Hotel of the Week: The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne

Helena Beard treated her young children to a posh hotel and was relieved to find they were welcomed with open arms.

"I like a bit of luxury. And I don’t mind paying for it. Occasionally. But, when it comes to my children, I am ashamed to say my generosity usually deserts me at ‘Click to Purchase’.

This wet, dismal winter, I was in the mood for a pamper.  A weekend break with fluffy bathrobes and log fires. But first I had to get my head around paying for the kids. Happily, I came across The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne. This Victorian hotel is one of four under the Elite Hotels brand, a privately-owned group of country house style hotels, specialising in traditional experiences, customer service and, as it turns out, families.

Despite being ‘the only five-star luxury hotel on the British coast’, the hotel welcomes children. And I mean properly welcomes them, not just tolerates them with a rictus grin.

 It all looked great on the website, but I was still nervous when I rocked up in my family hatchback, overflowing with biscuit wrappers and bags stuffed full of teddies and DVDs.

An immaculately turned-out doorman approached to park the car for me. ‘Please don’t look in the footwell’ I thought nervously, ‘you’ll never let us in’.

The children gazed up at the imposing white facade. ‘Does the Queen live here?’ asked Kid#2.

Built in 1875, the Grand Hotel sits on one end of Eastbourne seafront, a beautiful building of white and glass, and deserving of its pet name ‘The White Palace’. The hotel has a wide selection of rooms and suites, a health club and spa, an array of comfortable, welcoming lounges and two very well-respected restaurants. T

The rooms are traditional and comfortable. There is no cutting-edge design here, but there are modern touches, such as coffee machines, decent hair dryers, Molten Brown toiletries, and flat screen TVs.

At check in, the children were given ‘Junior Crew’ bags filled with (to be picky) rather weather-inappropriate bucket, spade and sun cap. They didn’t care though. Free stuff!  What could be better?

Children get to fill out their own junior check-in cards for a stay at The Grand

The really huge benefit for families at The Grand, is the value. For just £10 a day, your 3 – 12 year old can stay in your room, eat a full English breakfast (with unlimited favourites like Rice Krispies, croissants and jam),  have cookies and milk brought up at bed time, and lounge about in special kid-sized bath robes.

Not only that, there is also an Ofsted-approved playroom, staffed by qualified child carers  during weekends and school holidays.  You can leave your children there for up to two hours a day at no extra charge and there are special arts and craft activities.

The hotel also offers special deals for teenagers, with different age-appropriate benefits such as unlimited internet access, Playstation, and DVDs.

The Grand has a ‘Family Dining’ area in an annexed off the main dining room, so parents can choose their meal and wine from the main menu, but, if little Johnny decides he wants to lie on the floor to eat his chips, you won’t be mortified.

Children are welcome in both the indoor and the outdoor pool, and, apart from the obvious places like the jacuzzi and the gym, were not excluded from any part of the hotel. 

So, is there much to do as a family in Eastbourne? I have to admit to being pleasantly surprised. The seafront is much more genteel and manicured than its Brighton equivalent, and there are a number of children’s entertainment options including Fort Fun , and a short drive away to the Seven Sisters Sheep Centre (open from lambing season), and the wonderful Drusilla’s Zoo. You’re also pretty near Beachy Head and the South Downs if you fancy a bracing walk.

Finally, if you are celebrating, book in for the Grand Hotel’s Afternoon Tea. Perfectly baked tiny cakes, delicious sandwiches, scones and even a kind of mini rhubarb crumble are served on a silver tiered stand. And of course, there is a kids’ version, also served on a cake stand, but with kid-friendly sandwich fillings and a huge ice-cream milkshake each. Sugar heaven.

It’s not cheap at £24.50 per adult and £13 per child but it’s really worth it. And you certainly won’t need dinner that night."

www.grandeastbourne.com