Lovely stay at the hydro with my 3yr old. Hotel was clean, staff were very friendly and helpful. It’s far enough away from town centre not to be noisy but within walking distance if abled bodied. Taxis available that cost around £4.00 (metered) to the pier.
Didn’t try the spa treatments offered but look reasonably priced. Had a peak at the pool. It was too cold for us to use but again looked clean. Garden was lovely.
Room was clean, bed was huge and comfortable. The put me up bed for my little one was comfortable too the room was well stocked, it also had a fridge. couldn’t ask for a better view. The only complaint (not made to hostel) was the window restricters. They were quite old/wobbly and too easy to take off. Window locks didn’t work. Will
Return as had a lovely evening. Thank you hydro

went there in June with a group of 20ish people from Vienna. I wrote the comment on another page about the restaurant but no one responds.

The staff in the crystal restaurant were really rude. The restaurant supervisor shouted at the junior staff to take the order from the kitchen. they shout in front of the in-house guests in a morning which my mind is not awake yet! LOL
other than that, the female staff put on nail polish, according to my prior knowledge learned from the university, it is not allowed to do that cuz it may contaminate the food on the plate.

We stayed last weekend to celebrate a special anniversary, a big family get-together. The location of the hotel is perfect, being away from the busy sea front in town, it has plenty of parking around, beautifully tended grounds and an elevated view across lawns to the sea and up to Beachy Head. We all had sea view rooms which were a good size, with all the facilities you would need. The double bed was huge and very comfortable. There is a delightful old fashioned feel to the place, the service was very good and staff were excellent in all areas. We were well looked after and well fed. The heated pool looked tempting had the weather been better. Putting and croquet available on the lawns for a little gentle activity. The hotel guests covered the entire age range, not just a place for retired folk. All in all an excellent venue for our family gathering.

We enjoyed the Hydro's Autumn break deal,we had a reburbished side seaview room ,very pleasant,the food was delicious.We happened to be there when Julia Martin was there doing her Shirley Bassey tribute act and she was excellent.We will certainly return.Well done Hydro Hotel.

That caught your attention, it was actually my grandparents 100th Wedding Anniversary Celebration (sadly they were not able to join us) but were there in spirit
A beautiful Victorian Hotel that has not been spoilt by modernisation. But has 21st Century standards.
From start to finish Hanna took on the task of organising the celebration, with little guidance from us ! Organising rooms for many relatives travelling down for the get together. Access was a big issue as a couple of guests were disabled and that was quickly sorted for all areas.
The rooms were all well received by those staying.
In the afternoon some of the fitter members of family walked up to Beachy Head
One of the guests even used the outdoor pool on the Sat evening.!
The arrangements for the evening meal were excellent with our party using the Orangery and the staff were excellent, attentive and helpful but not intrusive. There was a delightful touch by the hotel as they printed up menus especially for us, and the food was lovely. We then adjourned to the lounge for the rest of the evening which again the staff organised.
Sunday again was successful , many taking walks and adventuring to the old family home in the town. We had use of the Garden suite for the afternoon after a (slight hiccup over rooms) and again the staff were attentive and helpful but not intrusive. Everyone was delighted with the way our celebration was handled as there was no formal agenda and it was very much a play it by ear celebration for a range of ages and tastes.. We would defiantly use again !!

Lovely friendly hotel with lots of space and scope for events, large and small.
I found the staff very helpful and they wore a smile.
Food was very good, menu had a good choice too.
Comfy bed with a great sea view.
Our room was above a wedding do, I have good hearing, luckily we had no disturbance what so ever.
We had a really enjoyable stay.

We booked this hotel for the outdoor swimming pool and good price
The staff were very friendly and helpful
The room was clean and bathroom had a bath with shower over, that worked easily and fast to fill the bath
Food good at breakfast but you need to specify if you want more of something to make up something you don't want
Say you don't want bacon or fried bread, then, ask for more sausages, for instance, otherwise you won't have much on your plate
Dinner we had rump steak - OK but bit chewy - we had rare. - not bad enough to be sent back, but I would have sirloin next time as had good flavour
The outdoor swimming pool was lovely and warm the first night and we had a lovely hot swim but it was much cooler the second afternoon because they had switched off the heating. Was still useable but we couldn't stay in for so long
They close the outdoor pool beginning October
As the hotel is a twenty minute walk from the main town, it's a bit quieter than those right by the pier
There was a wedding but this didn't spoil it for the rest of us guests

My husband were celebrating a joint Birthday and despite some initial hiccups in the planning, the very kind Manager sorted everything out to our satisfaction and it is fair to say that our lunch superceeded our expectations!
The waiting staff were a joy, polite and attentive but not intrusive. They were also kind to my teenage son and made him feel part of things. The meal was very enjoyable and we had coffee and cake out on he lawns to make the most of the wonderful weather.
All in all a lovey visit and one we will surely repeat very soon.
Thanks to all involved.

