Hydro Hotel

Hydro Hotel descritpion

Set in award-winning gardens, Hydro Hotel features an outdoor pool, elegant restaurant and superb sea views. The hotel is a few feet from Eastbourne Seafront, just a 10-minute walk from Eastbourne Pier.
Rooms at Hydro have a satellite TV, Wi-Fi access and a sitting area. All rooms feature tea/coffee facilities and a modern bathroom with a hairdryer, and some have views out over the English Channel.
Crystal Restaurant serves classic British and French cuisine for evening dining. Guests can enjoy beverages and light snacks in the cozy lounges, and hearty cooked breakfasts are available daily.
Hydro Hotel features a beauty salon, offering a range of specialist treatments and therapies. Guests can also relax on the poolside terrace, which features lounge chairs and sun umbrellas.
Just a 20-minute walk from central Eastbourne, Hydro Hotel is a mile from the Arndale Shopping Center. There is free on-site parking, and Eastbourne Train Station is a 20-minute walk away.

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Facilities of Hydro Hotel

Outdoors ：Outdoor Pool | Grounds | Sun Deck

Pets ：Pets are allowed on request. Charges may apply.

Activities ：Massage

Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar | Breakfast in the Room

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：Free!Free public parking is available at a location nearby (reservation is not needed).

Reviews for Hydro Hotel

Review 1：The room was more than adequate and very comfortable. The breakfast was excellent but, most of all, I was impressed with the homely feel of the hotel. I wanted to stay for a week. I had just finished nine days walk on the South Downs Way so this hotel was not only handy to the end of my long walk, but it also offered everything I needed for a relaxing stay. I would most definitely recommended it. I will be back next year.

Review 2：The parking was tight just inside the hotel but it wasn't made clear to us that another one was at the back.

Review 3：The comfy beds and the choice of tea and coffee facilities. We only stayed one night so not long enough to find any problems.

Review 4：Breakfast is by the old style, not an open buffet. The room was so hot, even with the temperature at 7 at night, the room was so hot, we couldn't find out why.

Review 5：Location and the room itself

Review 6：Terrible first room for 2 nights, until changed for 2 more nights. Room gloomy needs a big upgrade- quite unsuitable for disabled. Found suddenly dining place unavailable- corrected later

Review 7：Eventual location in a better room Restaurant good

Review 8：We didn't like the cramped bathrooms and lack of power in the shower

Review 9：My husband & I really enjoyed our stay everyone was very helpful and friendly.

Review 10：The food in the christal restaurant was indifferent,and the level of service,although quite prompt was poor,mainly due to inadequate attention in the kitchen ,and attention to detail by some undertrained staff.

Review 11：The lounge areas and the staff were excellent

Review 12：Cooked breakfast wasn't great (horrid fried bread - I don't know why anyone still serves this) and the staff were a little slow and disorganised. Nice enough though! It was a bit old-fashioned.

Review 13：Lovely superior sea view room. Stunning views across to Beach Head. Spacious clean and comfortable room.

Review 14：Dinner service rather haphazard. Somehow the hotel does not attract any young people so can feel like a rather lovely old people's home.

Review 15：Comfortable, grand, spacious public areas. Excellent location. Lovely walk to town along promenade path lined with tamarisks and with great views. Friendly staff attending to the needs of the largely elderly clientele.

Review 16：My friend was woken up in the middle of the night by what seemed to be people moving furniture under her room. Bear in mind that they do ask your to be considerate after 10!

Review 17：The staff were very courteous. Food was great and the hotel was very comfortable.

Review 18：I can say that there was good customer relations from all staff, they were very friendly and will to put themselves out to accommodate wishes. We return love the building a very enjoyable break for us.

Review 19：Everything about this hotel is good, location, we had a complimentary room upgrade to had a lovely side sea view. The staff cannot do enough and the breakfast is not overloaded.

Review 20：The service in the restaurant and conservatory was quite slow at times. Some aspects of the building were in need of maintenance.

Review 21：The Location The Sea View The Friendliness of the staff Making provision for Gluten free & Dairy free diets.

