The Gaiety Bar in Dundee City

Walked in to a very quiet chippy. Two portions of chips. Took nearly fifteen minutes and somehow they got the order wrong - twice!

Great food and very hospitable service

Disappointing considering we traveled from south. PROS: Comfortable bed, easy check-in process by staff. Had the potential to be a really good stay but just unfortunate being dismissed when presenting an issue, staff were friendly however feel there was no effort. Not far from Dundee Town Centre, which is a plus. Free parking on property which we had no issues with getting a space each time for our 3 night stay. Nice shower in the hotel room. CONS: When entering our room, the room was conjoined with another, with a lock between two doors (and the other room). This was not disclosed at any point prior to booking, and unfortunately the people who were staying next to us kept opening the door on their side which was loud, and noisy. The TV in our room did not work, it would turn on but had 0 channels due to connectivity issues so couldn't watch it. There's also no main light in the bedroom, so we felt that the lighting was really poor within the room. The hotel room was also quite tired, and run down. You also do not stay in the castle looking image on the photos, to the right there is a more generic hotel area which you stay in. The spa was quite run down, and in comparison to the photos used to advertise the hotel, it looks tired. You also have to use your hotel room towels as pool towels, and get them replaced in the morning/or by reception. Which is a bit awkward, and I think it would be better to have a supply of spa towels. The highlighted issue for our stay was our first evening. Me and my partner were celebrating our anniversary and had therefore pre-booked prior to our stay to have dinner in the gorgeous dining room listed on the website. We thought it would be well fitted to celebrate. Upon heading down for our pre-booked 6PM slot, we were told rushingly that someone was sat at our table, and told to come back at 6:30PM. We were unable to sit in the bar and wait, as were also not told that evening a wedding would be taken place, therefore felt like intruding if we sat in the bar (despite no tables). We therefore returned to the room, to return half an hour later, to be seated within the bar to have our evening dinner. My partner was looking for the toilet at the time prior to eating and found that the restaurant listed on the website was there, but we were sat on the outside of the restaurant entrance (presumably since the wedding party was hosted in there). We therefore returned to the room, to return half an hour later, to be seated within the bar to have our evening dinner. My partner was looking for the toilet at the time prior to eating and found that the restaurant listed on the website was there, but we were sat on the outside of the restaurant entrance (presumably since the wedding party was hosted in there). Rightfully a wedding has right of being priority, but at no point prior to booking was I told that we would not able to be sat in the restaurant due to the wedding (which was likely to have been planned for months with this hotel). Because of this, and already have ordered drinks and food, we had our dinner in the bar area and was not able to experience the restaurant. After eating, my partner complained to the reception about our experience, from here, all that was said was ‘all I can do is apologise’, which we felt instantly dismissed and felt that there was no effort to rectify the problem despite paying £70+ on dinner. Our room number was taken however we heard nothing after this and nothing was done to compensate our evening by the hotel, which really ruined our anniversary.

I regularly go here. I’ve been getting Donner kebabs for years now. Staff are amazing and always nice. Pizzas and calzones are lovely. Kebabs always worth the price. Always plenty kebab and never dry like other places. Other family members have had curry’s and enjoyed them. All around have done excellent over the years. Chicken pakora is always good aswell. If ever any issues they fix without hesitation.

Awful experience. Barstaff were surly, and the regulars were rude and argumentative. I shan't be going back in a hurry!