Hydro Hotel
Latest Reviews
We stayed for one night as a stop-over for the Rumours of Fleetwood Mac concert. A lovely charming hotel we've stayed at before on 3 or 4 different occasions. Warm, friendly and helpful staff who made a lovely meal for us even though the Conservatory restaurant was near to closing time. We were upgraded on arrival to a lovely side sea view room. Our only negative was an uncomfortable bed which affected our night's sleep and hopefully will be included in the upcoming room refurbishment we read about below. Still... a lovely hotel and a lovely atmosphere.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My partner and I stayed at the hotel last week taking my partners 90 year old mother. We had lovely spacious rooms with fabulous sea views. Even the single room was a very good size. Our bathroom needed upgrading but we were told they were gradually doing that.
We loved the spacious feel of the communal areas and the 1930's interior design. The whole place felt relaxed and comfortable. The service was outstanding. They do not appear to have cut back on staff as so many hotels have done. We found all staff to be very friendly and extremely helpful.
We appreciated things such as freshly cooked breakfasts. So hot food was not sitting around for ages and neither did you have to keep trekking up to buffet tables to get everything.
The kippers were outstanding!
It would have been good to have had a wider and more modern food choice in the evenings. You do not always want a big meal in the formal restaurant in the evenings and it would have been good to have been able to make more use of the conservatory. I assume the hotel is independently owned as it was refreshing to stay somewhere that did not have that standardised chain feel about it.
Would definitely go back.
We loved the spacious feel of the communal areas and the 1930's interior design. The whole place felt relaxed and comfortable. The service was outstanding. They do not appear to have cut back on staff as so many hotels have done. We found all staff to be very friendly and extremely helpful.
We appreciated things such as freshly cooked breakfasts. So hot food was not sitting around for ages and neither did you have to keep trekking up to buffet tables to get everything.
The kippers were outstanding!
It would have been good to have had a wider and more modern food choice in the evenings. You do not always want a big meal in the formal restaurant in the evenings and it would have been good to have been able to make more use of the conservatory. I assume the hotel is independently owned as it was refreshing to stay somewhere that did not have that standardised chain feel about it.
Would definitely go back.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I had booked a single room for just one night to attend a friend's special birthday party and was delighted to find that it was actually a suite with wonderful views of the grounds and the sea, beautifully furnished and spotless. The price included a full English breakfast. Certainly good value for money.
I was attending a friend's Special Birthday Party dinner which was excellent and beautifully presented.
I wouldn't hesitate in recommending this hotel.
I was attending a friend's Special Birthday Party dinner which was excellent and beautifully presented.
I wouldn't hesitate in recommending this hotel.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great stay with our grand kids. Pool was lovely. Staff were a delight. Nothing too much trouble.
Better breakfast than many a 5 star. All in all a nice hotel. Quintessentially English. Nice weather helps.
Eastbourne is lovely as is Beachey Head.
Pops.
Better breakfast than many a 5 star. All in all a nice hotel. Quintessentially English. Nice weather helps.
Eastbourne is lovely as is Beachey Head.
Pops.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Stayed at The Hydro over this last weekend as I have done for several years now. I do love the hotel and the staff. They are always friendly and welcoming. The hotel has an old fashioned charm to it but is up to date and lovely. They are doing high teas now in the conservatory and it was very busy which has brought the whole place very alive and bustling without seeming overcrowded. You need to book ahead for the high teas.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The staff were so attentive, sea view room was lovely. The meals are fantastic and prices aren't too bad. We really enjoyed our stay here and would definitely come back again perhaps in the summer next time as the wind on the windows was extremely loud making it difficult to get to sleep.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We love the Hydro Hotel, the staff are extremely hard working and friendly, the food is excellent at all times, and the rooms are spotless clean. Over the last forty six years of frequenting the Hydro Hotel we have seen many change's, but through it all the Hydro has never lost its identity and charm.
We thank all the staff for their helpfulness over the years, we wish Susannah all the best, also we would like to welcome the new manager Johnathan to the ever open arms of the best hotel in Eastbourne. Merry Christmas to you all.
Pam & Marcelle.
We thank all the staff for their helpfulness over the years, we wish Susannah all the best, also we would like to welcome the new manager Johnathan to the ever open arms of the best hotel in Eastbourne. Merry Christmas to you all.
Pam & Marcelle.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I've been raving about this hotel. Incredibly good value. We arrived on a really terrible day with a lot of rain and found a large comfortable room, friendly staff and a beautiful setting. We even had a side view of the sea.
We only ate breakfast, but this was delicious. The only thing that makes me not give excellent was that the bar man on Saturday evening was a bit grumpy - but he seemed to be on his own and the hotel was full of revellers - he probably was just tired.
