The Carnoustie Golf Hotel

We don't play golf, but enjoyed walking the coastal path and around the golf course. The hotel sits by the coast on the course, and our comfortable room had everything we needed. Staff were so friendly and welcoming, and nothing was too much trouble. Breakfast had plenty of choice, dinner was really delicious, and we thoroughly enjoyed the clean pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. Towels were provided. We'd definitely recommend staying here.

We had a really enjoyable night and would happily return. The room was spacious and very clean, with lovely views over the golf course. The leisure facilities were a great standard, and the poor weather made relaxing in the jacuzzi even more appealing. Dinner and breakfast were both very good too.

Christmas Day had a sublime atmosphere, and the rest of the staff were tremendous with the service, though some seemed embarrassed by the food. But the meal quality was substandard at best, and when we raised problems, the response was worse than you'd expect at JD Wetherpoons. We would've been better off eating at home. We paid £98 per person for a three-course Christmas dinner in December 2025. The starters were good, but most of our party chose beef for the main, and it looked more like reconstituted stewing beef than roast beef, as the photos show. It arrived cold. After one guest complained, he was asked if he wanted it reheated. He said no, but Manager Nik took the plate away and brought back the same one after microwaving it. We had to raise the issue again. Nik apologised but took no responsibility. We also heard how derogatorily he spoke to staff, which disgusted us. The mince pies were like ones you'd buy in Farmfoods.

We booked this well before Christmas, months ahead, because we were looking forward to a special day together to relax. Instead, everyone had to cancel a whole day off work before we even arrived, which is what hurts most. The previous cancer operation makes this especially upsetting for the person affected. I just wish it had been handled better. The massage was refused outright because someone in our party had previously had cancer on their shoulder and an operation to remove it. They have since had many massages elsewhere without problems. We understand spas need to take medical history seriously, but no alternative was offered. Although our slot was booked and paid for, we weren't allowed to switch to a facial or foot massage, and were told the entire day had to be cancelled. We even asked if we could just sit by the pool and were told no. The vouchers were gifted through itison. I understand that's not Carnousties issue, but we weren't given another date or any help with rebooking. It felt as if they saw a third-party booking and just washed their hands of it. The customer service was so, so awful. I worked in hotels and waitressing when I was younger, and would never have imagined being so dismissive. A medical questionnaire for the massages arrived by email on the morning of the appointment, the very day we were due to go. If it had come when we booked, or at any point in the months since Christmas, we could've talked it through, arranged something in advance, and chosen other treatments while still enjoying the day. Getting it that morning left no chance to adjust anything. We felt embarrassed, uncomfortable, and honestly humiliated by how staff spoke to us and handled it. What should've been a special day became very upsetting. Better communication and a little flexibility might have resolved this. We'd planned a lovely day, but it was taken away before we even had the chance to arrive.