Border House B&B

We booked dinner at short notice for three families and had a lovely evening. The portions were generous, the homemade food was delicious, and it was excellent value. Everyone was so friendly, even introducing us to the family dog for our dog-mad little ones. We'd definitely come back if we get the chance. Thanks for a fab night.

The food is a real highlight, from the wide choice at dinner to the well-made full cooked breakfast, which would satisfy a very hungry person. Good ingredients make the meals stand out from ordinary pub food. Sam can tell you about the haggis, I found it interesting even as a townie. The bar also has a strong choice of beers and spirits, and both staff and customers make you feel welcome. We've stayed at The Crown Hotel several times. The bedrooms are consistently tidy and clean, with comfortable beds, a good ensuite, plenty of hot water, and tea and coffee in the room. The public areas are tidy too. Samantha and Steve are friendly owners who take a real interest in the building's history. Ask about the Common Riding and its links to the town's past. We've seen the improvements they've made and plan to keep making. Thanks to Sam, Steve, and the staff for enjoyable stays. We look forward to returning.

After an eight-hour drive, we ended up eating a supermarket sandwich in our room. The chef was off and there was no food that night, but the website had no current information to warn us. We tried to phone ahead because we were running late, and the phones didn't work, just as they hadn't when I booked three weeks before. Parking nearby was difficult, so we had a long haul with suitcases, bags, and our dog. Getting to the room meant a trek along corridors and up three flights of stairs, past patched ceilings and parts of old pianos. The room itself was clean and comfortable, but cracked electrical sockets with wires showing were disturbing. The hotel was below basic, and I wouldn't stay again. The owners showed little interest or responsibility when we raised things, which didn't feel like hospitality. To reply to the response, I completely reject those points. We arrived at 7 pm, and my husband wasn't aggressive. We were cold, wet, tired, hungry, and not made to feel welcome.

The only real problem was getting back in. The main door was shut at 10:20 pm, and the barman hadn't explained how to use the door fob at check-in. He took 15 minutes to answer the bell. Otherwise, the room was clean and had what we needed, with comfortable beds and plenty of tea and coffee. The bathroom had recently been upgraded. Breakfast was delicious, with a good range of cereals as well as the cooked option. The owners were friendly and welcoming.