Errigal Country House Hotel

We'd absolutely recommend it for an affordable, relaxing night away. We booked the VIP getaway package for my boyfriend's birthday, with a deluxe room, breakfast, dinner's main course and a cocktail, plus 2 hours in the outdoor thermal suite. The staff were incredibly friendly from the moment we arrived. In our room they'd left balloons, a birthday poster and chocolates, a lovely touch. The thermal suite was excellent: clean, warm changing rooms, a calm relaxation room stocked with snacks and water, spotless facilities, perfectly heated hot tubs and a sauna with beautiful countryside views. Dinner was better than expected, every course was delicious and the cocktails and pints were just right. Breakfast the next morning was fresh and really enjoyable too. We were surprised how quiet the hotel was on a Saturday night, given the food, service and overall experience. It's a bit of a hidden gem, and deserves to be better known. The location isn't the most central, and some parts feel slightly dated, but those were minor things.

I booked the overnight spa package as a treat for my mum, sister and niece. It was meant to include a 30min back massage, and we paid an extra €15 for a 10min lava foot massage. My sister and I only got 20min back massages, then 5 mins on our feet with a hot stone and a few effleurages up the leg. The therapist's nails were very long, and there was no relaxing music. I had to listen to i-radio playing dance music and the news throughout, as did the others. The 'relaxation room' was dated, the snacks were melted Aldi brand, and the cheese and fruit were warm and smelled sour. We raised it after the massage, but she said she didn't know how to deal with it, and we still had to pay. Two of us are massage therapists ourselves. No disrespect to the therapists, but this comes down to the owner and her work ethics. We wouldn't return.

The outdoor spa was the highlight of our lovely stay. The meal and cocktails were gorgeous, and all the staff were really friendly and attentive. Highly recommend for an affordable night away.

The 'Deluxe' room was above a smoking area that stayed noisy until after 5am. I had to call reception twice, at 4am and 5am, and the male receptionist was unhelpful and had an attitude when he had to leave the desk to ask the crowd to quiet down. It's old fashioned, needs refurbishment, and there was no entertainment on Saturday evening. Breakfast was very poor. The R&R wellness area was a letdown too: the sauna didn't work, changing rooms were shared by men and women, and there were no indoor showers. It felt like someone's back garden with a hot tub plunked in it, so we didn't use any of it and left. Definitely not a 4 star hotel. We spent a lot of money for a disappointing stay that wasn't worth it. Management apparently said they'd contact me about a refund, but we'll see. I hate leaving a bad review, but I'm sick of places taking your money for such poor service.