piano which drew mixed comments from our group. A piano playing in the background belongs to the traditional grand hotel ambience and whilst it would be nicer if played in person I would rather have a ‘fake’ than nothing at all.

I have eaten (and stayed at) many Grand hotels as I am a fan of them. However, the vast majority in the UK are now trading on past glories and offer a disappointing and all too frequently depressing service (e.g. The Imperial, Torquay; The Royal Bath, Bournemouth; The Grand, Brighton etc etc). The Grand at Eastbourne is one of a tiny tiny number which is managing to maintain traditional luxury standards. It is such a rare treat to find this and we all left the place feeling very happy. The Management and staff are to be commended. Based on the experience of this lunch I plan to stay here for a sojourn before long.

This hotel is what all hotels with history should be like and lives up to its "Grand" name. It is unquestionably traditional, chintzy decor etc and the only really obvious concession to modernity is the flat screen tv in the room. It is clean and well maintained. The outdoor heated swimming pool is a real treat although this facility was made easier by the unseasonably great weather at the end of Sept. I stayed as part of a large group - corporate but leisure combined so did not have to pay for the privilige of staying here! Breakfast was very good catering for all requirements and the service was very good. This is Eastbourne - not Ibiza so if you are looking for wild action it may not be the place for you. If you are looking for a quiet relaxing break in a well maintained gem in a great location this might just be the place. Although you may have to delve deep into your pockets to pay for it.

We spent the weekend with girlfriends to relax and have fun in Eastbourne. We decided not to stay at the Grand but instead opted to organise a spa day for ten of us. We had the best time and couldn't fault the spa.

Although at the beginning our enquiry was a little neglected, we couldn't fault the staff at the Grand. the spa facilities are good, probably not the best, but certainly good value and very relaxing. We were made to feel so welcome and Anna our contact at the Spa delivered faultless service throughout our day. Adam the manager was equally attentive and all of the staff at the spa made us feel very special.

We used the swimming pool, sauna and steam room which was all clean and inviting. The changing rooms are a little snug, but that didn't really matter too much.

Lunch was exceptional - we opted for something simple and had soup and sandwiches, but it was all delicious and served brilliantly.

The treatments were all good and we didn't stop smiling all day. I'm already booked to go back in two weeks time, but this time, i'm staying at the hotel! It's a stunning hotel and you feel so welcome from the minute you step through the door - if only more hotels adopted this attention to detail and welcome approach to customers!

well done everyone at the Grand Spa!!

This hotel was lovely, had a real olde worlde style with grand entrances and old fashioned charm. The only downside was that the rooms were a bit dinky, with chintzy decor, but that was to be expected. Would definitely stay again if in Eastbourne.

This was a delightful place to stay. If you stay at this hotel on the last Sunday of the month you must have high tea at the hotel. They have an orchestra playing. We sat in the front foyer with a sea view and could still hear the music. The room was acceptable. We had a small room, but the bathroom was huge. The carpet in the bathroom was suprisingly clean. Small TV. The common areas are beautiful, so there is no need to hang out in your room. It is situated in a great part of town. We rented bikes, but had to travel quite a ways to pick them up. Hiking to the top of beachy head was fabulous. The town was a bit old for us . (we are in our early thirty's) but was perfect for a relaxing get away wihout nightlife. They did have an outdoor pool, but to get there you had to go through a mold filled hallway. That was the only negative. You should go to The Farm if you have time. It is a bit out of the way from the hotel, but worth it.

I've visited The Grand a couple of times (most recently in the summer) and have to say that it is consistently the best service I have ever experienced. It's not intimidating, just warm and friendly.

Nice restaurant, good rooms and sea views. What more could you want?

Myself and my husband used to stay in this hotel every year for the tennis season. We loved it every time we stayed there. There were lots of guests and the staff coped very well, we could not find a single fault.

This year I decided to take my mother for a 3 night break for some "luxury" as a special present for her 60th birthday. Unfortunately it was not so special at all.

The room was OK. Only in the morning at about 7 a.m. there was terrible noise from outside as if somebody was disposing of tons of empty bottles, that happened every morning. Clean towels were never replaced without specifically asking for that. One evening after a so called "turn down" service our rubbish bins were not emptied and to make things worse my dental device was stolen from the bathroom. Of course I mentioned it but nobody bothered to take this seriously.

