Hydro Hotel
Latest Reviews
This is a classic English hotel, very near the sea, with an old-fashioned ambiance. We all chose the same thing -- roast beef and yorkshire pudding. The food was delicious and service was friendly and efficient.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I found little to find fault with the two course set lunch in the lovely Crystal Dining Room which, at £12.95, represented good value. The red mullet in a vermouth sauce with crushed potatoes was fresh and well cooked. The accompanying vegetables were rather disappointing, though – cold and dry new potatoes served, rather oddly, next to an equally lifeless Duchess potato swirl alongside red cabbage and broccoli which seemed out of season on a warm, June day. The pear poached in Drambuie with coffee ice cream was first class, though. We also shared a cheese board between the three of us which was generous in size if rather unimaginative in constituents.
The service and overall experience (which includes linen tablecloths and napkins) was outstanding throughout. Our request to be served coffee with hot milk on the beautiful terrace overlooking the croquet lawn and English Channel beyond was obligingly met and was a delightful way to spend an hour after our lunch. The wine list is very reasonable priced too.
The service and overall experience (which includes linen tablecloths and napkins) was outstanding throughout. Our request to be served coffee with hot milk on the beautiful terrace overlooking the croquet lawn and English Channel beyond was obligingly met and was a delightful way to spend an hour after our lunch. The wine list is very reasonable priced too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went to Hydro hotel for afternoon tea, had the full works of sandwiches and cakes. The choice of the sandwiches was ok, not sure grated cheese is a good choice as this is a cheap option. Not really dainty sandwiches as I had expected they were cut in triangles rather than fingers as I've had on other afternoon teas but the cakes made up for it, and the scone and fresh cream was lovely and of course a lovely setting.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
it is easy to forget that the Hydro is only a 3 star, because it gives the impression of being an older style 4 star. I was upgraded on arrival to a beautiful room looking out across the gardens to the sea. This room was pleasantly furnished and comfortable and quiet. The word "quiet" is not one that can normally be used in hotel reviews these days! The situation is superb, although some might find the 12 minute (delightful) walk to the town center to be a little long. On the plus side, the hotel is set a tiny bit up above and back from the promenade so 95% of the traffic noise is lost, turning this hotel into a haven of peace and quiet. The staff could not have been nicer or more helpful. The breakfast was freshly cooked, plentiful, and speedy! Will I go back? Absolutely yes!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The hotel is a little old fashioned but it is quiet & in the best area in Eastbourne. The room was clean & roomy & had a great view even though we hadn't paid extra for a sea view. We didn't eat in the restaurant apart from breakfast which was excellent & cooked freshly to order. We had drinks & a cream tea in the conservatory looking out over lovely gardens. We did use & enjoy the outdoor pool which was heated, clean & again very quiet & peaceful. The staff were very helpful & accommodating. We enjoyed a lovely weekend at this hotel & will definitely go again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very old fashioned Hotel. The staff are very friendly and attentive. The rooms are all clean and tidy although a lot of them need updating and decorating. There are a select number that have been updated so always ask. It has a nice bar and garden when sunny. This hotel is not for the younger people amongst us so the place shuts down by 8 o clock. It is about a 15 minute stroll to the town centre which on a sunny day is ideal. A nice hotel at the edge of town which serves its purpose.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I started planning a birthday celebration for my husband in January 2014. The event was to be a complete surprise. I surveyed several hotels and began to lose heart. Then I tried the Hydro.From the beginning I was treated like royalty.The staff were fantastic. On the day and the evening, the arrangements flowed without a hitch.The lunch was beautiful and the evening buffet was generous. It was so well done that I cannot praise the hotel enough.Thank you especially to Angie, who was my guide, who tried to keep me calm and arranged everything so well.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was my 4th visit and God willing will be back. The room my daughter and I had was spotless and quite roomy. The staff............from reception to cleaner were all very helpful and pleasant. I have put this under "friends" as that is what my daughter and I are! The hotel is very quiet and sedate - just ideal if you need your batteries recharged. I would agree that most of the guests seem to be "getting on" but this did not detract from a great holiday. The food in the restaurant was a delight. The presentation spot on and some of the desserts left me in awe of the chef.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Stayed here one night on business, got to say was impressed and i am not a easy customer.
The staff are just great and so helpful
Like the idea that in reception they had two phones to dial direct to separate cab companies.
If there is a fault its in the evening they could do with some background music to raise a atmosphere. As sitting on the easy chairs enjoying my drink was a bit sombre without a bit of music .
Well done to all the staff!
The staff are just great and so helpful
Like the idea that in reception they had two phones to dial direct to separate cab companies.
If there is a fault its in the evening they could do with some background music to raise a atmosphere. As sitting on the easy chairs enjoying my drink was a bit sombre without a bit of music .
