Crockatinney Cottages

Breakfast was included and the internet worked well. We had the only room available that was roomy enough for two adults and two children. It’s a short drive from town, but close enough.

We stayed on May 2nd, 2024, during the northern leg of our road trip around Ireland. Ballycastle is nearby, with several good restaurants, though the ESB EV charging station there wasn’t working. The place was clean, the breakfast was good, and the staff were friendly, if sometimes difficult to find. There was plenty of parking, but the outside areas looked like they’d seen better days. The location has great views. WiFi was fine downstairs but poor in our upstairs room.

We didn’t feel very welcome here, and for what we paid the room and service fell short. The lovely view from the front of the B&B was a real plus, but the little details were frustrating. There was no kettle, tea or coffee in the room, so we had to go to the kitchen whenever we wanted something. The shower’s short side panels did a poor job of keeping water in, and without a curtain it splashed all over the bathroom floor. We used our towels to mop it up. The automatic door closers on our room and the neighbouring one weren’t adjusted properly, so the doors kept slamming at different times through the night and waking us both up. There were only two toilet rolls when we arrived, and one was nearly empty. After a long day travelling, we were nearly out once everyone had used the bathroom. I rang the front desk bell, but nobody answered. The hosts were having a cookout with friends, and I didn’t want to interrupt, so I planned to try later. I rang again an hour after that, with no answer while they were still outside. I left a note on our breakfast sheet and went to bed, figuring we could get paper in the morning. About an hour later, loud knocking woke us. One of the hosts had brought toilet paper. We appreciated getting it, but it could have waited until morning. The water jug in our room also wasn’t refilled during our four-night stay, though we’d brought bottled water just in case. We’ve felt much more welcome at other B&Bs, and these small details make a difference.

The rooms were ready when we got there, and matched their description. We found the Guesthouse a bit confusing to locate on our drive from Belfast to Ballycastle, but the comfortable beds, lovely views and delicious breakfasts made for a great stay. We went in early August 2016, and the central spot worked well for visiting coastal attractions. The Guesthouse is called the Crockatinney Guest House.