On my second visit to the Hydro hotel in Eastbourne, this time with my 94 year old mother in law and 2 friends. The accessible room has excellent facilities and mum was thrilled with everything. She was particularly impressed with the restaurant, the food and the excellent service from the waiting staff. We were very lucky with the weather too, allowing us to have a pleasant walk to and from the town centre and enjoy the clifftop views. I would definitely recommend this charming hotel and am looking forward to a return visit very soon.

We travelled to Eastbourne for a funeral, but our stay at the Hydro definately lifted our spirits. Accomodation,- staff,- and food very good. All topped off by our two friendly seagulls who sat on our bedroom window sill and chatted to us throughout our stay.

From the moment we arrived we were treated with 5 star service. The staff at the hotel are friendly and helpful and couldn't do enough to make your stay a memorable experience. The room was spotless and offered a commanding view from the front of the hotel overlooking the sea. The food in the restaurant was of the finest quality and cooked to perfection. I can safely say this was the best hotel I have ever stayed in and wholeheartedly recommend it if you are looking to stay in Eastbourne.

This is the second year we have spent a spring break at the hotel and it continues to give excellent service, food and accommodation. The staff are exceptionally friendly and helpful and nothing is too much trouble. We will be returning in 2020.

The Hydro was built to cater for the 19th Century vogue for the new health treatment of sea bathing. The Hydro was built in one of the best spots to the west of the town on the cliffs that rise up towards Beachy Head. From both the front bedrooms and the side bedrooms (cheaper) you get a good view of the sea and the shingle and rocky beach.

There are good walks towards Beachy Head or the pier. It is an ideal spot for dogs, and the hotel welcomes them.

The restaurant is huge with a high ceiling and chandeliers and usually fairly empty. This is because the hotel limits the numbers that can dine at any time. There is a sunny lounge over looking the croquet lawn and the sea, which is used for coffee but not breakfast.

The chef is a bit confused about fish as the menu included sea-trout from the Mediterranean. However they turned out to be from a Scottish loch and were good to eat.

The seaview suite we stayed in was lovely beautifully decorated ,very clean and comfortable . The bar and patio area over look the lovely grounds with stunning views of the sea and South Downs. We cannot speak highly enough of the hotel the staff give excellant service ,very efficient and all exceptionally friendly creating a lovely atmosphere throughout the Hotel. We really enjoyed our stay and will definitely return as soon as we can .

We have stayed at the Hydro several time in the last few years. Unfortunately this last visit was only for one night. However, it was great to be back. It is a wonderful Hotel in an elevated location with wonderful sea views. The standard of cleanliness in the rooms is second to none, with facilities that satisfy all our needs. We were lucky to be upgraded to a sea view room, with views over the gardens out to sea.
We enjoyed a well cooked breakfast, especially noting the deliciously baked bread that was served.
The special breaks are appreciated and look forward to our next visit.

Had a great lunch here today. We ate in the Chrystal restaurant. The food was delicious, and all 3 courses arrived without having to wait any length of time. Nice friendly staff, they were very helpful. Our first visit but not our last.

We have been staying at the hotel on short breaks for the last eight years and it never disappoints. Our last stay was 22 to 24 March 2019. It has a lovely comfortable lounge with plenty of space for a quiet read or a chat with friends. The conservatory faces the sea and leads out to the new landscaped garden and gazebo. The staff are lovely and nothing is too much trouble. The food in both the restaurant and the conservatory is excellent. The special breaks are such good value with room, bed and breakfast, evening meal with a glass of wine each evening and tea and cake on your first afternoon. It is far enough away from the town to be quiet and the free car park and free parking in the road is a boon.

This a lovely 'old' hotel in a superb location that is not too far from the town centre. Their service and food is excellent. We enjoyed a peaceful weekend at the hotel and recommend it to anyone looking for a short break in Eastbourne. Their bedrooms all have en suite bathrooms and everything you need for a comfortable stay. There are two car parks and we had to park on the road initially but were able to move our car into the larger of the two, once many of the guests that visit daily for their lovely Sussex Teas, had left.

Chosen because of the geography - most convenient for a family get together.
Traditional top class seaside hotel. Very smart and well appointed with outstanding views and great for beach walks.
Attentive, efficient staff made us very welcome.
Will definitely visit again.

