Malmaison Dundee Hotel

I was here for a business event. The room was a good temperature and had excellent facilities, including large built-in wall screens, though the wireless connection to one laptop was unreliable. Food was good, although chips at a business buffet was a novel choice. The few staff on duty were friendly and helpful. Good overall, but there’s room to improve.

The restaurant was excellent, and the service was very good. Staff were accommodating, especially when we needed to store items for a luncheon. The rooms had attractive furniture and handy USB-A and USB-C sockets by the bed, but the pillows weren’t great.

The bed was the biggest problem for us. The mattress was hard and lumpy, and its protector covered only about half of it, which didn’t feel comfortable or hygienic. The room also felt tired, dusty and very dark. Its awkward, basic layout made it uncomfortable to use: the TV was squeezed into a corner and partly hidden by large wardrobes, so we could really only watch it from bed. There was just one chair, and when we asked for another, staff said hotel policy didn’t allow it. That felt needlessly inflexible. Noise came through the thin-feeling walls and windows very clearly, including conversations and movement, making it hard to relax. The corridors had a strong chemical smell, like paint or cleaning products drying, which lingered during our stay. Cleanliness and upkeep seemed lacking. Bird droppings covered the windows across the hotel and made a poor first impression. Breakfast was especially disappointing at £23 per person. The food was cold and poorly cooked, and after the first morning we skipped it and went to a nearby Beefeater instead. For £10.99, we had a much better breakfast and friendlier service. Hotel service was uneven, especially in the evenings. Some staff seemed dismissive, and one younger staff member appeared more interested in cigarette breaks than helping guests. We usually stay at Premier Inn and chose Malmaison Dundee as a splurge, expecting something much more luxurious. It was an extremely disappointing treat and left us underwhelmed. For a comfortable and enjoyable Dundee stay, we’d suggest looking at the Apex or Premier Inn, which we found far superior overall.

All the food was delicious, and we couldn’t fault it. The dining room was tastefully decorated, quiet and comfortable, and the toilets were clean and tidy. The hotel entrance looked impressive, but though it felt warm and inviting, there was nobody around. We weren’t approached until we’d gone upstairs to the dining room, where a server eventually showed us to our table and took our food and drink orders. The main problem was how long it took to get drinks. Servers were polite and well presented when they came by, but we repeatedly had to get someone’s attention, then wait 15-20 minutes or more. At times we had to ask another staff member because the first person had forgotten to return. Cocktails averaged about £17 each, and we could easily have ordered another three or four each during the meal if service had been quicker. It’s a lovely spot for a treat or special occasion, but the service needs to improve to justify the higher prices. The hotel is a short walk from the railway station, with bus routes outside.