Kelso55.59911100,
-2.43348800,
The Cross Keys Hotel, 36-37 The Square(Show on Map)
7.7
Good
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1 room2 guests1 room, 2 guests
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Summary of reviewsThe Cross Keys Hotel in Kelso offers a central and convenient location in the heart of town, making it an ideal base for exploring Kelso and the scenic Scottish Borders. Guests appreciate the ease of access to local shops, pubs, and amenities, as well as the ample parking options and warm hospitality from the staff.
Guests consistently praise the breakfast and dinner offerings, highlighting the variety and quality of dishes available. Breakfast is noted for its plentiful options, including traditional and unique selections catered by friendly dining staff. Dinner also receives high marks for its delicious and reasonably priced menu, with standout items like steak and dark chocolate mousse. The overall dining experience is further enhanced by attentive and welcoming service.
The hotel's accommodations are generally seen as clean and comfortable, providing a restful stay despite some notes on dated decor and the need for renovations. Beds receive mixed feedback, with many finding them very comfortable, though a few guests expressed the need for improvements in mattress quality.
Guests often highlight the excellent service provided by the hotel's dedicated staff, whose friendliness and professionalism contribute notably to a positive stay. While a few issues with room aesthetics and bed comfort were raised, the genuine warmth and service of the hotel staff, coupled with the favorable location and dining experiences, make the Cross Keys Hotel a recommended choice for those visiting Kelso. Show more
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Categories
Hotel near Golf Courses
Situated in the golf-rich area of Kelso, offering proximity to the Roxburghe Golf Course, Kelso Golf Club, and Hirsel Golf Club.
Family Friendly Hotel
This hotel is listed by a travel site as a family-friendly option in the Scottish Borders.
What percentage of your guests are families?Under 50%
Family-Friendly room types:
Family rooms
Connecting rooms (with intermediate door)
Answers last updated by Cross Keys Hotel, Kelso
Business Hotel
This hotel has 3 function rooms, with the Ballroom capable of hosting up to 280 people theatre-style. It offers a business center, AV equipment, and flexible food and beverage packages for events.
3-Star Hotel
The Cross Keys Hotel enjoys a landmark location in the center of Kelso. It provides high-quality dining showcasing local produce and has friendly staff.
Historic Hotel
Hotel for Honeymoon
Accessible Hotel
To whom is your hotel/accommodation accessible? People who use a wheelchair People with autism People with asthma
Is there level-access route (might include lifts) from the road to the rooms?Yes, to all rooms
Are there any facilities that guests who use a wheelchair cannot reach?No
Are there designated parking spaces for people with disabilities?Yes
Are assistance/guide dogs allowed in the hotel/accommodation?No
In the rooms, is there a level-access (roll-in) shower?No
In the rooms, does the toilet have support handrails?Yes, in certain rooms
Are wheelchairs offered to guests who do not come with their own?Νο
Single RoomAll rooms have either a shower or a bath, but not both. flat-screen TV and tea and coffee facilities.
Double RoomAll rooms have either a shower or a bath, but not both. flat-screen TV and tea and coffee facilities.
Twin RoomThis room has a flat-screen TV and tea and coffee facilities.
Family Two-Bedroom SuiteThis spacious suite comprises of a twin bedroom with a sink, connected by a doorway to a double room with a double sofa bed and an en-suite bathroom with a bath only.
Classic Double RoomThis room has a flat-screen TV and tea and coffee facilities.
Superior Double RoomThe spacious double room features a wardrobe, an electric kettle, as well as a private bathroom boasting a bath and a shower. The unit has 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
7.7
Good
Location
Nestled right in the heart of Kelso, the Cross Keys Hotel boasts an enviable central location that's hard to beat. Situated in the main square, the hotel offers guests easy access to the charming town's shops, pubs, and local amenities. Its position is perfect not just for exploring Kelso itself, but also for venturing further into the beautiful Scottish Borders.
The hotel's convenience extends to its parking, with options available both in front of and behind the building, ensuring a stress-free arrival and departure. Add to this the welcoming and friendly staff, and guests are guaranteed a pleasant and comfortable stay.
For those visiting Kelso for events or festivals, the hotel's location proves to be fabulous, providing a perfect base from which to enjoy the festivities. The surrounding area is picturesque, maintaining a quaint charm while offering all the comfort and amenities a traveler might need.
Whether in town for shopping, dining, or exploring historic sites, the Cross Keys Hotel places guests in an ideal spot to experience everything Kelso has to offer. The hotel not only serves as a convenient place to rest but also as a gateway to the rich culture and scenic landscapes of the region.
Breakfast
The breakfast at Cross Keys Hotel in Kelso comes highly recommended by many guests, consistently praised for its excellence and variety. Diners at the hotel are presented with a vast array of choices, ranging from traditional cooked options to more bespoke selections like Eggs Benedict and gluten-free dishes. The buffet style, particularly on weekends, ensures a plentiful and satisfying experience, offering fresh fruit, haggis, and unique breakfast variations such as croissants and salmon, catering to diverse palates.
Despite occasional critiques, such as the standard of sausages and instances when the buffet ran out of items, most reviews affirm the breakfast to be a delightful affair—deliciously cooked, ample in quantity, and served by friendly, welcoming staff. Specific mentions of the dining staff's efficiency align with compliments about the pleasant service, enhancing the overall breakfast experience.
