Monorene Guest House

The guest house stayed quiet at night despite being close to the main road and railway, which worked well as I had an early train to catch. The facilities were clean and tidy, and the room was comfortable for a reasonably priced one night stay. Malcolm was very welcoming and had useful information about the local area. The mattress was a bit springy and could use a topper, but I’d still recommend staying here if you’re passing through Galashiels.

The owners were helpful, and the place is central, with town facilities and places to eat easy to reach. The rooms are clean and have facilities, though the bathroom is shared.

There are only three parking spaces, and one may be occupied by the owner. The room also looks out onto the train station and busy traffic. More concerning, there’s a damp smell as soon as you enter. There were patches on several ceilings, and the bathroom in particular was very mouldy. In a few spots it looked as if several layers of grout had been applied to deal with it. The owner seemed like a nice guy, but damp and mould can be dangerous, especially for people with health issues, so it needs to be said. The place is up for long term auction, and hopefully the new owner will have enough money to renovate it.

For one night, the accommodation was fine: it was clean, there were towels and tea, and the host was really friendly. But we felt £50 and two stars would be more appropriate. The shower is across the hall and shared with others. We paid £85 for breakfast and shower several times. Happy day!