Lough Rea Hotel & Spa

The spa was the biggest letdown. I chose the hotel because I needed time there for physical healing, but residents have to pay €20 each for a strictly timed one-hour session. That felt like poor value, and I wasn’t going to keep paying that for multiple visits. For a birthday stay at a 4-star hotel, being charged by the hour doesn’t feel right. A small flat fee for the stay, or including access in the room rate, would make more sense. There were problems with the facilities, too. Some steam room tiles were loose and chipped, with sharp edges that could cause an injury. The ice experience was out of order, and I had to rinse away the previous users’ suds in the foot spa. There were also young girls taking photos to post on social media, which made it hard to relax when I was worried about appearing in the background. The hotel itself was brilliant, and the hospitality was hard to fault. The staff were friendly and professional, and they went out of their way for my wife’s 50th birthday. We found wine, a treat plate, luxury chocolates, and Valentine’s party crackers in the room, a really classy touch. Dinner and breakfast were both excellent. The saunas and jacuzzi were also properly hot. I used to work for So Hotels as an F&B Manager, so I tend to notice how places are run, and my expectations were high.

The staff are consistently friendly and helpful, especially at reception and with breakfast service. The rooms and bathrooms are always clean, and I’d give the hotel a solid four stars, though maintenance needs attention. The real problem is the lunch and dinner food. Over the past three years, it’s got progressively worse on every visit. For four-star prices, the quality is two stars at best. The restaurant should be top quality at those prices, and at the weekend conference I couldn’t find anything nice to say about the food. I really hope they sort it before next year, or I’ll be going to the Supermacs around the corner. I’ve visited Lough rea hotel and spa several times and now attend a yearly conference there. I want to stress again how helpful and hardworking the staff are.

Breakfast was unreal, freshly cooked and much nicer than the usual buffet with people putting spoons back in the wrong containers. The staff were great, and we had a good room tucked away from the main corridor. The hotel was beautiful, and we had a great stay overall. The bath had seen better days, and the lack of a large mirror by the room’s sideboard was inconvenient for doing my hair and makeup. If you like your jacuzzis properly hot, I’d recommend visiting the terminal suit. I’d definitely come back.

The spa was just what I needed to recharge, and the massage was spot on. We had a brilliant weekend, with a divine view and outstanding restaurant food. The pasta was super Italian, and the staff worked hard to give us the best experience. One of the best places in Ireland!