This was our first visit. We found the hotel provided all the amenities for a relaxing break which was ensured by the welcoming and friendly staff. The room was comfortable and the meal service was excellent.

A lovely afternoon spent enjoying prosecco afternoon tea at Hydro hotel. We were treated to a super table in the windows, enabling us to enjoy the beautiful gardens and super sea views. Afternoon tea didn’t disappoint and our waiter looked after us well, congratulating us on our special afternoon. The afternoon tea was very generous and all of it very enjoyable. We were able to take our time in a relaxing setting, and the afternoon topped off with a walk in the gardens. We should have stayed longer and played Croquet, but we will be back. Definitely recommend.

We booked a last minute one night bed and breakfast stay in a room with a sea view. The reception service was efficient and friendly and the room was very clean and comfortable with a good view out to sea and had all the expected facilities including a fridge.

We rang in advance to try and book a table for dinner in the Crystal Restaurant but we're told that we couldn't as we had booked a bed and breakfast deal through Booking.com, which was our only negative experience. Wasn't an issue as th hotel is only 10 minutes walk from the town centre restaurants and we had a great meat at the Rosetto Italian restaurant.

Unually for a hotel of this size, reakfast was freshly cooked to order. It was piping hot and great quality and was served with a friendly smile by attentive staff.

We will be back next year!

I really like this hotel
We feel very comfortable here
The staff make you feel very welcome
We have always found Breakfast to be good
Rooms clean, however try to get see views the back of hotel is just houses and car park but not too nosy
The outside swimming pool is fantastic and an added bonus for the hot summer days.”
Water very warm.
Afternoon tea good and beach not too far at all
If hot ask for a fan in the room we got two 😊
Parking free but it can get very busy
Vintage feel to the hotel but in a positive way
Will go back again

Went here for several nights to see the air show and initial impressions were not good. For a start, and I know it was really busy, there was nowhere to park and the instructions to park locally in the street wasn't any good as all the spaces were already taken. Anyway, after much searching I did find a convenient position and then found that our room was rather small and dark but more importantly a distinct shortage of hanging space in the wardrobe. The first evening we ate in the conservatory, as we were off to a show, and on entering the conservatory realised that we must have been invisible for all the notice that the staff took of us. The food also, although ok, was basic with no attention to garnishing the dish. What a difference the next morning though, the staff were charming, attentive and good humoured (are there different shifts on, I wonder). The food was excellent and the service exceptional. I would have given the hotel a better rating and will do if the staff in the conservatory get the same training as the ones in the restaurant!

We visited the hydro for two nights 17-19th August. Although the hotel was very busy with a wedding & guests staying for the air show, the staff were all so polite, helpful & did a marvellous job. This is our second stay & definitely won’t be our last!

Stayed just one night but found the hotel excellent
Location is great and the gardens spacious and relaxing, pool area was nice, a little small on a very hot day
Breakfast was good and there were staff everywhere to help out
Our room was comfortable.
A nice relaxing place to stay

Stayed one night so that we would be ready for the Eastbourne Air Show the next day. Room was very well appointed and had a lovely view of the sea. The only thing which would have been nice was a sheet in addition to the duvet, which was a bit too warm. Had a nice lunch in the conservatory. Breakfast was excellent and the numerous staff were very attentive.

We recently stayed at the Hydro Hotel for one night. The room was lovely, it was very clean and we have great views of the beautiful grounds and the sea. The bathroom was a little on the small side but it was nice and clean and the complimentary products were very nice. The hotel was very busy when we arrived due to Eastbourne Airshow and also they were hosting a wedding. Due to this we had trouble trying to find anywhere to park. When we checked in I mentioned we were having issues and one of the staff members came to us and said they were leaving in around 1/2 and that she would meet us so we could take her space. We were very grateful and found this to be above and beyond normal service. All of the staff from the General Manager down were very friendly and helpful. Breakfast was very nice. There was a continental buffet and a menu to order hot breakfast. There were plenty of staff and the service was very quick. The only slight niggle for me was that although breakfast was included in the price I had to pay an extra £3.50 for a latte coffee. The menu did however advise this and the waitress also mentioned it when she took my order. There is an outdoor swimming pool which looked great but we didn't get a chance to use it. We booked this hotel at very late notice but we were very happy with our stay and definitely plan to visit again.

Just a few pics of my first Afternoon Tea at The Hydro Hotel today for Airbourne Eastbourne, shame the weather was naff for flying, but the food was amazing, and as busy as they were, it was like a well oiled machine. Credit to the staff, they had so many eateries full to the brim, but this Wedgwood Room was perfect. We've now eaten in all their dining places, can't fault the food or staff. Thought I'd pass it on. Thank you for a wonderful day! Extremely enjoyable!
We love this hotel, stayed a few times, the food is second to none in Eastbourne in our opinion. We haven't had a bad experience in all the time we come here.
My review of The Crystal Restaurant hasn't altered, we love eating there. It's our go to best restaurant!
The staff are like friends each time and welcome us back. General Manager Jonathan Owen is the perfect host, so nice to catch up with him, always attentive to all his guests.
We're booked for New year package and already looking forward to it.

