Black Bull Hotel, Lauder ➤ Reviews, Rooms & Prices 2026

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Key details

About the Hotel

13-15 Market Place, Lauder, United Kingdom

Next to Thirlestane Castle

Perfect

9.2

/10

4.8

4.6

Loved by Black Bull Hotel guests

Comfortable beds
Fluffy towels
Delicious meals
Helpful staff
Spotlessly clean

"The bedrooms have very comfortable beds, high thread count sheets, great pillows and duvets and large fluffy towels."

redsailbeth from United Kingdom

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"The restaurant and bar areas are broken down into discrete areas so that you can join the busy bar or enjoy a quiet corner."

Scenic16082113744 from United Kingdom

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"Following this stay, my partner and I have both said that we'll be back to visit, and use the black bull any time we're in the area."

Stuart from United Kingdom

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3-star welcoming hotel in Lauder

Rooms

The Black Bull Hotel offers 16 comfortable rooms, each equipped with an en-suite bathroom. Rooms include options such as standard doubles and family rooms, catering to different guest needs. Guests can also enjoy views of the scenic countryside from select rooms.

Dining

The hotel's on-site restaurant serves traditional Scottish cuisine, with a menu that emphasizes locally sourced ingredients. Guests can enjoy daily breakfast options along with lunch and dinner meals in a welcoming setting. A full bar is available, featuring a selection of local ales and fine wines.

Location

Situated in the heart of Lauder, the hotel provides easy access to nearby attractions including Thirlestane Castle and the scenic Lammermuir Hills. The central location is convenient for exploring the village's shops and historic sites. Guests can also take advantage of nearby walking and cycling trails.

Entertainment

The Black Bull Hotel hosts regular live music events, offering guests an opportunity to enjoy local talents right on the premises. The bar area is designed for socializing and experiencing the vibrant local culture. A pool table is also available for guests looking for additional activities.

Family-Friendly Amenities

The hotel provides family rooms that accommodate larger groups, making it suitable for family stays. Children's meals are available on the menu, allowing younger guests to enjoy tailored dining options. A play area nearby offers outdoor fun for kids.

Highlights

Rooms: 16 comfortable rooms

Dining: traditional Scottish cuisine

Location: Thirlestane Castle

Entertainment: live music events

“This family-run hotel places emphasis on guest comfort with individual décor and quality bedding. Its location works well for exploring the Scottish Borders, or as a base near Edinburgh. I particularly appreciate the dedication to locally sourced food and drink served in a relaxed setting.”

Anna BlackEditor-in-Chief at Tohotel

Location: Perfect

9.1/10Review score

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Highlights from guests

DiningAwesome Food

Dinner in the Stroppy Cow restaurant was amazing. Fresh, local ingredients made our meals incredibly tasty and plentiful.

Mike Smith from United Kingdom

Review on

BedroomComfy Beds

Slept so well! The beds and bedding were extremely comfortable. I haven't slept that well in years.

Karen S from Scotland

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Room FeaturesStylish Rooms

Our deluxe room was stunning and spacious, stylishly decorated with a very comfortable bed. Everything spotless.

John M from Australia

Review on

BathroomSpotless Clean

Large walk-in shower and lovely, large, fluffy, whiter-than-white towels. The bathroom was immaculate and well-presented.

Diana K from Canada

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Select your room type

Black Bull Hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Twin Room Private Bathroom

2 persons

100 sq. feet

2 Single beds

Shower

room details

Standard Double Room

2 persons

100 sq. feet

1 Double bed

Shower

room details

Triple Room

2 persons

100 sq. feet

1 Single Bed or 1 Double Bed

Shower

Heating

room details

Deluxe King Room

2 persons

130 sq. feet

1 King-size bed

Shower

room details

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Facilities

Black Bull Hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Facilities: Perfect

9.3/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Free parking
No pets allowed
24-hour security

Sports & Fitness

Horseback riding
Fishing

Services

Airport shuttle
Housekeeping

Dining

Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area

Children

Children's menu

Spa & Leisure

Leisure/ TV room

Room features

Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Dining Onsite

At the Black Bull, dining options invite guests to indulge in the rich flavors of Scotland's finest produce, with carefully crafted dishes prepared onsite. From a cozy family environment to modern dining spaces, meals are enhanced by local ingredients, offering an authentic taste of Scotland.