As part of our deal we had to dine in one of the restaurants twice. I used to love Garden restaurant in the past and was looking forward to taking my mom there for dinner. The service was appaling. It was incredibly slow between the courses. I had to ask someone to remove our plates after waiting for about 40 minutes. They only said "sorry". My mom pointed out and I agree with her that the food was quite average, nothing special. As I understand you pay 5 star hotel prices for a dinner which is not really anything special but you expect to be treated as a 5 star hotel guest and you put up with it. Unfortunately that evening was spoilt. I did copmlain about the service and asked to have at least a nice table by the side for our next dinner as a good gesture. Reluctantly we were offered a specified table but with the words" Somebody just cancelled that table so I am going to put you there. Is it OK with you?" I noticed that there were quite a few side tables available so there was no point to be so sarcastic about it without acknowledging the poor service the day before.

We used both pools (outdoor and indoor). Very unpleasant experience. The changing rooms and shower rooms were very dirty, lots of mould, outdoor swimming pool was extremely dirty/ That was supposed to be a spa but the first thing we did when we returned to our room was having a thorugh wash!!!

Everything that I mentioed above is just not acceptable for a 5 star hotel. Probably if you want to be treated nicely you'd better come during the tennis season....

This glorious old hotel sits on the seafront at Eastbourne like some great Duchess. Set slightly back from the road but overlooking the seafront it is a timeless, classic, old fashioned hotel with excellent service. If you like modern hotels with glitz and chrome do not visit here. If, on the other hand, you want space, comfort, excellent service, good food, then you'll enjoy the ambience.

For starters there is no piped music at all. Heaven! To sit in the Great Hall and watch the comings and goings is a wonderful experience in itself. This is a three story high space with grand painting, loads of squashy, comfy sofas and chairs. Just the tinkle of tea cups, the clink of glasses, the chatter of guests and passing staff, the chiming of the clock above the big fireplace. At teatime there is a piano and once a month an old fashioned palm court trio. There are even two writing desks with hotel paper - when did you last see proper writing desks in a decent hotel!

Even a simple coffee will be served with style and elegance. There are comfy chairs in the lounges and quiet nooks and crannies for a snooze or just to read. We intended exploring a bit more but the hotel is a destination in itself and is so comfortable it can be hard to drag yourself out, let alone down to the spa.

Other reviewers seemed disappointed with the Mirabelle but we found it to be excellent. The staff was formal and attentive but not overpowering. The food was excellent and well presented. During one luncheon we were the last in the restaurant yet at no time did any of the staff make us feel we should eat up or that it was time to go. It is a delightful restaurant and we liked the more intimate feel to it. The other restaurant, The Garden Room, is bigger and seemed a little less inviting.

As befits an older hotel the rooms vary in size but are roomy and comfortable. It's true some of the floor boards squeak as you go about the room or up and down the corridors but that is all part of the charm and only to be expected from a great lady of this age!

The staff seems happy in their work and there is always a cheery smile or hello as they pass in the corridors. Managers walk about in smart black jackets and striped trousers and the whole building seems to hum with efficiency and people who know what they are doing quietly going about their business.

We thought the hotel timeless, classic, and elegant. In some ways it is like being on a great old fashioned ocean liner. Magic!

We loved the grand Hotel , everything was as we expected, very well run with plenty of staff, room was spotles as where the common rooms. Indoor swimming pool was lovely and clean. Breakfast as first class and nothing like a school dinner !!. Be aware of the dress code for evening meals

I found this hotel to be a haven of peace. It didn't start off like that, there were a number of minor complaints but the measure of a good hotel is how complaints are dealt with, and they were resolved quickly. The beds and pillows were amazing - it felt like I was sleeping on a cloud. Thoroughly enjoyed the food, although the service from the kitchen needs improving. The staff really do want you to enjoy the hotel and it shows, nothing is too much trouble and if you have a criticism they take it constructively and fix it ! We had a large mixed party and all of us would definately return. Well done Grand Hotel - this type of service is sadly lacking in many hotels.

From arrival to departure, our every need was met. The staff were helpful and obliging at all times and couldn't be faulted.
Our one tip would be to book early for dinner in the Restaurant as they seem to get fully booked.

We stayed here as part of a birthday treat, and wanted a bit of luxury so booked a junior suite with a sea view.
The welcome, parking and registration were friendly and efficient. Our room had a large and comfortable four-poster bed, with a two seater sofa and bathroom. All was scrupulously clean and well furnished. The indoor pool was a good size and at 8.40am on the Sunday morning had just two of us using it!
Was surprised at the breakfast which was like any other hotel buffet breakfast, very good and they did do kippers on request, but the toast and coffee service was a bit slow and disorganised. The coffee situation was odd, it was brought in a pot yet other people had cafetieres, and apparently if you wanted proper coffee you had to ask, but of course, if you didn’t know you had to ask you didn’t get it! When you pay the sort of nightly rate for a junior suite, you really should expect to get the best coffee without asking for it. A minor point but it was at odds with the rest of the service and ethos. The cocktail bar was great and the service and drinks superb. The building is superb and deserves its refurbishment.

