The Daily Record’s Lucy Farrell got to check out the new updates at Cairndale Hotel & Spa
An award winning independent hotel has undergone several updates as part of its ongoing development. The Cairndale Hotel & Spa, located in Dumfries, has been open for more than forty years. Run by three generations of the Wallace family, it is recognised as one of the “friendliest” hotels in the town.
Last month, the Cairndale unveiled a new selection of 12 “no expense spared” luxury rooms in its Burdock Wing that are available to book now. Its in house spa previously underwent a massive £2m pound makeover that is open to the public as well as guests.
It seems this major investment was worth it, as the Cairndale Spa was recently named as Scotland’s best spa at the UK Good Spa Guide Regional Awards 2025, also dubbed the “Oscars of the spa world”.
In addition, the 86 room accommodation has recently opened a new restaurant. The Oak serves a wide range of cuisines for guests and Dumfries residents. Diners can enjoy a pre-dinner tipple or an after meal drink in its accompanying bar.
The Daily Record’s Trends Editor Lucy Farrell recently got to visit Cairndale Hotel & Spa and stay in one of its deluxe rooms. She also tried out the spa facilities and got the chance to dine at The Oak. Read below for her honest thoughts.
Hotel and rooms
The Daily Record’s Lucy Farrell visited the Cairndale to check out its refurbishments(Image: Lucy Farrell/Daily Record)
Upon entering the Cairndale, I was greeted by friendly staff as well as a stunning contemporary mural that creeps up the winding stairs that immediately caught my eye. We were promptly shown to one of the newly refurbished rooms. In fact, myself and my partner were informed that we would be its first guests.
The hotel is a bit spread out, with the Burdock Wing about a five minute walk from the main reception. A walk to our room showed the hotel’s running theme of contemporary design, with walls adorned with modern portraits (think dogs painted as classic royals). Our room was located up a couple of flights of stairs, but there is an elevator.
Located on the top floor in an attic style space, our room was absolutely stunning. As it’s newly decorated, it felt so fresh. I loved its light colour scheme, but my favourite aspect was its beautiful floral headboard.
After doing a quick test of the mattress, which had that sweet spot between soft and firm, we were stunned to realise the bed is fitted with its own TV that rises with an easy click of a remote, offering many channels and streaming services. The bathroom was spotless and even has a spacious double shower.
The new rooms at the Cairndale are seeped in luxury(Image: Conor Gault/Cairndale Hotel & Spa)
A two night stay for two guests in a double deluxe room costs £279.00, according to Cairndale’s website. It’s important to note that those who book with third party websites, like Booking.com, over booking directly, won’t get spa access.
One thing we noticed while unpacking was a lack of places to hang our clothes. I had such a hard look for a coat hook, but couldn’t find any. When I went to hang things up in the wardrobe, it had a middle shelf, meaning we could only shelve clothes and not hang them.
Our bed fitted with its own rising tv was a really nice touch(Image: Lucy Farrell/Daily Record)
It didn’t bother me, as we were only there for two nights, but the more we used our spa robes and the wetter they got, the more of an issue it became, as we didn’t want to put them on the plush chairs or bedding. We survived, but it’s something that other guests could face in the future. However, this is nothing the addition of a coat rack can’t fix.
As our room was located on a top floor, we did find that it heated up rather quickly. We were told room heating at the Cairndale is centralised so we were unable to lower the temperature ourselves. There was also only one window, and we woke up feeling a bit overheated the next day.
While we didn’t wake up boiling hot, it may not be ideal for someone who prefers to sleep in cooler temperatures. I would advise anyone in this arena to request a room lower down that has more than one window.
However, those who prefer to wake up extra toasty will find this set up ideal.
Spa
The spa at the Cairndale lives up to its award-winning reputation(Image: Cairndale Hotel & Spa)
After settling into our room, I quickly got ready for a pre-booked spa treatment that I was very excited about., as I’m a spa super fan. In our room we found two sets of a cosy soft green robe, slippers (which we were free to take home) and a towel, all placed in a cute branded tote bag.
The Cairndale Spa’s reputation as the best in the country is truly deserved, as I found out, thanks to visiting it twice. While my partner did not have any treatments booked, he was able to enjoy the spas many extra facilities.
