We have recently returned from our second time there which was booked last year. I did a post about our 2016 holiday here. We booked within a matter of weeks of returning as we had loved it so much, plus it coincided with my birthday so it was a good excuse for a break! If you re-book within a certain amount of time, you can request the same room if you want. When I booked over the phone, the room we had stayed in was unavailable but the lady suggested a different, quieter room at the end of the corridor. Due to me taking the mobility scooter I needed a ground floor room and the quieter the better, so it all sounded good.
Fast forward many months and we finally arrived after a stop off in Glasgow to break the journey up. My chronic illness and travelling do not go well together, so having some rest and a good breakfast helps make the final part of the journey to Crieff more bearable.
I had rung ahead to say we would be arriving earlier than check in time and wondered if there was any chance of the room being ready, so it was great when we got there and they said it was... until the room wasn't the one we were expecting!! After a bit of a nightmare and a lot of stress (I won't go into details but there were tears. Lots of them. Not just from me), the manager Ashleigh got involved and was absolutely brilliant. It eventually got sorted out and the room we were put in was the room we had been allocated originally. It was gorgeous. Spacious with two huge windows, nice and quiet, huge comfortable beds and lovely Scottish shortbread biscuits!!!
Somehow somewhere there must have been a lack of communication but the way the manager dealt with it was great. She was so lovely and really made a big difference to the holiday which although had started badly, was really good. She ensured we were looked after and very kindly gave us some treats which helped with the after effects of the initial upset. I always think that it's how places deal with problems that shows how good they are and I absolutely 100% can't fault them. Crieff Hydro is a luxury family hotel and they really showed how they care about their guests.
It's the most relaxing place and we had five nights of sheer loveliness. The Victorian Spa is the perfect place for some 'me' time. A friend of mine who lives in Scotland came over for the day so we had a lovely chilled couple of hours there.
Every member of staff we encountered were great during our stay. As we found last year, everyone is friendly and willing to help if necessary. Even when there was a power cut on the first night and we were plunged almost into darkness, the duty manager kept people in good spirits! It was a good opportunity to get little Miss an early night anyway..
Due to it being term time it wasn't busy with leisure guests. With my hubby's job we can't pick and choose when to go away as he gets given his leave in advance, but despite it being quiet it was great - straight on the bowling green unlike last year when we never had chance as it was so busy!!
Restaurants were very quiet but we still received excellent service and the food there is so so good. There are various places to eat and although The Hub wasn't open other than on our first day, the staff in the Winter Garden made me some salads to have at lunchtime when I didn't fancy soup or sandwiches. The Meikle is the fancier of all the food places and our three course dinner was amazing. I'm obsessed with cheese and biscuits so of course chose that to finish off my delicious meal!
The activity centre has lots of stuff to do if you fancy. My hubby took little Miss on the Aloft treetop experience, which turned my stomach just looking at pictures of it, but they loved it! We definitely have an adrenaline junkie on our hands.
As well as the kids' club which is fantastic, there are lots of things to do on site and tennis in the sunshine went down well with my sporty girl. The tennis courts are really close to the entrance of the hotel and it's so peaceful.
We were also very lucky with the weather and had pretty much 5 days of sunshine which made me happy! There are lots of places to chill at the Hydro and I can't imagine anyone would feel anything other than relaxed after a stay there. We also met some new friends which was an added bonus. They live in Amsterdam so a visit is on the cards for sure.
We will definitely go back again. I really can't recommend it enough. Thank you to everyone at the Hydro and particularly Ashleigh!
Ali
xx
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