Known by locals as ‘The White Palace’, the five-star Grand Hotel located on Eastbourne’s seafront has recently seen a complete refurbishment to 28 ‘Superior’ bedrooms, as well as a complete overhaul of the bathrooms in the luxury suites.
With the work spanning over 11 months, the renovations consisted of removing all the existing fixtures and fittings and upgrading and modernising the floors and bathroom facilities. The new bathrooms provide an added touch of elegance with white & grey marble floors, and large walk-in showers with sustainable refillable toiletries by Molton Brown, to reduce waste. With optimal business and leisure guest comfort firmly in mind, they will also benefit from newly installed air-conditioning units, built-in refrigerators and high-speed Wi-Fi.
The newly refurbished suites showcase a combination of understated luxury with top of the range amenities and stylish, warm lighting and interiors. Carefully appointed to transform the suites, Clague Architects ensured rooms were tastefully designed and sympathetic with the hotel, which dates back to 1875. The rooms display soft and elegant furnishings with coastal notes of blue and white, drawing on the hotel’s surroundings and sea views allowing the feeling of tranquillity from the outside in.
The extensive works were carried out whilst the hotel was still fully operational, requiring a high degree of efficiency and planning to suit the ever-changing daily environment of the hotel’s operations, without disturbing the hotel’s guests five-star experience.
Pilbeam Construction carried out the works and project managed the entire operation. The company, a local company employs local tradesmen and prides itself on its corporate and sustainable responsibility.
Perfectly positioned on Eastbourne’s seafront, the Grand Hotel offers 152 bedrooms and suites, all luxuriously furnished, many with sweeping sea views, balconies, or private patios. Others have adjoining rooms which are a prime option for family stays.
The hotel’s elegant cocktail bar is stocked entirely with premium spirits. Guests can enjoy a drink on the Chatsworth Terrace with views towards the sea, once shared by the likes of Charlie Chaplin, classical composers Debussy and Elgar and, more recently, Dame Helen Mirren.
Additionally, the hotel features two restaurants, The Mirabelle Restaurant, which has gained an exceptional reputation for its fine dining menus and The Garden Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner amidst a backdrop of beautiful turn-of-the-century cornices and grand chandeliers.
The Grand’s Health Club has an indoor swimming pool with whirlpool spa, an outdoor heated pool (open during the summer months), plus a gym and health spa where a range of beauty treatments can be enjoyed.
The hotel is superbly located just moments from the start of the South Downs Way and close to Beachy Head and Birling Gap for day trips. In Eastbourne itself, Devonshire Park holds international tennis tournaments each summer and the town hosts annual events such as Eastbourne Airbourne – the largest free seaside air show in the world. And not forgetting the Towner Art Gallery hosting the Turner Price later this year.
Guestrooms start from £209 per room, based on double occupancy, including breakfast. For further information, please call The Grand Hotel on 01323 412345 (www.grandeastbourne.com).
