Hydro Hotel
Latest Reviews
Visited on a Saturday afternoon for Airborne. We had a wonderful time sipping Pimms and eating cakes and ice cream! A beautiful setting with great views and well kept gardens. The hotel has a wonderful historic charm to it. The staff were attentive and charming and it was a quintessential British afternoon. The Air displays were the cherry on the cake and we will be back next year as who wouldn't want to repeat such an amazing experience. They even arranged the glorious sunshine!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Hydro is still quite glamorous & grand and mostly refurbished but some areas are a little tired like the paintwork & walls on landing areas. However the rooms are perfect, staff friendly & fun, the restaurant served exquisite food and the hotel is just 5 minutes walk from the beautiful seafront. We will most definately be returning in the not too distant future.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We enjoyed our stay at The Hydro Hotel, which is well situated at the Beachy Head end of Eastbourne, but still within walking distance of the town. We paid for a room with sea view which was worth the extra money. All staff were helpful and we enjoyed both the breakfast and dinner, where the staff were attentive. The room was very clean but warm so we requested a fan which was provided. There are spacious seating areas downstairs and a pleasant large conservatory with sea views and views over the garden. Although there were older people staying at this hotel there were also families with children. The only comments we would make are that the car park is small for the number of rooms but there is also free roadside parking outside the hotel. We would also suggest that the winter weight duvet be changed for a summer weight duvet in the summer. We plan to visit again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have found writing review of this hotel one of my most difficult ever. Ihave always tried to be as objectdive and fair but here I found the classic "curates egg" To quote an old Clint Eastwood film " The, good, the bad and thr ugly"
Entering into this Hotel is like stepping back 50 years - initially a reception foyer with a Porters area ( Porter? Suppose its now called a Concierge) then up stairs to vast area with dark brown heavy wooden furniture, myriadas of cabinets selling jewellery and gifts and and a lot of very old and many dis-abled people sitting or ambling around whifch made me think I had stepped into an old peoples home. I am not a young person myself but I definately felt the fittest and youngest here.
However checking in was done by a pleasant receptionist and handled efficiently and Iwas given electronic key cards ( a surprise) and directed to the lift. My room was small again with totally unsuited heavy furniture, a very small double bed and windows that would only open about an inch so fresh air was impossible to circulate, howevever therwas amodern flat screen TV with plenty of Channels. The bathroom had obvioisly recently been refurbished and was bright wellfitted with excellent quality towels. In all a passable result.
I had dinner in the Conservatory Restaurant ( one of two in the Hotel although the menus appeared very similar)). It was bright and comfortably furnished but although I had booked and only four tables were occupied the service was very bad. We waited an hour for our first course to be served and we wished we had left. The food was awful and least said the better.
We had breakfast in out room the next morning and it was served on time and was very good so top marks to the Room Service team!
All in all this hotel admirably services a particular type of clientele and you should bear this in mind when booking.
Entering into this Hotel is like stepping back 50 years - initially a reception foyer with a Porters area ( Porter? Suppose its now called a Concierge) then up stairs to vast area with dark brown heavy wooden furniture, myriadas of cabinets selling jewellery and gifts and and a lot of very old and many dis-abled people sitting or ambling around whifch made me think I had stepped into an old peoples home. I am not a young person myself but I definately felt the fittest and youngest here.
However checking in was done by a pleasant receptionist and handled efficiently and Iwas given electronic key cards ( a surprise) and directed to the lift. My room was small again with totally unsuited heavy furniture, a very small double bed and windows that would only open about an inch so fresh air was impossible to circulate, howevever therwas amodern flat screen TV with plenty of Channels. The bathroom had obvioisly recently been refurbished and was bright wellfitted with excellent quality towels. In all a passable result.
I had dinner in the Conservatory Restaurant ( one of two in the Hotel although the menus appeared very similar)). It was bright and comfortably furnished but although I had booked and only four tables were occupied the service was very bad. We waited an hour for our first course to be served and we wished we had left. The food was awful and least said the better.
We had breakfast in out room the next morning and it was served on time and was very good so top marks to the Room Service team!
