The impressive facade of The Grand Eastbourne cuts a fine figure, dominating the shoreline with its magnificent 19th-century grandeur. Often affectionately known as the White Palace, it was commissioned by local resident William Earp and built in 1875 at a cost of £50,000. It opened its doors as a hotel in an era when the upper classes ruled and loved nothing more than to holiday by the sea, bringing with them their entire staff and entourage. Having hosted a plethora of the great and good over the years including Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, Arthur Conan Doyle and King Constantine of Greece, the hotel today offers the warmest of welcomes to every guest to step through its doors. I was delighted to be part of this long tradition. The reason I harp on about history is that it’s no small part of the appeal of this incredible place, not only does it physically envelope you, it’s also present in the service and attention received before you even exit the car. There’s an old-fashioned charm in the way the staff look after you and I mean that in the best possible sense, as this is something that’s by and large been lost over the years. I’m talking about the warm welcome received by the porters as you drive into the car park and get shown to your reserved space, the staff who remember your name and wish you a ‘good morning’ as you pass, the fact that your luggage is taken from you at your earliest convenience and magically finds its way to your room, and the consideration for what you might need before you even know you need it. LADY KELLY I found myself imagining myself at the upper echelon of Victorian or Edwardian society as I made my way through the lounges and corridors having left all my troubles and stresses behind. I could almost hear the sound of string and piano music drifting through even though all was quiet. We were being shown to our Master Suite on the ground floor by the charming Chris who seemed genuinely delighted to show us around, while I did my best to play it cool! The footprint of the suite was probably larger than the ground floor of my entire house! The vast master bedroom featured a king-size bed, and was definitely worthy of its title. I decided to sleep in the smaller, but no less luxurious bedroom, to save my mum the ordeal of my snoring and we both enjoyed a restful night’s sleep. The highlight of the suite for me was the living room. Beautifully appointed, its huge windows lining two walls offered views of the terrace and outdoor pool, allowing us to feel in the heart of the action. I left mum relaxing in the comfy sofa and armchairs, while I headed to the outdoor pool to cool off. COOL COMFORT If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know by now that I... don’t... do... heat. So, on what was unexpectedly one of the hottest days of the year midSeptember, the outdoor pool was most welcome. The lovely spa with OLD TIME A grand Editor Kelly Andrews checked in to The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne to find out what five-star service is really all about 24
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