Just returned home last night after a 3 night B & B break via Visit Eastbourne site. This is a very well run Hotel with amazing staff. We had a lovely sea-view room, the bathroom a bit on small side but immaculately maintained.
We dined in the Conservatory on the first night - one small minor comment, service was very slow in here , especially as we were the only ones dining. Second night ate in Crystal restaurant - staff had made a special table for my Husband's Birthday, a very nice touch, but not over the top either. Food and service excellent here, as were the breakfasts every morning.....excellent choices, freshly cooked and nothing too much trouble.
One thing we observed...the staff all over the Hotel welcomed obvious repeat guests with genuine warmth...a sign of good Hotel management. Indeed, when we had an issue with newspapers, the Hotel Manager sorted out the problem quickly and efficiently.
Strangely, after we booked this, the following day found out some friends had stayed here 4 weeks ago with their 3 year old, and found the staff to be superb throughout their stay too. So staff are able to cater for young and old.
In all, a very well-run friendly Hotel with old time values, you wont find this at cheaper chain hotels.
We will be back!

I have recently returned from a short break staying at this hotel with my senior Mum. We each had a well appointed sea view room with all the room facilities that you could possibly want. The beds are very comfortable and the bedrooms spotlessly clean.
We were staying on a half board basis and found both the breakfasts and evening meals very tasty with a good menu choice. The coffee ice cream, which is always hard to find and is on the desert menu was a sensation. All the staff, be it reception, in the bar, the restaurant and our room cleaner were friendly, kind and exceptionally helpful to my Mum who has walking difficulties. Well done the Hydro Hotel, we shall be back.

Once again another stay at the hydro always made to feel welcome by all the staff , always stay in a room with sea view ( which is lovely ) amazing food in the hotel restaurant, highly recommend a stay at the hydro !!

A lovely hotel great location, very quiet and popular with mature well mannered guests.
Parking : available in the surrounding roads.
Cream Tea: lovely great food possibly too much!
Tables & Chairs: chairs are solid and comfortable a mature person would have no difficulty getting in or out. Tables a little small and too low, for a cream tea to work well in a group they need to be larger and higher.
Waiting staff: seen but not heard. Polite and courteous.
Ambience: no background music it is what you make it!

We had a nice space in the lounge, a very good afternoon was had by all.

I took my mother to the Hydro on August 22nd this year 2017, and we were there over the bank holiday. We have been many times before, and my parents used to go together when my father was alive.
The staff are very friendly and helpful, especially the manager and duty managers. Reception staff welcoming. The food is traditional and the hotel has a feeling of ease and comfort.
My favourite things is being able to go for an early morning swim, the sun was shining and it was very peaceful. The whole hotel is kept clean and the gardens are looked after with a lot of care.
We will be going back!

We had a beautiful room overlooking the sea. Very comfortable bed and bright lighting which is rare in hotels.The lounges were tastefully furnished and a pleasure to sit in.The garden was lovely and there was a very nice area with tables and chairs where you could dine or just enjoy the weather.

A traditional four star Hotel with great views over the Sea. We were welcomed with a complementary Tea and Cake and Glass of Wine pre Dinner. The daily Dinner Menu offered a good selection of food , this was served by the staff who ensured all needs were met ensuring a relaxed experience with quality food. Breakfast was as good with a buffet Continental selection fresh fruit and the normal choice of variants on the Full English. I had Room No. 200 , this is adapted for ease of access for ones with Reduced Mobility with a wide Door ( this can be hooked in the open position giving ease of access for a wheelchair) the Bathroom is a wet room with higher than normal toilet with bars to aid the user. Lifts served all floors and level access to all public areas on the Ground Floor. We didn't use all the facilities i.e. Swimming Pool, Putting Green and Croquet . The Conservatory served Lunches and Afternoon Tea and attracted Residents and Locals alike. All Staff gave a friendly efficient service making it a pleasant stay.