We only ate breakfast, but this was delicious. The only thing that makes me not give excellent was that the bar man on Saturday evening was a bit grumpy - but he seemed to be on his own and the hotel was full of revellers - he probably was just tired.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a little gem with such character and old world charm very friendly staff nothing was too much trouble, the steaks were the best, the sea view amazing we felt very welcome our room was a little dated but the huge double bed was really comfortable and the room clean. We will definitely return.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We are a couple and came to see a play at the Devonshire Theatre. Took the Hydro hotel deal of £69 for bed, full English breakfast and cream tea on arrival.
We were Not disappointed!
Had a warm welcome. Room with direct sea view, lovely large bath towels, comfortable beds, CH, plenty of tea and coffee in room with a TEAPOT. How lovely. Never had one anywhere else before!
Breakfast served by very polite helpful waiters in the lovely restaurant. Piping hot. Great choice of fruit, cereal, ham and cheese if you still had room.
Will certainly return to Eastbourne and the Hydro. We were very impressed.
Thank you for a very enjoyable stay and continue the good work!!! Oh forgot to mention... ideally placed for the promenade and the theatres.
We were Not disappointed!
Had a warm welcome. Room with direct sea view, lovely large bath towels, comfortable beds, CH, plenty of tea and coffee in room with a TEAPOT. How lovely. Never had one anywhere else before!
Breakfast served by very polite helpful waiters in the lovely restaurant. Piping hot. Great choice of fruit, cereal, ham and cheese if you still had room.
Will certainly return to Eastbourne and the Hydro. We were very impressed.
Thank you for a very enjoyable stay and continue the good work!!! Oh forgot to mention... ideally placed for the promenade and the theatres.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We live near Eastbourne but love an occasional one-night break at a lovely hotel with a sea view.
The Hydro gave us everything we wanted.
The hotel was welcoming, clean and comfortable.
Our afternoone scones were superb, as was our evening meal and breakfast.
We found our room a little too warm, but that's down to personal comfort and might be just right for someone else.
Otherwise, everything was great and we thank the staff for their attentiveness that added to a lovely stay.
The Hydro gave us everything we wanted.
The hotel was welcoming, clean and comfortable.
Our afternoone scones were superb, as was our evening meal and breakfast.
We found our room a little too warm, but that's down to personal comfort and might be just right for someone else.
Otherwise, everything was great and we thank the staff for their attentiveness that added to a lovely stay.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Exceptional service from the friendly efficient reception staff to the equally good housekeeping staff, all seem to want to go that extra mile to make the guests stay memorable. This hotel radiates old world charm, it's rather like walking into a bygone age where the guests are always the most important. Our room was lovely, large and very comfortable, the bathroom was modern with lovely large white fluffy towels and the toiletries were of good quality. The views over the sea and towards Beachy Heads are spectacular. I did not want to leave and certainly can't wait to return soon. Fabulous place to stay.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I always look forward to staying at The Hydro. There is something very special about it. It is comfortable with a lovely calm atmosphere, always relaxing and the Crystal restaurant is lovely with excellent food. The Conservatory is a lovely place to eat and enjoy the view. Trish
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife and Ihave just returned after spending a few days atthe Hydro Eastbourne and thought it was fabulous. Do not expect the same old, same old rooms as you get at modern budget hotels here you return to the elegance and service of the 1920s and 30s. OK the decoration in some of the areas may need some attention but this is easily overlooked when you are treated to the courtesy and friendliness of the staff and elegance of a real English hotel. All the staff were smart and the rooms were very clean and well presented, a blown light bulb reported after breakfast was replaced before we returned later in the afternoon. (Sorry this is one of my pet hates as I think failed bulbs, especially in the public areas reflects, badly on the quality of the hotel).
The lady who serviced our room (317) was extremely friendly and ensured that it was always clean and well stocked. All the staff appeared to have excellent training in their respective duties and were all a credit to the hotel.
We did not eat in the Crystal Restaurant but the food we had in the conservatory was well cooked and well presented. Breakfasts offered a large selection of both cold and hot food and the portion sizes were very good.
The entrance and public areas were clean, tidy and well frequented by guests who obviously enjoyed just sitting and enjoying the ‘Old World’ charm of what is obviously a somewhat historic building.
Just go and enjoy!
The lady who serviced our room (317) was extremely friendly and ensured that it was always clean and well stocked. All the staff appeared to have excellent training in their respective duties and were all a credit to the hotel.
We did not eat in the Crystal Restaurant but the food we had in the conservatory was well cooked and well presented. Breakfasts offered a large selection of both cold and hot food and the portion sizes were very good.
The entrance and public areas were clean, tidy and well frequented by guests who obviously enjoyed just sitting and enjoying the ‘Old World’ charm of what is obviously a somewhat historic building.
