Assaroe House

I got a flat tyre while I was there, but Patricia helped me sort it out, so it didn’t disrupt my trip. She and Harold are such friendly, entertaining hosts, and the breakfast was fantastic. I had a lovely stay at Assaroe House and would recommend it.

Harold and Patricia were the most welcoming hosts we’ve ever met, and chatting with them alone would be reason enough to return. The welcome was above and beyond. The accommodation was comfortable, and breakfast was far better than average too.

Five minutes on foot gets you to Ballyshanon, with its choice of top class bars. The house itself was spotless, with the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in, and a lovely turf fire in the family sitting room. When we arrived, the hosts had tea and sandwiches waiting at no extra charge. Breakfast was generous and delicious. They were so friendly, and the place felt more like home than the local hotels, for a fraction of the price. Well worth it, and the guesthouse is probably why I’ll return to Ballyshanon.

We were expecting beach access and a restaurant because that’s how the property was described online. Google Maps led us into a housing estate with no street lighting, and it was hard to see the house number. At 9 pm we waited outside for a few minutes while we could hear someone inside rushing around. Once let in, we were told our room wasn’t ready. When my husband asked about the restaurant, the host pointed to the domestic kitchen. We decided not to stay, but the host refused to refund the €75 we’d paid online. I’m posting this so someone else doesn’t get misled by the description. The Google Maps photo of the outside isn’t the right one, though the inside pictures are. If you’re after a basic B&B, that may suit you, but don’t expect a beach stay or restaurant dining.