Dumfries is a county town with a very fine physical location, at the heart of a scenic and productive landscape. It's a great base for exploring the Borders or Galloway, to the west. The fast-flowing River Nith runs through the town which has, in the Devorgilla Bridge which dates from the 15th century, one of the oldest river crossings in use in Scotland. Robert Burns is the most famous figure associated with the town; the national poet of Scotland, Burns lived and worked in and near the burgh, where he died prematurely in 1796. The Robert Burns Centre here is a must-see, and you might want to have a wee 'hauf' at the Globe Inn where the world-famous bard used to drink.

But one of the greatest assets of the south of Scotland is the magnificent Crichton Estate, a gift and legacy left to the citizens and nation dating back to the 1800s. Dr James Crichton and his wife Elizabeth developed an area of over 100 acres of parkland, designated for pioneering therapeutic and recreational purposes, with a hospital and a magnificent cathedralesque church among the principal buildings at the Estate.

Today, in this conservation development, beautifully maintained, are found university buildings for several Scottish academic institutions, happily recently further supported by investment by the Scottish Government. The Crichton Memorial Cathedral Church and Easterbrook Hall are superb venues for functions and events. Businesses have taken over former medical buildings and the whole development is really quite unique. So, with all this going on, clearly what was needed was a hotel. And that's where Aston came along very recently, and this gives business, leisure and events guests somewhere inviting to stay, here in this wonderful location.

The hotel has two entirely distinct parts: a lovely red sandstone Victorian building and a purpose-built, glassy development adjacent. The original Johnston House has the Reception area, Meeting and Function Rooms, the Bar 59 lounge area where snacks are available all day in a contemporary, airy setting, and the hotel's Brasserie restaurant which offers breakfast, then full meals from noon until 9.30pm. Very flexible. And there's free wi-fi available throughout, an excellent bonus.

There's ample parking around the hotel and you can enter via the original building, or through the striking green copper-clad accommodation wing which contrasts completely. The sleek modern architecture was a bold route to take, and quite possibly the best one. Overall it does have the feel, externally, of a campus-type development and we think that the setting offers you some very real (and rare) advantages. For families, there's masses of safe parkland space in which to unwind and relax. Business guests can de-stress with a walk in the leafy grounds, strolling along neat paths and under lovely mature trees. Lovers might find the non-denominational cathedral-style church, sitting perfectly in this garden setting, ringing bells. And you can indeed get married here: everything is available and on call!

The interior design in the original building is simple and modern with the high ceilings and tall windows lending a light and spacious air. Relax in the Bar 59 zone by day or evening, on comfy sofas or in club armchairs, perhaps watching the huge centrally-mounted plasma screen TV. Contemporary lighting and pictures add to the hotel's up-to-date look. The general manager is Mike Phillips and his genial style and years of local managerial experience are a considerable guarantee of service and assistance. "We're aiming to be a 3.5 star product at a 3-star price", he told us, "and it's luxurious simplicity that we seek to provide".

The best part of the hotel itself is the accommodation. We were impressed indeed. The setting is a real plus, of course, but the company, led by MD Paresh Kotecha who developed successful Slaley Hall in England, is to be applauded for the smart thinking that's gone into what they offer on this mixed-use site. Aston's bedroom design and package is very complete. For example, rooms have first-rate 'Think Business' desks with good lighting, comfortable seating and that free broadband internet ready and waiting. Nothing feels like an afterthought and the construction is solid and well soundproofed.

Choose from 71 airconditioned Deluxe or Executive Rooms, the latter having have more space, a sofa/bed plus a bath and separate shower. We'd suggest you go for an upper-level, church-facing room if free: the best outlook and the most peace. All bedrooms are finished in a tasteful, modern fashion. We liked the solid doors, the attractive pinstripe-style carpeting, toning colours, the chunky veneered furnishings and the padded headboards. A good tea / coffee tray is provided, featuring Brodies of Edinburgh products. Room information is simple and to-the-point. You'll have a fair-sized flatscreen satellite TV to entertain you. Top-notch power showers and Sea Kelp toiletries will revive you. And the bed: terrific; all are king-sized. Rooms also have irons and ironing boards.

Floor to ceiling windows offer plenty of light and they open for fresh air. Kids stay free if you book an Executive Room - pay only for their food. For disabled guests there are 3 extra-spacious, attractive rooms. In sum, we at this Guide are pleased to say you can book accommodation here with confidence. All bedrooms are of an equal standard.

As mentioned above, there's food on the go most of the day. The Bar 59 area offers a Lite Bites menu from 10am to 6pm. The Brasserie, high-ceilinged and with a servery area to one side, has a full menu available from noon until bedtime. The choice is wide-ranging and mentions quite a fair selection of local and Scottish produce. Colin Masson is head chef and he brings to the hotel experience from both Gretna Hall and St. Andrews Golf Hotel. Dinner, bed and breakfast inclusive rates are available at weekends for about £55pp so do keep an eye out for great offers including food.