The major disappointment was the Mirabelle restaurant, distinctly average but conspicuously overpriced. There was also an unpleasant smell around our table but luckily a large vase of lillies soon overcame this. Service was extremely slow between the starter and the main course, and we were brought the complimentary gazpacho twice. We surmised that they really wanted us to have the tasting menu and weren’t really geared up for the set menu, which seems odd. I know restaurants in the UK mark up wine to a tremendous degree, but really a bottle of Montepulciano D’Abruzzo available in Majestic for £4.49 and on the wine list for £31 is really taking the you know what. We might have been spoiled by the impeccable service and unparalled quality of food at Le Manoir but when you pay over £100 for food you should expect something special, not something average; my advice is to eat somewhere else in Eastbourne.
I’d still give the hotel 5 stars, but if I were to review the Mirabelle, I’d give it 2 out of 5.

My husband and I brought our 6 month old son and dog to this hotel for a short overnight stay. Booked the room directly with the reservations as their price was similar to any other website which they claim to beat. Lady on the phone was very polite and answered all my questions in detailed regarding our baby and dog. She explained their Baby package include a bottle steriliser, bottle warmer, baby bath, rubber ducky and cot.
Upon arrival, very smart door man came to our car, took our bags and took us straight to reception. Check in was pain free and we were taken upstairs to our room straight away. We had a third floor room with a side sea view which wasn't too bad as we didn't spend much time sitting by the windows anyway! Room was very clean and spacious but old fashioned. I believed we had one of their older rooms that were not recently rebrubish. Cot was already nicely set up in the corner of the room by our bed. Although we had a double room, the bed were made up of 2 singles that hardly had any padding to disguise the bump. So if you like snuggling in bed with your partner like me, it is not so comfortable! Bed was too soft in my opinion and pillows were odd sizes (one too low, two was too high). We dined in Mirabelle in the evening, meal was lovely and so was service. It was not spectacular but it was worth visiting if in the area.

Although the room was all good, my husband and I did not had a good night sleep. As the windows were low-ish. We could only open slightly just to let some air in in fear of my dog jumping out in the middle of the night ! Hence, it was a very warm and stuffy room. Also you could hear doors slamming on the corridor. Morning came, we were woken up at 6am by VERY noisy sea gulls that literally sat on our window sill. We tried shooing it away but it was not going anywhere. Vans were pulling up and I could hear the slamming of the van doors (deliveries of some kind i guess), people shouting to each other. As a result, our baby woke up early and messed up his routine the rest of the day. Breakfast was lovely with both continental and full english spread. Check out was also easy and by then I was also happy to leave.

In short, it is a nice hotel. Staff were lovely. Food was ok. Good for family and pets. However if you are expecting the ultra luxurious five star here, you would be a little dissapointed.

The staff were all very helpful at all times. We had a lovely room, very well appointed. The food was excellent - a lovely spread at Breakfast, dinner in the Garden Restaurant and the Mirabelle were very good.
We love Eastbourne, it is very pretty and so clean and well cared for. The gardens are most attractive.

We have just returned from another wonderful stay at the Grand. The staff were excellent especially the staff in the Garden restaurant in particular the restaurant manager and his assistant., however, we feel we must draw attention to the poor service in the hotel's other restaurant. The hotel markets the Mirabelle as something out of the ordinary and superior to the main Garden restaurant but on the evening we dined there we very extremely disappointed. We had to wait for an hour for our main course and it was obvious that staff were aware there was a problem because they went from being totally attentive to avoiding approaching our table. When we did manage to speak to one of them to enquire after our meal the waitress snapped at us and told us that the manager would be out to speak to us. The meal eventually came out of the kitchen but the manger never came to see what the problem was. We found this to be totally the opposite to our other experiences - a simple apology would have been sufficient and it really did spoil our evening because we had been looking forward to the occasion. We must point out here that later in the evening the manager of the Garden Restaurant came over to ask us about our experience in Miarbelle and attepted to put things right. One cannot compare the difference in attitude in his domain we had a wonderful meal in the Garden and cannot praise the staff there and in the rest of the hotel enough. I really think the management of the hotel should address this issue, the Grand has a good reputation but staying there is not cheap and people stay there because they enjoy the old fashioned courtesy and helpfulness that they provide. If the hotel loses this they they may find that their loyal customers feel that they can do better in more modern less expensive hotels. We had intended to book a private room for a special family occasion ther in the future but as it would have meant guests having to travel a long distance with an overnight stay we have reconsidered because we cannot risk similar poor service spoiling the occasion.

