The Gateway Lodge offers first class accommodation right on the doorstep of Donegal Town. The room is spacious with a huge and very comfortable bed. Tea and coffee are provided in your room. The breakfast is top quality with varied and excellent choices. The only downside is that there could be larger towels in the ensuite. We will definitely be back here in the future
8 of stayed here for one night for my sisters 50th Birthday and we have to say it was excellent ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The hospitality was second to none with the General Manager Breda ensuring that we were well looked after and Lorraine on the desk making everything so easy. A great hotel in Donegal Town that we would highly recommend and will return to in the near future..
Overall a disappointing experience. Getting checked in wasn’t easy as they were more interested in coach parties than solo travellers. Initially told 15:30 for check in, then 16:00 for check in and didn’t get checked in til 16:15. The room overlooked an internal space in the hotel and you could see into other rooms and there was no courtesy cover on the windows, such as voile or muslin. No towels were in my room and I believe this was the case in many rooms that day. This internal space overlooked ventilation ducts or something similar and the noise from these went on to the early hours of the morning and then started up again perhaps around 5:00. Out of 5 nights staying only on the final night was the noise stopped at an acceptable time. Breakfast was slightly warmer than warm but cooled down very quickly and was barely pleasant. Food in the Abbey Bar was ok but expensive for portion size. Overall while it’s a 3 star hotel there are many areas for significant improvement and the corridors etc are very tired and grubby looking. I wouldn’t rush back but believe the hotel next door to it is also part of the same corporate group. It’s a highly competitive market in west Donegal and I’m surprised the abbey can maintain its level of service based on what I experienced.
We stayed last Saturday night and had a very comfortable evening here. The hotel is light and bright and clean inside. We were given a friendly welcome and our room was very clean and looked recently refurbished. The bed was very comfortable. The room was too warm, even with the windows open and the radiator turned right down, you could have probably asked for a fan. We had a swim in the Leisure Centre. I usually don't enjoy it if a hotel's pool is really a Leisure Centre because they aren't normally as nice looking as a private hotel pool but this was nicer than most, with steps down in, not a ladder and there was a steam room and jacuzzi and 2 heated loungers. We were lucky as it was open until 7pm and it was quiet, I think there may be times it may not be as quiet. You have to wear a cap, which I dislike, but hey-ho, a lot of hotels down south request this, maybe particular council rules or something? Although some hotels waive it? We ate in Chapter Twenty and I must say this restaurant is stunning looking, the decor is so chic and modern and a beautiful colour palette. I am not a foodie so don't go to really posh restaurants but you would think you were in a high end restaurant here, I had the best of both worlds here with delicious food in the most gorgeous setting. The menu had plenty of choice, normal steak, fish, burgers. I had the Mexican taco basket which was lovely and my husband enjoyed a burger. The apple crumble was to die for and the lemon tart was very good too,. There was a blip with the order which was dealt with really well, the staff were very good, Collum looked after us and was a gentleman. The buffet breakfast the next morning was very good and well run by the staff there, I do think there should be a wee sign at the bottom of the stairs to direct people upstairs, we sat there afterwards and the number of people who walk through to go to Chapter Twenty, or stand at the bottom confused as where to go, even though you can hear the noise above, I could have gotten a job, directing them upstairs. The hotel is well situated for discovering Donegal, we are happy to recommend it and would return, especially to the restaurant. Thank you.
We went to the Sand house for a short break… just something away from routine… it was great..our room. … 332 was just lovely. Very spacious and above all extremely quiet… just what we needed. We were in the restaurant both nights. Oh my goodness we weren’t disappointed. Service exceptional and food amazing.Seafood fresh and great… Bar staff are so fantastic too. Nothing is a problem… Only thing I would say is , the inside of the dining room windows really do need a good clean. Thank you for a great weekend. Hopefully we will return very soon.