The Grand Hotel Eastbourne

David, the concierge, gave us so much time and attention that we never felt hurried. His service was intuitive and impeccable, and his generosity made us feel known, valued and truly welcome. He’s a tremendous asset to the hotel. We were also impressed by Finn, the knowledgeable and confident sommelier at Mirabel, and my wife especially enjoyed her spa visit with Tash looking after her. The people are what lift this place beyond its grand architecture. Sam mentioned he’d baked banana bread for his girlfriend, then brought some in for us to try the following day. Such a kind personal gesture. Harry made us an excellent experimental fat-washed cocktail he was developing, and all his drinks were balanced and carefully prepared. We stayed in the sea-facing Debussy Suite. The English weather was moody, but the view and atmosphere were lovely. The building has sweeping corridors, grand columns and a real sense of theatre when you arrive, proper Victorian splendour. It feels like the grand dame of the British seaside. We left feeling thoroughly cared for and are already planning to return. The Grand Hotel Eastbourne combines that grandeur with warm, old-fashioned hospitality.

The rooms were nice, and the service was good. The place has a rather dated grandeur, though. The “grand tea” disappointed us: the carrot cake portion was small, and while the scones were good, everything else was only fair to middling.

We spent Christmas at the hotel, and the meals on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day were well served. Coffee and dessert took over 30 minutes, which was unlucky, but the staff kept trying to speed things up while they worked it out. The room was a comfortable size, neither too big nor too small, though I saw that suites and larger rooms are available. Service was excellent and they really take care of you. The spa isn’t enormous like some hotels, but it’s more than enough for a relaxing break. For my first stay here, I had a fantastic experience with what they offer. I’m pretty sure we’ll come back at another time of year.

The spa area was a bit underwhelming, and the steam room was closed while we were there. The treatments, though, really impressed us and are worth booking. The hotel itself still feels grand, with old-time English charm and a few quirks left over from its prime. The halls and bedrooms are spacious, with high ceilings. There’s some wear and tear, but it was still very clean, and the bathroom was spotless. Staff were all helpful and attentive, often noticing when we looked lost and pointing us in the right direction. Special mention to Bella at reception, who was a pleasure to chat with and made us feel comfortable.