The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne, East Sussex

Nestled on crescent-shaped grounds, The Grand resides peacefully away from the bustling main road. It has great views of the promenade, beach and the English Channel. A leisurely five-minute walk will lead you to the Winter Gardens and the Devonshire and Congress Theatres; you can reach the pier in 15 minutes.

It's a five-minute walk from the start of the South Downs Way, a 100-mile walking path between Eastbourne and Winchester.

By car: 2 hours 30 mins from London, 2 hours from Dover and 1 hour 45 mins from Portsmouth. Parking costs £25 per day.

By train: London Victoria to Eastbourne takes around 1 hour 30 mins. The hotel is a 20-minute walk from the station, or 10 minutes in a taxi. Book trains to Eastbourne.

Referred to as the "White Palace by the sea," guests are often swept away by the sheer grandeur of the lobby. Picture opulent marble columns soaring towards the ceiling, an impressive collection of ancestral paintings adorning the walls and a profusion of coveted antiques gracing the elegant corridors. The tranquil ambience exudes an air of opulence and exclusivity that is undeniably luxurious.

There's a spa, an indoor pool and a seasonal outdoor pool. The spa has a hot tub, saunas and steam rooms. Treatments include Kerstin Florian facials and the Ultimate Ocean of Dreams: a body scrub and hot stone massage. A concierge once told us that the difference between a four-star and a five-star hotel is the service. Well, The Grand deserves every one of its stars thanks to its professional, effortless staff who have warmth and personality.

• Two restaurants
• Indoor pool
• Outdoor pool
• Spa
• Wellness centre
• Terrace
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

The majority of rooms and suites have been recently renovated, featuring delicate floral décor. While some suites retain a more traditional aesthetic, they still exude grandeur, particularly those with sea views.

Room types: Deluxe Bedrooms, Executive Rooms, Junior Suites and Junior Seaview Suites, Debussy Suite, Master Suites, The Presidental Suite, The Penthouse Suite

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with Molton Brown toiletries, armchair, tea and coffee-making facilities, writing desk, TV

We loved the pomp and swagger of two AA rosette Mirabelle. It's oh-so very fine dining, while The Garden restaurant is less formal and serves classic British food. Afternoon tea is a pretty big deal here and served in the Great Hall; there's also a cocktail bar.

The Garden Restaurant: modern European cuisine. Open daily for breakfast and dinner, and lunch Friday-Monday. Mains from £25.50.

The Mirabelle Restaurant: à la carte and tasting menus. Open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch and dinner. Mains from £26.