All in all this hotel admirably services a particular type of clientele and you should bear this in mind when booking.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A pleasant Cliff Top hotel easy walk down to the sea and promenades. Traditional style, comfortable lounge and seating areas as well as a very pleasant conservatory cafe overlooking the gardens. Putting golf and croquet lawn as well as a very pleasant open air pool. Rooms updates though it is rather a rambling establishment. Good breakfast despite the soggy toast.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Hotel is an old lovely building , the staff are really good and the food was excellent. The problem was the room had no air conditioning and the ventilation was poor so much so we had to ask for a fan to try and keep cool . Not really sure what it would have been like in very hot weather . The beds were fine but the rest of the decor left a lot to be desired,very cheap wardrobe which was very dusty on top and could easily topple over as not fixed to the wall .the bathroom was a bit on the small side ,the shower was a joke and the door had a slide bolt to lock it rather than a proper door lock . To be honest I would rate this as an over priced B&B not the quality I would have expected from a hotel as we paid £280.00 for the two night stay . Sorry we won't be staying there again .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Some friends took us here for lunch . I have to say the food was really tasty and good value , also the service was really good .
We thought we had gone back in time or landed in an old peoples home . It is not often I feel one of the youngest in the place . I saw people snoozing in chairs and my husband said it was depressing .
It wasn't our cup of tea , but it obviously works as it was very busy and not everyone wants something modern.
It definitely is a time warp .
We thought we had gone back in time or landed in an old peoples home . It is not often I feel one of the youngest in the place . I saw people snoozing in chairs and my husband said it was depressing .
It wasn't our cup of tea , but it obviously works as it was very busy and not everyone wants something modern.
It definitely is a time warp .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Always comforting to return to this Hotel. This time for a friend's birthday. The food was scrumptious as always. No problem with my dietary requirements. One just has to speak to the relevant member of staff beforehand and then see the maître de some time before you eat to peruse the menu. My only ? was why was I and a fellow guest in our party given aour vodka tonics in a small brandy glass each??!!??
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Occasionally have lunch in the conservatory, which is very nice, although I feel that whilst you can enjoy as much salad as you wish, the portions of meat, fish, quiche etc are rather small.
Afternoon tea is fab. Lovely fresh sandwiches and a tasty selection of cakes makes this a real treat. If the weather is nice you can gave this on the croquet Lawn. All very lovely.
Afternoon tea is fab. Lovely fresh sandwiches and a tasty selection of cakes makes this a real treat. If the weather is nice you can gave this on the croquet Lawn. All very lovely.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Not a pleasant to look at hotel . Grounds very nice , took us back in time croquette on lawn . Small swimming pool , in a sun trap which was nice , average age 68 upwards.
Food took me back to the 80s very nice but old school.
Staff in restaurant middle European English a bit of problem , breakfast got complete wrong order funny .
Room large .
Food took me back to the 80s very nice but old school.
Staff in restaurant middle European English a bit of problem , breakfast got complete wrong order funny .
Room large .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We decided to take a friend here for a special birthday afternoon treat, as she had been before and particularly liked it. Firstly when we arrived I thought it was all a bit chaotic and there was no clear direction of where we were supposed to go for tea. I asked at the reception and was guided in the general direction of the conservatory, where we had reserved a table, so far so good. We perused the tea menu, and I was surprised that we could only order one particular flavour of sandwiches per person and not a mixture, and then asked if we wanted Tea, Coffee or Chocolate to drink. This was duly delivered on a cake stand with a nice selection of cakes and a couple of scones jam and cream per person. The sandwiches were good and full of the requested fillings, and the scones and cakes delicious. I don't know if we had picked a particularly busy day, there was a wedding reception going on at the same time, but the staff weren't that interested in serving us, and seemed a little preoccupied with other matters. All in all a nice tea, and reasonable value for the money.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We will definitely visit the Hydro Hotel again. We are in our early 40's and have our 10 and 12 year old daughters with us. We are the youngest here but we are in Eastbourne aren't we!!! The hotel is beautiful, we love the lounge and I love the booms! We've eaten in the Conservatory both nights and the food has been great. The Children's meals are brilliant. Breakfast is super. The girls have loved having the pool to themselves for 2 days! Everyone has been so friendly, the staff can't do enough for you and the girls don't want to go home tomorrow. The hotel is probably aimed at the 'older' generation but that's just meant that more smiles and pleasant exchanges have been made!! We're going home tomorrow feeling like we've had a really good break!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Some external photos perhaps don't do this hotel justice. It really is an excellent hotel, and has a good 'feel' about it too!. The location is 300m back from the sea, and quite high up, so from our sea-view room we had really lovely sea views. Standard of décor and presentation of the room was high, and quite spacious too. Windows opened on the South and West side - a real plus for breezes, and for hearing the sea at night. No air con, but we could apparently have had a fan. There was a lovely south facing conservatory - for bar snacks etc overlooking the well kept croquet lawn. This was very nice. The main restaurant was well inside the hotel - used for breakfast and dinner. The lawn had deckchairs benches etc around the perimeter, and guests can play croquet, 'golf; and other games. There was a heated outdoor pool In a very pleasant location overlooking the sea, with sunloungers. The evening meal was imaginative, with nice option for vegetarians, and soya milk on request. Breakfast was on the contrary very ordinary, and no veg sausages, but you could choose egg, mushrooms and baked beans. Staff friendly, and helpful too. Great too for walking to Beachy Head or into town. 'Dotto' train service, and buses to Birling Gap. Good car park and wifi - all free. This was one of the best hotels for some time!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
"It's full of old people! " said our granddaughter . She was right - some younger than us but looking old ,dressed just like people of their age would have dressed 30 years ago.
