I so wanted to give this hotel a wonderful review. It has a fabulous old world feel about it. Unlike some it doesn’t look tired.
The rooms were a good size and very clean. The staff were all very pleasant and courteous.
The downside was the food, our first lunch they had forgot to order one meal, so that arrived when we had almost finished. We had dinner in the main dining room, staff were very good, food was a little bland. Breakfast, again eaten in the dining room, the order was again wrong, my egg had been forgotten, so the plate was taken away and returned, everything on it was now cold. I had to ask 3 people for toast? So, food side not good.
Our final problem was being harassed by a foul mouthed drunk in the lounge, who had come out of a party. There was no staff to come to our assistance, so we went back to our rooms.
In all, could not decide whether to make this review a 3 or 4 star. The location, the interior and bedrooms, the staff all deserve a 4, but unfortunately it fell short in a few areas.

I stayed for a week's Summer holiday. The staff were helpful, friendly and efficient at check in and arranged to take my luggage to my room. The newly redecorated room was clean, comfortable and well equipped. In view of the hot weather I had phoned ahead and asked for a fan and an extra sheet as it would be too hot to sleep under the duvet. These were waiting in the room along with the very welcome fridge.
Breakfasts are good, though not overly large portions of cooked food - if you ask for tomato you just get one half. As for boiled eggs - a portion used to be two, now it's just one fairly small one.
Lunch in the restaurant is civilised and a good three course meal. The evening dinner has changed over the years and does not appeal so much now - not much in the way of vegetables and a poor choice of vegetarian main courses. However, I must add that if you request a particular dish they will see if it can be prepared for you. Some of the waiting staff are very young and probably still being trained. The older, longer serving ones are excellent and very friendly, particularly Lisa.
I've found the drawing room lounge a comfortable place to sit in the evening and the lighting is good for reading.
The recent work in the garden has made it look more colourful but it's at a cost as there is no longer the deep shade, especially in the afternoons. The seats around the lawn do not have parasols as they used to, which is a great pity as it's nice to sit on or very close to the grass rather than on the terrace. Likewise deckchairs are secreted away and the croquet lawn not particularly well marked out. The putting is non existent now. This all gave me the impression that management do not want it to appear as though people are relaxing and enjoying the facilities. Oh dear!
This has always been a lovely hotel with good old fashioned standards of service and I hope that continues but some changes, however small, are making a difference and not always in a good way. Remember the old saying 'If it ain't broke don't fix it'. I'm thinking of the current lack of seating in the entrance/reception area, the fact tables are not reserved for breakfast, not even for long staying guests, one used to be able to order tea, for example, in the garden but you have to go in to order now, the salad bar has disappeared and why oh why is there a pool menu?
I know functions are necessary for the income they generate but I hope 'us holidaymakers' are not going to be forgotten.

Regularly visit here for tea or coffee when visiting Eastbourne excellent service beautiful surroundings views and gardens .Really reasonable for a pot of tea or coffee and proper service . Also recommend the hair salon where I also go to often and have stayed the night at the hotel and it was lovely and the breakfast was excellent .

Arrived and was shown a table that was not to my liking and requested a change to a quieter and not so crowded area. This was done. I had asked if i could have a particular one near the window and was told abrubtly . NO. The waiter could have said it was already taken and offered similar
Nevertheless we chose our meals which were delicious and ate our meal in a more peaceful area
The service was excellent

We enjoyed everything about this hotel from the moment we arrived. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful and the rooms were very pleasant and comfortable.
Breakfast is great and the outdoor pool is a gem!

We would heartily recommend this hotel if you are coming to Eastbourne.

Fantastic hotel. We had a lovely side room overlooking the sea. The room was spacious and really clean. The housekeeping staff were brilliant. The room had tea, coffee, Hot chocolate, biscuits and bottled water which was great in this hot weather all were replenished each day. The breakfast choice was lovely the staff were very efficient and the food was lovely. The pool was great for our teenage daughter and the other areas of the hotel were spotless. We will be back!!

The receptionist didn’t seem to have a clue what she was doing. We asked for the Manager and a very helpful man came to our rescue. The room did have a shower after the receptionist said it didn’t. The room faced the sea with an excellent view. The food was excellent also with very helpful staff. In the morning when I had a shower the bathroom floor flooded and when my husband had a shower it was worse so therefore we mopped it up the best we could and asked for the Manager who was someone different and she just stood there and seemed uninterested. This experience was very disappointing for a hotel of this grading and reputation.