Better late than never but I would like to say I spent the Christmas period in the Hydro and very much enjoyed the event. Various activities were arranged by management and staff. The food was traditional Christmas fare with a twist and plenty of it. Plus a present for everyone on Christmas morning breakfast and a glass of bubbly. The staff was all fantastic and we must mention Dave and Hugh the barmen, Julian the duty manager,. Howard the porter, Rosie the restaurant manager and last but by no means least Hannah. I have booked for Christmas 2019 already.

I have just returned from a 5 day stay in March. As always I give great credit to all the staff for their efficient and friendly attention. The menu in the conservatory for lunch and dinner has been changed for the better. It now has more cosmopolitan food such as “Red Onion, sun dried tomato and basil Calzone” and “Barbequed Pulled Pork Wrap with a tomato salsa and tortilla chips”. I tried both of these and both were excellent. Various Pizzas have also been added to the menu. I think if they could add a burger and a pasta dish to the evening conservatory menu would be great. The hotel has also changed its bread supplier. Gone is the cardboard bread and replaced by very fresh and tasty new sandwich loaf.

Breakfast is buffet style for continental and full breakfast cooked to order all very nice. I think they could may be add omelette to the cooked egg selection depending on how busy they are and maybe hash browns as a extra dish.

The hotel is looking to diversify their clientele to include a younger audience but also to include and not forget the long term visitors. Rooms have been updated to a very high standard and good free wi fi throughout the hotel. The main restaurant (Crystal) for lunch and dinner looks very inviting and is staffed very well. The menus and quality have changed for the better but could be updated in style. It should be looked at with a view to attracting more residents and visitors to dine in.

The main course I had the other evening was called a hake fish pie but was lots of potatoes not much fish and small chunks of veg which I could not tell which was what. At £19.95 for all main courses I would hope that maybe the hotel could offer better choice, better quality and price alternatives to compete with other similar quality restaurants in the area.

I have spoken to the hotel manager Jonathan Owen who is very amiable and will listen to constructive ideas to help the hotel in its ongoing improvements.

Spent 2 nights at the Hydro hotel Eastbourne
I payed extra for a sea view room which was on the ground floor so I’m not sure we got the sea view we expected
Having said that the room was very convenient and of a good standard
Check in was probably the worst thing about the hotel we were told the conservatory was not serving food on the Sunday evening when we arrived
Having looked at options outside we found that actually it was
The food was nice although the menu was somewhat limited
Breakfast was ok a standard choice but the restaurant service was very friendly
The location of the hotel was perfect if you don’t mind a nice Walk about 30minutes to town or the pier
The hotel has a car Park something else we were not told at check in
It’s not immediately obvious there is a car park
All in all a very nice stay I would certainly book this hotel again for its location comfort and staff

We took advantage of a Travelzoo offer and stayed 1 night at this very comfortable hotel.

All staff were friendly and efficient giving excellent service. The hotel is well located with a short walk into Eastbourne town centre.

I booked in for 2 nights bed and breakfast. The Hydro is the sort of hotel where a woman alone will not feel out of place. The staff were very friendly and welcoming and attentive without being intrusive. The surroundings are very comfortable with lots of areas where you can sit reading or people watching. There is private parking, and although not a big car park the adjacent street parking is free and plentiful.
Speaking of plentiful.....the breakfast!! I also ate in the restaurant on the first night. The menu was very good, the quality of the food excellent and absolutely delicious.
Again perfect service. All areas were sparkling clean, including my room, which had been upgraded at no extra charge from a single to a double.
My daughter joined me for a cream tea on the second day and took some cakes home with her as we couldn't finish it all. As a result of the cream tea I decided to have a light supper in the lounge....perfect service and delicious again. I really must return soon.

Was delighted on arrival to have been upgraded to a lovely room with stunning views of the beautiful gardens and the sea. Room was clean, comfortable and peaceful. Was able to have windows open at night and did not hear any noise due to the great location of hotel being away from busy roads. Booked break via Travel Zoo and deal included cream tea in the afternoon and breakfast the next morning. Fantastic variety of foods at breakfast included cereals, toast, yoghurt, croissants, bread (gluten free if required), fruit, cheese and much more plus freshly cooked breakfasts as well. Staff were all very friendly and helpful. Have stayed at many different hotels in Eastbourne over the past 30 years - wish we had tried this one sooner, will definitely return in the future.

