Cross Keys Hotel, Kelso

Hotels
7.9 (1150 reviews)
The Cross Keys Hotel, 36-37 The Square , Kelso , GB

Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Fitness center
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Room service
Heating
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Central location
Good food
Cons:
Small rooms
Need for cleaning
Dated decor

Categories

Cleanliness
7.05
Some reviews mentioned cobwebs and the need for deep cleaning.
Service
8.55
Staff were consistently praised as friendly and helpful.
Location
8.55
Frequently highlighted as central and convenient.
Room Quality
7.05
Rooms were noted as small, dated, or needing updates.
Amenities
7.95
Standard amenities mentioned; some upgrades needed.
Value for Money
8.05
Fairly priced with good food and service considering the location.
Food and Beverage
8.05
Food quality received positive feedback, especially during meals.
Overall Experience
7.95
General satisfaction with mention of few improvements needed.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-07 19:59

Property Description

Landmark Location in Kelso
The Cross Keys Hotel, situated in the heart of Kelso overlooking the charming cobbled square, offers a historic stay dating back to 1769.

Quality Dining and Accommodation
Indulge in high-quality dining featuring local produce and relax in guest rooms equipped with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and en suite bathrooms.

Convenient Amenities and Nearby Attractions
Enjoy complimentary parking and WiFi, along with a delicious breakfast served in the Saddlers Room. Explore nearby attractions such as Kelso Abbey and Floors Castle just a short walk away.

Ready to experience the historic charm and modern comforts of the Cross Keys Hotel in Kelso? Book your stay now!

Important information:

Please note that additional beds can only be accommodated in the classic and superior room, subject to prior arrangement.Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Location

Guest Reviews

7.9
Based on 1150 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.05
Service: 8.55
Location: 8.55
Room Quality: 7.05
Amenities: 7.95
Value for Money: 8.05
Food and Beverage: 8.05
Overall Experience: 7.95
D
Donna • couple • gb
7
2026-10-15 • via Nuitee
J
Janet • couple • gb
8
Nice break in a lovely little town
Pros:

Hotel staff very pleasant. Room as expected , clean , good size, average quality.. stayed for evening meal and that was superb. Breakfast was really lovely. Plenty choice and hot food was all well cooked . Not a bother when I asked for a fried egg rather than the scrambled..plenty of fruit, cereals, croissants, jams etc. Would return even if only for food...

2026-10-14 • via Nuitee
I
Irene • couple • gb
10
Everything was just perfect hotel is in a great location with everything you.need near by would hig
Pros:

Breakfast had a good choice and staff were pleasant service was excellent

Cons:

Can say there was anything we didn’t like everything was perfect which makes a big difference to your stay staff were very helpful and pleasant

2026-10-12 • via Nuitee
S
Stuart David • couple • gb
7
Good value stay, great location, friendly staff but tired dated room!
Pros:

Good central location.

Cons:

Lack of ability to serve us dinner, do to big parties in! When the night before they served many many none residents!

2026-10-11 • via Nuitee
L
laura • solo_traveller • gb
1
1960s-style decor and not a place to stay if you want to sleep
Pros:

Staff were friendly and welcoming

Cons:

Where do I start? The hotel was last renovated quite clearly in the 1960s, with anaglypta covering the walls. I know, when reading this, you'll think, "Why didn't you check out the photos and reviews first?" and it is a mistake I'll never make again.
This has to be the worst hotel experience I've ever had in 18 years of travelling for work. I paid £156 for a room so assumed it would be good.
- The shower doesn't have a thermostat.
- You have to climb into a bath to shower
- Everything is severely outdated.
- There was dust underneath the towel rail on the skirting board.
- The environment is not ideal.
- The walls are paper-thin.
- I was woken in the evening by a group of men returning to their rooms. In the next room, the guest then put their TV on very loud and fell asleep. I had to call reception, who came and knocked on the door. They also told me they would ring the room. The TV finally went off at 4 am. I cannot believe the experience that I've had.
- I then went down to breakfast to experience wipe-clean tablecloths that made me feel ill, and a seat allocated at a table with my room number clearly displayed. Had I been staying a second night (which wouldn't have happened if I'd booked two nights, I would have left). My room number was displayed to all guests, even though I was a solo female traveller! How security-conscious.
- I only ordered toast for breakfast, as I didn't feel like eating, as the soup I'd had for lunch the day before wasn't great. It was bland and tasteless, so I ordered toast. The toast was toasted on only one side, and the bread was about 2 mm thick.
- I wasn't offered any compensation, refund, or anything for the terrible stay that I had.