Review 22：We are vegetarians so were disappointed at the lack of options. In fact on our first night we had opted to eat in the conservatory and booked in advance as the implication was it is a much sought after experience so preferable to book, what a joke that turned out to be. We were reduced to the choice of an omelette or lasagne in a virtually empty room. The next night we opted for the conservatory again assuming there would be some kind of choice, sadly no, it was omelette or lasagne. As veggies we get a little tired of the minimal effort on offer for us, there is generally 5 or 6 options for meat/fish eaters, so we asked if we might see the main dining room menu and choose from that. Bearing in mind we were already settled in the conservatory with drinks, the waitress went and got the menu, suddenly the 'manager' appeared and we were told in no uncertain terms that if we wanted to eat off the main menu we'd have to get up and go into the dining room, the explanation being that if we were served off the main menu in the dining room it might mean everyone would want to opt for that, a rather heated discussion developed. Needless to say we were astonished at the attitude and felt that as customers we were being given shoddy treatment, it seemed beyond the managers wit to make an exception for that night. In any event having viewed the main menu and been greeted by one choice neither of us liked and being faced with such a rubbish attitude we opted to go out to eat and ended up at an Italian restaurant at the marina great choice, great service. I would also say that staff attitude is erratic, you get nice helpful friendly people which is then marred by uninterested and couldn't care less people.

Review 23：We had a pleasant view from our room

Review 24：compared to my previous stays at the Hydro, I felt the menu choice was poor, overloaded with fish dishes and some dishes on the menu were repeated several times during my stay of 3 days! I feel the tariff for bed and breakfast is way too much and having paid a total of £160 a day would not expect an extra charge of £2.85 to have a cup of tea after my evening meal.

Review 25：Lovely clean refurbished room, very comfortable bed. Very friendly and helpful staff.

Review 26：Some of the decor and furnishings looking a bit tired.

Review 27：Slightly old fashioned hotel in quiet location about 20 minutes walks from town centre and 5 minutes from sea front. Large public rooms, efficient staff, free parking and WiFi.

Review 28：Staff were in different to guests on the evening we stayed and at breakfast in the morning especially the waiters. The wine waiter brought us the wine list and never returned for our order. A couple on the next table found the same problem and had eaten their main course before he returned to take their order! The manager was apologetic, he actually brought our wine. The plug waste in our sink was faulty and the water took ages to drain away, I used the bath to clean my teeth and wash hands etc as couldn't be bothered to wait.

Review 29：The sea view and location to the sea front. Evening meal was good.

Review 30：The bedroom was a bit too hot, especially the bathroom because there was a heated towel rail.

Review 31：The location was perfect - close enough to walk into town but in a quiet area. The hotel was very traditional but with modern features. The restaurant was lovely, particularly the breakfast.

Review 32：My room lacked air conditioning although the windows could be opened slightly. Probably not a problem for most of the year.

Review 33：The hotel has very comfortable public spaces. It has much character and appears like somewhere you would expect Agatha Christie to take up residence. It is located in a very quiet area yet a stones throw from the seafront.

Review 34：Heated towel rail had no off switch so bathrooom was a little warm in the heat of the summer

Review 35：Efficient staff. Clean rooms. Good breakfast. Plenty of seating in lounge and lobby. Good wifi. Lovely view. Free games in the garden of mini gold, giant jenga and croquet. Not a party hotel, although the bar does open late.

Review 36：If I'm to be picky, the crystal restaurant (as beautiful as it is) had a slight odour to it and to be honest it reminded me of a nursing home (I have worked in a few) Sorry! The other thing was the pool at the end of the garden. It really needs relining or repainting as paint peeling all over the base and black mould like patches in the bottom too. It was an extremely hot day but this did put me off going in it (although a couple of other people did) The rest of the pool area was immaculate with decent sun beds, tables chairs etc and toilets/changing hut.

Review 37：Definitely a hotel for mature/older people as decor is rather stately due to building being older. Waiting staff/reception and porters were all excellent. Beautiful large room (219) with seaview and garden as soon as you wake up and lift your head! Grounds were maintained beautifully. Food was of high standard, we only just arrived for check-in, in time before restaurant closed (8.30 pm) but nothing too much trouble for staff and food arrived quickly. Reception staff very friendly and helpful with information.

