We booked this lovely guesthouse for just one night to celebrate my other half’s birthday as we are both big fans of the Arts and Crafts movement and we had picked up a leaflet on it somewhere on our travels. We were not disappointed, although it was expensive to stay there, it was lovely to travel back to the turn of the 20th century but still have all the modern conveniences!
The guesthouse was set in beautiful grounds off the main road into Galashiels and the exterior was lovely, typical arts and crafts, lots of lovely stain glass, an imposing front door and nice details. The hosts were very welcoming and gave us tea and coffee with home made cake in the reception hall, all oak panelling and stained glass with some sympathetic metalwork etc. A lovely wide oak staircase lead to the three guestrooms, all ensuite and with their original doors and walk in wardrobes and decorated with some sympathy for the house though I felt the curtains and furniture in our bedroom seemed out of place. We had a great shower room in the “tower” with underfloor heating and real coffee in the room instead of the usual instant that you are given. You were given a quite extensive menu the night before to choose breakfast from and also to decide time, the hosts would be more than happy to cater for any tastes/ allergies etc and they also offered an evening meal and I was sorry we did not book for that after we had the wonderful breakfast!
The bed was comfortable if a little too warm for my taste ( we did not notice the optional blanket until the next morning which would have been better than the thick quilt) and there was also a lovely little cosy nook on the landing for guests with views out into the garden and a complimentary glass of port or whisky. Loads of appropriate books also to browse through so very pleasant all round.
The next morning we were astonished by the wonderful breakfast – I had a lovely fruit salad (fresh not tinned) in an elderflower syrup and Tom had a plate of orange and grapefruit with a crystallised finish. We also had fresh orange juice and blackberry smoothie and the usual tea and fresh coffee. The food was lovely but the portions far too generous, something I do not often say! I had ordered bircher benner muesli as my next course but again it was lovely but too much , particularly as we knew there was a cooked breakfast to come! Tom decided to skip the cereal course, very wise! There was also fresh homemade bread and the cooked breakfast was generous and interesting with quorn sausages, eggs, caramelised mushrooms, baked cherry tomatoes and baked large ones and a round courgette filled with various veg, far too much for a breakfast so I hardly ate at all the rest of the day! They always say you should breakfast like a king and we certainly did that day. All too soon we were on our way back home but it had been a very successful break and one I would heartily recommend “Maplehurst Boutique Guest House.”:http://www.maplehurstguesthouse.com