Dinner, for example, offers 9 individually-priced starters including homemade soups, haggis and salads. Our Trio of Scottish Salmon came as a rather original presentation of salmon mousse wrapped in a generous amount of smoked salmon, finished with a mustard and dill dressing. Main courses cover the full territory of comfort food to healthy options, Scotch steaks of various types, fish and vegetarian dishes. We opted for Grilled Venison Haunch Steak and an ample portion came relatively simply done with the meat accompanied happily by a bramble jus and tasty potato wedges.

The atmosphere in the restaurant is decidedly informal but there's clearly a determined effort to make the often very busy place a 'notch up' on what might be expected. Tables are smartly set and staff, many of whom are local, are smartly turned-out. It's not a posh dining experience but it is commendably nicely done and somehow offers a homely touch with very little corporate feel. We appreciated the use of local food on the decidedly Scottish menus, and look forward to reader feedback on this new entry in the Guide.

Breakfast is served in the airy Brasserie, with the tall windows letting in lots of light at the break of day. A decent buffet offers a help-yourself array of cereals, juices, yoghurts, pastries and bakery items, rolls and chilled meat. Cooked items, tea and toast are brought to the table. A full Scottish grill is available, and for a supplement, you might fancy smoked salmon and creamed eggs, or kippers, or haddock or even a goat's cheese omelette.

The hotel has no specific leisure facilities of its own but there is a 9-hole golf course close by. Dumfries offers leisure and fitness facilities. The hotel's own website (just click its name above) offers a tantalising selection of well-planned Leisure Breaks which reflect the many possibilities in this fascinating and scenic part of Scotland. From castle trails to mountain biking breaks, birdwatching to fishing, golf or horse-riding... there are ideas aplenty, we promise you.

Aston Hotel and neighbouring Easterbrook Hall offer superb venues for a wedding. Easterbrook Hall, recently re-opened after a £2 million facelift, can cater for weddings for up to 400 guests, whereas Aston Hotel can accommodate up to 40 guests. The airconditioned Mitchell and Johnston Rooms can accommodate meetings and events for up to 80 delegates. All the latest facilities are on hand.

Gary McLean says…
“The Aston Hotel Dumfries is an unusual hotel. It is definitely an option I would recommend and indeed use personally. The location is on the edge of town but the huge advantages of the serene setting outweigh any inconvenience. The bedrooms are commendable; everything 'works' and the style will appeal to most. The contrasting old / new aspects of the hotel make it interesting. It is still new and I'm sure that there are further developments in store. The experienced manager is a plus and he has a pride in his hotel. It's really a lovely place and a safe, peaceful base from which to explore the region. Elizabeth Crichton's statue sits between the hotel and the cathedral-like church; her original vision was to have a university here. This has now happened and I feel sure that she'd have approved of the interesting community of learning, business and leisure that has grown up on the estate she inspired a century ago."

Jackie Elmsworth England, 2007 writes…
"This is a really, really good hotel. For a start the location - which is unusual and takes a little while to grasp - is gorgeous. Leafy, safe for children, spacious and just like a well tended park. The new and old parts of the hotel are very different and the new part will hopefully mellow as it is a bit shall we say 'bold' just now. But the rooms there were really excellent. We were in a group who had three rooms and they were all good. Only the executive class rooms have baths, but the showers were great, really good quality. Food is as the write up says, informal and tasty local food. Service is sometimes a little hard pressed to keep up but they did so with a smile on very busy nights and - you know - we had by then decided, we like this place!!"

Michael McConnell Scotland, 2007 writes…
"Great bedrooms, big windows and nothing felt cheap even in the new wing. Very quiet and well soundproofed, we thought. Nice staff. Not posh but as a 3 star it's very comfortably ahead of what we'd expected, and then there's the bonus of the setting which is green and very tidy indeed. Tasty breakfast and a good steak at night. I was wondering about golf in the area and also about a business in the area and asked the manager and he was extremely personable. We thought this is a place we will bring our business back to when in the South West."

Elaine Brown Scotland, 2007 writes…
"I know Dumfries well and can tell you that this hotel is easily one of the best in the area. Just thought I'd add my words of wisdom!"

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REVIEW STATUS & MERIT AWARDS This establishment has now been fully reviewed by the Guide and any HotelReviewScotland.com™ Merit Awards will show above, beneath the address details. We also list the latest ratings and gradings for this business from other guides and organisations. One or more of our experienced reviewer team has stayed at this establishment, spent time with the management, and the Guide is receiving reader and industry input from one or all of: online Reader’s Reviews; Comment Postcards; and Voting in The Scottish Hotels of the Year Awards. All entries are carefully monitored. The lead star grading has been awarded by the Scottish Tourist Board / VisitScotland. As the hotel is a Full Member of HotelReview™ Scotland the Look & Book Box™ links are LIVE.

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