So we did not 'fly pass' this hotel but many did. We stopped to enjoy this Hotel's wonderful views of the sea from the commanding heights of the great Conservatory. Every victorious Battle of Britain plane would soon entertain us and of course the red arrow display was a marvel to behold.

Our first port of call was the toilets which were immaculate. I used the disabled toilet and it had been purposely designed to maximise the space and provide everything the independent disabled person would want. I believe that if toilets are well maintained and clean then the kitchens will mirror the standard. All boxes wer ticked so we decided to stay
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The Eastbourne Air show must be the greatest spectacle on earth. Celebrating the heroic sacrifices of a generation who pushed the fascist foe beak to Belin. We chose to have lunch in the Conservatory which looks down on a well kept lawn/croque pitch and the sea beyond. To the left sits a fairly high knoll with small trees and bushes atop of it. As the jets and Red Arrows roared across sea at the end of the garden they would suddenly disappear from view due to tress and such like snatching our view. Whether management may think to bulldoze this area for next years airshow and widen the panorama is unlikely After all, this area has been carefully crafted and adds greatly to the ambience. To the right of the lawns stood a gazebo, which would host the wedding party which had sensibly booked their reception to coincide with the show.
You would be well advised to arrive early on show days as bookings are strictly first come first served. It must have been a good 15 minutes before we gained any attention from the serving staff, actually suiting us well since we intended to be there till sometime after 4pm to take in all the airshow. There were 4 of us - my partner and I, his sister and boyfriend.

We were given the Hydro Hotel Airbourne Lounge Menu. Difficult to know what to make of it. One section displayed sandwiches (egg mayonnaise, cheddar, Tuna, Susses ham, Turkey and all the usual ranging in price from £5.75 to £8.25 for salmon. Then there was Light Lunches available from 12.00 noon-5.00pm - soup of the day (£5.95)toasted sandwich selection (£7.25) hot baked jacket potato (£8.50) ploughman's lunch (£10.50) and so forth. Overleaf we came to the Light lunch menu selection available from 12 noon - 2.00pm. Not here too much to choose from - chicken Caesar salad (£13.25) through to Beer battered cod (£12.50). Anyway we all had different selections and they were visually well presented and quite delicious.ble. I did become aware the hotel has another dining room for lunch and dinner but not with the view we came for.

The waiting staff, after a slow start were all excellent, and of course represented the very best of multi cultural Britain. My partner and I consumed our first bottle of Sauvignon while our guests tolerated such excess. After all they would be attending their AA meeting later. , with my partner's sister giving no inkling of envy and thirst towards 'our' bottle, we ordered another. Meanwhile the wedding took place in the gazebo. I wondered whether this was the couples first wedding - difficult to say. They were both in their early 30's. They all then piled onto the lawn for the customary wedding photo shoot, with others and nothing to do with the wedding desperately trying to angle shots of the screaming Red Arrows above and beyound them and avoiding getting the wedding crowd in that winning shot. An Edwardian feel to their choice of dress - complementing the style of this lovely Hotel.j

As lunch came to a close we were slightly worried that we might be over staying our welcome as now tables were being set for the Afternoon Tea session and maybe for persons keen for our table and the finale of the airshow. Clearly the staff were more than happy for us to linger, but we thought we might dip into this menu. So what was on offer here? The Hydro Afternoon tea set at £16.95 (served on cake stand sandwiches, homemade scone with fresh clotted cream, selection of cakes and sweet pastries. A pretty similar affair at £15,95 was served as Vegan. And then there was the Sussex cream tea - freshly baked scone with clotted cream and individual preserve accompanied by choice of tea or coffee at £7.25. We decided to settle on this as basically we were fairly sated.. I guess the full Hydro afternoon tea at 17 odd quid was fair value - after all you would be far pushed not to pay at least £80 per person in London at the Ritz or many other similar hotels - mind you these hotels do make a fantastic show of their tea events nowadays. And in no way here am I suggesting the Hydo might try and compete here in sleepy Eastbourne.

So our total bill with £15 tip came to £140 including the optional tip of £15.- more than reasobale for an entertaining afternoon. Would I return yes? Yes I would and without even an airshow. The hotel is well stablished for something like a hundred years. The building iteself dating back slightly before the Edwardian area I fancy and has an appealing architectural style. Do try it for yourself and treat yourselves to a very fine afternoon tea served between 3.00pm and 5.30pm...

