At the V&A, this sign told me to ‘be open to the joy you deserve’, so I took this to heart and strutted over to Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa for some rest and relaxation. The hotel is big an open plan and only five minutes along the Quay from the museum and the train station.
While most dogs have to stay home, I was on Apex’s VIP list this weekend; something I will be spreading the word about to all my assistance dog friends. Their website has a variety of accessibility measures, from text magnifying to image descriptions and text readers, and there’s always someone ready to help on the other end of the phone.
The hotel was easy to find, with only a few roads to cross from Dundee Train Station. When we arrived, I was greeted by a giant duck, Splasher and a tasty looking Tartanium. Behind the reception desk, there were some friendly humans who checked us in and took me to my room. We were in a spacious bedroom with floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the water. Perfect for people watching.
My human visited Yu Spa for something called a hot stone massage and then had a doggy paddle in the hotel’s pool. Apparently lying still and silent for 55 minutes is fun for some…The spa team took good care of her whilst I watched Loose Women in the room with my bowl full of fresh Belu Water from the fridge. She easily navigated her way back to the room from the spa on the ground floor, returning incredibly relaxed. She enjoyed some chilled prosecco before our walk around the garden.
While she wined and dined in the Quayside Bar and Grill for dinner and breakfast the next day, I too dined in luxury. The high ceilings and full-length windows make it a bright spot for anyone sight impaired and the floor layout leaves plenty of room for me to guide her around. If I wasn’t colour blind, I would be sure to mention the stunning jewel tone décor that makes this hotel such a hotspot!
I was such a fan of the view; we left the curtains open enough for me to be found in the morning watching the sun come up over Dundee and all the people not lucky enough to be staying at the Hotel moving about down below. If I could book time off from guide dog duty and stay at that window for the foreseeable future, I’d be one happy pup. Alas, duty called, and I was dragged from my bougie room on the 4th floor to return my human home. Not without saying goodbye to all the wonderful staff and the adoring fans in the check-out queue first though. Nobody tried to pet me when I was working, which we both appreciate, but I’m a-ok with being told I’m cute 101 times a day.
All in all, an enthusiastic 5 paw review from me, my stay at Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa was tail-waggingly good! I feel very lucky to be sniffing out such woof-tastic venues that have the care and attention to accessibility measures. Everyone made us feel so welcome and I look forward to meeting more of the Apex Duck squad.
Big Woof, Cookie.
