Hydro Hotel
Latest Reviews
Agree with previous reviewer.old fashioned but adds to charm.must be best hotel in it's category in town. Food superb.spotlessly clean.lovely staff and great atmosphere. Can't go wrong really.highly recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Just had long weekend here, and enjoyed it.
The hotel is a little old fashioned but that adds to its charm. Nice comfy reception, large conservatory overlooking the croquet green. Our room was on the 3rd floor and had a sea view. The food is also excellent. It's on the outskirts of town and if you have mobility problems it could be difficult as its at the top of a hill. Anyway, we liked it and would definitely go back.
The hotel is a little old fashioned but that adds to its charm. Nice comfy reception, large conservatory overlooking the croquet green. Our room was on the 3rd floor and had a sea view. The food is also excellent. It's on the outskirts of town and if you have mobility problems it could be difficult as its at the top of a hill. Anyway, we liked it and would definitely go back.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We have stayed many times at the Hydro Hotel in Eastbourne and have loved every minute. The Hydro is one of those hotels which are fast disappearing, sadly, from our shores. It is a magnificent example of Victorian splendour. What strikes you is the spaciousness and generous sizes of the rooms, that is the lounges and dining room And the rooms themselves. The hotel is very well run, the staff are helpful and friendly and the atmosphere is such that you feel at home and relaxed everywhere you decide to sit, and there is plenty of choice. Many of the rooms have been refurbished with new bathroom facilities, there are the usual amenities such as tea making, if you have a room with a sea view, these are excellent and the best rooms are those with a large bay window. The room service is excellent. The food is uniformly good and well served, the dining room is a mass of chandeliers glittering everywhere and the room has that Victorian graciousness which is appealing to us. If you like "modern" and young, you will probably not care for the Hydro. The clientele tends to be "older" but the hotel hosts many conventions of all sorts having plenty of room facilities to do so. It is also a popular place to hold weddings and their Sunday lunch is popular amongst the locals. The hotel boasts a new conservatory/dining area with lovely views over the sea front. The gardens are pleasant and well kept with benches dotted around. All in all, a wonderful hotel and long may it continue to remain in existence!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
May aunt insisted on taking us out for lunch, the Hydro was her choice, Conservatory, Lawns and views of the sea.
The waiter could not describe one of the dishes on the menu, tables were slow to be cleared and you got the end of season feeling.
I did not feel the welcoming experience I expected, and with the dark woodwork it was all be bit dull. There was no one to welcome you and take you to a table, a bit of a free for all, disappointing.
The Jigsaw and the table as you entered the conservatory was a nice touch.
On a more positive note, the food was good, hot and well presented.
The waiter could not describe one of the dishes on the menu, tables were slow to be cleared and you got the end of season feeling.
I did not feel the welcoming experience I expected, and with the dark woodwork it was all be bit dull. There was no one to welcome you and take you to a table, a bit of a free for all, disappointing.
The Jigsaw and the table as you entered the conservatory was a nice touch.
On a more positive note, the food was good, hot and well presented.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Celebrated my big birthday with my husband... I'd stayed there 45 years ago! It is a traditional rather old fashioned place, none the worse for that... We had a lovely refurbished suite overlooking the sea, the weather was glorious, and we walked for miles. We had afternoon tea in the garden, as we did pre dinner drinks. Dinner was lovely and were happy to go off menu for my husbands diet, with very courteous service. Comfortable bed, a shower that worked well!
The only let down was reception, with not a particularly warm welcome, and paying the bill was and leaving was just a transaction. Nice for a little interaction. A shame as it is the front line of the Hotel. There was also a lot of rubbish in the car park. But on the whole a very pleasant stay.
