Mount Edward Lodge

The place was clean and quiet, and the area is beautiful, but it’s a long way from amenities if you want to go out for a drink. I arrived at 2:45, fifteen minutes before my 3 pm check-in. The host said she hadn’t expected me because she thought I might be a scam, apparently after booking.com called her for my information. Once she confirmed I wasn’t, she said check-in was at 4 and she wasn’t ready to take me, and told me to wait at the beach. I did, then came back and was shown only my room. The whole welcome felt awkward and unwelcoming, almost like being in prison. I’ve worked in prisons, though never stayed as a guest in one. The host sat up in her tower and seemed to watch everything I did. Her dogs seemed interested in interacting, but I wasn’t even allowed to play with them. I imagine it might suit older couples, but not younger solo travellers. If you google Erin Patterson, that’s how I felt about the host. Evil!

The food was excellent, and the service couldn’t have been better. Staying with Maureen was a pleasure, and I’d highly recommend this B&B.

The quiet, secluded setting made our stay in the Sligo area a real pleasure. Grange is the closest village for shops and pubs, Sligo has more shopping, and Strandhill is the place to head for a beach walk. We came back to Mount Edward Lodge for another two nights after our first visit, before returning to Germany, and hope to be back next year. Maureen runs the lodge with her husband and made our first trip to Ireland feel special. She’s warm, compassionate, straightforward, and clearly cares about her family, the region, guests, and business. She helped with every request and answered all our questions, and both she and her husband keep the place tidy and well maintained. We enjoyed chatting with them and got useful suggestions about what to do and when. We booked online through a large booking site, and Maureen confirmed quickly. There are six rooms, all booked during the main travel season. We stayed six nights, longer than most guests. On arrival, we were welcomed and shown to our room. Each room has a bathroom, nearly all ensuite, plus shared tea-making facilities, a TV, and a small guide to activities and restaurants. Maureen gave us a list of breakfast choices, then we went out to explore. Breakfast was freshly made each morning and delicious every day. There were as many as six hot options, with juice, tea, and coffee. The breakfast room looks out over the ocean, and Maureen regularly checked whether we wanted refills and how we were getting on. For anyone booking, we found her own website offered better rates without a middleman.

The room was clean and comfortable, with a view of both the sea and mountain. It was such a peaceful, homely place to stay, and Maureen was a lovely host. Breakfast was fantastic, with a good variety to pick from. We really enjoyed our time here. Thanks for having us, Maureen!