The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne is embarking on a year-long celebration for the hotel’s 150th anniversary.
Referred to by locals as “The White Palace”, The Grand Hotel stands as the UK’s only five-star seafront hotel and this year marks 150 years since the hotel was opened to the public.
Since its construction in 1875, The Grand Hotel has stood as a prominent symbol of luxury in Eastbourne. Today, the history of the building is present throughout, with original photographs dating back to the early years and room names — such as the Devonshire and Debussy Suites — honouring the building’s rich past.
Throughout the years, The Grand has played host to countless memorable moments — the hotel’s old tennis court was once regularly used by tennis legends Fred Perry and Bunny Austin to prepare for Wimbledon, before being replaced with The Grand’s iconic outdoor pool in May 1963.
From 1924 to 1939, the Grand Hotel Orchestra performed live from the Grand Hall every Sunday night as part of the BBC’s popular “Grand Hotel” program.
During World War II, when Eastbourne faced air raids, The Grand was converted into a military headquarters. Aside from this period, the hotel has continuously welcomed guests since its opening. It was fully restored to its original purpose in 1965 and still dominates the shoreline, in all its grandeur, today.
Over the last 150 years the hotel has also welcomed many famous faces. One of the earliest guests was French composer Claude Debussy in 1905. Debussy stated that the hotel was a ‘peaceful and charming spot’.
He managed to complete his greatest symphony, ‘Le Mer’, during his two-month tenure at the hotel overlooking the English Channel. In honour of this connection, The Grand has renamed his room, Room 200, The Debussy Suite, and it remains a popular room to this day.
Sir Ernest Shackleton was also a visitor to The Grand in 1914 just before his epic Antarctic expedition. He even drew some plans on the back of a hotel napkin in the bar. Charlie Chaplin was another regular guest in the 1960’s and would often visit the hotel with his wife and children.
Many Royals have stayed at The Grand since 1875, most of whom visited The Duke of Devonshire who owned large parts of Eastbourne at the time.
More recently Her Royal Highness, Queen Sofia of Spain made regular visits to The Grand to visit her children’s retired nanny.
Taking place from Friday 21st–Monday 24th November 2025, a three-day festival will bring to life many of the personalities who have stayed, or performed, at the hotel throughout the years.
Set against a backdrop of the hotel’s illustrious history, dating from the reign of Queen Victoria through to King Charles III, top-class performers will evoke stars such as Enrico Caruso, Dame Nellie Melba, John McCormack, Anna Pavlova, Paul Robeson, George Robey, Charlie Chaplin, and many others, not forgetting great composers such as Sir Edward Elgar and Claude Debussy.
The festival programme includes the following performances:
Friday 21st November — George VI, Elizabeth II, Charles III — live performances of Charlie Chaplin’s most famous film scores, Yehudi Menuhin’s violin and Peter Frankl’s piano, as well as music from The Grand Hotel’s Palm Court Trio.
Saturday 22nd November — George V, Edward VIII — a musical interpretation of Dame Clara Butt singing one of Elgar’s Sea Pictures, as well as live recitals of music from tenor John McCormack, Russian bass Feodor Chaliapin, Paul Robeson, and more…
Sunday 23rd November — Queen Victoria, Edward VII — performances inspired by Caruso and Tosti, as well as Nellie Melba in the extended Love Duet from Puccini’s La Boheme.
The Grand Hotel will be running a number of other celebratory events throughout the year. Details can be found at www.grandeastbourne.com
