The Grampian

The room itself was spacious, clean and had a lovely view, but the poor arrival and checkout experiences spoiled the stay for us. We'd stayed here a couple of years ago and enjoyed it, so my boyfriend and I booked The Grampian Hotel for a night while catching up with friends. This time, we arrived at 3:50 and found the hotel locked. The doorbell didn't work, nobody answered our knocks, and four phone calls went unanswered. After about 20 minutes we were ready to leave and look elsewhere. Only when we turned back to check the number did we spot the owner in the doorway. She said she'd been getting her paper. I understand wanting to get it, but not when guests are expected to arrive. At night, the room felt very dim because only one bulb in the main light worked. The electricity seemed weak too. In the morning, the milk for my tea came out in clumps and smelled off, so I poured it away straight away. Checking out was much the same as checking in. We knocked on the door beside the front entrance, which used to be the living room, several times and got no answer. I opened it briefly and saw a duvet and pillows on the floor, as if someone was camping there, then quickly shut it. There was no number or lock on the door, so it didn't seem to be a room. After waiting 15 minutes and hearing coughing, we knocked again, but still nobody came. We'd been waiting 20 minutes by then and had plans, so we left the keys on the desk by the front door. We won't be back.

It was really quiet at night, and the rooms look great, as if they were redone not long ago. Cleanliness was okay, though not perfect: it was dirty under the bed, and the bathroom could have been better too. We didn't try breakfast.

The accommodation was as advertised and superb. You'll need to sort out your own breakfast, though there are plenty of places in Dundee.

Breakfast never showed up, though the room itself was lovely.