Me and my partner visted this hotel for a romantic break for one night on the 6/6/09 . Have got to say I really enjoyed it but it was very expensive. This was the fitrst time I had been to a hotel quite this old but so well kept. It is not modern in the slightest with an old box TV in your room etc. But any knid of medernisning of this hotel in my opinion would ruin it. The grad hall running down the centre of the hotel is amazing and you get the feel you are living in a grand old stately home. All the staff were very professional. The meal was very expensive in my opinion and cost the two of us with a bottle of wine a conbined £120. However it was amazing food. The atmosphere is very posh but likeable, there was a guy playing a grand piano in the resteraunt, and it did feel very rmantic. I really liked it here as it was something different. The spa facilities are really top notch and some of the beast I have ever been to. The location is fantastic and you literally walk out of the front of the hotel onto the beach. The out door pool looked great and I would have though it would have been amazing were the weather to have been suitable. However it is expensive when you get there and its the first time i have ever spent £120 on a meal so have little to compare it with.

Made a last minute booking for a bank holiday weekend.

On arrival the hotel building and setting very imposing. Greeted by very smart doorman who took our luggage and valet parked our car. Reception area and entrance hall very grand. Check in very efficient.

We were then somewhat surprised that we were left to take out own luggage and find our room by ourselves. Our good initial impressins started to dissipate as we wandered along somewhat tiring corridors and reduced further as we enterd our room. Yes it was adequate but surely not 5 star stuff.

Best part of the room was the mattress which was of a very high quality. But suprisingly no air conditioning or temperature control. Furniture was very traditional rather than functional.

The area that surprised us most was the bathroom and all its clashing colours. The floor was fully carpeted without even a splash rug around the toilet - though it appeared clean you were left wondering how hygenic it ws! Also there was practically no flat surface to store our toilet bags - again traditional rather than functional.

Went to use the indoor swimming pool only to find it was a crowded bedlam of children with their parents all splashing around. Used outdoor pool which was much quieter and fortunately heated.

Planned to spoil outselves by having dinner in the restaurant and had brought some very smart casual clothes but was barred entrance as I had neither a tie or a jacket. Same rules supposedly apply to the bar area in the evening though we did have a drink there and could see that osome thers were in the same boat as ourselves!!

Had a nice stay but the room we had initially was very small and pokey, we were upgraded after we complained about a draft coming through the window. The pool and gym are terrible but the Breakfast buffet is fantastic. Would I stay there again? probably if I was going to Eastbourne for lack of alternatives. Disappointed overall

My boyfriend and I stayed here for the bank holiday weekend and had a wonderful time! It is a very attractive looking hotel, and made us feel happy to be staying at it! Just slightly set back from the quiet end of the road, it makes it feel much more 'grand' than some of the hotels further along, right on the pavement!

The room was spacious, clean, comfy, with all the great extras (robe, slippers, Molten Brown toiletries) the balcony was lovely with a view of the sea. The pillows were a bit 'puffy' for me, but my boyfriend liked them, so probably just my taste!

The breakfasts were wonderful, although being busy due to being bank holiday weekend, as things ran out they were quickly replaced. A vast choice of food for both continental (me) and cooked (my boyfriend) we were both very happy dispite requiring different things! Evening meals are also lovely! Exactly what you would expect from a 5* hotel! They were happy to allow extra bread rolls and courses came within a reasonable time of each other (not rushed, but not ages), some people might find the evening meals a bit rich/posh, but I am a very fussy eater and I could find things to keep me very happy!

All staff were friendly, helpful, polite and would go out of their way to help you no matter what your query. They made you feel welcome and important, and although it felt strange having a valet drive my Clio to park it, it still made me feel just as important as a driver of a Bentley!

As a non-drinker I was thrillied by the non-alcoholic cocktail (mocktail) menu, many choices, but would highly recommend the 'Hawaiian Kiss' mocktail (AMAZING!!). My boyfriend does drink, and was also thrilled by the choices of alcohol at the vastly stocked bar.

Facilities. As it was a hot weekend we didn't really use the leisure facilties, but we did like the outdoor heated pool, both the pool and surrounding area were clean, nice and welcoming. We were shown around the indoor facilities and it all looked lovely!

We can't wait to stay agin! I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing, romantic, special weekend!

we searched high and low to find a hotel on the south cost for one night only. Most of the hotels in Brighton would only take two night bookings (or they would ask you to pay for two nights even if you only stayed one!) and of course with Brighton there is the distinct lack of parking, so we settled on the Grand hotel in Eastbourne.

