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The good: The hotel is a large Victorian building with lots of character and nice view of the sea from the upper terrace. Evening entertainment in the ballroom was a bit cheesy but at least it was consistent, and unfortunatly for my better half i insisted on going in there every night as an hour of sing-a-long cheese with my wind down drink was better than sitting in our claustrophobic room.The food at breakfast wasn't too bad.The bad: We arrived to find the hotel has limited parking outside but never any free spaces so you are directed to a multi storey car park just around the corner. On turning right our of the hotel and up some steps we found a small car park which we used for the duration of our stay. On checking in the lady on the reception wasn't very welcoming, a smile goes a long way!The ugly: After checking in we took the lift to our room which was in the basement, we had to go past the kitchen to get to it! On entering the room we noticed a fake window frame attached to the wall, we did have to laugh as at the top there was a little window that opened to reveal the wall behind. Each morning we had to dress for all weathers as we never knew what it was like out until we got upstairs:-). The bathroom floor was covered in hairs where it hadn't been cleaned and the jacuzzi bath was just a bath, as on pressing the buttons the jacuzzi didn't work. The rooms badly need upgrading and leave you feeling a little claustrophobic.If you like a low budget hotel with character, that offers evening entertainment by the sea then you will probably like this hotel. If you like something a bit more up-market and a bit more comfort and luxury stay well away from The Grand

Seems to me the Grand catered for when the upmarket folk travelled in their droves by train to take the sea air, but that market's long disappeared. I get the impression that someone has thought long and hard about how to fill a large hotel (nearly 400 rooms I think) and has hit the perfect solution.We found the Grand offers inexpensive room rates with a similar approach to service and dining to appeal to the much larger volume of the less discerning seaside holiday market and it does it very well. There's large bar areas with inexpensive drinks and bar meals; more intimate areas for a quiet drink; regular entertainment; and door staff in the evenings to ensure its guests only. For that, you get a 'grand' hotel with nice rooms, some fantastic views over the bay, sweeping staircases, ornate public areas and so on. Frankly it's not for us, but it's great for those looking for quantity over quality.Couldn't be better positionwise for a seaside break. It's at the end of the promenade and also on the edge of the town so everything's all to hand. Parking is metered on a small square outside (if you're lucky enough to secure a space) and there's a multi-storey literally round the corner. There's also some on street parking quite close but I wouldn't risk that myself, although the street parking further away from the town and still only a short walk from the hotel is safe enough.Trust this helps make your choice.

This is a lovely hotel . All the staff are polite and friendly . There is'nt any hotel parking but a multi storey at the end of the road was sufficient if a tad expensive . The only other problem we had was the hotel had double booked our room , but they provided us with another for the night across the road at the Royal Hotel which ended up being very nice . The second night we stayed back at the grand . Had a great night and awesome breakfast

Booked the Grand for 2 nights BB+EM..Arrived the Saturday afernoon and yes there was a queue but is this not the case in most places at checking in time .Accept it .The receptionist was professional under the circumstances of people demaning .She was polite and helpful and credit to her.The room was on the 6th floor and was excellent .Clean ,tidy and fresh looking and away from noise and even warm without heating at night .The meals have improved since last time and was impressed with the dining area as well which has seen a paint up since last time .The food was fresh and good as was the none soggy vegetables that were definatly an improvement.Breakfast was great but its the attitude of some guests that walk round miserable finding fault instead of accepting thing.The Bar was a bit slow but to have a drink on the terrace was wonderful.May I say the state of the hotel is also a bit tired in places but the way I saw some of the guests treat the place it makes you realise why .One woman threw her cigarette end on the floor when there was a bin near by.The terrave could do with a clean up even some trees in pots would empower it .All I can say is its a budget hotal and accept it and enjoy .Also take a bit of pride in it as evey little bit helps .This is the 3rd time I have been here and yet still enjoy it .Great staff ,food and ambience

the grand is a little less grand these days ,but if you looking for a cheap get away central to shops pubs and restaurants you cant go wrong.. its a bit dated and the rooms are like something from the sixties but as they say you get what you pay for ,but with breakfast included entertainment with live shows in the evenings,helpful staff and seaside on your doorstep its an excellent get away...