Review 38：We would have preferred fresh rather than tinned fruit salad at breakfast. We would have liked the option of vegetarian sausages.

Review 39：Location, sea views, ambiance, peacefulness, comfort of room.

Review 40：The bedroom was quite hot.

Review 41：I booked this hotel for my son and his partner. They were delighted with their room (actually a suite, we had been upgraded!). There was a sea view. They said the breakfast was great.

Review 42：The food wasn't very good we had two breakfasts, one of which was swimming in grease and the other one the scrambled egg was grey in parts and really not very appetizing. Considering the cost of the rooms we didn't feel there was a lot of choice at breakfast, we have been to much cheaper guest houses and had more choice. We booked a table in the conservatory for an anniversary meal. Although the food was nice I had a steak which was overcooked and a chocolate fondant which was not soft in the centre. We expected more from the standard of the restaurant.

Review 43：The staff were very friendly and helpful. The room was very nice and clean. We had a refurbished room which was nice but the rest of the hotel seems to be stuck in a time warp. This is reflected in the clientele who were mainly of the older generation.

Review 44：Feeling too hot in bedroom. It was very humid and I couldn't open my windows very much. Ideally, air conditioning would be the answer.

Review 45：Excellent service in crystal restaurant

Review 46：The reception staff should be more cheerful,and could be more welcoming!

Review 47：Everything,the view from bedroom The catering and waiting staff. The relaxed atmosphere.

Review 48：Excellent location on cliff top with garden,pool croquet etc. Pleasant cafe restaurant overlooking the garden & sea.Comfortable traditional lounge

Review 49：A very old fashioned hotel you expect to see Miss Marple staying there . No air con in room and very warm so much so we got a fan to help keep cool .could not open windows wide because of seagulls.poor quality furniture, wardrobe not fixed to wall and could topple over when we went to put suitcase on top . Very dusty on top of the wardrobe. Bathroom a bit small and only a slide bolt on toilet door not a proper door lock . After paying £280.00 for two nights with breakfast I would have expected better value . It was more like an overpriced B&B will not be going back !

Review 50：The staff and quality of the food , the bed was comfortable & the view

Review 51：Wifi not working but did get an apology Limited room service menu single bed small

Review 52：location and a sea view was great, room service good service would stay again

Review 53：Wifi was in-and-out, kept getting dropped from the network.

Review 54：Staff www fantastic, views from the dining room and my room were great. Was like a hotel from more grand old-timey days... Also, I was surprised at the average age of the clientele, appearing largely to be about 30 to 40 years my senior!

Review 55：No downside to our stay unless you count not wanting to leave the hotel to do some sightseeing!

Review 56：Really loved the setting and outdoor spaces particularly the pool. The weather was good so we were able to swim and sunbathe in the morning. Staff very courteous and efficient. Gentle and gentile atmosphere. We enjoyed feeling that we were in an Agatha Christie storyline setting with all the modern comforts, just wish we'd had longer. Will definitely return.

Review 57：Upon arrival, I was asked to pre-authorise £20 on my credit card (plus the room-costs) for items from the mini-bar. I felt that was a bit odd but did not think too much of it until I saw the room did not have a mini-bar! At departure, I was again asked for my credit card to pay. I questioned that, in part out of curiosity, having already provided my credit card details and authorised more than the room fare. I was told that alternatively I can pay fully upfront next time. Thanks, but that won't be necessary.

Review 58：Cleanliness is a big plus. Room was reasonably spacious, although the (single) bed was short. The choice of cooked breakfast options exceeded expectations.

Review 59：Room was a little hot through the evening and there was no facility for air con.

Review 60：Really enjoyed our stay. Bedroom was of a decent size and the sea view was beautiful. Breakfast was delivered to our room on time and the service from staff from room service to general enquiries was first class. Excellent location 2 mins from the beach which was lovely as well.

Review 61：Not really a bad experience, but my only criticism would be that although everywhere in the hotel was spotless and tidy, upstairs corridors/rooms decor could do with a facelift - looked rather tired and dated.

