Anyone been to Crieff Hydro in Perthshire recently?

[stressed2007]

If so what is it like? Is it plush and would the children like it? Many thanks

We were there 2 summers ago and stayed in one of the self catering chalets but had full access to the hotel.
The hotel had been highly recommended but we were a bit disappointed. The decor was tired and the swimming pool small. They have a session with an inflatable slide for the kids. There is a childrens care club on site with a very small soft play area which my kids got bored after 1/2 hour. I don't know what the childcare is like because we didn't use it.
There is also various sporting activitis, riding, golf etc but our kids were too small to do this.
The chalet we had was adequate but basic - our bedroom was 2 iron twin beds more used to a prison then a holiday cottage!
So I would not go back to the Crieff Hydro but it is very central to lots of good days out.

thanks - we want a hotel to stay "in" with childcareso it does n't sound like it is for us

I'm happy to recommend the place. We've had a couple of stays here in the hotel rather than the chalets. Technically you wont need to step a foot out of the building but the grounds are lovely and the surrounding area has plenty to offer too. The children really enjoyed the childrens clubs - have a look online at what they offer. You get 6 hours free childcare at the childrens clubs in 2 x 3hours sessions; you dont have to use all your hours, its not compulsory. I would recommend booking your child's sessions as soon as poss though as it can get full.
I would call the hotel homely rather than plush but I would be happy to go again. My friend with older kids makes great use of the wider sporting activities and has just come back recently saying that some areas have been redecorated.

What would you like to know, stressed? We LOVE Crieff Hydro! Our kids have both loved the kids club (they're 7 and 3) and we're looking forward to another wee holiday there later in the year with all 3 littlies in kids club (they take them for free from 3).

It's fab! We always said we'd never visit the same place twice but loved it so much we'll be on our fifth visit next month. However, the fab childcare really makes it so if you don't take advantage of that I wouldn't particularly recommend it.

ok - you ladies have made me reconsider. Is the childcare GOOD? I had n't realised we needed to pay for childcare for our 2 year old but that is fine if it is good.

What type of rooms did you all stay in? Is it worth paying more for the deluxe and bigger rooms? They seem to have about 12 different types of rooms you can book. Is there anywhere you should/ should n't stay e.g. near the front, back, car park, restaurant etc? Thanks

My DH's family used to go every year when he was young and we've been quite a few times ourselves. I really like it! If you call the hotel, they've got a few 'corner' rooms (you can't specify these online but can if you call to book) that basically have an alcove in an L-shaped room for the child's bed which gives you a bit more privacy if you're sharing a room. The kids club is 6 hours EACH day, so you really shouldn't have to pay for childcare at all. The food's OK but not haute cuisine.

There's also loads to do in the area, Perth (where I live - not that I'm biased) is wonderful, the swimming pool is especially good for toddlers (rivals Center Parcs with all the toddler slides etc) so if you don't like the hotel one you could just go there - and Active Kids at Stanley is brilliant for a day out too.

Crieff also do the nicest cream scones if that helps sway your opinion

Thanks - I think you can book those alcove rooms for a supplement. We have 2 small ones so think we will have to go for interconnecting rooms otherwise we will be tip toeing around after 7pm each day

alcove rooms worked a treat for us; managed to watch a film without disturbing them. I do remember some charge for very small people's childcare. Go for it and let us all know how it works out!

ptangyangkipperbang when are you going there?

Hi there stressed, got your CAT message. What else would you like to know? Have you searched the archives here as I think people talk about CH from time to time on these boards.

We actually tend to stay in the self catering cottages and make use of the hotel's facilities - my brood are now 2, 3 and 7 but we've been staying at the hotel at least once a year for the past 5 years.

There's a very family friendly pool with large (warm) baby pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room beside it. Or for around a fiver a day you can go to the lovely adult only pool. The kids pool has a family hour, I think from 3 to 4 when there's a fab inflatible slide that my oldest adores.

There are 2 cafe areas - the Winter Gardens and the Hubb which serve snacks through the day and there's a huge lounge and a ballroom where wee ones can potter. We've enjoyed taking a wee doll stroller for our littlies, and a soft ball/wee cars for the ballroom floor.

There are 2 main restaurants - one much more family friendly and it serves kids high tea from 4ish. Kids staying in the hotel get breakfast, a lunchbox (that you exchange a token for), and then the high tea. they can then go to the kids club while you eat dinner in peace.

My guys have both loved the kids club (didn't really use for under 2s though and I think they have limited shorter sessions for under 2s). You can have 2 sessions of 3 hours for over 2s included. We generally just use it in the mornings - the kids enjoy a varied programme of crafts, outside games, treasure hunts and time in the soft play room.

There are also sports facilities, great walks, nice grounds and kids from 2ish can have a wee ride on a pony for a very reasonable price. And they have family friendly ceilidhs at the weekend!

I'm actually on hols from tomorrrow first thing but will check back later and if there's anything else you want to know just shout!

Thanks for this. They just tried to sell me self catering but don't think husband would be interested in that. The rooms cost a lot. Mine are 2 and 4 so don't think sleeping in same room is any good so if we have interconnecting rooms cost varies between £308 and £358 a day (i.e. over £2k for a week). I must be out of touch with prices as this seems a lot to me.

What is the food like? ok? We definitely want to use the child care so that we can a few hours on our own a day if poss so really hope the kids would use the childcare.

if your guys are 2 and 4 your childcare's free (you can have up to 2 lots of 3 hours per day) so that's something. I agree it's not cheap, we tend to go off peak. I think the food's OK but as I say we generally s/c.