Stayed at The Hydro for a long weekend and liked the hotel very much indeed. In terms of location, just out of the town centre, it's excellent, having great views over the sea and/or the town from many rooms and being about 6 minutes walk from the sea front. It's quite a bit further from the town centre - maybe another 7 to 10 minutes, but parking is available along the sea front. Obviously, not all rooms have the superb view that ours did (prices should reflect this) but all are clean and comfortable in a typically English way. Breakfasts are very good with a choice ranging from the full English through continental choices to more exotic fare (to some) e.g. fish dishes like kippers and halibut: not to everyone's taste, I know, but heaven to some people. The service in the restaurant is first class - friendly, quick and efficient, and if something is not to your liking, remedy is swift. The public areas are pleasant and well looked after. There is a nice swimming pool if you don't want to brave the sea and the shingle on the beach. There are lovely gardens and pleasant, quiet terraces overlooking the sea to enjoy your chilled glass of chablis (or bitter!). We had a minor problem with our room - the bathroom towel rail would not switch off in the middle of some of the hottest days of the year. It wasn't fixed but I can't fault the efforts the staff made to rectify the situation and their patience all along. In practice, it didn't discombobulate us too much: we kept the extractor fan on to avoid heat getting into the room. The only thing I would say is that the offer of a free glass of wine or something similar to compensate us for the fuss (because it was a bit of a fuss to have folks coming to the room to try to sort it out) would have been welcome! All in all, I would thoroughly recommend The Hydro; we really enjoyed our stay.

This was my first solo visit to a hotel for several years and this time for pleasure not work. I had a slight concern that I might be made to feel an inconvenience, put to the side in the restaurant, ignored at the bar etc. When travelling for work this was a common occurrence. However, at the Hydro, the predominant feeling gained from all members of staff was one of their desire to make me welcome and ‘at home.’

This started from my arrival where a warm greeting was received from Reception. Then, following a particular request from me, the duty manager sorted out my requirement in minutes and with no sense of aggravation that might have been expected in other establishments. I was very very impressed and grateful.

I have read comments on here about decor of the hotel. I must admit that this isn’t a predominant concern to me. Suffice it to say the public areas give a sense of quality and the bedroom of comfort. Since I used the Hydro as a convenient base this latter word, comfort, was what I most wanted. And I got it.

The room had everything I needed with a well appointed bathroom, comfortable bed, plenty of tea (including chamomile), coffee (including decaf), drinking chocolate and biscuits. What was particularly useful was a blind that could be pulled down to keep the sun out whilst still allowing air to pass through from the open windows (which, brilliantly, were not restricted opening). This was in addition to curtains.

Each day the room was cleaned and tidied by a most delightful lady who obviously carried the ethos of the hotel of excellence and customer service.

Breakfast was a highlight. The selection of cereals and other buffet items (pastries, meats, cheese, yoghurt), was excellent and the level of staff numbers and attention meant that you were always focussed upon rather than being left to feel awkward. What was good, given my opening comments, was that I was able to choose my table rather than being put to one side. Oh, and there were several other single visitors too.

Drawing to a close, one of the final things to say is that the other residents of the Hydro were incredibly friendly and I had some good conversations with them.

Also, the situation of the hotel was perfect. Near to Eastbourne town centre but not in it (easily walkable and I am not a walker but I did it), and close to attractions like Beachy Head et al.

Would I return? I certainly hope that I do and as soon as possible. I hope, if you decide to stay here that you enjoy it as much as I did. You will be well attended to and made to feel welcome.

This was our first visit to The Hydro, and I am sure will certainly not be the last!
It would be difficult to find any significant criticisms to make.

We had a lovely sea view room which was furnished in a modern and quality style. The hotel, situated on the cliffs, has uninterrupted views of the sea, with a lovely outdoor swimming pool at the end of the garden.

The restaurant was elegant, with staff who shared an excellent rapport with guests (smiles, chit-chat, and sometimes a few jokes). We had previously arrived from a hotel in Portsmouth, whose bored dining room staff sauntered around looking as though they had lost the will to live!
What a difference the Hydro staff made!

Evening dinner was lovely (not massive portions, but probably enough for most of the guests).
There was a very comprehensive selection of cold breakfast ‘starters’, and the cooked breakfast always arrived freshly prepared, on very hot plates.
Decor in the public areas is ‘traditional’, but of first class quality. I have to strongly disagree with guests who leave reviews describing the decor as ‘tired’ – It is clean and elegant, and certainly well in keeping with the style and age of the hotel.
Travel lodge rooms are always available for those dislike the ambiance of an older hotel.

