At the outbreak of the World War II, the Lansdowne Hotel, where I am staying with Mum and Dad in Eastbourne, England comprised of five inter-connected houses with 72 bedrooms.

Owing to war conditions, the hotel was closed from 1940-1946 and during this time it was occupied by troops manning a coastal battery stationed on the slopes of the Wish Tower located just along the road from the hotel: Wish Tower is one of 103 gun towers built on the south and east coasts of England to defend against a potential invasion by Napoleon Bonaparte in the early 1800s!

Over the years, the hotel’s owners bought other properties and incorporated them into the facilities and today, the hotel has a total of 102 bedrooms and is part of the Best Western Hotels consortium.

With its easy-going personal service, comfortable lounges and an “old-fashioned” style, the Lansdowne Hotel is quintessentially English and very popular with seniors!  One of the hotel’s main attractions is the full-English breakfast and endless refills of tea which are included in the hotel rate. My word, can those seniors pack away some breakfast first thing in the morning, my Dad included!

Mum and Dad enjoying one of the hotel lounges overlooking the sea.

The seaside town of Eastbourne.