2026-10-09 • via Nuitee
L
Lorraine • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Very clean. Great location. Friendly staff.

Cons:

A bit dated but did not affect our stay.

2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
J
John • couple • gb
6
Bedroom not worth the money.
Pros:

The overall condition of the hotel was excellent. We had a lovely evening meal and excellent breakfast. The hotel was in a very good position. All the staff were brilliant.

Cons:

The only downfall was the bedroom that we were given. It was very dated and cramped. Approx six inches at the bottom of the bed to get round to the bathroom. The television was also in the six inch at the bottom of the bed. We were concerned of that we may damage the television when going past it.

2026-09-18 • via Nuitee
B
barnes • solo_traveller • gb
7
Pros:

The breakfast was excellent.

Cons:

bathroom looked tired ,poor lighting. Needed a mirror in bedroom for ladies to do hair and makeup.

2026-09-17 • via Nuitee
C
Charles • couple • gb
5
Would recommend the hotel for its position but would not be happy to recommend the bathroom.
Pros:

Very interesting area and the hotel is in a good central position

Cons:

Room was fine although the lighting was poor.
The bathroom needs updating. Very small cubicle shower and it was dark inside.
No proper shelving area.

2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
A
Adrian • couple • gb
8
2026-09-15 • via Nuitee
K
Kay • solo_traveller • gb
10
Kelso
Pros:

Excellent last minute choice of hotel. Staff were all friendly and helpful, we were able to sort a problem with them. Food Excellent. Lovely, quaint features, lift, set in an amazing location. Definitely would return here. Local micro pub next door is a bonus.

Cons:

Not sure there's anything

2026-09-11 • via Nuitee
M
Martin • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-09-10 • via Nuitee
G
Gerald • family_with_children • gb
8
Very Good
Pros:

The Ambience was excellentVery Good

2026-09-10 • via Nuitee
A
Annemieke • solo_traveller • nl
5
Pros:

Receptioniste was aardig

Cons:

De kamer was zeer klein. Het bed was erg klein voor 2 personen. Hotel is gedateerd en mag nodig opgeknapt worden. Badkamer was wel schoon maar ook hier alles erg verouderd. Ontbijt doordeweeks was op zich prima omdat je een bestelling kon plaatsen. In het weekend alleen een buffet.

2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
H
Helen • couple • gb
8
2026-09-04 • via Nuitee
M
Mark • extended_group • gb
7
Cons:

Being charged for 4 more rooms after initial 6 i had booked and paid for. Also still waiting on re fund for that 😡

2026-09-03 • via Nuitee
L
Lisa • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-09-03 • via Nuitee
J
Jane • couple • gb
9
Great stay with helpful staff and comfortable room. Would return and recommend.
Pros:

Staff very helpful and friendly. Room was very clean and beds very comfortable. Ideal position in town. Breakfast was excellent with plenty of choice.

Cons:

En-suite in need of some updating.

2026-09-03 • via Nuitee
P
Paul • solo_traveller • th
9
Pros:

Lovely hotel in the centre of Kelso, pleasant and helpful staff, excellent breakfast. Rooms were a good size and were clean and comfortable.

2026-08-31 • via Nuitee
W
Wendy • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-08-31 • via Nuitee