Teviotside Guest House

So I really wanted to be positive about this hotel as under new ownership, refurbished with genuinely helpful and pleasant staff ( allowed an early check in, provided accommodation at short notice due to another hotel being flooded). Unfortunately we lucked out with hideous rooms. Basement single was claustrophobic, stuffy, smelly room with the smallest bed I’ve ever slept in. Communal unwrapped tea bags to be grabbed if required from a bunch in a tray at entrance to accommodation. Nowhere to hang towels. No lidded bin or mirror in bathroom. Other basement ( 3 bedded ) room slightly better - mirror in bathroom ( but no bin at all in there!) and obviously more spacious but still airless with stale aroma - possibly from the newly fitted carpet?? On the positive side others who were lucky enough to not be subterranean had pleasant rooms and were happy with their stay. Attractive communal room with coffee machine and books is a nice touch. Staff dealt with teething problems such as door lock issue very quickly ( within 15 mins) despite not being on premises ( there is a complex lock box procedure to follow to enter the building but it is well explained) Basically earns brownie points for being dog friendly and having pleasant staff , but check the room you are booking VERY carefully - would never recommend the basement rooms, even if allowing for teething problems post renovation. Despite being “ value” rooms for same price (£75 per room) would get SO much better accommodation in any of the main hotel chains.

Arrived at the guesthouse to be told that is had been sold and he was moving out. I had spoken to Alan the propietor only 2 weeks previously where no mention was made of the move. Alan said he could put me up in his hotel. On the way to the hotel he said that of course breakfast would costs more there, usually £10. He said as I would be the only person he would have to get the chef in specially and would have to pay him.This would have put an additional £10 per night on the price we had agreed. He then suggested I went to the Wetherspoons for my breakfast. He gave me a slightl y reduced room rate (£5pn less than with breakfast) and we went into the hotel. It was shocking. Bare plaster where holes in the wall had been filled, broken tiles in the bahroom. dirty bath mat, a hair on the bathside and the room was cold. I had no choice but to stay the night there. There seemed to be no-one else in the hotel and as a single woman I felt very vulnerable in the room. I checked out the following morning (instead of staying the 3 nights planned) and left for home. Steer clear of the Teviot Gueshouse and the Hawick Hotel!

Arrived to be greeted by a for sale sign. No-one in to meet us. Telephone line constantly engaged, luckily had Mr King's mobile. His daughter answered and it was apparent they couldn't care less they had a booking. Told us there was a key in a red dish inside the door, go in and look at the rooms. Initially looked okay but on inspection of the really small rooms the bedding was a disgrace, soiled, worn and looked unlaundered - no way would I stay there. Fortunately I hadn't paid any money upfront. Phoned to let them know and they weren't in the least bothered.

My original plan was to stay with friends when I was visiting Hawick from Brazil but due to them having to Covid isolate I was bereft of a place to stay for a couple of nights. I was directed to the Teviotside Guest House and spent a couple of nights there with bed and breakfast. I could not have had a better host in the form of Alan King. From the moment I set foot in his establishment to the moment I left he made me welcome and provided exceptional service throughout my stay with him. I had room 2 which faced the street but due to traffic rerouting in Hawick it was very quiet indeed, Excellent room with exceptional ensuite - a monster of a bath! Breakfast was whatever I wanted and cooked to order, not on some hot plate drying out but hot and tasty. I would highly recommend staying with Alan but you had better get your skates on as he wants to retire and put his feet up somewhere in the sun!