Short stay: SCHLOSS Roxburghe, Kelso, Scotland, UK /

The SCHLOSS Roxburghe has had a long and interesting life and could tell many a story of romance, war and rebellion since the 12th century, including Bonny Prince Charlie and a white rose bush that is said to still be in bloom. The beauty of the area combined with the heritage that surrounds the area make this a wonderful place to recharge your batteries. Roxburghe is owned by the 12.18 group, a small group of hotels offering “grand hotels in miniature”, and is now also part of Destination by Hyatt.

Extensive renovations and refurbishments have recently taken place, creating a further 58 bedrooms and 12 luxury Scottish cottages, a new restaurant and spa facilities. The hotel is easy to find, approximately 1 hour’s drive from Newcastle or Edinburgh, both of which have excellent airports.

The welcome

There’s a great welcome on arrival – much like greeting old friends – with plenty of staff on hand to unload the car and take cases to our rooms ready and waiting.

The room

The new bedrooms are located in the annex which has been very tastefully connected to the original property – so well done in fact that it goes unnoticed. They are beautifully decorated and cater for every need and more.

I stayed in an Estate Suite (room 231) with soft, muted tones and a contemporary, very comfortable four-poster bed, complete with reading material on the bedside table. My suite included a separate paneled living room with a herringbone wood effect floor, bathroom and additional guest toilet. It also enjoyed a full balcony overlooking the golf course and the living room has a private French balcony with the same view.

The room is well equipped with a Lavazza coffee machine and both regular and decaf coffee pods, a kettle with a wide variety of different teas, complimentary biscuits and a well-stocked fridge and a selection of glasses. Free WiFi is available, as well as a smart TV in both the bedroom and living room. In the wardrobe you will find a safety deposit box and a hairdryer.

The bathroom

The bathroom is well equipped with a large bath with hand shower, a separate rain shower, a double sink, an enclosed toilet cubicle with frosted glass door and the luxury of underfloor heating.

There was a full range of Molton Brown toiletries, including a conditioner that is occasionally overlooked in hotel bathrooms. Fluffy towels and bathrobes are provided for your comfort. Essentials are also supplied for those all-important items visitors may forget or need, such as dental, make-up and shaving kits, as well as a shower cap, lip balm and exfoliating mitt.

The facilities

Food and drink is fully catered whether it be the Sunlaws restaurant in the Mansion, Fairways in the Golf Clubhouse or Charlies in the Annex. Fairways serves light snacks before or after your round, from breakfast through lunch to that all-important energizing drink at the end of a challenging round. The Sunlaws restaurant serves fine food and wine in a more traditional setting and atmosphere, but still uses local produce from local suppliers. Charlie’s in the Annex is the latest addition to the dining experience at SCHLOSS Roxburghe, where the atmosphere, decor and ambiance is modern with knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Billed as “the home of Scottish bistronomy”, Charlies occupies a contemporary dining room that overlooks the beautiful gardens and grounds through large windows. The term ‘Scottish bistronomy’ refers to meals made with ingredients straight from the estate to the plate, showcasing the best local produce and ingredients to be found in the area. It caters to international and local gourmets while respecting nature and the surrounding countryside. The area has an abundance of prime meat, fish and game and this is used to delicious effect. Local classics are mixed with international dishes.

On our first night we were lucky enough to dine on the ‘Langoustine Veloute Prawn Mono’ and the ‘Burnside Wood Pigeon Dodine’ followed by our mains which included ‘Cotelette’ Confit Belly with Potato and Masala Harissa Lamb Jus’ and ‘ Pork “Gentlemen Cut” with textures of parsley root, portobello and yellow wine condiment and amaranth shoots – all of which was delicious and beautifully presented.

One of the hotel’s greatest assets and focal points is the Championship golf course that forms part of the estate. There is no doubt that it is a Championship course as it gives a challenge to any golfer yet is not too overwhelming for a club golfer. The course was designed by Dave Thomas using the natural undulating position of the land. The par five 14th hole along the River Teviot overlooking the viaduct in the distance, clearly seen from the elevated tee, is the signature hole. However, there are many other delightful situations that require skill and course management, with deep bunkers, shallow bunkers at pools and long at fours as well. In places there are long walks from the green to the next tee bed, but the beauty of the trees, flowers and wildlife make them a delight. The course is kept in pristine condition – credit to the green staff.

