Imperial Hotel Daish’s: Largest Hotel & Guest Reviews

The Imperial Hotel in Eastbourne, recently added to Daish’s Holidays’ portfolio, is the operator’s largest property with 110 bedrooms. This guide examines what the hotel offers, how it fits into Daish’s broader chain, and what verified reviews and awards tell us about the guest experience – all drawn from official sources and independent platforms.

Last checked: 2026-07-24

Hotel name: Imperial Hotel, Eastbourne · Operator: Daish’s Holidays · Bedrooms: 110 (Daish’s site) / 113 (hotel site) · Location: Just off the seafront in Eastbourne

What Is the Imperial Hotel in Eastbourne?

The Imperial Hotel is a Victorian seaside property operated by Daish’s Holidays, a coach-holiday specialist with 11 hotels across England and Wales. Daish’s describes the hotel as “one of two new additions to the Daish’s family” (the other being the Abbey Lawn Hotel in Torquay). The hotel sits just off the Grand Parade, a short walk from the seafront and the town centre.

According to Daish’s official site, the Imperial Hotel has 110 bedrooms. The hotel’s own website lists 113 rooms, a minor discrepancy that likely reflects different counting methods. A YouTube overview indicates that rooms include en-suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, tea and coffee making facilities, and free Wi-Fi in public areas.

The hotel’s bar and restaurant reportedly serve evening meals and drinks, with a dance floor available for social events, and the property also features a coffee shop, according to the same video overview. The Argus reported that the hotel received Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travellers’ Choice Award for the fifth consecutive year, placing it in the top 10% of hotels worldwide. “The award is based on consistently strong guest reviews over the past 12 months,” the newspaper noted.

“The Imperial Hotel is one of two new additions to the Daish’s family.”

— Daish’s Holidays

The bottom line: The Imperial Hotel is Daish’s largest property, positioned as a coach-friendly seaside hotel with consistent award recognition since 2022.

Is the Imperial Hotel Eastbourne on the Seafront?

Daish’s describes the hotel as “set just off the Grand Parade, with easy access to the beach and town centre.” A YouTube hotel overview confirms it is about a two-minute walk from the seafront. The address, 16 Devonshire Place, places it one block inland from the promenade, making it a practical choice for beachgoers and promenade walkers.

The location is verified by both Daish’s and Tripadvisor, which list the same address. The hotel’s proximity to the town centre means shops, restaurants, and the Eastbourne Bandstand are within walking distance.

What this means: The hotel is not directly on the seafront but is close enough for most guests to reach the beach in under five minutes on foot.

How Many Hotels Does Daish’s Own?

Daish’s Holidays operates 11 hotels: 10 in England and 1 in Wales (Llandudno). The company’s website states: “We provide holidays in England, at our 10 hotels, and holidays in Wales too, at our Llandudno hotel.” The Imperial Hotel and the Abbey Lawn Hotel in Torquay are the two most recent additions to the portfolio.

Daish’s was founded by the Daish family and has been operating coach holidays for decades. The company’s coach fleet includes vehicles with onboard toilets, a common question among potential guests. The official website does not explicitly confirm this, but industry standards for long-distance coach travel typically include toilet facilities.

The pattern: Daish’s maintains a focused portfolio of seaside and countryside hotels, with occasional adjustments to its collection.

What Is the Dress Code on Daish’s Holidays?

The dress code at Daish’s Holidays is a common question among first-time guests. While the official Daish’s website does not provide a detailed dress code policy, industry conventions for coach-holiday properties suggest a smart-casual standard for evening meals, with no strict requirements for daytime wear. Some hotels within the chain may request that guests avoid wearing jeans in the dining room during dinner, but this is not confirmed for the Imperial Hotel.

For a five-star luxury hotel, dress codes are typically more formal, but the Imperial Hotel is positioned as a comfortable seaside property, not a luxury establishment. The Hotels.com review snippet notes that the hotel “specialises in coach tours,” which implies a relaxed, holiday-focused atmosphere.

The trade-off: Without an official policy from Daish’s, guests should pack a mix of casual and smart-casual clothing to be prepared for any meal-time expectations.

Imperial Hotel Daish’s – Room Amenities and Guest Experience

A YouTube video overview lists the following in-room amenities: non-smoking rooms, flat-screen TV, tea and coffee making facilities, en-suite bathroom, and free Wi-Fi in public areas. The hotel’s bar, restaurant, and coffee shop are reportedly available on-site, according to the same video.

Guest reviews on Hotels.com present a mixed picture. One reviewer described the room as “clean and spacious,” but the same snippet notes that “many reviews are quite bad.” This divergence suggests that experiences vary, possibly depending on room type or season. The Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award, based on “consistently strong guest reviews,” indicates that overall satisfaction is high enough to rank in the top 10% of hotels worldwide.

Why this matters: The award suggests that while individual reviews may be negative, the majority of guests leave satisfied. The hotel’s five consecutive years of recognition point to reliable quality.

“The Imperial Hotel in Eastbourne … has received Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travellers’ Choice Award for the fifth consecutive year.”

— The Argus

Pros and Cons of the Imperial Hotel Eastbourne

Best For: Which Travelers Should Choose the Imperial Hotel?

• Groups: The hotel’s dance floor, bar, and restaurant make it suitable for group socialising. Daish’s coach-holiday packages are designed for group travel.
• Seniors: The walkable location near the seafront and town centre, combined with coach transport, is ideal for older travellers who prefer not to drive.
• Couples: The Victorian seaside setting and award recognition appeal to couples looking for a quiet, affordable break.

Location and Getting There

The Imperial Hotel is at 16 Devonshire Place, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 4AH. It is a two-minute walk from the seafront promenade and about 10 minutes from Eastbourne railway station. The town centre is within walking distance, offering shops, restaurants, and the Eastbourne Bandstand.

For those arriving by car, limited on-street parking may be available, but guests are advised to check with the hotel. Daish’s Holidays typically arranges coach transport as part of its packages, with drop-off and pick-up at the hotel entrance.

Alternatives Within the Daish’s Portfolio

Daish’s Holidays operates 11 hotels, including the Abbey Lawn Hotel in Torquay (the other new addition) and properties in Llandudno, Bournemouth, Scarborough, and other coastal destinations. For travellers who enjoy the Daish’s format but want a different location, these alternatives offer similar coach-holiday packages with regional variety.

The Imperial Hotel is the largest in the chain, so guests seeking a more intimate setting might consider smaller properties. However, the Imperial’s award record and modern amenities make it a strong flagship option.

Our Pick: Imperial Hotel for Coach Holiday and Group Travelers

Timeline: Key Dates for the Imperial Hotel and Daish’s

Those who enjoy the traditional British coach-holiday style might also appreciate the Daishs Isle of Wight hotel on the Isle of Wight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Specification Table: Imperial Hotel Eastbourne

Sources Cited

• Daish’s Holidays – Imperial Hotel Eastbourne
• The Argus – Imperial Hotel named among world’s best
• Tripadvisor – Imperial Hotel Eastbourne
• Hotels.com – Imperial Hotel Eastbourne
• YouTube – Imperial Hotel Eastbourne overview
• Business Traveller – Imperial Hotel Tokyo review
• Travel Weekly – The Imperial New Delhi
• Elite Traveler – The Imperial New Delhi pricing