The Scottish Hotel Awards at the weekend proved very successful for Borders establishments, with national and regional success.
In the national awards, the Dryburgh Abbey Hotel was announced as the Country Sports Hotel of the Year for the fifth consecutive time and top Dog Friendly Hotel for the third year in a row.
The Tontine Hotel in Peebles was awarded the prize for Town Hotel of the Year.
There was regional success for The Roxburghe Hotel (Romantic Hotel), Macdonald Cardrona (Events Hotel), Buccleuch Arms Hotel (Bar of the Year, Informal Dining Restaurant and Service Excellence award), The Wheatsheaf Hotel (Restaurant of the Year and Small Country Hotel), and Dryburgh Abbey Hotel (Best Wedding Hotel and Gold Medal for Hospitality).
Speaking to The Southern, Mark Wallace, general manager of Dryburgh Abbey Hotel, said: “The proudest part for us is the two national awards as they recognise we are among Scotland’s best and are standing out as market leaders in both those fields, and have done so for some time.”
Mr Wallace praised his staff for their hard work and added that the awards for all the Borders hotels was “great for the area”.
Speaking about collecting the Town Hotel of the Year award, Kate Innes, co-owner of the Tontine, said: “It is a terrific achievement and we are naturally delighted for our team and for Peebles.
“We believe there is a role for independent hotels situated in the centre of towns to become a real part of the fabric of that town, and this award recognises that.” She also praised her staff for their efforts and added: “We enjoy it and it is important to have the right team, and we have that now.”
Commenting on their regional awards, Rachael Hamilton, from the Buccleuch Arms Hotel, said: “It is testament to our great team of staff that we have these trophies to take back to the hotel and we are delighted.
“We go out of our way to ensure that we have an offering for the local community, but also for those travelling to us from further afield.”