Just go and enjoy!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A wonderful old hotel which has managed to combine old world charm in its building and decor with wonderful service from happy, dedicated staff who appear to enjoy looking after their guests. The hotel is situated on a headland with beautiful views. Anyone looking for a relaxed stay with superb service need look no further.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My husband and I booked a deal through Travelzoo for a one night stay which included a cream tea and breakfast and a room with a seaview to celebrate my husband's birthday. On our arrival we were greeted warmly and promptly given a key card to our room what a surprise we got when we entered the room it had a huge very comfortable bed with a picture window which had an amazing view of the sea at the foot of the bed there was a comfortable sofa where we had drinks and drank in the beautiful view. We enjoyed our afternoon tea and our evening meal in the Crystal Dining Room my only negative was that the room was brightly lit I think the lighting could have been more intimate. Our meal was superb we both had the prawns and avocado to start with our main course was the Sirloin steak which was cooked exactly to our liking after that we retired to the lounge with drinks to listen to the amazing harpist that had been booked for the evening what a talented young lady she was. We both slept very well it was so quiet all we could hear was the sea lapping. We had a superb breakfast the next morning all in all an excellent one night stay. We both look forward to returning j would definitely recommend.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
room well appointed beautiful sea view,
hotel busy but quiet ,recommend afternoon tea in the conservatory.
plenty of parking nearby and friendly staff
breakfast served in the crystal dining room was pleasant
a very enjoyable stay
hotel busy but quiet ,recommend afternoon tea in the conservatory.
plenty of parking nearby and friendly staff
breakfast served in the crystal dining room was pleasant
a very enjoyable stay
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
You could be forgiven for thinking you have stepped on to the set of Downton Abbey,as this hotel is quite magical for the fact that it hasn't tried to compete with modern times, instead it has retained a wonderful feeling of the past, with it's beautiful oak arches leading to different parts of this intriguing hotel. This hotel purched on the far nicer nicer of Eastbourne with is exceptionally well kept lawns is a real treat and is probably the best kept secret of Eastbourne.Having just completed my review on hotels in Eastbourne this is the hotel that gets my vote, for customer service, food and value for money...and don't get me started on the cream tea served evert afternoon, Amazing!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Check-in was inefficient. Had to ask for basic information, ie breakfast, as this wasn't automatically given. No directions for room either given there are 2 lifts and staircases. Found second lift ourselves.
Our room was clean and pleasant albeit small. It was quiet and peaceful, overlooking car-park, towards end of corridor on second floor.
Free car-park and on road parking available if car-park full, which isn't very big.
Plenty of complimentary toiletries and teas/coffee etc. Freeview tv, good amount of storage including room safe. Windows that open (much needed for us given the room was extremely warm despite the radiator being off).
We found the double bed uncomfortable and didn't sleep much first night and both only managed a few hours the second night. The mattress sank when you sat/laid on it but it wasn't soft. When I went to reception about this, I was advised no free doubles as hotel fully booked. NO apology.
Receptionist said she'd speak to housekeeping to see if they could do anything. Nothing was done but we found laying on top of the duvet helped slightly. Yes, it was that warm in the room to do that even with the window open in October.
Breakfasts were very good with wide variety. Soya milk available. Efficient, polite waiting staff.
The shower water temperature fluctuated from just right to cool to hot repeatedly, both morning and evening. Heated towel rail - not able to be adjusted on/off by room occupant.
Bedside lights were touch on/off which I liked.
Mentioned bed/sleep problems at check-out, which, again, was inefficient (like check-in) and was told 'OK, I'll pass that on'. Again, NO apology.
Met expectations of being quiet, peaceful, good breakfast and ability to park car. Just disappointed we didn't sleep well.
It may be a good idea to avoid room 229 if you don't like an overly warm room.
Our room was clean and pleasant albeit small. It was quiet and peaceful, overlooking car-park, towards end of corridor on second floor.
Free car-park and on road parking available if car-park full, which isn't very big.
Plenty of complimentary toiletries and teas/coffee etc. Freeview tv, good amount of storage including room safe. Windows that open (much needed for us given the room was extremely warm despite the radiator being off).
We found the double bed uncomfortable and didn't sleep much first night and both only managed a few hours the second night. The mattress sank when you sat/laid on it but it wasn't soft. When I went to reception about this, I was advised no free doubles as hotel fully booked. NO apology.
Receptionist said she'd speak to housekeeping to see if they could do anything. Nothing was done but we found laying on top of the duvet helped slightly. Yes, it was that warm in the room to do that even with the window open in October.
Breakfasts were very good with wide variety. Soya milk available. Efficient, polite waiting staff.