Review 62：A very good hotel in traditional style. The staff were all excellent - superb service, always cheery and helpful. Most notable was that Ian, the manager was always around; very personable. Breakfasts excellent, as was lunch in the Crystal restaurant on my day of departure. Would certainly return.

Review 63：Hotel can be rather hot. Radiator in the bathroom was too hot for visits in summer months.

Review 64：The friendliness of the staff, variety of breakfast and lunch options. Loved the salad bar. Loved the view from the hotel.

Review 65：That I couldn't stay longer

Review 66：We stayed in room 219 cuckmere room and it was incredible the view was stunning ,it was spotless and I had the best nights sleep I have had in years ...incredible stay!

Review 67：booking.com increased the rate I had been given when I booked on line, without advising me! Informed by desk staff at hotel. This is unacceptable to me, and I will be taking the matter further. I had to return haddock breakfast, as fish was raw inside.

Review 68：The comfort of the bed Fresh towels during my stay.

Review 69：Surprised and disappointed that dogs are allowed to stay in the rooms . Two large ones there during our stay. They were allowed to use garden as a toilet. Most off putting.

Review 70：Position of hotel, food, comfortable room

Review 71：Evening meals served very quickly - sacrificed quality for speed. Taps in bathroom very close to the wall, difficult to manoevre

Review 72：Location, helpful staff

Review 73：Exposed lift shaft looked like it had never been cleaned covered in dust not a pretty site when you use the stairs. WiFi insists on a password every time you enter the hotel needs upgrading.

Review 74：Great location

Review 75：Seaview room on the third floor fought a losing battle from noisy seagulls on he roof.

Review 76：Comfort and style, reminiscent of a bygone era. Impressed by the immaculate gardens and also the free parking - a real bonus in Eastbourne,

Review 77：no parking on arrival, given keys that would not open the door (both first and second day). Restaurant closing at 20:30 for dinner, and 09:30 for breakfast would not suit all.

Review 78：Location, and room were good

Review 79：Breakfast by 9.30. Must depart room on day of leaving, by 10.30. My room could have done with a new shower mat; a shelf over the basin to put toiletries etc, or next to it (there is a glass shelf over the toilet ~ strange place to put it ~ meant it was not convenient); no plastic bags in the two bins; toilet bowl rather grey/brown and noisy plumbing, (2nd floor).

Review 80：Amazing view of sea and cliffs from room. Very quiet location. Lovely conservatory. Beautiful building. Outdoor swimming pool. Staff very helpful and cheerful mostly.

Review 81：Could hear the neighbour walking upstairs while trying to sleep. Room could use some refreshing. Wifi did not work in middle of the night.

Review 82：The sea view from hotel room on top of the hill. The garden, outdoor pool and quietness of the hotel. No main road between the hotel and the sea. Best location in eastbourn!

Review 83：Price rather high for a 3* hotel

Review 84：ambience, genuine kindness of staff, quaint simple pleasurable place to be. A step back in time into a good space. Felt safe and welcomed and relaxed. Thank you

Review 85：Breakfast included tined fruit salad and grapefruit, cheap nasty bread for toast, brewed coffee no latte or capuccino.

Review 86：Location. Easy walk down terraced gardens to sea. Twelve minutes walk to town centre. Own car park. Small but well laid-out double room, with only five foot bed. Cooked English breakfast. Garden is croquet lawn with sea view.

Review 87：the staff in the restaurant during breakfast service were more concerned about getting the restaurant ready for lunch than the guests.

Review 88：the room was spotlessly clean!

Review 89：Everything was perfect.

Review 90：The Hydro is a traditional hotel managed to a very high standard indeed. One reason why the Hydro is so good, is because a large percentage of its staff have been there many years, and they obviously love the hotel and that sentiment is passed on to the clientele. The rooms are spotlessly clean and the view across Holywell to the Channel is to die for on a perfect morning. Do book a room with a sea view, it is definitely worth the extra money. Breakfast was superb being freshly prepared and plated. On a beautiful summer's afternoon I love to sit out on the lawn and indulge myself with a cream tea. It is one of the best you will ever experience. I travel the world as part of my job staying in some of the world's best hotels, but the Hydro is my favourite!

