We pre booked this afternoon tea for a birthday. We ordered a complex set of afternoon teas including vegetarian, gluten free, no butter etc and this was well handled. The table we were given was as requested, by the window overlooking the sea. It was busy however, so booking is necessary. We enjoyed the generous helpings of cakes and overall had a pleasant experience, however a couple of small things could have improved the rating to 5/5:
- The tea served was twinings tea bags; quality loose leaf tea would improve the experience as the focus was certainly on the cakes rather than the tea
- Some live music in the background, for example piano jazz, would add to the atmosphere

Overall this was a good afternoon tea, and would recommend to those looking for an afternoon tea in Eastbourne

My fourth visit over the New Year's Eve period this time my 80th birthday, as usual VG but I did feel there was a lack of staff at times. When I arrived on the 31st ordered four coffees but it was 45 minutes before they arrived, at the dinner that night there were some long over the top intervals between courses and to have only one bar man on for the 31st probably the most busy night of the year was a mistake as it took so long to get a drink as he was also serving people sitting in the lounge as well as tending the bar, apart from this a good two days with two members of my family.

We stayed on the 3 night New Years package.
There were many high, fabulous points to our stay but equally some lows.
The staff were amazing. They all worked really really hard. There was no skivving, no pulled faces and they worked supremely hard and as a team. 10 out of 10 for your staff training Hydro. Particular mention to the lady (restaurant manageress?) in the Crystal restaurant who ensured everything flowed smoothly. She was there at every sitting and never criticised her team members but simply papered over any gaps that existed when they were busy.
The highs:
1.The staff
2. The Gala dinner on New Years Eve, sublime, wonderful throughout. Presentation superb, particularly the desserts.
3. Dinner on 1 January. The presentation and tastes of the beetroot starter and apple dessert were truly amazing.
The lows:
1. Arrival to find that our rooms weren't ready, but worse that there was nowhere to sit as the hotel was really busy with functions.
2. The welcome afternoon tea. The finger sandwiches were all stuck together, the scone was stodgy and the eclair not light and fluffy as expected.
3.The welcome drinks reception on 30 December with the 'sparkling' wine. Your wine was flat ( I'm afraid I admit to trying more than one glass as I wanted to make sure I wasn't mistaken ).
Difficult this one as on some levels I wouldn't hesitate to go back here again but on others I would have to think twice.
Go with an open mind

Staying at the Hydro for the New Year 3 night package.
We're in the Headland suite room 334. Which is very quirky, a lounge, dressing area and a separate bedroom. Lots of little steps into the rooms. But it's adorable, with its walk in shower and views out to sea. Conveniently there's a lift as it's on the top floor.

The package:
3 breakfasts, an afternoon tea on arrival in the Crystal restaurant, 3 nights dining in the fabulous Crystal Restaurant, which is my favourite fine dining in Eastbourne, hands down!

The Gala dinner is definitely the highest point, nothing is left out.
The staff surpassed themselves with the decorations, not just bunting and Christmas tree in this hotel!! Well done all staff....
2 nights prosecco was handed out pre dinner in the lounges, with canapés on new year's eve.

Gorgeous huge gold different shaped balloons hanging in abundance from the ceilings of the Crystal restaurant .... Party poppers galore, ballons given out, crackers, party hats, a band playing into the countdown to new year, Andrew the piper at new year, midnight... All so very atmospheric.
Capturing every ounce of the New Year vibe.
GREAT work from all concerned, all the staff deserve praise. We personally thanked each one as much as possible.

The guests here intermingle all through the package time, because everyone enjoyed it as much as we did.... And so many new friends were made every day!

The food:
It's the Crystal restaurant, so it's going to be good, but... That GALA DINNER!!
The food sent out from the chefs kitchen...was amazing, we had a goats cheese starter, Wow! And the delicious lamb chops! Perfectly cooked, Thank you!
The desert was a plate of selected tapas like sweets....per person, as was the fabulous plate of selected cheeses... Per person! Coffee and petit four!! Sublime food.! Lisa, our waitress for the night was top class... Thank you. Nothing was too much trouble.

Not one negative remark from people we met... High praise only!
We finished our stay with room service breakfast, absolutely faultless, with a view from the Headland suite over to the sea.

Thank you Jonathan Owen & his team for putting on a spectacular show.
I think I can speak on behalf of everyone I met, everyone was buzzing with excitement and appreciation. We will be talking about this till next year!

As a final note, The star of the show was the bartender David Diamond working under extreme pressure, alone mostly, always with a laugh, a smile and a joke for everyone.
Every hotel should have a David Diamond!
Bernadette and Paul Burgess

Friends & family booked 4 rooms for a 3 night NYE package. We think really good value. This is our 4th year. Afternoon tea from 3pm on the first day.Then dinner b&b on the others. Lovely food menu. Fabulous entertainment. Really friendly staff who will go out of their way to chat with you & help in any way they can, this includes ALL (inc. Room attendants) members of staff. Very relaxed too. Good position. Within walking distance of shopping centre, Beachey Head & a 3 minute walk to beach. Some rooms have lovely sea views but these are a little more expensive. All rooms have tea/coffee making facilities. Lifts to all floors. Piano in lounge which a member of our group played.
The age group of guests is maybe a little older than a holiday inn type hotel, but there were children around.it is also dog friendly in some areas.
Throughout the year they have various activities, film shows, air show viewing, lunches with talks & evening events.
We will be back next year.

Function in the wedgewood room, very good and thank you Angie

We enjoyed a lovely lunch here. Very friendly attentive staff
We will be back for sure .

Nice traditional establishment. Had dinner there, but unfortunately the food was only reasonable. Had afternoon tea there some time back and that was very good.

Very good. Deserves 4 star rating.

Afternoon tea was great

Lovely Oldy Worldy Hotel. A true old English Hotel. Beautiful large rooms. Very friendly staff and very comfortable rooms. For what you get, the prices are excellent aswell.

This is the perfect hotel for peace and
quiet and somewhat old fashioned values of charm and friendliness. Lovely food and great coffee. Always a welcoming atmosphere.

Wonderful, welcoming hotel. High class service. The hotel is superb and beautiful. Fantastic views of the sea.Recommend to everyone.

My favourite hotel. Fantastic building and very professional and friendly staff. We love popping in for drinks and food as if we are in the area as well as staying overnight. The hotel reminds me of Agatha Christie.

Lovely hotel with a warm welcome

Had yet another super meal in the restaurant. The staff are always helpful and really looked after my father who is wheelchair dependant. What I like about this place is the ease of access for him. With an automatic front door and once inside its not cramped with plenty of room to manoeuvre.
As it was pre Christmas the staff were wearing Christmas jumper's as they do every year. PS the menu is very reasonably priced I have paid much more for lesser fair

Excellent place to take elderly for lunch .

Been staying here since 23 Dec Xmas break excellent food,excellent staff,excellent rooms.atmosphere excellent.
nice

Office Christmas 'do', lovely food as expected from The Hydro, thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Good as always

Great service, excellent meal and a very nice wine to wash it down with. Plus easy parking. Had a very mice G&T before dinner. All in all a very nice, repeatable experience.

Went to the swingtime sweethearts luncheon at the hydro hotel the entertainment was great the food very good service exelant good value for money

Good food and friendly service

Charming hotel, amazing service and wonderful breakfast ina fabulous, elevated position above the sea with terrific views. Definitely coming back!

Have just spent a very pleasant overnight stay at the Hydro Hotel. Staff were very attentive, cooked breakfast was lovely and piping hot with a choice of yogurt and cereals as well. Good location for visiting Eastbourne and the surrounding areas. Recommended!