Stayed for a two day summer break on 31/ 8 and 01/9. Comfortable room with views of the Sea and the Downs. Great location especially with the easy access to the South Downs Way. Friendly helpful staff who obviously knew many of the returning guests. Breakfast especially good but for the longer dinners in the Crystal Restaurant the tables for two could be a little larger for a more comfortable experience. All the waiters were very attentive without being intrusive. Plenty of room in the spacious Public Areas.

went with family for a cream tea (scone and a cuppa) the service was excellent and the view out of the window was a pleasant surprise.the scone came out hot and fresh.good place to take someone for that something special afternoon tea,worth a try!

Visited for cream tea yesterday afternoon and amazed at the cupola and outside
seated area so beautifully set up visible from the room conservatory. What blew us
away was the giant size chocolate eclairs that were presented to us -- monstrous in
size but absolutely memorable with milk chocolate not the usual dark chocolate -- meals
in themselves. Most courteous and welcoming service in airy and spacious surroundings and we cannot wait to return.

This place is an absolute must. Where do i start, with a list i think, here goes;
•We arrived early and were given free access to the Hotel & it's wonderful grounds - so of course we headed to the pool to enjoy the sunshine & a cheeky bottle of bubbly.
•After the sun had gone in, we returned to reception & the girls were amazing. they remembered our names & had our keys ready.
•We explored the nooks & crannies of the this beautiful hotel on our way to our room (Room116)
•WHAT A VIEW
•seriously WHAT A VIEW
•dragging ourselves away from the lush room & view, we had a fab afternoon tea - yum!
•then took a stroll down the promenade, the sea is literally right out the door - amazing
•after a hard days work, we slept really well ;-)
•now... i know you're all wondering, what about breakfast... well blimey, the page isn't long enough. everything is available, a cooked to order full english, eggs anyway you want them, fresh pastries, yoghurt, compote, granola, fresh fruit, the list goes on. ITS AMAZING.

and now to cap it all off the staff, what lovely amenable people. Jonathan the manager has been fantastic, as well reception (sorry girls i forget your names) and the glorious David D at the bar, with intel of the workings of this fine old building.

LOVED EVERY SECOND.

Just back from 2 night stay at the Hydro Hotel on a summer breaks special package.
This consisted of a standard double room with breakfast, 3 course dinner each evening with coffee, tea and Battenberg cake on arrival and a glass of house wine each on both evenings.
Arrived 2 hrs before room was ready but checked in with helpful staff, provided credit card details etc and facilities were explained so had tea and cake in the conservatory looking over the lawn and sea. Enjoyed this very much and so did many other people as busy with lunches etc. After lunch went to town for a few hours then came back as the room was ready. Its about a 18 minute walk down to the station and shopping area but on the way back the last 5 mins is uphill so may need a car or cab if any mobility issues. Took a taxi from the station on arrival which was £4.20 but walked after that.
The hotel is not of modern decor but I found it more characterful than modern places I have stayed in and the was an abundance of seating areas and a grand appeal that I liked. I must say that the hotel was very busy and was booked out solid over the weekend. This I always see as a positive to be honest and I would say that quite a few of the mostly elderly residents had stayed many times before.
Room was very nice (1st floor) and had massive bathroom with plenty of towels and toiletries which were replaced each day. Also tea/coffee in room with biscuits which is nice touch.
Spent a few hours in the outside pool which was great as the sun was out and is a short walk through the gardens and has a couple of changing rooms adjacent to the pool. We took our towels from the room and were advised that they could be changed if needed but as we had 4 room towels anyway it was fine.
In the evening went to the bar to get the glass of wine to have for dinner and was seated in a very nice relaxed restaurant. The service was excellent and we received all 3 courses very quickly and the standard of food was high. My wife's family were in the restaurant trade for 35 years so she knows how to run a restaurant and the standard of food that should be provided. I can only say we were both very pleased with all aspects of the meals on both evenings.
Had coffee in one of the lounge seating areas in lovely chairs admiring the library of books/clocks/decor etc
Breakfast was a mix of self service buffet and cooked English and again I would be surprised if anyone could fault it to be honest.
We did book the afternoon tea for the second day (£15.50 each) but as this was served from 3pm we felt to have dinner at 7 it was a little to close for us to enjoy properly. Whilst coming back from the pool I did notice the conservatory was full with people enjoying the afternoon tea and it did indeed look very nice. I was quite disappointed that I had not indulged after all!
This is my third stay in Eastbourne over the last few years having last stayed at the Grand. I would have to say the even though this hotel is a little bit further away from the town centre I would have no hesitation in staying here again and am looking to stay on one of the autumn specials that are now on the website.
We booked direct with the hotel which gave the best price anyway and when you combine it with all of the extras then you will not be disappointed.

