Chirnside Hall

'The welcome was warm; we were made to feel at home.' Visitors who arrived during a snowstorm in 2009 at the Regency mansion in the Borders add. 'The other guests had cancelled, but we had an enjoyable stay.' Tessa Korsten, owner with her husband, Christian, 'seemed to read our minds; not once did we have to chase for assistance'. An earlier comment: 'She looked after us with great charm.' The public rooms have bold colours, rich fabrics: 'The lounge had a good fire, lots of seating, enough cushions to fill a football pitch.' The bedrooms have 'all the amenities that one expects'. 'Our south-facing room, large and warm, had dark colours, heavy drapes; a small bathroom.' Some top rooms may be 'a little dark'. There is background music ('avoid the window table, the speaker sits underneath') in the handsome dining room with its big tables, upholstered chairs. Mark Wilkinson has been the chef since April 2009: we would welcome reports on his modern cooking on a daily-changing menu (perhaps shredded confit of duck leg; monkfish tail, saffron potatoes, asparagus and chive sauce). 'Breakfasts fairly traditional (haggis instead of black pudding for the full Scottish).' There are 'inspiring' views across fields to the Cheviot hills. (Andrew McManus, and others)