The Lansdowne Hotel

We were put at a tiny table right beside the bar, squeezed between two big groups of very drunk people. It was loud and cramped, completely unsuitable for dinner, let alone my mum's birthday. When we politely asked to move, we were told there were no other tables. The service was inattentive and poor all evening. I'd booked for 6:30 on Saturday and made clear it was for her birthday. When we ordered dessert, they charged extra for one scoop of ice cream with a candle as a “birthday” gesture. We'd already ordered desserts, so it felt petty and unnecessary, especially with a bill that was far from cheap. The night was a huge letdown. Unless you just want a quick drink at the bar and don't mind drunk crowds, I'd seriously avoid eating here. A disappointing way to mark a special occasion.

The wedding day was really enjoyable, with excellent food and very good service. We stayed the night, and our room was clean and comfortable. It was much too warm, though, as the radiator was on and didn't seem to switch off. Since the room faced Antrim Road, having the window open also made it a bit noisy in the morning. All in all, we were very happy with our experience at The Lansdowne Hotel.

The food was absolutely terrible. My stuffed chicken dish was only just warm, and my wife's steak frites came with steak so tough the knife couldn't cut it. It seemed like sliced rump roast. Management needs training too. We asked for the bill, but I had to go up to two girls who were laughing and chatting. One laughed and said she'd forgotten, and the other said she'd done the same with another table. That's not right. We won't be back.

The beer garden looks fantastic, though the weather wasn't suitable for it. Inside, the hotel is marvellous, with a stylish room, a great bar and restaurant, and an outstanding breakfast. It might have been five stars, but there are showers only, no baths.