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kaitee

Disappointing and stressful

2.0 of 5 bubblesReviewed May 18, 2024via mobile
I am so disappointed to write such a review but I have to be honest.

The good:

The staff. Specifically the waiting staff and doormen. Couldn’t be nicer and more polite. The management however, were useless I’m afraid.
The location - perfect seafront spot.
The building was beautiful and grand, as per its name. I loved the old worldly feel.

The bad:

We had booked this hotel specifically on the booking.com filter of pets allowed. This hotel came back as the number one option.
To provide some context, we travel with our gorgeous little senior Yorkie who is in her later years all the time. She makes no noise, causes no fuss, and just sleeps on me. We have been to many dog friendly hotels including one prior to this hotel in Bournemouth who were so accommodating and kind. Upon arrival at this hotel, I was prepared to pay the charge for the dog per night, what I wasn’t prepared for was to be treated like some disgusting outcast. We were told upon checkin that she wouldn’t be allowed anywhere other than the room. What am I going to do now I ask? Their response was to eat all meals in the bedroom. No lounge area was allowed or any little quiet spot anywhere in the very large hotel. This straight away caused us to become very upset as we didn’t know what we were going to do for the next two days and nights. We wanted to use the grand facilities and have a drink, meal, afternoon tea etc., and were fully prepared to do it all in a separate place to the restaurant as is the case with other hotels. This hotel however made you feel like a complete and utter inconvenience and an outcast. After some discussion they allowed us to eat on a completely separate table in a completely separate area for breakfast only.
This meant that we didn’t have the usual dining experience and meant that we had to go looking for someone to take an order both days for breakfast. The table was missing silly things like sugar for coffee, and teaspoons. Just not what we had expected and certainly not what we had paid just under £500 for.

The bed was so soft, and my partner couldn’t move his neck after the first nights sleep. We have come home today and it’s still completely stiff and in spasm.

The shower was awful. Either boiling hot or freezing.

Parking was a joke at £25 a night! What are we paying for exactly??

I wish this review was different, but I must warn dog owners who go away with their dog to be with their dog, do not go here! They are definitely the completely opposite of dog friendly.
Date of stay: May 2024
Room Tip: Prepare to pay for parking. Do not book for dog friendly.
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonathan Webley, General Manager at The Grand Hotel Eastbourne, responded to this review
Responded May 31, 2024
Thank you for your feedback. We have corresponded directly on the matter.
With kind regards
Samantha Browning - PA to GM
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Reviewed May 11, 2024

Apple and Judy provided excellent, thoughtful, and kind help with reservations, and Harry provided absolutely outstanding service, going above and beyond to serve us cocktails and organise our dinner. Thank you, everyone. We had a wonderful time and very much appreciated the beautiful cocktails and plant-based menu.

Date of stay: May 2024
  • Trip type: Travelled on business
    • Location
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
Thank 4611jc
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonathan Webley, General Manager at The Grand Hotel Eastbourne, responded to this reviewResponded May 13, 2024

Thank you for your complimentary review. We are delighted you had such an enjoyable time. Our Team pride themselves on delivering the very best of experiences to our guests and to hear we have achieved this is always so rewarding.
We do hope we can welcome you again.
With kind regards
Samantha Browning - PA to GM

Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed May 4, 2024

The rooms are very dated. I didn’t expect the rooms to be modern but the rooms are VERY basic for the price you pay.

The afternoon tea as ok.

The sandwiches had been made earlier so was dry.

The chairs in the sitting room were appalling . There was dark blood over the chair my mother was in. Had to put a napkin over it to stop us being put off our sandwiches. Did inform the waitress.

They did cater for vegan so that was a plus.

Date of stay: March 2024
  • Trip type: Travelled with family
    • Value
    • Location
    • Sleep Quality
    • Rooms
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
1  Thank Ticklemytaste
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonathan Webley, General Manager at The Grand Hotel Eastbourne, responded to this reviewResponded May 16, 2024

Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to learn that certain aspects of your stay fell below expectations. We can confirm that the Hotel is undergoing refurbishment with investment in the building constant. We do have a number of bedrooms now having been refurbished, and of course this is ongoing.
We are also currently working through a refurbishment program of our public areas. We can confirm that chairs with any staining are removed and cleaned on a regular basis. We are not aware of any furniture having a blood stain. We have however addressed the same and believe this to have been hot chocolate. We sincerely apologise for the impact this would have had on your visit. As this was mentioned to a member of staff this chair should have been removed and replaced immediately. We are sorry we let you down on this occasion.
We do hope this has not marred your overall experience and that we may welcome you again.
With kind regards
Samantha Browning - PA to GM

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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed May 1, 2024 via mobile

Met by concierge James Lazarides who welcomed our party to the Grand and advised us where to go. James was extremely accommodating and engaging, taking the time to tell us about the history of the hotel. We found this very interesting particularly as 2 of our party were visiting from Australia and were keen to learn about the building. The food was plentiful and delicious. The staff who looked after us, particularly Lily and Harry, were friendly,courteous and very helpful. We would highly recommend a visit to the hotel and definitely the afternoon tea.

Date of stay: May 2024
Trip type: Travelled with family
Thank Mandy V
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonathan Webley, General Manager at The Grand Hotel Eastbourne, responded to this reviewResponded May 16, 2024

Thank you for your feedback. We are delighted you had such an enjoyable afternoon tea. Our Team pride themselves on delivering the very best of experiences to our guests and to hear we have achieved this is always so rewarding.
We very much look forward to welcoming you again.
With kind regards
Samantha Browning - PA to GM

Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed April 27, 2024

We were just passing and popped in the bar for a drink and snack. We were looked after by Etienne. What a fabulous member of your team. Friendly, chatty and looked after us so well! We were impressed by his cocktail making skills and he made a fab Kir Royale .

Date of stay: April 2024
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Thank Kazza7780
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonathan Webley, General Manager at The Grand Hotel Eastbourne, responded to this reviewResponded May 16, 2024

Thank you for your feedback. We are delighted you had an enjoyable time. Our Team pride themselves on delivering the very best of experiences to our guests and to hear we have achieved this is always so rewarding.
We do hope we can welcome you again.
With kind regards
Samantha Browning - PA to GM

Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed April 21, 2024

Superb. One night stay for an anniversary. Staff are all fantastic, can’t do enough for you, without being pushy. Special thanks to Matthew who was a star.
Spa is glorious. Shame there is no sauna but the treatments were amazing. Skin feels soft.
We dined in the Mirabelle, food was exquisite with excellent service,

Date of stay: April 2024
  • Trip type: Travelled as a couple
    • Value
    • Location
    • Sleep Quality
    • Rooms
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
Thank katie s
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonathan Webley, General Manager at The Grand Hotel Eastbourne, responded to this reviewResponded April 22, 2024

Thank you for your complimentary feedback following your stay for your Anniversary. Our Team pride themselves on delivering the very best of experiences to our guests and to hear we have achieved this is always so rewarding. We are pleased you enjoyed your treatments and dining experience.
We do hope we can welcome you again.
With kind regards
Samantha Browning - PA to GM

Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
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