Well done to all the staff!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Right I will get straight to the point, I do not think this is a hotel for the younger client. It was my 53rd Birthday over the weekend we stayed there and I was one of the youngest there. Most of the clients were in there 70's or beyond and they are well geared up to service this age group. If you can get passed that ageist remark or prejudice, you will find one of the nicest hotels in Eastbourne.
Its a hotel that is stuck in a time gone by, silver service and a tie and jacket for dinner (not obligatory), waiter/waitress service for almost everything, afternoon tea, chandeliers and a croquet lawn and we loved every minute of it!!
The food was good to excellent and with a good wine list made our dinner most enjoyable, breakfast was again a silver serviced affair with a mixed good menu. One thing to note that the waiter/waitress service was excellent/faultless, in fact I have not been served as good as that in a long time!!
If I had one criticism to make that would be Sunday afternoon tends to get a bit packed in the hotel with people having lunch and afternoon teas and as we came down to dinner at 6:45 it was very clear they had been stretched and the conservatory was a mess, food on tables and floor and unfortunately my wife managed to sit in some food with her new dress!
Apart from that we had a great time and if you are reading this in your 30's 40's give it try you may like it, its great fun getting dressed for dinner.
Its a hotel that is stuck in a time gone by, silver service and a tie and jacket for dinner (not obligatory), waiter/waitress service for almost everything, afternoon tea, chandeliers and a croquet lawn and we loved every minute of it!!
The food was good to excellent and with a good wine list made our dinner most enjoyable, breakfast was again a silver serviced affair with a mixed good menu. One thing to note that the waiter/waitress service was excellent/faultless, in fact I have not been served as good as that in a long time!!
If I had one criticism to make that would be Sunday afternoon tends to get a bit packed in the hotel with people having lunch and afternoon teas and as we came down to dinner at 6:45 it was very clear they had been stretched and the conservatory was a mess, food on tables and floor and unfortunately my wife managed to sit in some food with her new dress!
Apart from that we had a great time and if you are reading this in your 30's 40's give it try you may like it, its great fun getting dressed for dinner.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited this hotel on a two night package with our dance club. Bed, breakfast and evening meal. Rooms very clean and spacious. The food in the restaurant was excellent. Good choices and well presented. Staff very efficient. Only criticism is that on arrival on what must have been the hottest day of the year our room had the heating on!!! We had nightly dances in The Wedgewood rooms and the view from the terrace of a full moon over the English Channel was stunning. Swimming pool was open and heated to a nice temperature and not too busy either. Would definitely return.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This place is primarily run for the elderly, nothing wrong with that at all, the food and service were both a good average.....3 course sunday lunch £19... bottle of mid range wine £23..but .at almost 50 i was by far the youngest in the restaurant....in fact even the waiter called me "young man"... its certainly an experience,,,,if you have mums and dads to buy lunch for...this is the place to bring them...they'll feel right at home
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A comfortable spacious room. Enjoyable breakfasts in the dining room. Staff friendly. As another reviewer points out, this is an older style hotel, with charm. It means the lift is old but the interiors have been reconditioned in most parts. Convenient for walking to the town centre or the promenade. Bar closed early I thought but the night staff were very good and facilitated any guests who wanted a nightcap.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Discovered a gem of a place to go to get a lovely cream tea. Sat in the conservatory overlooking the sea and indulged in the full afternoon tea. It consisted of lovely sandwiches, cream scone and cakes to die for. The choice of sandwich was extensive, the scone warm with clotted cream and jam and the cakes were divine. Service and quality were superb and in all a very relaxing, if over indulging, afternoon was had. We will be back soon
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Attended a friends wedding. Fantastic location on top of the hill. An older style hotel, full of charm. The ceremony was held in a recently decorated room upstairs (Josiah Wedgewood colours) - calming. French doors leading out onto balcony, sea view backdrop for photos. Excellent food - piping hot. Service friendly and efficient. All members of staff I encountered around the hotel were happy and helpful. The toilets were modern, spacious and clean. Liked the fact that each toilet had own mirror. Car parking spaces at side of hotel but there is a bigger parking area. Drive past hotel, turn left at top of road and then left again. Didn't stay the night but have heard that all wedding party guests were pleased.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Last month our Club celebrated it's 60th Anniversary and entertained twenty-two Link Club guests from six countries. They all stayed for the weekend at the Hydro Hotel and, without fault, were extremely complimentary regarding rooms, service and food. Our Anniversary Luncheon held in the Garden Suite was a glorious occasion. Delicious food, excellent service making the whole occasion very happy and memorable.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We booked a last minute one night break at the Hydro as they are in a quiet location (but not too far from the pier) had an available seaview room, and were dog friendly. We were pleasantly surprised by the good size & quality of the bedroom, comfortable bed, and the hotel environment in general. The one thing that did let the Hydro down was the friendliness of the staff, the service and communication was no more than satisfactory. There was evening entertainment, live music by a good singing duo, which we only got to enjoy by chance, as there was nothing advertised about it, even the barman was surprised. We would stay at the Hydro again and hope that by then communication with customers would have improved.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We called in for afternoon tea and experienced a very relaxed and pleasant ambiance.