Review 91：Was not bad but was not that impressed with our dinner ,my scampi was over cooked , my husbands chicken was good but salad quite poor . We did not complain.

Review 92：Love our room219 the view was excellent .Staff very good .

Review 93：Lack of power points in room! Had to crawl under bed to unplug lamps to charge up my devices!

Review 94：The staff are excellent. Charming and helpful, especially the young barmen who helped my mother in the evenings.

Review 95：Wasn't keen on the formal dinner menu. Didn't like having an en suite designed for use of someone in a wheelchair

Review 96：I enjoed the comfort of the lounge, the beauty of the garden and the general friendliness of staff and guests.

Review 97：I fell down some stairs on my last morning at the hotel and left in an ambulance. My family have been very surprised that the hotel has made no efforts to follow up and find out how I fared - I've just left hospital today after four weeks.

Review 98：No fridge , No aircondition . lady that checked us out was extremely unfriendly and was an upsetting end. False fire alarm in the morning as disturbing. Breakfast is not nice, no activitis or entertainment. Bad image lift, old style hotel.

Review 99：The sea view

Review 100：Very hot in room but staff gladly let us borrow a fan which helped immensely.

Review 101：Location was great - easy walking distance to the town. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Free parking on site.

Review 102：We stayed in a refurbished room which was very clean and had very modern furnishings and a new bathroom, but unfortunately, as you walk along the corridors and stairways the décor is very dated and needs some serious TLC here and there. The hotel is being refurbished slowly and could easily be a 4* once this has been completed

Review 103：We booked a room with a sea view looking up at the cliffs towards Beachy Head. It was a spectacular view. The hotel is away from the hustle of the main drag along the front perched nicely at the top of a hill but not far from all the goings on in Eastbourne. Because of the location it was incredibly quiet. The beds were exceptionally comfy and I we had the best night sleep ever I would say!! Very good bar prices too.

Review 104：Not a good breakfast experience. Food not great plus, not all, but some staff in the dining room appeared robotic and bored. Would also say for a young female employee to refer to female guest as 'darling' could easily be viewed as patronising Re-training perhaps necessary?

Review 105：Very nice reception staff with a great willingness to help. Comfort of bed. Location of hotel. One of the best if not 'the' finest for sea views.

Review 106：The decor of the room was really loud & garish. It seemed to have been recently painted as the smell was quite overwhelming. The TV was so small it was difficult to watch from the bed and the reception was poor with much interruption of sound & picture. The bathroom was cramped and it was difficult to reach the taps around the shower screen.

Review 107：Breakfast is as good as ever and the lounge area is pleasant and comfortable.

Review 108：Being asked to pay up front and asked to pay an advance fee in order to access room service or set up a tab at the bar! This seemed very strange especially as I had booked through Booking.com supplying credit card details.

Review 109：Beautiful sea views and comfortable,clean rooms. Attractive lounge and bar area.

Review 110：Nothing to add here.

Review 111：The Hydro is a lovely hotel in a superb location with easy free parking and superb views of the sea and town. My room was Very clean, elegantly furnished with a very comfortable bed. Breakfast was first class with attentive service.

Review 112：I found the wifi problems rather a drawback, but maybe it was my iPad that caused the problems & not the Hydro's system. But it didn't natter too much.

Review 113：I enjoyed the luxury of having breakfast brought to my room, plus all the facilities available ie a glass of wine in the comfort of the lounge before delicious snack meal in the conservatory.

Review 114：There is nothing to dislike..

Review 115：I am 84 and disabled, I required a shower and no stairs, I got this plus a sea view, at no extra cost, very good value.

Review 116：Nothing

Review 117：Lovely traditional hotel. The clientele is pretty ancient but the hotel has safe and kindly feel to it. Very nice place to chill out and it makes you feel young when you look at the other guests!

Review 118：nothing..... apart from slippy bathroom floor.

Review 119：this is by far the most comfortable and friendly hotel in Eastbourne. I got a free upgrade, food excellent, staff very friendly. easy parking.....which is a big thing un Eastbourne

Review 120：I requested tea at breakfast but was brought a pot of coffee instead. Meals more expensive than expected.