Thanks Hydro Hotel

Steve

Our group of six loved the relaxing atmosphere, friendly staff, excellent food and high standards of cleanliness in this wonderfully preserved and restored old hotel. Plenty of space to hang out, quietly or in company. Brilliant views from the large conservatory across the croquet lawn and the nearby sea. We would have preferred king size instead of standard double beds, but otherwise very happy with our stay and no hesitation in recommending. Great location for walks to Beachy Head and South Downs to the west and twenty minutes walk east to town centre and restaurants.

Never been to Eastbourne but always take a UK break during the school holidays. Reviewed the Grand and we had views about this hotel from friends, not particularly favourable. We saw the reviews for this hotel and booking a sea view room (which was double aspect) was easy and an amazing price. We had breakfast in with the price and the hotel even offered us a voucher for afternoon tea. Arrived a little earlier than room would normally be ready but reception staff really accommodating and room was ready. I am a fusspot and had had several e mails with hotel re pillows in the room, booking a nice table for evening dinner on the first night, ensuring there was an a la carte menu, they were all there in our room and on our booking form. The setting of the hotel is excellent, overlooking the sea just out of the main hurly burly of the town, gardens pristine and a lovely conservatory where they serve afternoon tea, overlooking a croquet lawn and small pitch and put. Nice buzzy feeling to the hotel, very busy for afternoon tea and staff struggled a bit but nothing was too much trouble. We checked to make sure that a dinner booking for 8.30 would not mean we were the only people left in the restaurant (lots of older people here) but there were about 40 dinners at the same time as us, nice menu and lovely napery and silver service, tables well spaced and decent wine list. One small criticism was when going to bar for pre dinner drinks they did not serve any cocktails and couldn't even do a straight gin martini, however, manager said this is going to be rectified and they will introduce one soon. Room was newly furnished, amazing view, very quiet although relatively compact, all tea and coffee making facilities and immaculately clean. I like my bed changed every day and this was dealt with with a smile by housekeeping, one small gripe (again, I am too fussy) we wanted duck down pillows as used to a pillow menu, we had rather lumpy synthetic ones being told by reception that that was all they had, spoke to housekeeping and they produced two feather ones but sadly after waking up several times thinking I was sleeping in a chicken coop they weren't really good enough, however, bed was. Breakfast was excellent, bit light on the fresh fruits on offer but the cooked to order full English was spot on, lots of choice and nicely served.

Lots of places to visit and they have a rather nice, albeit small, warm outdoor swimming pool.

Really can't fault this place, so unlike most UK seaside hotels, well looked after, engaged staff and we think the best position of all the sea front hotels. Gentle clientele and good parking. Would recommend and will go back.

I enjoyed my stay here, which was a quick last minute break. I thought it would be overrun with oldies and the menu would from the 1960s but far from it - there was more of a mix of ages than I expected, and the chef clearly takes pride in his food.

The hotel has managed to keep a lovely period feel without being stuck in the past. It is in a lovely quiet part of town, very close to the sea and about 15-20 mins walk along a generally flat promenade to the town centre with plenty to look at on the way.

My single room was a nice size, well decorated and comfortable.

The public areas are nice, with plenty of nooks and crannies to find a seat.

The outside spaces are lovely, with well tended lawns and gardens, and a fab little heated outdoor pool.

The restaurant was impressive - breakfast included a buffet table for gluten free/ special diets which was superb, and the hot dishes were cooked to order from the kitchen which is much better than a buffet with heat lamps.

Dinner was fairly priced and had a good choice, including many gluten free options. While the menu is hardly daring, it is good quality and the chef and his team obviously give careful thought to the food, the flavours, and the different textures. My belly of pork was especially delicious. Wine was fairly priced.

Only constructive comments would be that the receptionists were a little less warm and on the ball as the restaurant staff, and the check out time of 10.30 is outrageously early for a hotel of this size and level - and more appropriate for a seafront guest house.

For the past 5 years I have accompanied my elderly Dad and brother on the first night of their annual 2-day stay at The Hydro. It is a very expensive hotel - which is my only quibble - but the rooms are lovely, the views are stunning, the lounges and restaurant are well kept and the service marvellous. The garden is quite lovely and very well looked after. There is a small pool but I have never used it.
Do not come to this hotel if you want a smart boutique version - it is quite delightfully old-fashioned.

Lovely stay. Fantastic room with sea view. Staff very helpful especially at breakfast! Check in was a bit painful as we were made to feel like a pain! Parking was good. Amazing views from hotel. Would come back but it's not a hotel for young people!!