The robes provided were so comfortable(Image: Lucy Farrell/Daily Record)
These include multiple saunas, steam rooms, a thermal pool, jacuzzi, an ice bath, plenty of poolside loungers and extremely relaxing waterbeds. It is also home to Scotland’s only double Hammam suite for treatments that use copious amounts of cleansing foam to renew the skin.
All of these are a stone’s throw away from an in-house juice bar with seating where spa guests can rehydrate, or even enjoy a glass of bubbly.
After checking in, we were guided to the spa’s own restaurant, which was beautifully furnished, where we were given hot towels and a delicious mango smoothie. We were given a thorough introduction to the spa and then I was whisked away for my treatment while my partner was free to roam.
We were greeted with fresh hot towels and a delicious smoothie(Image: Lucy Farrell/Daily Record)
I got the Everglowing Face and Body Ritual full body treatment. Costing £109 for 60 minutes, It started with a relaxing foot and leg massage before working up to a soothing back cleanse and exfoliation. It was finished off with a mini facial that used for lymphatic drainage.
To say I felt relaxed during this treatment would be a massive understatement. By the end I felt like I was almost floating, I forgot I even had arms. My skin looked glowing and radiant – a true sign of a good facial. I made my way back to the spa floor where I got to relax even further.
I loved the treatment so much that I immediately booked a second couples massage for the following day. This one was done with “whisky” aromatic themed essential oils. Again, it was so relaxing and after a double massage whammy, I can honestly say I felt reborn. This treatment, along with all other 60 minute massages costs £109 each.
The infrared sauna was my favourite(Image: Lucy Farrell/Daily Record)
Among my favourite facilities at the spa were a stint in the aromatic steam room, scented with essential oils, followed by a douse of crushed ice that’s freely on offer to cool off. I followed this with a swim, a dip in the jacuzzi, then chose the infrared sauna to sweat it out. I picked this one as red light therapy has been proven to combat skin ailments like premature ageing, hyperpigmentation and can even help speed up healing for cuts and wounds.
I then finished things off with a glorious nap on one of the waterbed loungers, where I could take in the lovely surrounding views through the surrounding wall length windows. I could have stayed here all day, and to be honest, we almost did until we left to get ready for dinner at The Oak.
Dining at The Oak
The Scotch egg and ham hock terrine starters were delicious(Image: Lucy Farrell/Daily Record)
The Oak at the Cairndale is described as a “cosy and comfortable imagining of an old favourite”, blending contemporary style with “timeless charm”.
We dined there both nights and got to sample its extensive menu that offers a wide range of dishes. On our first night I enjoyed a tasty Stornaway black pudding Scotch egg to start, while my partner got the ham hock terrine, both delicious. I felt the egg could have been served slightly hotter as I felt it was only warm.
For my main, I had a butter chicken with rice packed full of flavour. My boyfriend went for the 8-oz dry aged ribeye steak, simply served with onion rings, roasted tomatoes, fondant potato, mushroom and whisky sauce out of a choice of that, peppercorn and chimichurri. It was perfectly cooked and one of the nicest steaks I’ve had in a long time.
But the real star of the show was the slow braised beef short rib with garlic confit mash and jus he had the next night. The meat fell off the bone and had a really rich flavour with notes of spice that paired perfectly with the mash, the jus just bursting with roasted flavour. I had the charred sweetheart cabbage with crispy onion, pickled carrots and and carrot puree which was the perfect light follow up to the previous night’s rich curry.
We both agreed that the slow braised short rib was the best dish(Image: Lucy Farrell/Daily Record)
The staff were warm, friendly and very attentive. The menu clearly states which dishes are gluten free and vegetarian. However I couldn’t see any vegan starter main options, only nibbles like olives and padron peppers. So The Oak may not be suitable for those with such requirements.
Overall verdict
It’s clear that a lot of effort has been put into the Cairndale Hotel’s redevelopment. Its new set of rooms have rightly earned their luxurious description.
Its spa deserves its national acclaim as one of the top in the country. The facilities were top notch, I loved its interiors and there it has something for everyone, even those who don’t feel that spas are their thing.
Ultimately I think The Cairndale Hotel & Spa is the perfect place for anyone looking for a winter break to get re-charged for the new year.
For more information on reservations for dining, staying and spa treatments, visit the Cairndale Hotel & Spa’s website.
Alternatively, contact the hotel at 01387 254111 to reserve a room now.