What the Papers Say in 2008 - 2007 - 2006 - 2005
Sunday Express, Brian Swanson, 29 July 2007
"... the Hydro celebrates its 100th birthday this year, although it first opened as the splendidly named Peebles Hydropathic Company in 1881. Back then, it offered a wide range of water cures to the wealthy, and where – nice touch this – lady guests could even receive massages from a blind male masseur, in order to protect their modesty. The hotel is of course, also famed for its present day luxury spa treatments.
"Looking for all the world like a magnificent, landlocked luxury liner nestling in the grandeur of the rolling Borders hills the four star Hydro, rebuilt in 1907, had the wow factor before the term was invented. "It’s also just possible the senior management are directly in touch with the Almighty, or whoever it is organises the weather in the Borders because, while the rest of Scotland suffered downpours, we arrived in glorious afternoon sunshine.
"The 129-room Hydro may be close to Edinburgh and a little over an hour from Glasgow, but, once you get there, it’s a million miles away from anywhere.
"The corridors are vast, the elegant dining room enormous, the stairs creak reassuringly. Yet, despite its size, the Hydro has achieved the remarkable feat of retaining the feel of an intimate family hotel. And boy, did my family love it. If there is a record for running along corridors to the 20 metre pool, then Rachel, Justine and Bethany must come close to equalling it.
"For the next hour, they enjoyed the simple pleasures of lets drown Dad, encouraged rather too enthusiastically by my wife, while creating their own version of water volleyball. Relaxing in the steam room and sauna later was the perfect way to unwind, where I thought – albeit briefly – of the lads back in the office.
"Hard work all this taking it easy, and by now I was all in favour of relaxing in our handsome, well furnished, family room – an enormous bed for us, bunks and singles for the girls sensibly separated by a corridor. The well appointed bathroom was bigger than my first flat. Although I could have watched the view over the stunning Cademuir hills from the windows all day, the girls still on holiday high, were having none of it.
"We played Dad Tennis – the rules are complex, but, basically, it involves letting my daughters win – as well as pitch and putt in the hotel’s 30 acres. I also became pretty good at lounging in one of their old-fashioned deckchairs, as it happens.
"To the delight of 13 year old Justine the hotel arranged horse riding lessons at short notice at the nearby stables. While my other two daughters lost themselves in a forest walk, Eileeen and I indulged in the guilty pleasures of afternoon cream teas in the hotel’s sun filled conservatory.
"Naturally, this kind of activity sharpens the appetite and we discovered that, when it comes to dining arrangements, Peebles Hydro richly deserves its title as Scotland’s Most Family Friendly Hotel.
"Between five and six younger children have their own dining room with an impressive range of healthy-option meals on offer and supervised by staff, who actually appear to enjoy working with children. At the same time my older two were able to eat in Lazels, the trendy basement bistro where they could order proper grown-up meals without Mum or Dad to bother them. In the huge, and deservedly busy, old world dining room, service is slick from staff who are a perfect mix of youth and experience. And to underscore the cruise liner atmosphere, a pianist plays on the baby grand most nights.
"We stuck to traditional Scottish fare, like smoked salmon, Kelso lamb, and a selection of Borders cheeses at which the Hydro excels. know form dictates that such a memorable meal deserves a vintage brandy to round it off, but I couldn’t resist a couple of pints of locally brewed Broughton Ale in the elegant cocktail bar. Bliss.
PS Did I mention the good service? A necklace left by my wife at the poolside arrived by post before we even knew it was missing."
Jeremy Armstrong, "Water Works" in Daily Mirror, 5 May 2007
"For full-on pampering plus peace of mind knowing the rest of the family is happy, you’ll find Peebles Hydro hotel on the Scottish Borders ticks all the boxes.
"High on a hillside in the Tweed Valley, the hotel celebrates its centenary this year and combines superb, modern facilities with the grandeur instilled by architect James Miller. Voted Scotland’s Family Hotel of the Year in 2006, the Hydro solves that age old dilemma for parents: how to stay in a hotel, enjoy a relaxing break and keep the kids busy.
"So many opt to take the safe bet of self catering for that very reason. But the Hydro’s leisure pool and kids’ club mean children of all ages are catered for, leaving mums and dads free to slip into the town of Peebles for a wander or book into the beauty salon for one of the relaxing health treatments available.
"In the Victorian era, guests would take to the waters to improve their health with hydropathic water cures. Nowadays you can try a back, head and neck massage. I would recommend an hour or half hour session if you squeeze it in.
"Young guests can join in a wide range of daily activities, indoor and out in the hotel’s extensive grounds where there is an enclosed play area. In winter, sloping gardens in the 28 acre site are perfect for sledging.
"The beautiful scenery of the Scottish Borders is hugely popular with anyone who loves the great outdoors. Just outside Peebles there are a series of runs for mountain bikers to twist and turn down dirt tracks and through rough, wooded terrain. The Hydro is popular with walkers who want to enjoy the scenery and historic sights of the beautiful surroundings and the area is rich in nature trails, parks and gardens, including Dawyck Botanic Garden and Kailzie Gardens.
"In the evening, there are yet more activities for young children and teenage guests, enabling grown-ups to enjoy a four course meal in the hotel’s impressive dining room with its superb views out over the valley. There is a good choice of traditional Scottish food, an impressive wine list, and friendly attentive table service. And the breakfasts, offering full cooked, cereal, traditional porridge and kippers, are a treat.
