Crieff Hydro in Perthshire has been enticing guests to visit for rest and recuperation for nearly 150 years. It was opened in 1868 by physician Thomas H. Meikle as The Strathearn Hydropathic Establishment Company. Prosperous Victorians would travel via the Caledonian Railway from the lowlands of Scotland to experience the freezing waters, fresh mountain air and wholesome local food. The water is now (thankfully) a lot warmer, but little about the healing ethos of the establishment has changed.

The hotel is based on a vast site, which also includes self-catering holiday cottages, a golf course, an activity centre and a huge amount of scenery around which to walk – or Segway – and explore.  There is plenty to fill your time with at the resort, but if you feel like a short walk into the town of Crieff you’ll find some lovely little shops.  We decided to book a two-night stay at the hotel during October. I should say now that it is a firm favourite of ours. We were introduced to Crieff Hydro by my mother-in-law who used to stay there with her parents when she was a child. She and my father-in-law spent part of their Honeymoon there, as did my husband and I. We also tend to visit annually as a family; it’s absolutely ideal for a group, because we can all go off and take part in whatever activities we fancy during the day, then get together for a meal in the evening to share our experiences.

In the past we have tried Segway-ing around the forest, quad biking, four-by-four off road driving and a high ropes tree top adventure, during which you climb up into the trees and – while securely harnessed – attempt walking across narrow ropes, jumping between barrels and (my favourite) zip lining across huge expanses of forest. It is really easy to book these activities either via a desk in the hotel or through the activity centre itself, and they’re often available on the day.

This time around though, there were to be no such activities for me. At nearly seven months pregnant, it’s as much as I can do to climb the stairs without huffing and puffing. Immediately we arrived, I felt at ease. The receptionist was extremely friendly and booked us into the main Meikle restaurant for dinner that evening without a problem. We’d gone for a two-night dinner, bed and breakfast package which for two adults sharing a double room amounted to £370. The ‘dinner’ part of the deal had changed since our last visit; instead of being able to simply dine inclusively in the evening, guests can now use their £25 allowance for lunch or food at the other eateries throughout the hotel. As well as the main Meikle restaurant, this includes the sports bar, Winter Garden, brasserie and club house next to the activity centre.

I was really happy with our room. When we were booking there appeared to be three ‘levels’ of double – standard, executive and signature. We went for the middle one, and weren’t disappointed. It was on the ground floor at the front of the hotel, plenty big enough for two guests and very tastefully decorated. The recent £40 million investment in the hotel really shows.

The bathroom was also a good size, and what’s more we were provided with flannels!  This always pleases me.  As my mum would say, “Little things please little minds.” In case of disappointment, I should add that flannels are not provided in ‘standard’ rooms and I have had to ask for one on most of the other occasions I have stayed at the hotel.

Crieff Hydro is a wonderful place to ‘chill out’.  We made use of the spa, where I had an excellent ‘mother to be’ massage. My experience of these has been mixed (see Stobo Castle) but this one went on for longer than I had booked and the masseuse really took her time over my crunchy shoulders and problematic skin.  We appeared to have all the time in the world, which is exactly the feeling I wanted – and managed – to hold on to and take with me throughout the remainder of my stay.

I didn’t use the swimming pool this time, nor the jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and gym.  I have done in the past though, and the main swimming pool area can sometimes be very busy (and echoey) with children.  For £10 adults can also use the Victorian Spa, which you’ll find down a staircase below the regular swimming and spa facilities.  This also contains a pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, but is an adults-only facility.  It also looks a little bit prettier.  We paid to use it on one occasion, but weren’t entirely convinced it was worth the extra cash.  However, if you want a really quiet or ‘couply’ experience and the main swimming pool is particularly busy, then this would be a good – and more special – option.

I have always really looked forward to eating in the Meikle restaurant while staying at Crieff Hydro.  This time was no exception and we were not disappointed.  The waiting staff were extremely friendly.  Commenting on my bump, the maître d’ got himself confused and picked up a child’s menu!  He said he hoped to see us back next year, baby in tow, which was heart-warming.  There were a number of babies and small children in the restaurant, but because it’s such a magnificent space (in fact, more of a ballroom) any little cries are absorbed by the furnishings and hubub of warm conversation.  This is reassuring for guests and new parents alike!*  The food was superb.  We were offered as much complimentary bread as we needed and there was a lot of choice for meat eaters, pescatarians and vegetarians alike.  The menu stays the same over a number of days, but new ‘specials’ are added every day to the selection of starters, main courses and desserts.  There is certainly enough choice to allow for a different meal choice each evening of a short stay, even for a veggie like me.

You can spend money at Crieff Hydro, be that on drinks in the cosy drawing room area, lunch in the glorious Winter Garden, treatments in the spa or Segway-ing at the activity centre.  But you want to spend money there, because it’s worth every penny and you feel like a valued customer.  Our two-day visit came in the middle of a holiday, during which we stayed in a few different hotels.  Crieff Hydro was definitely the highlight and we certainly came away with a real sense of relaxation and well-being.

A soul-enriching 5/5.

*We will most certainly visit Crieff Hydro again during 2015, when we will make use of the seemingly huge number of children’s activities and facilities.  So be sure to check back for more information about those.  This will be a very different type of stay, I’m in no doubt!