The only let down was reception, with not a particularly warm welcome, and paying the bill was and leaving was just a transaction. Nice for a little interaction. A shame as it is the front line of the Hotel. There was also a lot of rubbish in the car park. But on the whole a very pleasant stay.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife and I visited this hotel as part of a group. I cannot, therefore, comment on the room rates or value for money. I can, however, comment on the hotel's attributes and service. We stayed for three nights on a DB&B basis. We were fortunate to be given a suite on the second floor with a superb sea view. The hotel is located on the cliffs at a very quiet part of Eastbourne. Walk into town is about 15 minutes or about £8 by taxi.
The reception at the hotel was warm and friendly and check in was a few minutes. The public ares are large comfortable and very very well cared for. The bar area is large and the bar is well stocked. The bar staff are keen to serve and very knowledgeable.
Our rooms were spotlessly clean and very well equipped. The bed was very comfortable. The bathroom was spacious and again well equipped. Large bath towels, which are always a joy. Faultless!
The evening meals were really exceptional. It was truly a fine dining experience the whole of our visit. Service from the waiters was discrete and courteous. . It was obvious that they had been well trained by the hotel The food was truly superb very well presented. Even as a group we were given a large, well thought range, of a la carte dishes. Breakfast was equally superb. Cooked breakfasts were served at the table and to individual orders. So all hot food was hot!! The whole of our group some 29 were all of the opinion that our organizer had found a jewel of a hotel in Eastbourne.
I have no hesitation in thoroughly recommending the Hydro if found to have value for money for intending visitors. No one,in my view, could be disappointed with such an excellent hotel,
The reception at the hotel was warm and friendly and check in was a few minutes. The public ares are large comfortable and very very well cared for. The bar area is large and the bar is well stocked. The bar staff are keen to serve and very knowledgeable.
Our rooms were spotlessly clean and very well equipped. The bed was very comfortable. The bathroom was spacious and again well equipped. Large bath towels, which are always a joy. Faultless!
The evening meals were really exceptional. It was truly a fine dining experience the whole of our visit. Service from the waiters was discrete and courteous. . It was obvious that they had been well trained by the hotel The food was truly superb very well presented. Even as a group we were given a large, well thought range, of a la carte dishes. Breakfast was equally superb. Cooked breakfasts were served at the table and to individual orders. So all hot food was hot!! The whole of our group some 29 were all of the opinion that our organizer had found a jewel of a hotel in Eastbourne.
I have no hesitation in thoroughly recommending the Hydro if found to have value for money for intending visitors. No one,in my view, could be disappointed with such an excellent hotel,
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I spent four nights at the Hydro Hotel in August. Received a warm welcome at check in. The Hotel is a little dated but lovely. Does it need a makeover? I think not. It's a charming place and a nice experience, a nice retreat. My room was comfortable, clean, a decent size, and well maintained. WiFi is free.
The staff were lovely, well done all of them. Friendly and happy in their work. Excellent staff. I didn't have dinner so no comment. Breakfast was great, served by happy people who were eager to please and set you up for the day on a happy note. I will stay here again.
The staff were lovely, well done all of them. Friendly and happy in their work. Excellent staff. I didn't have dinner so no comment. Breakfast was great, served by happy people who were eager to please and set you up for the day on a happy note. I will stay here again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We recently stayed for several nights at the Hydro Hotel in Eastbourne. The experience was like living in the setting of a period drama coupled with all the mod cons one would expect in a hotel of this standing in the 21st Century.
The hotel is a delight. It retains its original size and the decor, though obviously kept up to 5 star levels, is based on all the olde worlde charm of the hotel from its inception.
The service was amazing, with all wait and hotel staff going out of their way to ensure guests had a fabulous experience in every way. The food was delicious and the menu & wine list were extensive.
It is helpful to know that guests must dress formally to eat in the restaurant and no jeans are alllowed in the bistro in the evening. In fact, we had to buy some extra clothes as we were there on holiday & didn't realise that there was a formal dress code. Other restaurants and eateries are quite a distance from the Hydro Hotel. We felt it was a hotel that suited older guests- those in their 70's & 80's and felt also that many of them had been visiting the hotel annually for many years.
