Philipburn Hotel vs Selkirk and Melrose Alternatives: A Comparison Guide

Planning a countryside escape in the Scottish Borders often starts with a question: which hotel in Selkirk truly delivers a relaxed, character-filled stay? The Philipburn Hotel, a former manor house dating from 1751, is a strong contender, earning a 4.6/5 rating from 628 reviews on Tripadvisor. This comparison guide weighs the Philipburn against nearby Selkirk and Melrose alternatives — including Kingsknowes Hotel, Heatherlie House Hotel, and Dryburgh Abbey Hotel — to help you choose the right base for your break.

Last checked: 2026-07-31

Location: Linglie Road, Selkirk TD7 5LS · Category: 4-star country house hotel · Room count: 20 individually styled rooms · Dining: British, Scottish, Italian cuisine; £26–£40 per person · Contact: 01750 653053 / 01750 720747 · Chain affiliation: BW Signature Collection by Best Western

What is on the Philipburn Hotel Selkirk menu?

The hotel restaurant, open daily from 08:00 to 21:00, serves a blend of British, Scottish, and Italian cuisine, according to its TripAdvisor restaurant listing. Dinner pricing falls between £26 and £40 per person, positioning it as a mid-range countryside dining option. Breakfast and lunch are also served. The menu emphasis is on locally influenced dishes with Italian flourishes — a pairing that guest reviews describe as satisfying but not formal.

The bottom line: The Philipburn restaurant works equally well for hotel guests and non-residents, making it a viable Selkirk dining destination in its own right.

British and Scottish cuisine options

Expect classic British and Scottish dishes such as roast meats, seasonal vegetables, and locally sourced game or fish. The restaurant listing categorises the food as “British, Scottish, and Italian,” suggesting a menu that bridges traditional pub fare with finer dining touches.

Italian dishes at the Philipburn restaurant

Italian offerings — pasta, risotto, or similar — appear alongside British staples. This dual-cuisine approach is a distinguishing feature among the Selkirk and Melrose hotel restaurants reviewed.

Philipburn hotel restaurant: dining experience and atmosphere

The restaurant adopts a relaxed, casual atmosphere according to the TripAdvisor description. Reservations can be made via OpenTable or by calling 01750 720747. The bar, which is open to the public as well as guests, allows for a drink before or after the meal without a full dinner commitment. One reviewer praised the “warm and attentive” service — a recurring pattern in guest feedback about the property overall.

The implication: If you are a non-guest considering dinner, you are welcome: the hotel explicitly markets its restaurant to the local community.

How does Kingsknowes Hotel compare to Philipburn Hotel?

Kingsknowes Hotel sits on the outskirts of Selkirk and serves as the most direct local alternative to the Philipburn. Both are 4-star country-house style properties with restaurants and bars, but they differ in character. The Philipburn is more historic (1751 manor house) and individually styled across 20 rooms, while Kingsknowes has a more traditional hotel layout and a slightly more formal dining setup. Neither property revealed exact room rates in research, but public OTA listings suggest the Philipburn and Kingsknowes compete in a similar mid-range pricing bracket for the Selkirk area.

“Service consistently earns praise for its warmth and attentiveness, with staff often going above and beyond.”
— TripAdvisor editorial summary

The bottom line: Guests who prioritise historic character and room individuality may prefer the Philipburn; those wanting a standardised, predictable country-house experience may lean toward Kingsknowes.

Location and setting

The Philipburn Hotel is less than a mile from Selkirk town centre — walkable along Linglie Road. Kingsknowes is also within Selkirk but sits slightly farther from the main square. Both enjoy gardens and countryside views typical of the Scottish Borders.

Room count and style

The Philipburn’s 20 rooms include “unique” individually styled units, with some featuring mezzanine floors, balconies, and whirlpool baths, per the Best Western listing. Kingsknowes has a comparable room count but lacks the same level of architectural variety.

Top hotels in Selkirk: Philipburn, Heatherlie House, and others

Selkirk’s hotel scene is small — Tripadvisor lists just five properties. The main alternatives to the Philipburn are Kingsknowes Hotel and Heatherlie House Hotel, both of which offer 4-star accommodation in converted country houses.

Heatherlie House Hotel overview

Heatherlie House Hotel occupies a Victorian mansion in Selkirk with a restaurant and function space. Its rooms are traditionally decorated, and guest feedback emphasises the garden setting and quiet location. It lacks the Philipburn’s Italian cuisine and Best Western booking infrastructure.

Dryburgh Abbey Hotel in Melrose

About 10 miles east of Selkirk, Dryburgh Abbey Hotel sits on the banks of the River Tweed adjacent to the historic abbey ruins. It is a more premium countryside option with a higher price band, a spa, and direct abbey views. For travellers willing to drive, it represents a step up in scenery and on-site leisure amenities.

Hotels in Peebles and Melrose as alternatives

Peebles (30 minutes north) and Melrose offer additional options: the Peebles Hydro and the George & Abbotsford Hotel in Melrose are common fallback choices. Both are larger than the Philipburn and more activity-oriented, with pools and event programming.

“We have 20 letting rooms, a restaurant for fine dining, a bar open to the public.”
— Philipburn House Hotel official site

What this means: Within Selkirk itself, the Philipburn and Heatherlie House are the two strong character-driven boutique options; Dryburgh Abbey and Peebles hotels extend the comparison into the wider Borders region.

Where can I find Philipburn House Hotel photos?

Official website gallery – The hotel’s own site at philipburnhousehotel.co.uk features a photo gallery showcasing the manor-house exterior, individually styled bedrooms, gardens, and dining areas. It is the most authoritative image source for the property’s current decor.

TripAdvisor photo gallery

TripAdvisor hosts dozens of traveller-submitted photos, offering honest, unretouched views of rooms, bathrooms, food, and grounds. These are particularly useful for assessing room size and lighting.

Facebook page images

The Philipburn’s Facebook page (@thephilipburn) posts seasonal shots, event photos, and menu updates. It is a good resource for seeing the property in real-time, though the feed is not curated as tightly as the official site.

Pros and cons: Philipburn Hotel

• Pros: Historic character (1751 manor); high guest rating (4.6/5); individually styled rooms; free parking and Wi-Fi; pet-friendly; EV charging; restaurant open to non-guests with varied cuisine.
• Cons: Upper-floor rooms can become warm (guest reviews); no lift confirmed in some older reviews; limited on-site leisure (no pool or gym).

Pricing: what to expect at Philipburn and its alternatives

Travel Weekly lists Philipburn rates ranging from $79 to $238 (USD, approximately £65–£195), with standard rooms from $79–$214 and suites at $238. This places the Philipburn in the affordable-to-mid-range bracket for countryside hotels. For context, Dryburgh Abbey Hotel rates are generally 20–30% higher, while Heatherlie House and Kingsknowes tend to price similarly or slightly below. Always verify rates directly with the hotel or a booking platform at the time of your stay.

What to watch: Evening dining adds £26–£40 per person at Philipburn — factor this into your total budget if you plan to eat in-house for every dinner.

Location and getting there

The Philipburn Hotel sits on Linglie Road, Selkirk, less than a mile from the town centre — an easy walk. Selkirk lies on the A7, roughly 40 miles south of Edinburgh (60-minute drive) and 15 miles north of the English border at Carter Bar. The nearest railway station is Galashiels (10 miles), served by trains from Edinburgh. For drivers, free on-site parking is available, including EV charging points.

Frequently asked questions