Black Bull Hotel Lauder Restaurant photo

Restaurant #1

Traditional Scottish

Ambiance

Family-friendly with a blend of traditional and modern decor, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Key Offerings

Delight in a variety of seasonal dishes featuring quality Scottish beef, lamb, fish, and game. Head chef meticulously prepares each meal to order, ensuring freshness and authenticity.

Reservation

Recommended

Open daily from 00:00 - 20:30 for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Black Bull Hotel Location

13-15 Market Place, Lauder, United Kingdom

Map view

13-15 Market Place, Lauder, United Kingdom

City landmarks

Landmark

Lauder Golf Club

3500 ft

Landmark

Chapel

1.6 mi

Landmark

Thirlestane Castle

2.1 mi

Landmark

Lyleston Mill

2.1 mi

Landmark

Whitslaid Tower

2.5 mi

Landmark

Burncastle

2.6 mi

Landmark

Harefaulds Fort

3.1 mi

Camping

Thirlestane Castle Caravan And Camping Park

18.9 mi

Nearby

Lauder Old Parish Church

200 ft

Flat Cat Gallery

400 ft

Restaurants

Firebrick Brasserie

200 ft

7 Market Place

Explore Lauder

Local Highlights Near Black Bull

Lauder Golf Club

13 minutes' walk

Challenging 18-hole course with scenic views of the Borders. Ideal for both seasoned golfers and newcomers.

Thirlestane Castle

10-minute drive

Historic castle with stunning architecture and beautiful gardens. Guided tours available during the season.

Flat Cat Gallery

2 minutes' walk

Art gallery showcasing local artists. Often hosts workshops and exhibitions, perfect for art lovers.

Hiking at Lauder Common

15-minute walk

Picturesque trails suitable for all levels. Great for nature lovers and families seeking outdoor time.

Relaxation at Local Spa

10-minute drive

Spa offers various treatments and wellness options. Perfect for unwinding after a busy day.

Firebrick Brasserie

1 minute' walk

Local ingredients in a cozy setting. Enjoy specialties like haggis with a modern twist. Reservations recommended.

The Spotty Dog

2 minutes' walk

Laid-back spot offering casual dining. Known for hearty burgers and vegetarian options. Family-friendly atmosphere.

Local Live Music Scene

5-minute walk

Venue regularly hosts live events with local bands. Enjoy a vibrant atmosphere perfect for a night out.

Cinema at Lauder

10-minute drive

Screening the latest films, offering a cozy experience for all ages. Ticket prices are affordable.

Getting around

City Centre

Lauder3 min · 700 ft

Airports

Edinburgh (EDI)85 min · 35.0 mi

Carlisle Lake District (CAX)173 min · 71.6 mi

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-21:00

Check-out

until 10 am

Guest Parking

Public parking is possible on site for free.

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the hotel rooms for free.

Children & extra beds

There are no cots provided in a room.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Number of rooms:

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback about Black Bull Hotel from previous guests about their experience.

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

The Black Bull Hotel is often praised for its beautifully furnished and spacious rooms, some offering lovely views of the castle. Guests particularly enjoy the comfortable beds and modern bathrooms, with features like large showers. The beef stew is a popular choice for dinner, so good that even vegetarians enjoy it, and breakfast is also well-received, although some guests have found the timing of preparation can affect the food quality.