Overall, though, we really had a great experience at the Hydro Hotel and would recommend it to all, with just the reminder of the dress code for meals.
The hotel is a delight. It retains its original size and the decor, though obviously kept up to 5 star levels, is based on all the olde worlde charm of the hotel from its inception.
The service was amazing, with all wait and hotel staff going out of their way to ensure guests had a fabulous experience in every way. The food was delicious and the menu & wine list were extensive.
It is helpful to know that guests must dress formally to eat in the restaurant and no jeans are alllowed in the bistro in the evening. In fact, we had to buy some extra clothes as we were there on holiday & didn't realise that there was a formal dress code. Other restaurants and eateries are quite a distance from the Hydro Hotel. We felt it was a hotel that suited older guests- those in their 70's & 80's and felt also that many of them had been visiting the hotel annually for many years.
Overall, though, we really had a great experience at the Hydro Hotel and would recommend it to all, with just the reminder of the dress code for meals.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife and I stayed for one night at the end of the Air Show Weekend. I booked a superior room and it was very good with super sea views. The room was large, well appointed which included tea and coffee making facilities, which I understand all the rooms have and it was spotlessly clean. The hotel is an older building but has been well kept. A large lawn overlooks the sea. The hotel is clean and the staff, who are mostly young, are very pleasant and efficient. We took lunch in the Conservatory and were very pleased with the quality and the size of the meals. The hotel was very clean with plenty of seating areas. The Conservatory overlooks the lawn and the sea with great views. I had booked the restaurant for our evening meal. The table d'hote and a la carte menus had a choice of four main courses each. Unfortunately both menus were reduced to three as they had run out of two dishes. This I felt was very poor for a restaurant with a limited menu to start with. The service in the restaurant was adequate but no more than that and the wine list was a bit pricey for a three star hotel. The food was average apart from the breakfast which was quite good. It was only after we left the restaurant we realised that they were serving meals in the Conservatory with what we thought was a far better menu. If the Crystal Restaurant was to improve its menu or even offer the Conservatory menu as well, it would be a step in the right direction. Overall a very pleasant hotel in a good position and one we would certainly consider returning to. I found it very difficult to rate this hotel as it was extremely close to a Four (Very Good) but the restaurant was a big disappointment.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We stayed for three days we received a warm efficient greeting. The staff in this hotel are very helpful, nothing was too much trouble for them. The food in the conservatory is very good and its a nice view out to the sea. Our room was very spacious and well decorated. We enjoyed our stay here but it is very quiet the old fashioned charm will not be to some peoples taste. The evening was lively on the friday night when two weddings were being held but on the other two evenings .......................shhhhhhhhhhhh !!!!!
The swimming pool and surrounding patio need a little tlc but despite this it is a nice spot.
The breakfast was ok i have had better but also worse. The eating times are a little limited but there are sandwiches available via room service 24/7.
The swimming pool and surrounding patio need a little tlc but despite this it is a nice spot.