A special thank you to the house keeping staff! Our visit coincided with the prolonged heat wave during July, and it must have been awful working in those temperatures!
However, they worked cheerfully and speedily to service the room.

The clientele tend to be more 'mature', but certainly not exclusively.

I feel sure will be returning.................

We booked for one night as we had been in Eastbourne for four nights looking after relatives dogs whilst they were away. They were not due back until late so decided to stay one night so that we could see them on their return. The booking in at reception was a good experience, friendly young lady who was very attentive and I said that there should be better signposting from the sea front to the car park. I was given the key to our room and given good direction. The only problem I encountered was the lift was very slow, I decided to take the stairs. The room was on the 3rd floor and on reaching the 2nd floor the stairs finished there. I waited for the lift to take me up to the next floor. The surprise I found on opening the door was wonderful, a shower room with beauty products, a separate wardrobe leading to a small lounge with television. The bedroom was small but had a large bed, table and chair and a view out to sea across a beautifully kept garden. Only sorry it was just one night and we couldn't enjoy it more. The breakfast was very good, lots of choice and a lovely cooked breakfast. Will definitely stay again

We went on the off chance for lunch to this 4 star hotel to have a meal to celebrate an anniversary. We were lucky enough to obtain a table in the "Crystal Restaurant". This is a beautiful traditional dining room with super chandeliers being the "Crystal" part. Immaculate white linen tablecloths and napkins, silver service, uniformed and professional and friendly staff.
You can choose to have either two or three courses from the set menu or you can opt for the a la carte. We had the set menu and the food was superb quality and tastefully presented.
My Wife had the steak which is a £ 3 supplement and this was cooked exactly to her liking, I had the locally caught Plaice which was the best I think I have ever had. We also enjoyed the starter and the dessert.
Could not fault the food, the presentation, the waiting staff or the general ambience; this hotel has 4 very well deserved stars, we have been in 5 star establishments that were not as good as this.
Was it expensive ? definitely not for what you got - two superb three couse meals with wine and a beer for £ 52 ( including the steak supplement) really excellent value.
We are returning next month to treat some friends to a birthday lunch, can't wait !

We booked a short break in April, in a room with a sea view which was definitely worth the small extra cost. We enjoyed our stay very much, the food was good, the staff were very helpful and the room was quiet and very comfortable. The hotel is traditional in character and has a quiet elevated position away from the main promenade and town centre, but these are only a short drive or a 10+ minute walk away.

We had a wonderful time. A large family event, held outside overlooking the sea on a very sunny day. Food in air conditioned comfort. Helpful friendly staff and a nice room overlooking the sea. One small gripe. It was over 30' that day - bathroom very hot as the towel rail was going full blast!! Couldn't figure out how to turn it off and to be fair we didn't ask. We would visit again

This amazing hotel located above the beach in the west end of Eastbourne, has something that is missing from most other hotels - Customer Service of the highest order. There are members of staff everywhere and nothing is ever too much trouble. A sign that the hotel is run extremely well, is that the majority of the staff have been working at the hotel for a good number of years and the 'Hydro' way of doing things are ingrained. In the hottest year that the UK has seen for a good number of years, all staff were well presented, stayed positive, smiled and were always happy to help.
The hotel itself is spotless, the food is exquisite, the grounds immaculate, the outdoor pool an area, a well kept oasis in the summer heat and overall a very relaxing place to be.
It was lovely to see the hotel hosting a charity day for a local children's hospice when we stayed
Reading some of the reviews, many people use the words 'old fashioned' regarding the Hydro. I disagree. This standard of service that the Hydro offers is something that has been lost, forgotten and missing n the majority of hotels in this country, The Hydro has just maintained these standards that other hotels have dropped, lost or can't be bothered to train their staff to the standard the Hydro offers.
If you want a relaxing stay where you know that you are going to be looked after and you don't have to worry about the standard of the food, then don't think twice, just book!

From start to finish this hotel proved to be very well run. The reception staff were professional and an early check in was arranged as requested earlier.The porter was very helpful bringing a fan to the room as asked. Shade was provided in the form of poolside umbrellas, and the pool was delightful. Single room was clean and relatively spacious. Breakfast was very good served by helpful staff. All in all a lovely hotel with plenty of comfortable seating areas. Rather an old fashioned atmosphere which proved restful in this sometimes hectic world.