At a rate of £190 per night for an executive room, including breakfast we anticipated a luxurious hotel.

Upon arrival, we were informed that we had been upgraded....Could this be any better?

When we arrived at our ground floor room (!) the room smelt distinctly of stewed cabbage and the decor, well I can only describe it as reminiscent of being furnished from the rejected batch of second hand furniture from an old peoples home.
The room was large, but decor very very dated.
We requested a room change, and the very polite receptionist immediatley obliged
"we have a lovely refurbished room on the third floor" - Why they didnt give us this room in the first place is beyond me!
So up I went to the third floor to find, by refurbushed, the receptionist meant re-painted. The decor and furnishing was exactly the same as the ground floor room, but it didnt smell and we were very tired so we conceded and moved our luggage in the smallest lift i ahve ever been in (barely accommodated two people with weekend luggage) from the ground floor to the third floor.

Ordered room service dinner (burger) which was distinctly average and bland [but reassuringly expensive] and went to bed . We decided to watch a little TV before bed and discovered the smallest TV set in a cabinet on the floor. The height of the bed meant that I could not actually see the TV because the duvet was obscurring my vision - Raise the TV or invest in modern day larger sets!

Having given up on trying to watch TV, we slept, only to be woken by the glacial temperatures during the night. we woke, and grappled around looking for the thermostat to turn up the temperature......but there wasn't one! So there we were, dressed in our pyjamas and complimentary bath robes, huddled and shivering for the rest of the night!

We had breakfast, which was a lovely slection of traditional continental and a la carte and the setting of the main restaurant was lovely - very grand indeed!
All in all a very expensive and disappointing hotel very much living in the past. Staff were lovely and polite but they were let down by the whole 'no-so-Grand' customer proposition.

We found the hotel very comfortable.But it lacks facilities for the disabled and the elderly. I understand there is only one room designated specifically for the disabled. The hotel does not appear to offer bathrooms with walk in showers. This is not acceptable in a luxury hotel and this problem needs to be addressed. Many of the hotel guests were elderly and must find this issue a problem. Oterwise a lovely hotel with very attentive staff.

Dissapointing as a five star hotel. Chairs and some tables in garden restauant badly need repair (very unstable). Menues for restaurant seem limited in number. Service OK but not what you would expect from what claims to be a great hotel. Does not quite make it. Needs someone who cares to bring it back up to the standard it aspires to.

My husband booked the Grand as a valentine romantic break. He had originally booked a double room but upgraded to a suite with ease. On arrival the car park was full but front of house staff told us they would drive to it rear car park. We found the staff polite, friendly and helpful. The furniture fitted the feel to the age of the hotel and the bed was really comfortable. The restaurant was fully booked but had room service and the food was delivered within a reasonable time and we were quite impressed with the quantity and quality.
I really enjoyed using the leisure facilities, i went swimming, sauna and jacuzzi and found it relaxing as only a handful of guests around.
The location was on the sea front with approximate 20 minute walk to the pier.

The hotel is very impressive from the moment you arrive. It is laid back from the main road unlike other hotels on the sea front. We did not get the personal service that the previous contributor had, because there was a 'Mozart Covention' taking place and reception was very busy.
We were personally escorted to our Master Suite bedroom by a very friendly concierge. We had treated ourselves to this room as it was my Wife's birthday. The room was big and had a lovely sea view. However it had a four poster bed that was not very big and also very uncomfortable. This unfortunately gave us an difficult nights sleep. So the following morning I asked reception if it was possible to move. This request was handled very well and the Concierge came up to move us to the Penthouse Suite at no extra charge. This had a bigger more comfortable bed with stunning sea views.
We got settled in and then we found the the hairdryer did not work and as I took a shower, the shower head fell on my foott!! Again the problems was quickly resolved.
I find that the way the problem is dealt with is more important than the problem itself.

The one thing you will notice about this hotel is the friendliness and professionalism of all the staff. Nothing is too much trouble for them.
The food is both the Garden room and the Mirabelle room is of a very high standard, though not the the best I have ever tasted. The breakfast buffet is also very good
The Spa facilities are good and treatments reasonably priced, but the pool is not huge and difficult if you want a really good swim. There is also an outdoor pool for the warmer months.
The hotel is a very classy hotel indeed. It relies on corporate events a lot. Once the Convention was over the hotel became very quiet indeed. Maybe the recession is affecting this hotel as the room rates are quiet high. This is the only reason I have given this hotel 4 instead of 5 out of 5 as I did not consider it full value for money.
Otherwise this is a fantastic hotel with some of the best staff you could ever wish to come across.