The breakfast was ok i have had better but also worse. The eating times are a little limited but there are sandwiches available via room service 24/7.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My husband and I joined my elderly father and my brother (who were staying at the hotel) for dinner. It was mid week and only 7pm but the Crystal Restaurant was almost empty. The food was absolutely superb and I cannot fault the service either. My father loves this hotel and this is his second stay. It is clearly an excellent hotel for the elderly and the personal attention is second to none. The hotel is large and elegant with a wonderfully big garden and croquet lawn, small outdoor pool and views of the sea. It is not for the young but a really good choice for the immobile as there are so many places in and out of hotel to just sit....It is also a pricey hotel but my father (88) thinks it is worth it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went for afternoon tea and the food was very nice, presented well and good value, The conservatory and indeed all the public seating areas do get very busy and the hotel does seem to have a faded charm, but it is charming nonetheless. The garden area and outdoor swimming pool are lovely and the sea views wonderful - as long as you don`t expect anything too modern or to see many young people there you will probably enjoy it for what it is - an old fashioned seaside hotel with reliable food and service.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a typical British seaside hotel, faded splendour. We had a room at the back as we went to the airshow (no time for admiring the view), which was clean, a good size and a huge bathroom! The service in the conservatory is chaotic. Don't wait to be served if they are laying up the few tables they use for dinner, everything else becomes secondary. After trying to catch someone's eye for at least ten minutes eventually went and asked for our table to be cleared from the people before. First man said he would be there in a couple of minutes.....nothing. Eventually went and asked a very helpful young lady called Robyn. Robyn saved the day as we had booked into the conservatory in the evening and she served us there too. Someone else said there aren't enough staff and I agree. Steak was pretty tough and not medium rare, but the hand cut chips were nice! The breakfast is actually served to you, which was lovely and service was good, even though the lady had some English difficulties and my scrambled egg became fried.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Hydro Hotel in Eastbourne is an 'oldy worldy' type place where you go into and feel like you have stepped back in time. Over the 15 years we have lived in Eastboure we have experienced wakes,training, cream teas, lunches, work Christmas dos and a couple of dinners - we now want to try a murder mystery dinner because we always feel at home at the Hydro. It's a versatille venue that never disappoints [unless short staffed - sometimes the service is slow and less than attnetive because there are just not enough staff on duty and you have to press a bell to get served when the waiters and waitresses are occasionally rushed off their poor tired feet!] and has several different atmospheres in various rooms and areas you can access - the bar, conservatory, piano area, lounge, puzzle corridors etc. Looking out across the lawn and out to sea you realise that this was probably where the Grand Hotel should have been built. The views are far superior at the Hydro because it's ontop of a hill whereas the Grand is on the flat [easier access to the beach especially for disabled and less mobile people] and you feel like you are on a film set or a wedding guest as you look out. With the two palm trees setting the scene you could also be forgiven for thinking you were abroad on a sunny day in a hot climate! If you have never been, a cream tea in the conservatory is what we recommend first or a hot chololate in winter time in the cosy lounge...which has hideously patterned and dated carpets that make you feel like you are in Hilda Ogden's lounge years back in Coronation street! [Or at grandma's!]. Enjoy!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I stayed for one evening and got a very good rate on the room. Unfortunately there were of couple of small things wrong with the room - tv didn't work and not enough toilet roll but the manager was very apologetic about this.
The food in the restaurant was extremely high standard and the waiters were very friendly and helpful.
One of my favourite things about the hotel is the outdoor pool and I had an early (7am!) swim and it was lovely.
All in all I would stay again
The food in the restaurant was extremely high standard and the waiters were very friendly and helpful.
One of my favourite things about the hotel is the outdoor pool and I had an early (7am!) swim and it was lovely.
All in all I would stay again
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Attended a wedding at the hotel , also stayed the night . Lovely old hotel with plenty of character . Bar staff and waiters at the table were tip top, with a good sense of humour. Hotel room was very clean and nicely decorated
