Cringletie House

‘Highly recommended for a special occasion’, this Victorian Scottish baronial hotel on a 28-acre estate combines luxury with unforced family- and dog-friendliness. Promoted from the Shortlist on the strength of praise from readers, it invites you to relax, with lots of comfy seating around log fires in bar and lounges. Bedrooms are individually styled, with contemporary comforts that respect the building’s history. Ranging from very good classic rooms to the Selkirk Suite, which has a spa bath and walk-in jet shower, all are supplied with Scottish-made toiletries. ‘Our suite was lovely, with plenty of seating plus a couple of small bottles of the local whisky to enjoy.’ In the restaurant, under a painted ceiling depicting a heavenly classical scene, a three-course dinner menu offers such choices as cutlets of Borders lamb, slow-cooked neck, pied de mouton; seared Gigha halibut, sea vegetables, mussel emulsion; tartelette of woodland mushroom. In the grounds you find a walled kitchen garden, dovecote and sundial, modern sculpture, games, a nature trail and woodland, home to a badger colony. (Bill Wood, and others)