What superb service and facilities. Ideally located . Can not wait to return. The stay from start to finish was a pleasure and room clean and well equiped and the food top notch. We ate in the resturant as well as sampled some delicious tea time treats. All the staff were helpful and polite as well as having excellent memories and knowledge.

we went for a 60 th wedding anniversary celebration which was lovely good food very friendly staff beautiful location but the rooms my daughter and i were allocated were very small and extremely hot would not return

We visited for a family occasion and thought the place was a bit dull and out of date not to mention over priced drinks and mediocre staff lack lustre. Its a shame as the scenery outside is lovley . it really needs brightening up .

This was my first visit to the Hydro Hotel although I have been to Eastbourne loads of times. Beautiful, peaceful old fashioned hotel that was just perfect. Wonderful restaurant and throughout the staff were friendly and helpful. My tv didnt work and it was solved immediately. Lovely setting overlooking the sea and great garden for sitting and reading. Very clean and well kept. Historical setting just a perfect few days which will lead to many more stays. The only bad point was the long walk to the town and more to the point the up hill walk back. Not a hotel I can always afford but would love to visit again and again.

Location great, hotel great, staff great. Stayed for four nights with our daughter´s daughter, five years old, and this hotel was great even for her. Breakfast service, lunch, dinner couldn´t be better. Swimming pool and ncie garden. Town center, Seven Sisters, Charleston Farm and a lot other places easy to reach.

We stayed for our wedding night. The service was superb, the hotel clean, charming and very well run. Hanka and George helped make our special day even more special. We would definitely recommend to anyone. Well done the Hydro.

Stayed for one night in comfortable room with good views. Reception was excellent and all round very good service. The grounds are well kept with a decent outdoor pool. Short walk to the seafront. Enjoyable evening.

This is a comfortable hotel which seems very popular with families; there was a 90th birthday party on the day we stayed. Twin room was comfortable and clean with good toiletries. Nice and quiet so good sleep. Nice conservatory for afternoon tea. We didn't try restaurant for dinner but breakfast was very good. Dining room is large but there were plenty of staff so no delays. Would recommend. Close to start of walk to Beachy Head at western end of town.

A lovely, picturesque, restful stay with great service and friendly, professional staff. The food was delicious particularly the choices at breakfast and with room service. The atmosphere of the hotel allowed you to feel comfortable and rested whether enjoying croquet or swimming or simply relaxing in the library or bar.

Just returned from a fab 3 day break at the Hydro and can some it up in one word ‘Excellent’ the staff are lovely from reception through to the chambermaids all do a professional job, restaurant staff are friendly and helpful plus the food and service are first rate, room was clean and well equipped with a stunning sea view and I’ve made friends with a seagull who seemed to like my wife and I by looking through the window , only minor fault is the bathroom is quite small albeit very nice and functional though , would we return again Yes, will we return again Yes, lovely 3 day break , well done TheHydro

What a beautiful place. We wouldn’t have wanted to stay in any other hotel. The service was great and very professional. The food was good. The hotel itself and the grounds perfect. So calming and peaceful. Loved it.

We recently returned from a three night break with a small group of our dancers from West Sussex and West Wickham and were looked after like kings by all of the staff at this amazing, beautiful four star hotel. The grounds and hotel are immaculate - the food delicious and the care second to none. This was our second year at the Hydro and we happened to be there the same week that there was a charity event taking place on the lawn, we were asked to join in this year and we did a short dance demo and taught a few easy routines to the lovely people running the charity event. It was a lot of fun and we hope to be able to support them again next year. We happened to be there during the heatwave in July, and the hotel were kind enough to provide fans to help. The Wedgewood room where we were running our dance event was air conditioned and how grateful we were for that little luxury!! The feedback from my dancers was amazing, they all felt well cared for and are happy to return again next summer. Thank you to Johnathan and his amazing staff, in particular Hannah and Angie for all their support to ensure our 'working' week, went off without a hitch. See you in 2019!

Just back from a 3 night stay. The hotel staff especially cleaners and waiting staff universally excellent. They go out of their way to make your stay better. The restaurant was very good and we had two nice dinners. Breakfast is fine too. We love the terrace for tea and a drink before dinner. The pool was a bit over-run with families with young children. They seem to be having a great time but there needs to be a bit more supervision. Large inflatables and ball games not appropriate in this size of pool. Also more loungers and some umbrellas needed. It would be nice to see the manager take a wonder down to see the pool area and assess the problem areas. Maybe make adult only times. Excellent location we did walk to Beachy Head and billing gap and even got to the delightful East Dean. All together a very good hotel with some fantastic staff. Ps I echo the earlier reviewer who suggested a shower at the pool. Essential addition in my view.

The hotel is in a beautiful location surrounded by beautiful gardens. The hotel is very comfortable with a bright conservatory and a spacious dining room serving very nice food. There are lots of staff and the service is excellent. We will certainly revisit.