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I booked on the day and got a very good rate £45 on a single. I arrived late and was upgraded to a small double room with a view. Sadly the fire alarm went off at 2330, staff were very apologetic. Bed was very comfy, breakfast good and the view was lovely. It is a short walk (10-15 mins) into Eastbourne.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Just got back from a lovely weekend break with a friend. Our twin room was tastefully decorated and had a good range of complimentary toiletries, hot drinks and biscuits. It was a particularly hot day but there was no air conditioning and the heated towel rail in the bathroom was pumping out heat. The food was very good, especially the breakfast. The outside pool area is a real bonus. The staff were efficient but not very friendly. That said I would return to the Hydro Hotel.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I went here with my girlfriend. We liked it, but I can see that it isn't everyone's cup of tea. It is rather like going back in time, to a rather more genteel time. The set lunch was very good indeed. The bill for the two of us, including tea and coffee in the conservatory afterwards was about £38.00.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Delighted with the whole event, reserved area in Lounge for pre lunch Drinks. Round table for seven, five of our close family and us in the Dining Room.Table decorated with Pretty napkins. Exceptional service though out. Food delicious and enjoyed by us all, dietary requirements of granddaughter dealt with sensitively. A memorable occasion, a big thank you to Dinning Room manager.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We have just had an excellent family weekend at the Hydro Hotel. We were there to celebrate my Dad's 80th Birthday and it was a pleasure to stay and enjoy great food, great service and a lovely old fashioned hotel full of old fashioned seaside charm! Great value for money on the group deal we were given. Mum and Dad and their best friends are stilll there enjoying themselves so I am very jealous! It was great for a large group as there was plenty of space to get together and sit around catch up and enjoy a few reasonably priced drinks. There was plenty to do with the children they are now very into croquet and they had a great time playing in the pool. The beach is very good and we had a very competitive game of rounders as the tide went out. Would recommend for a large family group. The afternoon tea is lovely and some of the best scones I have had in a long time. Thank you very much to all the staff and I sure we will return.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
we booked 3 nights here going by ta reviews,well i have to say for £140 a night it was very overpriced,the entrance is grand and the room had a lovely view of the sea and beachy head,but the room 111 really needs to be updated the door into the room and the bathroom door were both peeling paint and very battered,wallpaper peeling off walls,also we requested an iron and ironing board the 1st one delivered to our room was filthy and sticky and leaking yellow stained water we tried it out on a towel good job we did as it would have ruined any clothes,so we had to ring reception again and get another one the iron was better but the ironing boards need new covers!!the 1st night we ate in the restaurant,the food was ok but the atmosphere was terrible it was like a morgue,my husband asked the young waiter if they played a little light background music for abit of ambiance,reply was no management wont allow it,then later i asked in the bar same question i got the same reply,they poor youngsters waiting on seem very suppressed,come on management(ian turnball) give them abit of incentive they are doing a great job,but they all seem depressed with their jobs!! we did use the pool but it really needs a shower there,so people can shower before entering for hygeine reasons!! so all in all it seems its down to bad management as the place needs a good bit of money spent on it to get it as it should be for guests paying those prices.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our Holiday in Eastbourne was very relaxing we stayed at the Hydro Hotel and had a room with a wonderful view over looking the English Channel in view i of this we paid a little more for the room but it was well worth paying a little more just for the view.
The staff are well trained and the hotel has a friendly professional atmosphere to it. The food is excellent and the gardens are well maintained as is the open air swimming pool.
The staff are well trained and the hotel has a friendly professional atmosphere to it. The food is excellent and the gardens are well maintained as is the open air swimming pool.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Have been staying here for quite a few years for a function in November. Following that we have done a couple of offered good deals.
Without a doubt beautifully clean, incredibly couteous staff very well run.
Don't expect gyms and jacuzzis ,just cosy,excellent food ,sea view and side sea view bedrooms are obviously the best.
The beauty room is good value .
Plenty of comy sitting ares to enjoy coffee , teas .available all the time served by the many waiting staff, and to watch the world go by.
Menu changed every night over our three night stay.
Service was as excellent on our Agm weekend as on our private weekend.
,
Without a doubt beautifully clean, incredibly couteous staff very well run.
Don't expect gyms and jacuzzis ,just cosy,excellent food ,sea view and side sea view bedrooms are obviously the best.
The beauty room is good value .
Plenty of comy sitting ares to enjoy coffee , teas .available all the time served by the many waiting staff, and to watch the world go by.
Menu changed every night over our three night stay.
Service was as excellent on our Agm weekend as on our private weekend.
,
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our recent stay at The Hydro Eastbourne was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I work for a charity & co ordinate assisted holidays for carers & those they care for. Our party of ten plus two staff were well attended by hotel staff in a professional but caring manner. The accommodation was of a very high standard albeit the lift a tad small. Food was delicious & something for every palate. I would not hesitate to book this hotel again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
