What the Papers Say in 2008 - 2007 - 2006 - 2005
The Sun, Sat 3 May 2008
Peebles Palace -
Spoil yourself in luxurious Borders Hideaway by Dave Swift
Things are not what they used to be at Peebles Hydro.
The electro-therapeutic department, boasting “all the best Continental instruments and apparatus” to cure many ailments is no longer. The blind masseuse, so employed due to a “well-known fact that the blind apply massage with great delicacy” is long gone. And the head of the cure department has been dismissed for rank over-charging, including greeting convalescing guests in the corridor with a cheery “How are you?” then billing them for a consultation.
All are colourful moments in the history of the Hydro, founded in 1881 and rebuilt in 1907 after a fire. This landmark of the pretty Borders town is proud of its past – snapshots through the decades adorn the walls – but is changing with the times as the second Hydro building enters its second century.
While most of its interior is grant yet unpretentious, the boutique-hotel era is being acknowledged with two major recent upgrades. These are new ultra-luxury suites, one dedicated to honeymooners and lovers who want to dine and bathe in total privacy … the other to those seeking to be pampered with treatments, again without having to leave their suite.
Otherwise, the Hydro continues to play to its strengths, as a venue for businesses and families. And despite it being one of Scotland’s busiest conference venues there is no dry atmosphere.
The Hydro excels with families. The brochure says “we positively welcome children” (when was the last time you read that in such an historic establishment?) and they are not kidding. Even the family rooms are well designed – the kids get their own area so mum and dad can stay up late.
The thoughtful planning even extends to having a children’s dining room with its own dedicated staff, plus a full kids’ club programme on a par with anything we have seen in Spain. And of course, the pool. This is after all, a Hydro. So the swim zone is no design afterthought.
The full list of amenities for all ages is pretty impressive. The Hydro boasts tennis courts, an adventure playground, putting green, giant sized chess and draughts, and nature trails. And with Glentress Forest at the back door, mountain bikers and trekkers are also accommodated.
The hotel has its own stables and our two non-riding kids enjoyed a calm walk through the woods on two of the resident ponies.
For proof of the friendly atmosphere, ask for golf clubs or badminton rackets and you’ll get waved to a sport-kit box down the hall. No deposits or name-taking.
The traditional etiquette comes in after 6.30pm, when gentlemen are requested not to wear jeans or trainers in the bar and dining room. Evening dining has a TV period drama feel – but there are no dramas with the food, which is stylish but not over-fussy. Like the Hydro itself.
It remains in Scottish hands – the McMillan family own six other establishments – and maybe that’s what makes the difference. One of the conference rooms is encircled with a giant art tableau of a victorious battle. That will be the Bannockburn Room. And yes, it is very popular when Scots firms host their English subsidiaries.
See Scotland, Monday 10 March 2008
A Beautiful
Experience
For All Seasons
Whether you’re after a relaxing break away, a sport-filled weekend or a family holiday, the Peebles Hydro could have the answer, writes Catherine Mckay
BEFORE our break to Peebles, I had always felt a little sorry for the Scottish Borders. After all, competing against the grandeur of tourist attractions such as the Cairngorms, Skye or Glencoe must be hard work. But after a weekend’s stay at the Peebles Hydro, I am more than willing to admit that this beautiful corner of Scotland can more than hold its own against any other part of the country.
We arrived on a wild, wet and windy night after a drive which involved a long detour across the Kincardine Bridge, several map-reading arguments and a couple of wrong turns, but as soon as we walked into the hotel foyer, we knew we had come to the right place for a relaxing, indulgent break.
It was just like we had gone back in time, with the elegant décor, the old-fashioned lifts, which make up for their lack of practicality with their charm, and the sound of a pianist echoing through the reception area from the grand dining-room.
The sight of other, smartly attired, guests (one must dress for dinner) made us both immediately feel a little scruffy, but don’t let this put you off. Despite being a huge, grand affair, the Peebles Hydro is a really friendly hotel, with staff willing to make your stay there as good as possible. Indeed, the hotel is renowned for its popularity among families, and it is full of long corridors and hidden nooks and crannies which make you long to be eight again, so you could explore properly without all the restrictions that adulthood brings.
Our room – in keeping with the rest of the hotel – was traditionally decorated, but with huge bay windows that promised a fantastic view in the morning, and we weren’t disappointed. The hotel is perched high above the town of Peebles, with spectacular views from every angle, and none more so than those from the dining-room.
We had our first experience of this palatial room at breakfast, and the food was pretty much lost on us as we stared first around the room (complete with stage and grand piano) and then out the window. No wonder people keep coming back year after year – I would, just to look at the view.
We had decided beforehand that we were going to relax on this break, and although the hotel has a fully equipped gym, as well as facilities for badminton, tennis and a pitch and putt area, I was banned from sneaking any trainers into my bag. We did, however, make use of the hotel’s excellent swimming pool. For people like myself, it is big enough to do some serious lengths and work off breakfast, but there is also a steam-room, sauna and spa bath if it all seems like too much hard work.
It would have been quite easy to stay in the hotel for the entire weekend, but the Scottish weather was holding up surprisingly well for January, and we decided to wander into Peebles itself. It is a very pretty little town, full of curious little craft shops, delis and restaurants that could quite easily have you parting with most of the contents of your bank account, without you even realising. Even the local supermarket was tucked away, almost out of sight, so as not to spoil the look of things.
One of the most noticeable things about Peebles, however, was the fact that everyone, from pensioner to toddler, was on a bike. Thanks to the world-renowned 7stanes mountain bike trails, situated in the Tweed Valley Forest Park, the area around Peebles has become a Mecca for mountain bikers. There are seven forests situated around Peebles, each with a selection of trails for everyone from the kamikaze rider to the wobbly beginner.
We went on a reconnaissance mission to one of the bestknown forests, Glentress, and immediately wished we had brought our cycling gear. Bikes are available to hire, and with a café, bike shop, bike-washing facilities and lessons available, there is everything you could possibly need to enjoy a day out.
Even if you are not keen on the idea of being on two wheels, there are also plenty of walking trails and horse riding facilities available in the area – no excuses not to enjoy the great outdoors, even in the depths of the Scottish winter.
The highlight of our weekend’s stay at the Peebles Hydro, however, had to be dinner. While I didn’t see any tuxedos, the hotel does request that guests dress up for dinner, which might seem a little old fashioned to some, but it really added to the atmosphere, and, to be honest, who wouldn’t want to make a little effort when you are eating in such opulent surroundings? While a pianist sweated it out over the ivories, we enjoyed a fine bottle of wine, and a fantastic three-course meal, with impeccable service throughout, afterwards retreating to the cosy bar to enjoy a couple of whiskies. It is testimony to our stay that one of the topics under discussion at the dinner table was when can we come again– with bikes?
The Peebles Hydro is a bit of chameleon; a break there could either be a relaxing trip away, an energetic, sport-centred holiday or a visit with the family. After our stay, however, I can safely say that we will be joining the ranks of people who make the return trip year after year.