Royal Grosvenor Hotel

This hotel offers a quintessential seaside experience, with its signature feature being its prime seafront location providing many rooms with lovely sea views and balconies overlooking the pier. Guests consistently highlight the friendly and helpful staff, the excellent breakfast, and the overall cleanliness of the premises, making it a good value for money option. It is particularly well-suited for coach parties and groups seeking a traditional stay, as well as couples looking for a short break by the sea. Families can also find it accommodating, especially with its proximity to local attractions. To enhance your stay, consider requesting a room with a sea view for a more picturesque experience, and be mindful that parking can be limited, so planning ahead is advisable. Also, verify breakfast and entertainment availability if not part of a larger group.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a popular bar area and a delightful sun terrace with parasols, which many guests enjoy for drinks and relaxation, often featuring live entertainment during busier periods. There is also a beer garden for guests to utilize. Wi-Fi connectivity is generally reported as good throughout the hotel. However, guests with mobility challenges should be aware that the lift is quite small and has been noted to occasionally have an unpleasant smell or be out of service, making stairs a challenge. Parking facilities are a recurring topic; while some guests appreciate the availability of free parking and its motorcycle-friendly nature, spaces are very limited and often full, necessitating the use of nearby paid public car parks. The hotel also has a designated entertainment room, which, while providing enjoyment, can lead to noise disturbances for rooms located directly above it.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally commend the hotel's cleanliness, describing rooms as spotless and well-maintained. Room comfort, however, receives mixed feedback. Many find the rooms nice, lovely, and spacious, with some featuring large smart TVs. The beds are often described as comfortable, ensuring a restful night's sleep. Conversely, some guests note that rooms can appear dated or tired, feeling basic or small. Issues such as very hot rooms, particularly without adequate ventilation, and noisy conditions from external sources like the roadside or internal sounds from other rooms or entertainment, are occasionally reported. Bathroom experiences vary significantly; while some are bright and spacious, others are described as tiny or very small, making movement difficult. Recurring concerns include poor shower pressure, cold showers, or difficulty regulating water temperature, with some showers even reported as leaking or having fixtures that are not secure. The absence of standard amenities like toiletries is also noted by some.

Dining & Food Quality
The breakfast at the hotel consistently receives high praise from guests, often described as excellent, very good, and plentiful. Many highlight the traditional full English breakfast as a standout, with some even calling it "five-star" due to the quality of items like poached eggs, bacon, and black pudding. The breakfast variety and the generous portions are frequently appreciated, often served in a buffet style. Feedback on dinner and evening meals is more mixed; while many guests find the food good, delicious, and well-cooked with ample portions and a decent choice of dishes, some non-coach party guests have reported a more basic selection or even that the kitchen was closed for evening meals and breakfast during their stay due to low occupancy. The bar offers drinks, with some guests finding the prices competitive and reasonable, while others note they are higher than nearby establishments.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is a significant highlight for most guests, consistently praised as excellent and perfect for exploring the area. It is situated directly on the seafront, offering immediate access to the beach and the pier, and is within easy walking distance of the town centre, various shops, bars, and restaurants. Key attractions like the Playhouse theatre and the Winter Gardens are also conveniently close. For those arriving by public transport, the train station is approximately a 15-minute walk away, and there is easy access to the coastal bus network. While the hotel does offer some parking, it is notably limited and often full, sometimes requiring guests to use nearby paid public car parks. Some guests also noted that the internal layout with numerous stairs and a small lift can be challenging for individuals with mobility problems or those requiring wheelchair accessibility.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel consistently receive overwhelming praise from guests, being described as friendly, helpful, accommodating, and attentive. Many reviewers highlight their willingness to go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The check-in process is often noted as quick and efficient, with some guests even being allowed early check-in when rooms are ready. Housekeeping is also commended for keeping rooms clean daily and well-maintained. The hotel is recognized for its family-friendly service, making it a comfortable choice for those traveling with children. While the vast majority of feedback is positive, a small number of guests have reported isolated instances of staff being less engaging or, in rare cases, perceived as rude. However, the prevailing sentiment emphasizes the dedication of the team to providing excellent service and making guests feel valued throughout their visit.

Additional Information
It is important for guests to note that the hotel frequently hosts coach parties, and certain amenities like breakfast and evening entertainment may sometimes be primarily available or more robust for these groups, potentially impacting individual travelers. The live entertainment provided can be very enjoyable, though some guests have experienced it as quite loud, especially if their room is located above the performance area. As a Victorian-era building, the hotel possesses an old-fashioned charm, and while it is undergoing refurbishment in some areas, some parts may still appear dated. Guests have occasionally reported issues with room heating, finding rooms either excessively hot or, conversely, cold with limited heating hours. Furthermore, recurring concerns about hot water availability and cold showers have been mentioned by a few guests, suggesting a potential inconsistency in the water supply.