Dryburgh Abbey Hotel

We had three days in Melrose stayed here by river tweed. Loved the big rooms and watching big river. Very different from Asia - very clean and cool. Hope to come again. Work in travel and clients will enjoy country landscape experience. Very nice.

We visited as a group of 20 plus adults. We booked an Abbey bedroom and expected it to look like the advertised picture. The gown & slippers are got advertising purposes only. The list of items to be included are; - Complimentary tea, coffee and Scottish biscuits - Complimentary bathroom toiletries There were ample coffee & tea sachets and one packet of biscuits. The bathroom toiletries included a small hand soap and a plastic container fixed to the shower with multipurpose soap/shower gel. If I had realised that this is what was meant by toiletries I would have packed differently. I also like to leave my shoes at the door and so slippers would have been a nice touch (as pictured). However the reason for my low score is a result of the lack of cleanliness of the room & bathroom and the after care or lack of from the management. When we got to our room I was going to make a hot drink as I unpacked but the mugs were filthy and had dribbles down them both on the outside of the mugs from the last guests. I took them down to reception and they were replaced. I also asked for a second packet of biscuits as there were two of us in the room but was advised that only one packet is standard. Before leaving our room I went into the bathroom to find urine down the pedestal of the toilet and flies attached to it. I went down to reception and asked if the bathroom could be cleaned. We stayed for 2 nights and the weather was glorious but as our room faced the sun it was absolutely horrendous in the room. We kept the curtains closed and the window open as far as it would go for the duration of our stay. I don’t expect air conditioning in an old building but at least a fan could be provided. I mentioned the heat in passing to our host Katie and she said that the windows only open slightly due to health and safety. The following day I spoken to the duty manager Stuart and he was very apologetic for our experience so far and said he would be looking into a credit on our bill by way of an apology for them not reaching the standard. A few hours later, Stuart came to advise me that he had discussed our issues with Katie and she would be speaking to me before checkout the following day. Katie wasn’t present when we checked out, there was no discount on our bill and we were told that she would email us. It is nearly 3 weeks since we visited. I followed up with an email to Katie 6 days after our visit asking for the manager to ring me. I also rang the hotel a week ago and left a message for the manager to ring me. Clearly, they have no interest in customer relations. Dinner standard was good. Breakfast standard was poor.

We thoroughly enjoyed our brief sojourn at Dryburgh Abbey Hotel, arriving to a good northern welcome and enveloped by a characterful hotel, which was enhanced by the warmth of the staff we met. The road ended at an oasis of autumnal colours in the border region. Oh and the food was good as well,

We had a delightful weekend stay at Dryburgh Abbey Hotel to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Everything about the building, location and hospitality screams 'authentic Scotland'. Our room was spotlessly clean and comfortable, in keeping with the spectacular grounds and location. The staff went above and beyond what was expected in order to make our anniversary extra special. At a nightly rate that was terrific value for money, this will certainly not be a one off visit. Thank you to all staff and management for making it a truly memorable stay.

Booked a superior room with a river view and lift. Pleased to get a bedroom with a river view and a sitting rom with a better panoramic view of the Tweed and forest beyond. on the 3rd floor, with a silent electric lift to hand. All the staff were polite, friendly, quick and efficient from start to finish of our 2 night stay. Two classic State Rooms for breakfast on 1st floor. Self-service cereals, toast and croissants, Waiter service coffee/tea and cooked breakfast (choice of 5-6 options): All vey good. Dinner in the Bistro Bar on Ground Floor (we got lost seeking the Tweed Room for Dinner - only to be told it has not been in use for over 18 months). Very attentive, friendly and helpful table service, 'Day's Special' menu worth attention. Good wine list with 9 options by the s/m/l glass and a further dozen bottles, ≤ £40 p.b., and no duds in the five wines we explored. It is a Country Hotel for country folk: hiking boots, fishing rods, and a big lurcher all in evidence and welcome. Fully wheel-chair accessible, generous car park. Frankly, we failed to recognise some of the critical reviews offered in the last few months. Dryburgh Abbey Hotel is at the top end of its 3 star rating

We were really impressed by the Dryburgh Abbey Hotel. We found the parking area to be spacious. The grounds are very well maintained. The setting along the River Tweed is beautiful. We were met by a very friendly receptionist. She helped to explain walking routes and times to nearby sites. Our room was very clean and comfortable. The restaurant staff were very professional and the dinner menu was varied and the food was great.

This is an imposing building in a Scottish baronial style and it is like staying in someone's grand home. My room was quite small but there are various options and it was comfortable and clean if chilly for me, even with the heaters on. There is plenty of hot water in the bathroom. Staff were happy to indulge my fussy eating. My cod was perfectly cooked and the crème brulee was small so did not feel too indulgent. The tea tray in the room has Borders biscuits which seems appropriate. Furnishings are in keeping with the building, very traditional and there is a fly fishing theme.

Staying here for work and worked in the conference room today. Both receptionists Aileen and Angela were incredibly helpful. Restaurant staff were excellent in the evening and at breakfast this morning were very helpful (i didn'tget their names)- I was very time short due to work but they brought breakfast and a pot of coffee very quickly when I said that I had to start work. Food last night was excellent and writing this as I wait for tonight dinner. View of the river from the breakfast room was amazing. Staff exceptionally helpful.

This has been a wonderful hotel, with stunning grounds, excellent breakfast and great company. Sadly there appears to have been a change in management that has lost the Basil Faulty aspects that enhanced the experience of an overnight or two. So instead of the flamboyant welcome and instant feeling of a family run house, the first greeting is an instant demand for advanced payment, and an insistence that breakfast had to be booked for a quarter hour slot the next morning. Although the rooms remain slightly eccentric, most with great views and huge beds, the lack of fresh milk, only one pack of biscuits for a couple, and odd corners which remain untroubled by a vacuum cleaner, this is less charming when the “professional “ instructions being offered by the staff makes everyone less inclined to forgive and overcome. Many little things have suffered, so the log burners that used to provide a warm glow and conversation starter remain unlit, apperently due to management instructions. The bistro still requires booking, and the staff are now not allowed to allow for the needs of vagaries of real people. Most disappoint is the loss if the stunning buffet breakfast. This is due to the number of guests complaining about it! Sadly the management had clearly not talked to any of the guests we have spoken to, as there was a universal lament that the breakfast was now of unremarkable quality, with some elements (tatie scone and eggs in most forms) being almost inedible, and almost nothing of interest in the continental offering. Yes a fading jewel, that could be saved, as the staff are still superb but seem to be told to enforce a new set of management rules that simply make this experience no better than one of the corporate hotels that are utterly soulless. Please. Please let them understand that eccentricity is worth a lot, and people will pay more and accept minor quirks in exchange for a better experience.