The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne is a rare treasure. Not only is it the sole five-star hotel in an English seaside town, it also welcomes children – in practice as well as theory.
We – me, my husband, and children aged seven and three - stayed for a night on a sunny day in July 2024, and, spoiler: we had a grand old time at The Grand.
The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne, location
It really is right on the coast. Well, as near as can be, with only a road (not too busy) between the hotel and the coastal path. We travelled to Eastbourne by train, and from the station it’s an easy 18 minute walk to the hotel. There seems to be lots of parking, if that's your thing.
The façade of the hotel is majestic, a glorious swoop of white stone including actual pillars (there's more of these inside), and with two friendly doormen to welcome you in. Fancy.
The beach itself is pebbly, very clean, and home to some of the largest seagulls I’ve ever seen. And the sea – the sea! Goodness me, the sea. I’ve never seen anything like it in England: bluey green, clear, and gorgeous.
The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne, rooms
We stayed in a suite and it was – honestly – probably the biggest hotel room I’ve ever stayed in, ever. “You look tiny in this room,” remarked my little boy. A large part of that is down to the height of the ceilings, which is palatial.
The bathroom was good, with a whirlpool bath and Molten Brown toiletries in dispensers on the wall to do away with some plastic waste. And I loved that there was a recycling bin in the bedroom, more of this please, every other hotel I have ever stayed in.
If you can get a seaview room, it’s a strong recommend. The view is insane, although beware the open top bus in case you flash unsuspecting tourists which definitely didn’t happen to my husband when he was drying off after a wash. Definitely not.
The main bed was huge, think the Great Bed of Ware and you’ve got a grasp of its size. The four of us could have slept in it (we didn't). I thought the Corby trouser press was probably a bit of a dated touch for 2024 but maybe my fashion friends at Grazia would think otherwise.
The room also had robes and slippers for the children, that they loved, and there was a cookie and chocolate milkshake waiting for them which was a blessing and a curse. They were also given a backpack filled with kids’ activities, a ball, a yoyo and a cap each. Ooh, and there was a fridge in the room. Ten out of ten for fridge work.
The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne, restaurant
The restaurant is pretty five star old school. Yes, I’m aware what a privilege it is to say that. There’s quite a lot of cutlery happening, and all the waiters were in uniform. But we didn’t feel out of place at 6pm with a seven year old and a toddler who insisted on taking her shoes off.
For starter, I had a garden salad that was really tasty, and a chocolate torte for pudding that was excellent. I’d suggest that the plant-based menu isn’t as there was dairy in the dishes (so check if that’s an issue for you). I’d also like to see an interesting mocktail on the drinks menu, rather than fruit juice combinations, and the Iron Lady cocktail can, frankly, do one. But that’s my personal preference.
Breakfast is a combination of a continental buffet and a hot food menu. The adults had avocado on toast because we are very modern, and the children had pancakes because they are children. It was all VERY GOOD.
The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne, menu
The kids’ menu existed, and I’m glad of that, but there was no starter on there, which meant that the meal for the four of us was out of sync. And spaghetti on a kids’ menu in a restaurant is insanity. Again, these are minor quibbles in an overall great experience.
Swimming pools
The biggest draw for my kids was the two pools. The outside one is just brilliant. Heated, clean, a very decent size. Some adults were sat around the outside drinking rosé and basking in the sunshine. Just like being on holiday. Abroad!
There’s also a subterranean pool a short drip away that had a great jacuzzi, and a steam room at the side.
The indoor pool is next to a gym that is a decent size for a hotel gym and staffed by a really lovely lady on our visit. In fact, all the staff are great. Friendly, helpful, total delights to a man and woman.
Look, real talk, a stay at The Grand Hotel is not cheap. It's a special treat rather than a week at half term. But if you have the money to spend, and want to feel like a royal family - just for a little time - you could have a smashing time at the seaside by staying at The Grand.
A one-night stay for a family of four starts at £394 at The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne.
Georgina Terry is group editor of Closer and heat online and mother of two. She's been with Bauer since 2015 working at titles including Mother & Baby and would quite like to become a holiday reviewer full time if anyone is offering. Child friendly or otherwise.