THE modern Macdonald Cardrona Hotel Golf and Spa is situated in 200 acres of private grounds on the banks of the River Tweed at Cardrona just outside Peebles in the Scottish Borders. There is an 18 hole Dave Thomas-designed golf course for residents to use. The hotel also has salmon fishing rights. Inside, there are two bars, a restaurant and a spa.

SLEEPING MATTERS

The MacDonald Cardrona has over 99 classic, executive, feature and accessible bedrooms, some with private patios offering direct access to the golf course. Our room had views over the 18th hole, a luxury en-suite bathroom, some comfortable furniture to recline on and enjoy a drink before dinner and a capacious double bed to retire to.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The Renwicks Restaurant promised a “dining experience like no other”. It didn’t disappoint. My companion enjoyed the free range chicken and mushroom terrine with red onion marmalade and ciabatta crisp for starter, moved on to the medallions of Scottish beef fillet with creamed potato, roast balsamic shallots and celeriac puree for her main course and finished with a cheese slate comprising of a range of award-winning local produce.

I opted for the pressing of ham hock and parsley with piccalilli and toasted wholemeal bread, had the roast loin of outdoor reared pork, fondant potato, sticky braised red cabbage and Stornoway black pudding for my main course and finished with the dark chocolate tart with white chocolate pannacotta for desert.

The wine list was extensive, too. We had the Petit Chablis Domaine des Marronniers and the Vivanco Rioja Crianza. Very nice they were as well.

NICE TOUCH

The health club offered the perfect place to unwind. There is a fully-equipped technogym, an 18 metre swimming pool, steam room and sauna. But just sitting reading on the poolside loungers and enjoying the breathtaking scenery was relaxing and restorative. My better half also treated herself to a Elemis Couture Touch Treatment which, apparently, is a hour-long combination of facial and massage in the adjoining spa. She seemed to approve.

ABOUT THE AREA

The Borders are beautiful. We visited the nearby Cardrona Forest on the south side of the Tweed Valley. We walked off our overindulgences of the evening before and took in some stunning views during a leisurely stroll to the Iron Age fort at Castle Knowe. For those of a more adventurous bent, the Glentress and Innerleithen mountain biking centres are right on the doorstep. The nearby medieval town of Peebles, with its numerous independent shops, cafes and bars, was also well worth a visit.

A spa break package at the Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, Golf and Spa starts at £159 a room. Visit www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk