My family and I stayed at the Grand during the period 27-29th October 2007 and I have rarely had such a disappointing stay in an hotel. .
Major Points

1. Checked in at 2.45pm (15 mins early) and told the room would be ready in 15 mins and asked to sit in the bar area. This was virtually impossible as all the tables were reserved for cream teas. Eventually, with a 7 year and 2 year old, we sat at the bar where we were completely ignored for 14 minutes. I complained to the Lounge Supervisor about this lack of attention and when we ordered drinks the bill was waived. I again enquired at the Reception desk as to the availability of the suite to be told it now would not be ready until 4pm.
2. We left to tour Brighton and returned about 5pm – the suite was ready
3. On entering room 733 there was a very strong pervading smell of damp throughout the suite. The carpet in the en suite bathroom was soaked, with the grippers and felt underneath the carpet rotten. All the heating in the suite had been turned to maximum in a futile attempt to dry out the carpet. I complained to reception but as no other suite was available little could be done
4. In the suite itself both of the chiffoniers\sideboards had been pushed hard between the wall and the radiator. This made it impossible to open any of the drawers beyond about 6 inches.
5. The central sash window in the main lounge was jammed in the open position with a gap of around 15 inches. This allowed intrusive noise from the busy road below and during the night allowed the heavy winds and police sirens to enter the room making it impossible to sleep. I complained at the Concierge desk the next day and a maintenance assistant came to the room. He clearly knew about this problem and at first was reluctant when asked by the senior hall porter to attend. When he did the two of us after a struggle managed to close the window. He mentioned that all the suites were like this - although 733 was not the worst.
6. The curtains in this room are decorative only and do not drape across the windows. This of course adds to the noise pollution.
7. On Saturday following a trip into Brighton once again it was again impossible to sit anywhere in the bar area due to the tables again being reserved for cream teas. (Interestingly a further group of residents were complaining of the same thing – the inability to sit anywhere in a 5 * hotel and get a cup of tea! Incidentally when the Lounge Supervisor spotted me talking to this group she rapidly disappeared into the back area!)
8. Further points which although minor were extremely irritating to find in a 5 * establishment.
a. Bread being charged at £2.50 pp in the Restaurant
b. Broadband access (which did not connect) being charged at £20 a day when the number being dialled is an 0800 number. c. No slippers unless requested!
d. No turn down service unless requested!

I am disappointed to write such a long winded reviewand although the points may seem petty on paper I can assure you that they were extremely irritating. In a 5* hotel with no competition I would have expected a much higher standard for the money one is spending. I returned again on saturday 7 June 08 to see a colleague and guess - nothing had changed that I could see!

We went to The Grand for a half term break for two nights. When checking in, I felt sure they didnot have our booking and didnot have the rooms we requested. We upgraded to a sea facing room at extra cost to us. The rooms were not ready so on our return we collected the keys. The room was dated, the furniture had seen better days and the curtains were falling apart, all agreed by the staff we spoke to. The hotel must have been fantastic in its hay day but now it is tired and in dire need of a refurbishment. Which we are told is due to commence soon. Not soon enough! When the wind howled the room was freezing and when the sun shone you could not open the windows to get a breeze. The air conditioning unit sounded like a jet taking off. Dinner took for ever to be served, the menu uninspiring and as for th childrens menu - heinz tomato soup!!! this is a 5 star hotel. Breakfast was great. The leisure centre is in need of a good clean, the showers are filthy, years of inbedded grime. The staff are all so helpful but its such a shame they have to keep apologising.

we stayed at the Grand in March 08 and booked a deluxe room. Room was huge with nice bay windows offering great seeview. However the furniture was mismatched and very dated. The breakfast room was a real mess, we had to wait 10 min as the waiter tried frantically to find us a 'clean table'. What used to be the ballroom looked like a messy canteen! They were obviously having staffing issues and it was quite embarrassing.
All in all, I would not stay there again. The Grand was once a great hotel but there is hardly anything luxurious left there. The service is charmless and overpriced in comparison to the expectations of a 4 stars.
It is an expensive 3 stars - choose one of the many lovely B&Bs Brighton offers instead.

We stayed with a group of friends for two nights on May 14th till 16th. Choose The Grand because of the location - slap bang next door to The Birghton centre where were watching The Here and Now Tour (ABC, Banarama, Paul Young, etc - Fab - go and see it !!).
Staff are helpful, polite and welcoming. The foyer and public areas are spotless and always buzzing with people coming and going - excellent people watching !!. I used the health suite which is very good. Nice warm pool. Great jacuzzi and sauna too. Fluffy white towels given on arrival to health suite and powerful hairdryers in the ladies changing rooms !!. Very relaxing.
We paid £260.00 per couple in a standard double for the two nights and £200.00 for our single man friend. The rooms were small, hot and slightly shabby. They just needed tarting up a bit and a lick of paint. We had room 234 and the view was of the air con unit both noisey and un-sightly but, the bed was very comfortable , tea and coffee making facilities, mini bar , hair dryer and wi-fi.
Would stay again but, upgreade to a sea view !!!