The Grand Hotel

Known as The Palace - the choice of kings, statesmen, the rich and famous

Anna Pavlova, Dame Nellie Melba, several members of the British Royal family, Emperor Haile Selassie of Abyssinia, Sir Winston Churchill, Sir Edward Elgar, Sir Alec Guinness and many other luminaries have stayed at the Grand Hotel, The Palace as it is affectionately known. The Duke of Devonshire, whose family had a house nearby, wrote: 'If I were asked to describe Eastbourne's outstanding quality, I would choose the word excellence and if this can be used to describe the borough as a whole, it can certainly be used to describe the Grand Hotel.' The hotel dominates the western promenade with its classic white facade. The bedrooms are nothing less than majestic in design, decor and facilities - perhaps why royalty felt so comfortable here. It was, and still is, a sanctuary from worldly pressures. Music was, and still is, a part of the hotel's ethos. Readers may recall Sunday evenings with the BBC's Palm Court Orchestra; they were broadcast from the Great Hall. A touch of nostalgia? Sure, but, while age has added lustre to this great lady, she remains as spritely as ever. The vast health club with spa, indoor pool, gym and array of beauty treatments has added immeasurably to the hotel's youthful appeal. And there's many a conference organiser who will know The Grand by name, if not, by heart.