"Family rooms at the Hydro typically provide a main bedroom TV, bathroom, and a separate annexe with single beds and/or bunk beds for children. For those looking for a bit more luxury the 129 room hotel has opened two new suites. One, the Kailzie, is aimed at honeymooners – it has a dining area, bathroom, four poster bed and flat screen TVs and hi-fi. The Cademuir Spa Suite is along the same lines with the addition of an ensuite treatment room. You can watch your 32in flatscreen TV from the comfort of the bedroom – or pipe the sound into the bathroom to enjoy as you relax in the tub. With a DVD player, CD player and radio, there is in room entertainment at the touch of a button.
"Elsewhere, there is the Lazels restaurant for lunch or a coffee break, or the lounge, with daily papers, afternoon tea, and pre-dinner cocktails."
Richard Pidgeon, Daily Record - 28 April 2007
"Peebles Hydro’s imposing grandeur and beautiful grounds, not to mention the surrounding scenery, make it a popular location for tying the knot. My fiancé and I were lucky enough to be staying in the Cademuir Suite, a stunning contemporary option amid the more timeless elegance elsewhere in this grand hotel.
"And to be honest the blending of old and new was something of a theme for the weekend, as we admired how a century old hotel could add contemporary chic ... The Cademuir Suite is the last word in luxury and the perfect choice for anyone who wants to relax and be utterly spoiled.
"The massive bedroom boasts the best in modern styling and the floor to ceiling windows offer incredible views of the town and rolling countryside. But while I was admiring the spectacular scenery, the shrieks of delight from the adjoining room confirmed my fiancée had discovered the separate dressing room, complete with its own personal treatment room. And 20 minutes later she was enjoying a hot stone massage from one of the hotel’s spa staff.
"If you are a guest without a personal treatment room, the superbly appointed spa, in the centre of the hotel, allows you to enjoy the pampering you deserve. And if you are feeling more lively the leisure facilities are top notch. The Peebles Hydro has the largest pool in the Borders, plus a smaller one for the kiddies, sauna, steam room and gym.
"Outdoor types can enjoy fishing, mountain biking and walking in the forests of Tweeddale. A pleasant five minute stroll took us from the hotel to the main street in Peebles, which boast loads of little shops, including one selling what seemed to be every traditional sweet.
"Back at the hotel, we headed to the grand dining room for dinner. Traditional Scots fare vied with foreign favourites, but every combination we tried over our weekend’s stay was a winner. We also enjoyed lunches at Lazels, the Hydro’s bistro-style restaurant that was the first in Scotland to achieve the new Healthyliving Award. At least 50 per cent of dishes on the menu are classed as healthy options. Sadly, that visit to the sweet shop, not to mention the walk back via several hostelries probably weren’t quite such healthy options ..."
Will Slater, The Scotsman - January 2007
"For generations Peebles Hydro has been a magnet for families, drawn to the large Victorian pile and sweeping grounds on the edge of the Borders town.
"There is much to enjoy here. Ours is a family that seem to spend its weekend at the local swimming pool so the leisure complex was a huge hit. Once the superb breakfast, a help-yourself delight of cereals, fruit, cooked goodies and endless supplies of toast ... had settled, we made the first of several visits to the pool which also has a sauna and spa. ... Other attractions included a well thought out enclosed playground, with a little tame wilderness for hiding and playing in.
"During peak holiday times ... the hotel has a gang of enthusiastic men and women who organise and run a huge number of activities for children ... These are welcome chances for children to make friends, have fun and perhaps try something new. It also gives parents a little break. Our girls had soon paired up with similar-aged children and were fixing up when they were all going to meet, with parents in tow, for yet another swim."
Kayt Turner, Scotland on Sunday, January 2007
“Peebles Hydro is the perfect spot for a peaceful break. It also has an impressive range of activities on offer, from horse riding to a giant chess board in the grounds. Surprisingly for a four star hotel it’s also remarkably child-friendly and has won the accolade of Scotland’s Most Child-Friendly Hotel.
"You don’t even have to leave the grounds if you feel the need to do something on your relaxing break ... the pool is in a large, bright conservatory which makes it an absolute joy to swim in.
"Two new luxurious suites have just been introduced - the Kailzie which has its own private dining area, and the Cademuir which has a spa treatment room attached. The luxury of padding through from a spa treatment into your own room cannot be underestimated. Both suites have fabulous bathrooms, each with a double walk-in shower as well as a huge roll-top bath. The hotel may have been standing for a century but these rooms are equipped with every mod con, from wi-fi access to a plasma screen telly and DVD player, and a selection of the latest films..."
Craig Gunn, Daily Mail, January 2007
"'This breathtaking hotel oozes understated glamour. Underfloor heating, huge dressing rooms and, for those who fancy living like royalty, the Cademuir Spa Suite has its own private treatment room so the therapist comes to you. What more could you ask for?
"Champagne and chocolates on arrival, gorgeous soft beds and lavish bathtubs - Peebles Hydro breathes home comfort and offers a welcome escape from the winter weather... The staff are courteous and accommodating at all times. The health and beauty staff are particularly professional and their warm welcome really enhanced our stay.
"With views of the Tweed Valley and the rolling hills of the Borders beyond, the scenery is spectacular."
Best Scottish Weddings, Spring & Summer 2007
"One of two new suites at Peebles Hydro, the Cademuir Spa Suite oozes understated glamour. This is one of Scotland's grandest traditional hotels but these latest additions are contemporary, chic and sumptuously styled rooms. The suite has its very own treatment room so you'll never have to leave....
"Elegant, refined and incredibly luxurious, the Cademuir Suite is worth splashing out on. Try the Heaven massage treatment. Using a combination of mud and salt poultices, this massage starts at your feet and works up your body ... Over 90 minutes, feel the tensions float away.
"It's perfect for whisking your fiance away from wedding planning stresses and making him a part of the build-up.."