Dinner was also like going back in time to when every menu featured Prawn Cocktail ( it didn't but you get the picture) .
On the plus side the staff were all lovely,the room was big & the view was great - the deal included dinner so to be fair it was great value for such a location in the school holidays.
My overall reaction is how can the owners/managers not have noticed that elsewhere things have changed .
We may have an aging population but they are getting "younger" in outlook .
WiFi was good.
Dinner was also like going back in time to when every menu featured Prawn Cocktail ( it didn't but you get the picture) .
On the plus side the staff were all lovely,the room was big & the view was great - the deal included dinner so to be fair it was great value for such a location in the school holidays.
My overall reaction is how can the owners/managers not have noticed that elsewhere things have changed .
We may have an aging population but they are getting "younger" in outlook .
WiFi was good.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We stayed in room 216. Overlooks the croquet lawn and has a great sea view. Room comfortable with very soft bed, two chairs and tea and coffee making facilities. Bathroom very narrow but plenty of hot water, good bath and adequate shower over the bath.
We had breakfast both days, good for cooked english but not great for continental. Liked having a pot of hot milk with the coffee. Dinner was very good both nights and the menu changed daily. Wine list very reasonable with good choice. Bar very quiet but service and prices very good.
Lounges comfortable, very Victorian as others say but we like that! Staff all very efficient and friendly, like the idea of leaving a gratuity to be shared by all. Position is out of town but easy to walk over main road and go down path to the promenade, abut 15 minutes walk to the pier. Plenty of parking. Wifi was very good.
We had breakfast both days, good for cooked english but not great for continental. Liked having a pot of hot milk with the coffee. Dinner was very good both nights and the menu changed daily. Wine list very reasonable with good choice. Bar very quiet but service and prices very good.
Lounges comfortable, very Victorian as others say but we like that! Staff all very efficient and friendly, like the idea of leaving a gratuity to be shared by all. Position is out of town but easy to walk over main road and go down path to the promenade, abut 15 minutes walk to the pier. Plenty of parking. Wifi was very good.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Just returned from the hydro what can I say lovely views bed could be a bit bigger really enjoyed the stay would go back near future eastbourne is not only for the old shame it's a far walk from the town but you can park any where it's free parking away from the sea front .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I was working on a recording projects in Eastbourne- bringing my Nashville charm to someone's record. Great work, if you can get it.
The record label booked me into the Hydro, and it was wonderful. I didn't have my laptop or anything like that with me, so I can't comment on WiFi, but I did have a wonderful view of the croquet field and the ocean laying just beyond it. The bar is fine, but I didn't eat at the restaurant. I slept through breakfast; you understand these things, I'm sure.
But if cozy England is what you're looking for, The Hydro is old school, old world, just plain Victorian and OLD, for old souls like me who don't want to stay at Travelodge or Holiday Inn.
Next time, I'll bring the mallets.
The record label booked me into the Hydro, and it was wonderful. I didn't have my laptop or anything like that with me, so I can't comment on WiFi, but I did have a wonderful view of the croquet field and the ocean laying just beyond it. The bar is fine, but I didn't eat at the restaurant. I slept through breakfast; you understand these things, I'm sure.
But if cozy England is what you're looking for, The Hydro is old school, old world, just plain Victorian and OLD, for old souls like me who don't want to stay at Travelodge or Holiday Inn.
