2 Best Hotels in Melrose, The Borders and the Southwest

Dating from the 18th century, this charming whitewashed building in the center of Melrose has individually decorated rooms filled with floral pastels. Public areas continue the floral theme, in the comfortable bar, for example, with its cheerful open fire and a wide selection of fine malt whiskies; it's ideal for a quiet dram before or after a meal. The vast restaurant has high-back upholstered chairs and white-linen tablecloths, and a limited but varied menu; the bar menu is a little cheaper. There is also an extensive and pretty garden, and fishing excursions can be arranged.

Mature woodlands and verdant lawns surround this imposing, 19th-century mansion-turned-hotel, which is adjacent to the ruins of Dryburgh Abbey on a sweeping bend of the River Tweed. Throughout the hotel you'll feel a sense of peace and quiet in keeping with the location. The public rooms are comfortable while bedrooms are elegant and for the most part quite large; some have canopy beds. The bistro looks out onto the sweeping lawns, and there is a separate breakfast room. Also, unusually for this area, the hotel has a swimming pool.