Review 121：I had booked a single room and was given a free upgrade to a double on arrival. Lovely ambience, quieter than expected.

Review 122：I ordered guinea fowl for dinner which was really chicken. Didn't matter as it was tasty and food nicely presented and plentiful.

Review 123：We were upgraded to a seaview room. What a treat! Room spacious and plenty of space to put clothes away and hang things up. Beds very comfortable. Bathroom good. Wonderful location and own car park a real bonus. Staff very friendly and helpful.

Review 124：Lack of understanding by reception staff when we arrived that elderly people may find difficulty in climbing the steps from reception to the main foyer and even when told, they didn't tell us there was an alternative lift which would also avoid the steps in the corridors of the third floor. That is worrying considering the average age of the clientele. It was a bit like entering a time warp. Have dedicated staff for tables at breakfast, so that they know what has been done and not. Considering we were one of the first down, so not busy, they forgot to ask about a cooked breakfast, despite being attended to by at least three different staff members.

Review 125：Beds and bedding good. Bathroom nicely refurbished except for the 1950s bolt on the door which didn't lock.

Review 126：One or two minor points: The lifts are small - really two persons only and the stairs are rather convoluted. Nice to have two pillows, but they're a bit hard.

Review 127：Built in the grand style of old seaside hotels, this hotel manages to avoid that run-down, tired look that many like it have. I'd put this down to the excellent, friendly staff, who really seem to know what they're doing. The whole place is clean and comfortable and there was little to complain about. Breakfast was excellent - high quality bacon ad sausages. Although it's a little way out of town, the location away from the main road makes it nice and quiet.

Review 128：Excellent seaside position in quite the best part of eastbourne a good way from the fish and chip , kiss me quick pier area. Wonderful walks. A genteel hotel ...twenties thirtees style ...most comfortable with brand new bedrooms.

Review 129：The "sea view" room was disappointing. There are two steps up to the bathroom which are a problem to the elderly especially in the night. The windows had to be closed as pigeons took up residence on the window sills and adjacent ledges at dusk and were very noisy.

Review 130：We like to stay at the Hydro and have done so over last six or seven years.It has a good location and parking is not a problem.Staff have always been pleasant and helpful. We plan to return sometime.

Review 131：We originaly stayed at the Hydro some 20 years ago at our sons Wedding. We regularly visit his family at Eastbourne and previously used hotels nearer the town centre which give parking problems. We thoght that The Hydro would aleviate this but unfortunately not. Despite this we had an enjoyable stay and were well looked after by your well trained staff.

Review 132：Theatmosphere and presentation in the hotel. Although only partaking in breakfast we enjoyed it with more than adequate variations and thoughtful staff looking after us.

Review 133：Breakfast staff poor service. Some general decor dated and tired. Noise from ballroom delayed sleep room 222. Conservatory menu limited. Lighting in lounge poor giving a gloomy feel. The hotel style will only attract the older customer. Lots of potential to keep the clasical style but to attract all ages if modernised.

Review 134：Good room, great sea view. Character building. Parking limited but plenty if space in local street. Reception staff helpful.

Review 135：Car parking for disabled limited. Blue badge needs enforcing. Room good but for me 2 steps to bathroom

Review 136：Excellent in many ways. Disabled facilities mixed. Staff friendly and courteous.

Review 137：there was some work going on with room renovation but we were warned about it and it did not really affect us

Review 138：staff hospitality especially at breakfast. Sea view. Room facilities

Review 139：Ideal for the break we wanted. Attentive staff, comfortable lounges and conservatory. Plenty of space to sit both in and out side. Good situation on edge of town.

Review 140：The bar meals were quite expensive and "restaurant" type rather than plainer bar meals. Quite different from our last visit in 2013.

Review 141：Hotel location, good parking, the ambience and general comfort. Excellent rear garden.

Review 142：A little above our normal price level but 'Hey! You get what you pay for.' So no hard feelings on that score.

Review 143：Wonderful hotel. Great ambiance. Staff friendly and welcoming. Such a pleasant change from the anonymous atmosphere in any 'chain' hotel group or the 'bucket and spade' market. Can thoroughly recommend the Hydro to anyone wanting a relaxing, civilised break by the coast.