Next time, I'll bring the mallets.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited with some friends for lunch in the conservatory looking out to sea. Food arrived quickly and was very good. Spent a good couple of hours in the busy conservatory, obviously a very popular stylish venue. Hotel situated in very good position with great views and plenty of on street parking which is free and unrestricted.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
19th century grandeur has held up well. Enjoyed an upgrade to a suite, with fine views across the croquet lawn to the sea, all well insulated from strong July weather. Astoundingly attentive service in the restaurant ... good food, and perhaps speedier than was needed even. An excellent place for a good break.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Stayed 2 nights on business. The lounge and main area was slightly dated but in a charming and elegant way. My room was overall comfortable and surprisingly fresh with regards to decor. The breakfast was nice and served very quickly. Staff very friendly. The only downsides were my matress was in need of replacement as definitely worn on one side. The hotel is also quite ugly from the outside. I'd stay here again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Booked a full sea view room and allocated room 112 which is on the side of hotel looking over the conservatory. Manager claimed they called this a front sea view. Having said that the view sideways was excellent. The gardens were kept in an excellent condition
The service in restaurant by the foreign staff was efficient and polite but were served each course within minutes. Not a very relaxing experience. A three course meal completed within the hour. Food quite adequate but not exciting.
Our room was comfortable and very clean with a good sized bed. TV far too small for a large room.
The reception staff seemed to be not interested to ask if we had a nice stay and were not at all friendly.
We echo comments about the appearance of the lounges which would be very acceptable if the light bulbs were brighter to overcome its current dark and dingy appearance.
The service in restaurant by the foreign staff was efficient and polite but were served each course within minutes. Not a very relaxing experience. A three course meal completed within the hour. Food quite adequate but not exciting.
Our room was comfortable and very clean with a good sized bed. TV far too small for a large room.
The reception staff seemed to be not interested to ask if we had a nice stay and were not at all friendly.
We echo comments about the appearance of the lounges which would be very acceptable if the light bulbs were brighter to overcome its current dark and dingy appearance.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
stayed at hotel for my niece's wedding (at a local church) - reception was at the hotel - stayed 2 nights - room/bathroom was comfortable & clean, staff were friendly, helpful & polite, meal at wedding & breakfast were excellent - made a special weekend very easy - lovely setting by the sea - decor perhaps a little old fashioned but everywhere was clean & well maintained - would definitely recommend the hotel if staying in Eastbourne.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Unexpected weekend trip on business/social. Had not booked but arrived at the Hydro hotel.Reception were very helpful and booked us into a beautiful double room complete with a wonderful sea view. We also had dinner in the Crystal restaurant which was very good. The building reflects a bygone age but the atmosphere is very calming.
Thoroughly recommended.
Thoroughly recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
stayed here for a business meeting for one night.
Staff were so nice and friendly and very helpful with luggage I had to transport too.
Room was very clean and lovely furnishings, bathroom spotless, bed very comfortable. Breakfast was cooked to order and again staff very friendly. Food was good quality. Great to sit out in the garden too having a drink looking over the sea.
A great hotel with lovely Victorian features and giving you a taste of the past - I would recommend and will visit again
Staff were so nice and friendly and very helpful with luggage I had to transport too.
Room was very clean and lovely furnishings, bathroom spotless, bed very comfortable. Breakfast was cooked to order and again staff very friendly. Food was good quality. Great to sit out in the garden too having a drink looking over the sea.
A great hotel with lovely Victorian features and giving you a taste of the past - I would recommend and will visit again
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Stayed here with a large group of family members for a special family occasion. The maitre'd at dinner was on edge constantly and kept moaning at the slightest peep coming from my 3 year old girl, and she really is extremely well behaved so particularly unjustified. It made for an uncomfortable time. The pool is great and the older children loved it. Decor in the rooms is very nice. The restaurant is very hot and stuffy so be warned, no air con in this old girl, if you're staying in hot weather, it's gonna be hot in there! We went on a previous occasion for afternoon tea which was excellent. As a resident, I was disappointed. I wouldn't stay again in haste, but I would go again for afternoon tea or lunch. The restaurant is rather pompous thus gives it an old fashioned feel (not in a good way) which is interesting since we've dined in michelin star restaurants which in this day and age are about being friendly and welcoming. I rather think some of the old stuffy staff need to be replaced with young blood to give the place a more vibrant feel. We've just recently had a stay in the Waldorf Astoria in Rome and their level of service, friendliness and altogether down to earth attitude was poles apart from the stuffiness of the Hydro. For an 'Agatha Christie' feel, yes I recommend the Hydro, but I suspect your experience would be 'hit or miss'. For me, a miss, but clearly for others, the place is a hit. Good luck Hydro, the beauty of the building makes this place deserve to be a hit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