We sat in their bright and airy conservatory, with somewhat limited views of the English Channel, and sampled their scones and tea. Delicious!
There was a very unhurried atmosphere, and can report that their charges for snacks are quite reasonable for a moderately large hotel in a quite prominent, elevated site.
Will most certainly return.
We sat in their bright and airy conservatory, with somewhat limited views of the English Channel, and sampled their scones and tea. Delicious!
There was a very unhurried atmosphere, and can report that their charges for snacks are quite reasonable for a moderately large hotel in a quite prominent, elevated site.
Will most certainly return.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Have been before and have reviewed before. Yesterday, I took my mum for lunch to the Hydro Hotels Crystal Restaurant as a treat for her 86th birthday. Got there at 1pm and the restaurant was busier than on previous occasions which was nice and we were greeted by smiling staff who showed us to our table. The thing I liked was we didn't have to rely on a single waiter/waitress during a busy period - multiple servers looked after us, all of who were polite and very charming. The food was delicious and the whole experience was something special for my mum's treat.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We really enjoyed our stay at The Hydro Hotel. The staff were very friendly and efficient, beautiful crisp table linen, very clean and the food in general was excellent. We got a good all inclusive rate at 190.00 pounds for two people inclusive of Dinner, Bed & Breakfast which we thought was great value. Service was excellent. Accommodation was good. I find it hard to believe it is only an AA three star hotel as they have all the facilities of a four star. My only one complaint was the fish. Plaice, served on the bone, it was the tiniest main course I have ever had served to me in my life and was very disappointing, I would strongly suggest for them to take this menu choice off the menu completely. Other than that it was great - very well run hotel & we would go back.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Been many a time for afternoon tea or snacks, as its comfortable, warm and a nice view to the garden from the conservatory for my elderly mother.
However, the service is very bad, surly staff, slow service , no smiles or greetings, and not even a thank-you for tips! Most times we actually have to go and get a member of staff to serve us - and if its the end of a shift they ignore you as they want to get off.
When I asked for ice in my coke, the waitress even told me to go to the bar and ask , even though I had table-service.
It always quite laughable about how bad the service really is, could be a TV comedy sketch!
However, the service is very bad, surly staff, slow service , no smiles or greetings, and not even a thank-you for tips! Most times we actually have to go and get a member of staff to serve us - and if its the end of a shift they ignore you as they want to get off.
When I asked for ice in my coke, the waitress even told me to go to the bar and ask , even though I had table-service.
It always quite laughable about how bad the service really is, could be a TV comedy sketch!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We recently held our wedding reception at this lovely hotel and have to say the staff could not have been any better. A massive thank you to Joe and the catering staff for laying on an afternoon tea plus an evening buffet of fish and chips. All of our guests were full of praise at how much effort was put into all of the food and how nice it all was. All of the little touches they provided were really appreciated by all. We stayed in a lovely suite with beautiful views across the lawn and down to the sea. Breakfast went down well with all the guests and we were very impressed that no-one was left waiting even though people came and went at different times. Thank you to all for making our day so smooth and special.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We are quite local and so have been many times.
Have stayed once over night for a wedding- room was lovely.
Have been countless times for afternoon tea- which is very very good.
Also have had a few wonderful evening meals, at nearly £30 per head it's not cheap but you will leave stuffed and happy. Lots of food, and very delicious.
Have stayed once over night for a wedding- room was lovely.
Have been countless times for afternoon tea- which is very very good.
Also have had a few wonderful evening meals, at nearly £30 per head it's not cheap but you will leave stuffed and happy. Lots of food, and very delicious.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We enjoyed our stay here very much, good food, comfortable room and helpful well trained staff who promptly dealt with any requests. . The room for Bridge was well set up with heating/ air con. and chandeliers! All the food was good with wide choices and served in time for our timetable. The car park is not very big but adequate out of season. The conservatory snack bar is lovely in the sun and the sea views from our room were spectacular. Hotel is situated on a slope up from promenade with super walks and easy access to theatres and good shops in town. There is a small well kept garden but it was winter when we stayed there. We would like to go there again . .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Came down for a friends 60th birthday party on Saturday night and couldn't find fault with anything - the buffet was excellent and I can recommend the ribs! Delicious! I was in room 111 which was very clean and spacious and had the most gorgeous views. Enjoyed my breakfast - lots of choice - and then we sat in the conservatory part drinking tea and chatting, which was very pleasant. All in all a very good visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