The Hydro Hotel is a warm and friendly Hotel with a excellent Team of Staff to make your stay very enjoyable,from the Reception Team to the Room maid service,one is made to feel at home.the Hotel Lounges are spotless clean,comfortable,and service is very good indeed,the reception Team are very helpful,they make you feel very special at all times with information on various events going on at the Hotel, they are a credit TO the Hydro Hotel, we stayed 2 nights in a nice comfortable room,Room Service Breakfast was very good indeed,the only furniture item in the Room which is very small is the Breakfast table,very difficult for 2 people to sit together and enjoy Breakfast together, everything else is perfect for guests.well done Hydro Team of Team and Management.

Stayed as part of a Travel Zoo Offer. The hotel has been updated to a good standard keeping its traditional feel. Staff were friendly particularly staff in the conservatory who were very busy but still had time for a chat and good service. We were upgraded to a suite overlooking the sea which had a separate lounge and four poster bed.. it is a quiet area away from the town centre but close enough to walk in. Fantastic scenery 10 min drive to Beachy Head and Berling gap. Traditional breakfast was excellent with great service. Would highly recommend and will be returning

Just back from another very nice stay in the Hotel. Lovely location and excellent service. I would like to pick out the Head waiter in the restaurant on the Sunday night. My wife has a dietary issue. He was brilliant taking the time to ask the chef which meals were still ok to eat. He was also very good with other guests with health issues. He was patient and very kind. He is a credit to your hotel. Sorry I do not know his name. The other younger waiters also very good. A couple of small issues. We booked on a travel zoo offer. I prefer to book direct with the hotel so I called and the reception staff said they could not match the deal. Also our bottle of mineral water in the room was only half full. We had to go and get it changed for a new one. Whoever checked the rooms should have seen this. Finally I thought the tea at breakfast and in the afternoon did not taste that nice. I would rather pay more for a better quality tea preferably loose leaf. Lastly we really liked our room which was a sea view one. Nice size and very good views. We will be back many times in the future.

Lovely Hotel, cosy and warm atmosphere.Staff were excellent and went that extra mile

to please nothing was too much trouble.

Would recommend to family and friends and can't wait to visit again very soon

As always, we were not disappointed with our stay here. The room was perfectly located, providing us with lovely views. We didn't eat at the hotel in the evening this time, but we did have cream tea upon arrival: very good! Great service from all the staff. Look forward to staying again!

Recently stayed in room 316, on the 3rd floor. Decent sized room, with a very large comfy bed, bathroom generous size but just to mention that the “hot” tap on the sink spurts out much quicker than the “cold” one and I managed to get my dress splashed with water before going out. Great sea view but slight problem with the pigeons. Paid £59.00 for one night stay which included tea and scones with a groupon offer - excellent value. We ate in the restaurant, which was ok, they did get my order wrong, I asked for rump steak and was presented with sirloin steak and breakfast was good. Friends stayed in room 317, again lovely room with sea view and other friends stayed in room 334 which was really quirky- made up of three separate rooms, again a nice room. No spa facilities here which of course by looking at the web site you would know but if your looking for a very quiet weekend away, this is the place to go.

very quite, nice sea view, plesant large garden, gorgous breakfasts, clean and cosy, easy parking, very good situation... what else could you ask ? We always stay at the Hydro with pleasure ! We'll come again !

Delightful hotel, oozes luxury as you enter the door. Old world charm, but rooms well equipped and everywhere is spotless. Delicious food, both for breakfast and dinner. Roomy conservatory to enjoy afternoon tea. All staff were attentive and pleasant. Our room overlooked the sea, which was a lovely bonus. Could not fault our stay, hope to go back again soon.

This was our 2nd stay at the hotel but the first time that we’ve had an evening meal there . Since we last visited the hotel has been refurbished and thankfully it has still kept its old world charm . Rooms have all you need for a short stay and they are extremely clean , the only slight criticism is that the shower isn’t too brilliant I can never understand why hotels don’t install good quality ones . The room like the rest of the hotel is spotlessly clean . We had our evening meal in the Crystal restaurant and the both the meal and the service was excellent , service was both friendly and efficient. Breakfast is served until 9:30 , there is a large choice and like the evening meal every thing is fresh and cooked to order . Again excellent service . The Hydro is an excellent hotel for a short stay in Eastbourne.