Rebecca R.
Google
We recently stayed at Malmaison Dundee and, unfortunately, the experience was extremely disappointing. We normally stay at Premier Inn and decided to “splurge out” for this trip, expecting a much more luxurious experience — sadly, it was not.
The room itself felt very tired — it was noticeably dusty and incredibly dark, with an odd and very basic layout that made it uncomfortable to use. The TV was squeezed into a corner and partially blocked by large wardrobes, meaning we could only really watch it from the bed. There was also only one single chair in the room, and when we asked if an additional chair could be provided, we were told this was against hotel policy, which felt unnecessarily inflexible.
The bed was the major issue. The mattress was hard and lumpy, and the mattress protector only covered about half of the bed, which didn’t feel particularly hygienic or comfortable.
The corridors leading to our room had a very strong chemical smell, similar to paint or cleaning products drying, which was quite unpleasant and lingered throughout our stay. Noise insulation was also extremely poor — the walls and windows felt almost paper thin, and we could hear conversations, movement, and general noise very clearly, which made it difficult to properly relax.
Cleanliness overall seemed lacking, and one thing that really stood out was that the windows throughout the hotel were covered in bird droppings, which gave a very poor first impression and added to the feeling that maintenance and upkeep were being overlooked.
Breakfast was especially disappointing considering the price (£23 per person). The food arrived cold and poorly cooked, and it simply didn’t justify the cost. After the first morning, we chose to skip breakfast altogether and instead walked to a nearby Beefeater, where we had a far better breakfast for £10.99, along with much friendlier service.
Service at the hotel was inconsistent, particularly in the evenings. Some staff came across as dismissive, and one younger staff member seemed more interested in taking cigarette breaks than assisting guests, which added to the overall feeling that customer service was not a priority.
We had booked this stay as a treat, but sadly it turned into a very underwhelming experience. If you’re looking for a comfortable and enjoyable stay in Dundee, we would recommend considering alternatives such as the Apex or Premier Inn, which we found to be far superior overall.