The clubhouse staff are knowledgeable and ready to help. They have a very good and tempting stock of gear and the 19th has delicious snacks and drinks available for anyone needing refreshment after their round. It is a long course so whilst many will enjoy this length some may require a buggy and many are available to assist you. You should also make time for the other delights the hotel has to offer!

The estate is the cradle of all kinds of field sports within the Scottish borders. Beginners and experts alike can enjoy a day of fly fishing with a fully qualified flycaster. Clay pigeon shooting offers a challenge of hand and eye coordination with one-on-one training from a qualified instructor, while the popular recreational sport of archery is also available with instruction in a beautiful riverside location within the hotel grounds.

Horse and bicycle rides are available, and jogging and walking can be done directly from the hotel. There’s even a map available for the hotel’s own woodland walk, which follows a fern-lined path, with water taps carefully placed to revive parched throats. And for those who enjoy a more relaxed sport, there is a croquet lawn at the front of the hotel with mallets available from reception.

One of the highlights of the spa is the huge relaxation area with comfortable beds and chairs where one can enjoy the atmosphere with friends or just chill. The room overlooks the heated outdoor infinity pool which is heated to 30 degrees Celsius and can therefore be used all year round. To the side of the pool is a hot tub, plunge pool, aroma sauna and Finnish dry sauna that provide visitors with a full spa experience.

The spa treatments are extensive, ranging from full massages to relaxing facials. Kim, my esthetician who I can highly recommend, gave me a very soothing rose facial, starting with inhaling frankincense and a head massage before using the lovely rose scented products that left me feeling completely relaxed and radiant.

A full gym is also available, as well as a personal trainer on hand if you need it.

Rent

Roxburgh is set in the elegant Scottish Borders countryside, just over an hour’s drive from both Edinburgh and Newcastle. The rolling landscape of this region has a beauty that is unique. Here you will find the quaint, pretty market town of Kelso with the ruins of Kelso Abbey, a racecourse and also the late 18th century Floors Castle – the seat of the Duke of Roxburghe. This has Victorian walled gardens and hosts various concerts and events. The famous rivers for salmon fishing, the Tweed and the Cheviot, also flow into Kelso.

A little further afield are the towns of Hawick, Melrose and Jedburgh to explore. The Eildon Hills overlooking Melrose are said to be where King Arthur was buried, while Jedbergh has links to Mary Queen of Scots.

SCHLOSS Roxburghe Hotel has a passion not only for the local Scottish countryside and landscapes, but also for the local community and its suppliers, along with respect for the culture of the area. This is reflected in everything about the hotel, from the welcome to the departure, making you feel very special.

Other nice keys

During our stay we were lucky enough to sample a Burns Night supper – a very special occasion for the Scots when they celebrate the birth of their favorite poet when both whiskey and haggis are honored and brought into the restaurant by a piper be channeled. full Highland dress. The haggis is treated to its own address, in both Gaelic and English.

The meal that evening was traditional with “neeps” (turnips) and “tatties” (potatoes), but there were plenty of modern touches with the flavors and presentation – a feast for the eyes and stomach. The full meal consisted of canapes, cock-a-leekie soup, cullen skink, venison roast with haggis, neeps, tatties and whiskey gravy. This was followed by cranachan and petit fours – a delicious balance of flavors and a true delight of Scottish cuisine and ingredients at their best.

The hotel is “a special place for special moments” where a team of staff takes care of everything a person wants or needs. This can be for a private party, business event or of course a wedding.

cost

Courtyard rooms start from £162 per night.
Estate suites start from £399 per night.

The best bit

While there were many and varied highlights during our stay, from the golf to the pool swim and the facial, without a doubt I will not forget the Burns Night supper – the food, the traditions and the whole atmosphere of the evening will be something I have long remembered. Judging by the number of very happy people sitting in the dining room that night, I won’t be alone.

The final verdict

SCHLOSS Roxburghe is truly a special place to recharge your batteries – to relax and be pampered, to practice fun sports, to try different foods and flavours, and to marvel and enjoy the beautiful unspoiled nature of the rolling countryside and interesting historical places nearby. Their mission is to “make you feel good” and everything at SCHLOSS Roxburghe is designed to do just that, but most of all, the staff fully understands guests’ needs and go above and beyond to make everyone happy. No wonder it has become a haven.

Disclosure: Our stay was sponsored by SCHLOSS Roxburghe, Kelso, Scotland, UK.