Houndgate Townhouse Hotel & Saltfish Seafood Restaurant

The Houndgate Townhouse Hotel is a gem.||We have just returned from our second stay in this wonderful hotel. ||1) The rooms are comfortable, and well appointed. Our room [one] had a spacious bathroom. We did not mind that our room looked out upon a multistorey carpark. We heard no noise from that building, which is partially screened by some delightful birch trees. | |2) The breakfast menu lists a wide-ranging choice.||3) The Saltfish restaurant is superb.||4) The staff are great ... always happy to help. They are professional and genuinely friendly. Everyone seems to know what they are doing.||5) The hotel is situated in a quiet street a few yards away from the market square. The railway station is just a 15 minute walk away.||6) Darlington is a lovely town, and is just a short bus ride away from Richmond, Barnard Castle, and Bishop Auckland [ideal for its faith museum, the Spanish Gallery, and the bishop's palace and gardens].

We have just had 2 nights at the Houndgate Townhouse and had a fantastic stay. A friendly welcome when we arrived, a lovely room with every attention to detail. Dinner in the Saltfish restaurant was delicious as was breakfast each day. Daily fish specials were amazing. |Our room was clean and the bed very comfortable, noise did carry from the restaurant a little bit, but ear plugs are provided so not a problem. We slept extremely well. All the staff were very pleasant and friendly and took time to chat to us.|We will definitely visit again.

Really disappointed this evening after being a loyal customer for at least 2 years, celebrating anniversary’s & birthdays amongst other family meals. My family ate in restaurant in March, the party consisted of 4 adults & 1 child. Service & food really good, apart from my meal had been overlooked. After mentioning this to 2 serving staff, I was eventually served. Food was lovely, but I had to eat after everyone had finished theirs. (Not good when you are really hungry!) 2 staff admitted my order had been forgotten. I would have expected something to compensate. Unfortunately my son settled the bill of over £180 without disputing. I mentioned this on our next visit to the lovely Kayleigh who said she would mention it to her manager. We have been in this evening & I produced original receipt & she said she would speak to manager as she was fully aware of my complaint. However I was confronted by someone who serves in bar saying we couldn’t get a refund ( which I’d never asked for anyway.) Absolutely awful manner, very abrupt & pushy. No customer service skills , we will not give our custom to Saltfish while that person is behind the bar. Such a shame as we enjoyed eating there, especially the oysters.

Just had afternoon tea with a group of girl friends. Incredible value for money and delicious section of home-made sandwiches, savouries and desserts. Staff were very attentive and friendly. I'd highly recommend.

A beautiful truly boutique hotel, that is a hidden gem in the heart of Darlington. Comfortable stylish guest rooms and friendly, helpful staff means the guests are really cared for. The SaltFish restaurant has the best food I've had North of London.

Lovely food & Wine, excellent Cocktails and wonderful service from both Alex & Will, who make you comfortable and welcome. There are Super Fish dishes, a monthly 2 or 3 course meal priced decently, and the main menu, so you will always find something to suite your taste, and puddings are delicious. The wine menu is good, and the Cocktails are the best in Town, only using authentic mixers. The atmosphere created by Will and Alex is very relaxed and it's a little haven in Darlington.

20.7.25 2.15pm I booked a table for two, we enjoyed our meal the service was OK but not outstanding no highlights where you could say wow that was great service. What really spoilt our whole experience was the rude blond haired young woman behind the bar who came out of the restaurant to confront me and my wife in front of 2 other customers who we were in conversation with, butted in challenge me on why we hadn't left a big enough tip. My understanding is that a DISCRETIONARY service charge is applied to your bill automatically! ( it's also written on the receipt). I also over heard one of the waitresses say to another group that this was the new process but you can have it removed if you choose to! Firstly I do not wish to be put in a situation where I have to ask to remove a discretionary service charge! ( guilt factor tipping) It should be at my discretion if you earnt the gift of a tip where I believe you have excelled enough to impress me to do so. I had paid my bill in full and I had paid a tip which should have been enough said. Please train you staff properly in the art of true customer service. Congratulations you have lost a future customer You are lucky that I didn't return to ask for my tip back, shame on on you.

Small room and different to move around. We came back at 10 20pm after a show and we were locked out. We had to phone the hotel to get in as it was all locked up. No sight of an open bar! About midnight revellers came in and were shouting and balling and very common. This commotion went on for quite some time. It was appalling. We did not enjoy our stay one bit