Exmouth, The Grand Hotel

The reception staff very helpful. Our first evening meal was not the most pleasant. I ordered soup i was brought a roll on a plate i was not given a choice. The main course arrived the smallest piece of meat I had ever seen then came the potato and vetables a desert spoon full of 2 x veg 2 croquet potatoes 1 new potato. The sweet arrived with cream already on the plate, I had not been asked if i wanted cream this was assumed. The waitress worked hard but there were no refinement to the meal I felt like i was in a transport cafe. Plates thrown on the table. I do not blame the waitress its just the training. I did see the restraunt manager who advised you only get half a portion if 3 people on table as the serving dishes serve 2 people . He did not seem to want to do anything so i pointed out to him i have done my bit by reporting my disatisfaction it was now up to him to resolve it or my review would reflect this. The next night the portions were much better I was still not asked what sort of bread roll I would prefer . The food excellent service and portions need to be looked at never had a problem at other shearings hotels. Entertainment poor apart from sunday jason howard good

After reading reviews on website, we were apprehensive about our weekend at the Grand Hotel, but I must say we were all pleasantly surprised! We are a party of seven and have stayed at many Shearings Hotels around the country, and are pleased to say that this was one of the nicest. The lounges were very comfortable, the food and service were excellent, and we enjoyed the trip out to Sidmouth very much. Our coach driver was very helpful and pleasant and all in all we had a great weekend. Would certainly recommend this hotel to anyone.

After reading some of the reviews we was a little worried at what we would find well what a lovely surprise the hotel was clean we were welcomed by management the staff very helpful rooms very warm food excellent entertainment top class and trips out good. Even the rain didn't dampen our enjoyment. We would recommend this hotel.

Stayed 06/12/10 - 10/12/10 Inadequate heating in public areas. Manager unhelpful and aggressive when asked about Heating stated it had been like that for 2 weeks and if Shearings paid more then things may improve. Very arrogant when asked for a complaint form stated it was already in the room- this was a questionaire but advised to send to Shearings Head office as he would ignore it. Receptionist equally unhelpful and stated if you do not like it you do not have to come back. Food served on cold plates. Gala Dinner was a normal menu with an after dinner mint served with warm coffee. Hotel should be shut until heating repaired and managers and receptionist attitude to guests is changed but this would probably only be achieved by replacing them.

My husband and I have just come back from spending a 5 day break at the Grand Hotel Exmouth. When we arrived in our room, we discovered there was only a bath and no shower. There was a plastic "push onto the taps" shower hose, which was useless, because it would not fit.

When we brought this to the attention of the manager at reception, we were told that he knew it would not fit, and he didn't know who had put it there. We found this very strange. He told us that if we had wanted a shower, we should have booked one when confirming the holiday.

Both my husband and I had trouble getting in and out of the bath, as we are both pensioners. I would have thought that water conservation should have paid a large part in ther hotel providing shower facilities.

The food was not up to the usual standard which we expect from Shearings,and the choice on the menu, was not always available on most nights.

We have travelled with Shearings for the last 20 years, both in Britain and in Europe, and this holiday in Exmouth has disappointed us. Shearings has a good reputation normally.

Booked for a week August 2009 with Shearings coach holidays. I refused the room instantly. Were shown others of same poor standards. Unfortunately had to stay one night because no rooms locally, lack of own transport and time of day. Left the next morning by train. The most disgusting room I have ever seen, even though paid a premium for a superior room. Absolutely filthy condition of bedding, shower and furnishings. Hotel management extremely unhelpful and could not see a problem with large cobwebs and dust everywhere, scum in shower, sticky switches and door handles, dirty cups and kettle and stains on beds and old rubbish under desk and furnishings. Meal poor - just sampled it. Served at break-neck speed everything whisked away in minutes. Wish I had done further research before booking. A definate candidate for holidays from hell. Have the photos to prove.

I booked a weekend break at The Grand Exmouth - (Friday 23rd April to Monday 26th April)- especially requesting our room to be near a lift and with a shower - owing to the fact that my husband is disabled. I was shocked when I got there to find that we were in a back room between floors and my husband had to either walk up 16 stairs or take the lift and walk down 9 and then up three.

This was bad enough but to add to our misery there was no shower and only a corner bath which he was unable to use - being unable to get in a bath. I immediately complained and asked to be moved and pay any upgrade necessary and was told that I had booked too late. I was shown a list with my name about 9 from the end and I asked if they had booked after me and was told they had but they were unwilling to change us - The receptionist (Marie?) was insistent that this could not be done and very stroppy.

I feel that there should be a notice on the site stating that this hotel is not disabled friendly. This was my first holiday with Shearings, and as I have been told that bookings cannot be always adhered to it will be my last

I must add I have for the last 12 years been running group holidays for Senior Citizens from the Royal British Legion - Tilehurst - Reading (10 years with David Urquhart - whom I have had no complaint with and can highly recommend).

I was taken with the advertisement as I liked the fact that it was directly on the promenade and this is especially good - although the steps at the front with no ramp are definitely a turn off. I am sure that this hotel does not meet EU safety standards as the lift was a manual one which was not workable by a lot of the elderly staying there. I find it hard to put any star rating on this hotel - although the waitresses were pleasant and the food fair - although extremely small portions.

My husband and I have just returned from our Shearings coach holiday at The Grand in Exmouth and although I agree with some of the reviews, the hotel does need upgrading.The rooms were cleaned daily, the meals served were lovely, with a varied menu, and all of the staff were very friendly.

We were more than happy with the holiday,(for what we paid)and we will certainly use shearings coach tours again.

We almost cancelled this hoiday due to reviews. Pleased we didn't.

Gordon Ramsey and The Hotel Inspector would have a field day with rhe Grand Hotel, Exmouth.

The decor was so dated and tired looking; the carpets and wallpaper from the eighties. The shower was like a steady drizzle and you could just about turn around in the bathroom.

Food was served promptly but sadly lacked taste and very basic. I'm sure the soup was the same two days running, except on the second occasion a small amount of vegetables were added.

Plenty of OAP's staring into space in the lounges. Highlight of their day was the bingo.

The saving grace of this hotel was it's position in front of a beautiful beach. Unfortunately I didn't have this view, only the back view of lots of enclosed walls.

This was Fawlty Towers on a larger scale!!! Certainly an experience !!!!

I think we got what we paid for, we chose this hotel as it was a Shearings hotel. It may give Shearings a bad name. It wasn't as good as Warners. Price should reflect standards. Give it a go, it didn't spoil our break and the view was brilliant!