It was founded in 1868 by Dr Thomas Henry Meikle,[1] who had received treatment at a centre in Gräfenberg, Austria (now known as Lázně Jeseník, Czech Republic), where Vincenz Priessnitz had built such an establishment.

In 1857, Dr Meikle, a recent medical graduate from the University of Edinburgh, observed Priessnitz's work and whilst being personally disparaging of him for his non-medical background, took back some of his principles for his new hydropathic establishment in Aberdeen,[2] Scotland.

When Priessnitz came to Britain on a visit promoted by the publications of Captain R. T. Claridge, a prominent booster of his methods,[3] The Lancet was particularly scathing about his work, describing him as a charlatan and a fraud.

[6] Built in 1868 during the second wave of such establishments in the UK in the later part of the 19th century, Crieff Hydro utilised the Caledonian Railway to bring a prosperous, sober clientele from the lowlands of Scotland to take the cure in upmarket conditions.

By 1874, as medical superintendent, Dr Meikle was drawing a salary of £500 per annum, receiving dividends on his investment at the maximum of 7% and getting an extraordinary £279 as an ex gratia payment.

[citation needed] During the Second World War, the government took over the Hydro, and Free Polish forces were billeted there, to the chagrin of some of the residents of the town, who felt scarce food supplies were being diverted to the Poles' exclusive use.

The hotel has over 60 facilities for indoor and outdoor pursuits such as a golf course, riding stables, a gym, swimming pools, 5-a-side football pitches and, basketball, badminton and squash courts.