Maldron Hotel Portlaoise

The one-night package itself was nice: dinner, bed and breakfast, and a bowling game were all included. The trouble was the swimming pool experience, which has put me off coming back. We like to use a pool when we go away, but the way one worker behaved made us feel very uncomfortable. My daughter was swimming lengths in a lane while my husband and I were in the baby pool with our youngest. The bald or shaved-headed worker asked her age, and she told him she was 16. A little later she got out and went into the jacuzzi, which was freezing. Even after she'd told him her age, he kept blowing his whistle at her, making her uncomfortable. I told him too that she was 16. While she was still in the jacuzzi, he walked by with another worker and said, about my daughter, something like, "she is, yeah, 16." He then went to reception but kept staring out at all of us. We went to the changing rooms, where the showers were cold and not great, though we managed. While my husband was getting dressed, the same worker was in there with a hose, spraying water very close to him. That made my husband and son uncomfortable. He had no manners at all. I don't know his name.

We went for my son's 13th birthday, and Jamie surprised him with a cake. The staff sang too, which was a lovely gesture. There was even a cake waiting in our room when we arrived. The hotel was beautiful, the room warm and cosy, and the food excellent. Jamie was our friendly, nice server in the restaurant.

We were back for New Year's for the second year, and Daniel, the security guy, and Jamie, the bar/reception/everything guy, made it a memorable night. Daniel was professional and welcoming, and helped everyone feel safe while still being approachable and friendly. Jamie was attentive and personable at the bar, clearly cared about good service, and made our drinks and cocktails perfectly. The conversation and atmosphere he created made the evening even better. They both went above and beyond and are a real credit to the hotel. Thank you, Jamie and Daniel. We'll definitely be back next New Year's.

If you're travelling on the M7, The Maldron Hotel Portlaoise is a convenient, comfortable stop. The rooms are clean and spacious, the staff helpful and friendly, and the pool and gym are useful extras. Some parts of the hotel feel dated, and the room temperature can be an issue now and then. Still, it's good value and a dependable choice for a short stay.