If you like silver service with everything and being surrounded by people old enough to be your nan's Nan it's great. Very quiet, posh for the Victorian era. Paid extra for a sea view room but had to stick head out of window to see it.

30 of us had a celebration dinner and over night stay at the Hydro hotel. The decor is of an old fashioned but very luxurious style. Everywhere was spotlessly clean. Food and service were excellent. Nothing was too much trouble for any member of staff. Thank you everyone for making this 80th birthday celebration absolutely fantastic. Room decor is more modern than the rest of the hotel but still as stylish.

I came on a last minute one-night break, having stayed here before. I got a good price booking direct and was upgraded to a lovely double room which I appreciated.

The room was fresh, bright, modern and comfortable and had clearly been recently refurbished.

Breakfast was very good, and I appreciated the gluten free selection and the hot food cooked to order and served at the table.

The gardens and pool are lovely, and the pool is open generous hours.

Location is excellent for the South Downs Way/ Beachy Head and it is about a 20 minute walk to the town centre.

Overall, the hotel has a lovely relaxed, old-fashioned feel and the building is clearly very well loved and cared for. It's great to see an independent business like this managed so well.

The only thing I did not like was the ridiculously early check-out: 10.30 am might be acceptable for a seafront boarding house, but it is not for a hotel of this size and standard.

Booked a single room for a night as I was touring the south coast. Parking outside or in the hotel car park is easy. Check in was straight forward and quick. My single room was of a good size, with a comfortable bed and large bathroom. Everything was spotlessly clean. The hotel is dated and the rooms have been renovated to a more up to date style although not what you could really call modern. However, it wears its age well and it feel well kept and maintained in all areas.

The shower could have been better as the flow was a little underwhelming but this is a small quibble. I slept well with the windows open in the heat and the surrounding area was quiet. Breakfast the next morning offered a good selection, excellent service and a nice restaurant. All in all I thought it was great value for money and would happily return.

Just returned from a three night stay. Although a little old fashioned in decor but so is the service. The customer is made to feel welcomed by all the staff and nothing is too much trouble. The whole building was well maintained and spotless. We ate there every night and where else would you get a delicious three course meal for less than £30?
The bonus was the secluded pool.
I shouldn’t really pick out one member of staff as all wonderful but the manageress in the dinning room does deserve a special mention due to her calmness at breakfast trying to accommodate several large groups arriving toward the end of serving time and wishing to sit together and after moving together several tables she did manage it. Well done. We shall return and fingers crossed it won’t become modern as there are plenty of these already in Eastbourne.

We come here as a group every year and though we are probably a little younger than the average guests but what a friendly hotel it is. The staff from the smiling welcome at reception to the staff throughout the building is excellent. Each year extra tweaks are added to keep the hotel relevant and the introduction of an outside wedding /party area on a sunny day is superb. We ate at the restaurant breakfast and dinner and the staff again could not be faulted and showed extra care and attention.Getting breakfast orders correct for a group is always a nightmare and our waiters were patient and smiling. All in all one of the best hotel options in Eastbourne and being slightly out of the centre gives uninterrupted views of the sea and a lovely quiet environment.......apart from the seagulls! We will be back

We stayed at the Hydro for Three days in June just before the tennis started. This is a lovely hotel with gorgeous gardens with views to the sea. The staff were really good always polite and helpful. It is a short walk to the town centre with the shops and restaurants, also only a little way from Meads village which is very nice. The public transport is excellent, you can visit Brighton or Hastings on the buses or train. We will definitely be back to the Hydro very soon.

Everything from the initial booking to leavings handled by the staff of the Hydro in a friendly and helpful manner and environment. The Crystal restaurant is presented in a clean and friendly manner and the staff were helpful in the selection of the excellent food. The rooms are clean and well maintained. The gardens are a major asset to the hotel and very refreshing to sit in

This hotel is in an excellent location,it has Free parking all around and the rooms,Grounds and facilities are of the highest quality.

The breakfast is excellent in quality and quantity and the staff are Very attentive to your needs.

It has a great outdoor pool with the Best views of the coast and the beautiful garden.

Our only disappointments were the Pool had NO showers to wash off sun cream before getting in so that meant the pool needed cleaning as there was a greasy dirty tide mark around the tiles and the water was murky with leaves in the bottom.
We couldn't have a bath as the taps are either jammed or they're actually meant not to fill the bath and you can only use the shower.

But despite these niggles i would highly recommend this hotel to anyone.