While a few guests noted delays in service or a preference for freshly cooked items, the positive remarks far outweigh these concerns. The combination of excellent food and a friendly atmosphere appears to make breakfast at Cross Keys Hotel a memorable start to the day, with diners leaving satisfied and impressed.
Dinner
Cross Keys Hotel in Kelso offers a dining experience that has consistently impressed guests with its delightful dinner and varied menu. Many praise the food as lovely, delicious, and fantastic, commending its good quality and reasonable prices. Steak and dark chocolate mousse come highly recommended, with the dinner itself described as superb and excellent by multiple reviewers.
The restaurant is highlighted for its fabulous facilities, with staff noted for their friendly and accommodating service, often serving meals with a smile. Evening meals and breakfasts are consistently described as outstanding or excellent, lending to a rewarding dining experience whether you book a dinner package or enjoy meals à la carte.
Despite the occasional hiccup with availability on the menu and service speed on one occasion, the majority of guests find the food to be first-class, paired with pipping hot and generous portions. Dinner options vary considerably, offering a good selection that appeals to different tastes, making it suitable for everyone from families to couples looking for a memorable meal. Overall, dining at Cross Keys Hotel is widely regarded as a pleasurable and satisfying experience, complemented by helpful staff and a welcoming atmosphere.
Rooms
The guest reviews of Cross Keys Hotel in Kelso paint a varied picture of the accommodations. Positively, many guests found the rooms to be clean, comfortable, and adequately sized, with some highlighting the spaciousness and comfort of the beds. The rooms were often described as warm and quiet, with basic but clean facilities. Guests appreciated the ideal location of the rooms, especially for events in the area. Some rooms offered lovely views, adding to the experience.
However, several reviewers noted that the rooms could benefit from updates, describing them as dated, tired, and in need of decoration or refurbishment. Issues such as small room sizes, poor ventilation, and inadequate bathrooms were frequently mentioned. Some guests found the rooms too warm and struggled with opening windows. There were also mentions of uneven floors and squeaky boards, adding charm for some but irritation for others. Ultimately, while the hotel offers comfortable and clean accommodations, improvements in decor and maintenance could enhance the overall guest experience.
Beds
The beds at Cross Keys Hotel in Kelso seem to elicit a mixed reaction from guests. Many find them to be exceptionally comfortable, often highlighting their plushness and size. A number of reviews mention the beds as being mega comfy or extremely comfortable, underscoring the positive experiences of restful nights amid the hotel's charming setting.
However, it seems the beds do not universally win everyone over. Some guests have found them uncomfortable, with descriptions ranging from hard and lumpy to likening them to concrete slabs. Issues such as old mattresses and mattresses of poor quality appear frequently in reviews. There's mention of beds that feel more child-sized, which could mean smaller dimensions for the average adult.
While the bed experiences vary, it's clear that comfort is achievable for some, albeit not all, visitors. Guests seeking a softer sleeping surface might not find their ideal experience unless improvements are made. The mixed sentiments suggest a potential need for the hotel to invest in upgrades or provide mattress toppers to enhance guest comfort further.
Cleanliness
Cross Keys Hotel in Kelso receives mixed reviews when it comes to cleanliness, yet there are many positive aspects highlighted by guests. The overall atmosphere is frequently praised, with several visitors describing the hotel as spotlessly clean and remarking on the well-maintained public areas. Many guests found their rooms clean and comfortable, often complimenting the quality of clean bedding and towels. The friendliness and attentiveness of the staff were a standout feature, as visitors consistently noted their polite and welcoming demeanor.
However, there were a few downsides reported by guests focusing on the state of certain accommodations. While the rooms were generally clean, some guests pointed out that the hotel decor appeared tired and rooms were in need of renovation. Issues such as stained carpeting, outdated bathrooms, and squeaky floors were mentioned, detracting from the overall experience for some. There were occasional reports of unclean areas, such as bathrooms needing attention, or towels having an unpleasant smell.
In summary, Cross Keys Hotel seems to offer a clean environment with a team of dedicated staff, though some areas need updating to improve the overall guest experience.
Staff
At the Cross Keys Hotel in Kelso, guests consistently rave about the exceptional staff service that defines the experience. Visitors are welcomed warmly from the moment they arrive, with mentions of receptionists that are particularly friendly and helpful. Throughout the hotel, from the bar to the restaurant, the staff are described as attentive, courteous, and professional. Their unwavering friendliness creates a welcoming atmosphere that is hard to overlook, adding a personal touch to the overall stay. Guests frequently highlight the team’s dedication to ensuring comfort, evident in their willingness to go above and beyond to meet guests' needs. Despite a few remarks about disorganization or disagreements with a specific staff member, the overwhelming sentiment revolves around the excellent service provided by a team that seems to genuinely relish their roles. Overall, the staff's warmth, efficiency, and commitment to excellent service form a cornerstone of the hotel's charm, contributing significantly to positive guest experiences.
No, Cross Keys Hotel, Kelso doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Cross Keys Hotel, Kelso.
No, Cross Keys Hotel, Kelso doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Cross Keys Hotel, Kelso.