Travelodge Dundee Strathmore Avenue

The rooms feel modern even though the building itself is older, and there's a well-stocked bar too. I keep coming back because the staff are so friendly and breakfast has plenty of cooked and continental choices. It's my usual Dundee place for events at Mains Castle or in the city, and Dundee Law is close enough for a walk and a great view.

I didn't feel safe staying there with my 8-year-old daughter, so we left and booked another hotel. I'm now disputing the charges through my credit card because the hotel won't give us a full refund. I suspect someone hanging around outside and in reception the night before and the next morning was a prostitute, which added to my concerns. The room smelled strongly of smoke, with stains around the bathroom fan that looked like signs of smoking there. Around 5:30 pm, the hallway was smoky too, and someone in the next room was smoking. I told reception and was told they'd check, but nothing changed. The next morning I reported the smell again and was told it was too early to deal with it. The stay was so awful that we moved hotels for health and safety reasons. I wouldn't choose this as a family hotel.

The room was a decent size and clean, and it was quiet, but the bed wasn't comfortable. There was a strong bleach smell when we got in, so I had to leave the window open to air it out. We arrived at 3:40 and nobody was at reception. After I called, a staff member came down and wasn't sure whether our room was ready. It was, but we didn't get in until 4. The bar had hardly any seating, choice, or staff, and the corridors smelled of weed.

The cleaning staff were lovely. Mike was really helpful and kind, took time to chat, and asked if we'd enjoyed our vacation. The pregnant staff member was great too and went out of her way for us. The woman at reception, though, wasn't what I expected. I asked for extra milk because I drink a lot of tea, but she wasn't very helpful and seemed to act as if the milk belonged to her.