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Review score

Based on 341 verified reviews

9.3/10

Perfect

96%

Recommend

Staff

9.7/10

Comfort

9.6/10

Location

9.1/10

Value for money

9.1/10

Pros

Comfy bed

Helpful staff

Clean rooms

Good food

Cons

Small portions

Limited options

Rosie from United Kingdom

Couple

Standard Double Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: February 15, 2026

9/10

a good interlude

warm welcomesuper clean shower roomdrying room

the welcome was warm and friendly. the super clean shower room was a definite highlight, so clean and fresh. i found the bed very comfortable. it offered a restful night's sleep.

i was disappointed there was no drying room readily offered upon arrival after walking. it would have been helpful for our wet coats and shoes.

Facilities

9/10

the premises include a cozy bar area with a fireplace. the restaurant seats approximately sixty guests. there is also a garden with seating for outdoor dining during warmer months and it provides a pleasant retreat.

0 Helpful

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Charlotte from United Kingdom

Single

standard double room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: February 14, 2026

7/10

spacious roomlovely furnishingshelpful staffovercooked eggsbacon qualitypeeling paint

the room was spacious. the furnishings were lovely. the staff were good and very helpful (i really appreciated their assistance).

i was disappointed that the breakfast was not up to par. eggs and bacon were overcooked. there was peeling paint above the sink in the room.

0 Helpful

Fred from United Kingdom

deluxe king room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 31, 2026

9/10

a very pleasant stay

quality foodfurnished roomgood options

i found the room well furnished. breakfast included several good options. the menu choice offered quality food!!!

0 Helpful

Christian from Germany

Family with children

Standard Double Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 08, 2026

9/10

class linenuseful seatleather mirror

The room had top class linen. The provided seat at the bed end was useful. I liked the leather bound mirror also.

The breakfast were prepared too early, resulting in a drop in food quality.

0 Helpful

Aaron from United Kingdom

Single

Deluxe King Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 02, 2026

9.3/10

Really good Hotel Experience

professional servicemodern roomchilly room

The bar staff were pleasant. I appreciated their professional service. My room was fresh, modern, and comfortable. The electric heater kept it warm. The towels in the new bathroom were nice. Plenty hot water was available.

I found the room possibly a bit chilly. The winter weather might be to blame. The electric heater within the wardrobe helped, but better insulation would improve the room temperature.

Service

9/10

Staff were very friendly and naturally helpful. The team assisted me with working facilities after I checked out. I was very grateful. The breakfast was great. It offered a variety of choices.

Facilities

10/10

The hotel provided plenty of private parking. On-street parking was available too. The bar offered many options. The selection was quite extensive. The Hogmanay gala featured a four-course dinner. The presentation of food was beautiful.

Rooms

9/10

The room included plenty of towels. The bathroom was well-stocked. The room was spacious. It accommodated my needs well. The bed was comfortable, and the shower was fabulous. I enjoyed that.

0 Helpful

Harper from United Kingdom

Couple

Standard Double Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 22, 2025

9.3/10

Wonderful Stay in Scottish Borders

fresh flowersspacious roommodern decor

The hotel decor included fresh flowers. The room was spacious and clean. I found the furnishings both modern and characterful. The owners were friendly and informative.

Dining

9/10

The evening meal featured tasty and quality ingredients. I appreciated the nice choice on the menu. The dining environment was a nice mix of decorative with an informal atmosphere.

Rooms

10/10

The bed had beautiful cotton sheets. It was very comfortable. The shower was excellent with huge, thick bath sheets. All things considered, the bedroom was beautifully decorated.

Location

9/10

The hotel gives you an excellent location to visit Edinburgh. It is also a great base for exploring the Scottish Borders region. There is parking available at the rear of the hotel.

0 Helpful

Charlotte from United Kingdom

Family with children

Standard Double Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 11, 2025

6/10

mixed experience, some issues

precooked foodcold bathroom

the breakfast service was a real letdown food seemed pre cooked then left standing the beans had a film on them the bacon was like cardboard the staff never offered more coffee a bathroom window was jammed open letting in cold air this made showering unpleasant

0 Helpful