Caroline Garlick

Review of Crieff Hydro Hotel and Resort

Lovely place, very attentive staff and great facil...

Lovely place, very attentive staff and great facilities. You would need to stay for about two weeks to even have a chance of trying out all the activities and treatments that are available! The one drawback was just how busy it was. Of course, hypothetically this is a good thing, because it proves that it's a popular and desirable place to visit, but we stayed for a weekend in mid-May - not even a Bank Holiday weekend - and we were informed at one point that they were cooking breakfast for 600 people. 600!! So because of the huge crowds, there was regularly no room in the bar/lounge areas (we were a party of nine so almost impossible for us all to sit together). Having breakfast was like trying to eat in the cantina from Star Wars! In the evenings there was evidently great activities for the kids - but the noise and hustle and bustle associated with that made it difficult to relax (which, lets face it, is the whole point of staying at Crieff Hydro!). We had pre-booked the Segway experience at Action Glen (absolutely amazing, a real adventure - would definitely recommend), but on arrival we tried to book spa treatments but there was no availability due to the huge number of guests. If we had wanted to try any other activities, we would have been unable to get a place unless we had booked very much in advance. I think this is a shame, because one may not know what one fancies until arrival, by which time it's too late. But, again, gorgeous surroundings, helpful and hard-working staff, good selection of drinks at the bar, definitely worth a visit - but maybe try autumn/winter instead of spring or summer!