The shower water temperature fluctuated from just right to cool to hot repeatedly, both morning and evening. Heated towel rail - not able to be adjusted on/off by room occupant.
Bedside lights were touch on/off which I liked.
Mentioned bed/sleep problems at check-out, which, again, was inefficient (like check-in) and was told 'OK, I'll pass that on'. Again, NO apology.
Met expectations of being quiet, peaceful, good breakfast and ability to park car. Just disappointed we didn't sleep well.
It may be a good idea to avoid room 229 if you don't like an overly warm room.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I'd say the service is patchy, or perhaps I was just unlucky. Room service and main dining room service were both fine. Other aspects not so good. I waited an hour in the conservatory area for a jacket potato with tuna -- clearly a mix up in the kitchen. The front desk said a porter would deliver my bag to my room but I eventually retrieved it from behind the porter's desk about 6 hours after checking in.
The jacket potato with tuna, when it arrived, was the best thing I ate at the hotel.
The jacket potato with tuna, when it arrived, was the best thing I ate at the hotel.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Not having stayed at the Hydro before, I arrived with an open mind and was pleasantly surprised when I checked in. Very friendly, professional staff and an old fashioned feel to the place, it fails to disappoint.
The room is clean and roomy with all the usual facilities. Tea coffee and biscuits are provided and replenish each day. The bed is comfy and bathroom spacious and clean.
A decent bar with a good selection of drinks (including draft Guinness - thank you) is open till 11:00pm and although I have not eaten in the hotel, the restaurant looks nice and the menu varied with reasonable prices.
Overall, a good experience.
The room is clean and roomy with all the usual facilities. Tea coffee and biscuits are provided and replenish each day. The bed is comfy and bathroom spacious and clean.
A decent bar with a good selection of drinks (including draft Guinness - thank you) is open till 11:00pm and although I have not eaten in the hotel, the restaurant looks nice and the menu varied with reasonable prices.
Overall, a good experience.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Hotel was very spacious with lovely ground floor public areas, reception staff were pleasant and helpful. My room was very well appointed, very clean and incredibly comfortable, it even had a side sea view.
My only gripes about the hotel are the food service. Whilst the dinner menu for the Crystal restaurant looked very appealing a note in my room states that in order to ensure a smooth service they only seated around five people per 15 minutes and as such booking was highly recommended. As I'd arrive about 7.00pm I made the assumption that given the strict allocation that it wouldn't even be worth trying to get a table.
Similarly breakfast also was disappointing. Whilst the choice on offer was good and the yoghurt and compotes delicious, the cooked offering was a let down. With my breakfast I ordered a fried egg, cooked both sides and definitely cooked right through i.e. no runny yolk. When it arrived this wasn't the case and so I sent it back, sadly though, rather than cooking me another breakfast it was obvious that my original one had just been put under a heat lamp and the egg itself taken off and just received on the other side. Consequently I ended up with a lukewarm breakfast which was slightly dried out and an egg with virtually no yolk left as most of it had ended up on the plate when I originally tested how well cooked it was.
My only gripes about the hotel are the food service. Whilst the dinner menu for the Crystal restaurant looked very appealing a note in my room states that in order to ensure a smooth service they only seated around five people per 15 minutes and as such booking was highly recommended. As I'd arrive about 7.00pm I made the assumption that given the strict allocation that it wouldn't even be worth trying to get a table.
Similarly breakfast also was disappointing. Whilst the choice on offer was good and the yoghurt and compotes delicious, the cooked offering was a let down. With my breakfast I ordered a fried egg, cooked both sides and definitely cooked right through i.e. no runny yolk. When it arrived this wasn't the case and so I sent it back, sadly though, rather than cooking me another breakfast it was obvious that my original one had just been put under a heat lamp and the egg itself taken off and just received on the other side. Consequently I ended up with a lukewarm breakfast which was slightly dried out and an egg with virtually no yolk left as most of it had ended up on the plate when I originally tested how well cooked it was.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A classic large late-Victorian hotel with plenty of helpful friendly staff situated in a quiet residential area. Our third floor room was small but comfortable. More space could have been created by having fewer items of furniture. We had an excellent good-value dinner in the conservatory and the breakfast was also very good.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We stayed here for a week and the hotel is beautiful and the staff are very kind. The view from the room was amazing and the town was nice and quiet. Staff were able to recommend us with some nice places to visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Stayed for three nights had a lovely luxurious stay Mainly because we were looked after so well by such nice caring staff who are a credit to this hotel and all its history. The cleaning staff kept the room immaculate, the hotel and beautiful gardens were also very well maintained Food in the Crystal restaurant was beautifully presented and most enjoyable I would like to thank everyone involved in running this great place Would definitely return and recommend to anyone on a visit to Eastbourne
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
