***Let me preface this by adding that I didn't just blast them on the internet and not give them a chance to rectify. I was going to give 1*. We took our issues to the front desk, the lady who "greeted" us (see below) remembered us, she didn't seem surprised by any of our complaints, and as a courtesy took off the cost of afternoon tea, But considering we legitimately thought about driving the 2.5 hours home and skipping our second night - only reason we didn't was cause we had the spa and a good feed and we're sleepy - the review happened all the same! Lol! **
Also need to note that if this was a review for just the spa? I'd have given 5* (Nicole was amazing!!) or just for the restaurant I'd have given 4* (steak was under seasoned but absolutely delicious!)
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I think it would do well for the staff here to remember that they are in the service industry. Smiles don't cost anything. And it doesn't take much to go from being a "meh, ok" kind of place to standing out for being excellent.
From the minute we arrived we were greeted by grumps. Lady at the desk was on the phone and point blank ignored our existence til she was done - answering questions and taking a booking - she could have made eye contact, held up 2 fingers to say gimme 2 ticks, a sympathetic "I'll be with you asap" look. Zilch.
Then she wasn't friendly. And not only that she seemed wholly put out by the fact that my husband wasn't for signing a piece of paper that said "balance due €180" when it was prepaid and we owed nothing. So she got impatient (the line behind us was growing) and zeroed it out on a new page for him to sign.
I asked about afternoon tea, she pointed to the lobby area and said there'd be a table with our names on it and to just sit there and they'll come see to us.
Went to our room, dropped our bags, came back down and sat at the only remaining "reserved for afternoon tea" table. 5 mins early. There was another table of 2 girls waiting for theirs too. 20 mins later, someone comes over to us "oh you're here!" Eh yeah, we were told to wait here. Ok what can I get you - she asks. And ignores the other girls at the other table - they had to go up and ask for service.
Hubby asks if we are really having afternoon tea in the lobby and she gets prickly, "eh yeah sure this is where all afternoon tea happens". If she tots and clearly tells someone that we weren't thrilled and a lovely Scottish lady comes back and offers to move us...to the bar.... hubby replies he'd rather not be stuck among drunks for afternoon tea either and I tell her it's fine. Go ahead.
Afternoon tea was grand, though I'd recommend if you don't like dark chocolate, give it a miss. Strawberries dipped in dark chocolate, truffles are dark chocolate, petit fours are chocolate cake dipped in dark chocolate - its all a little rich. Did enjoy the savory plate though.
Asked the chipper lady at the front desk if she needed us to sign for the afternoon tea before we left, she said no, it's on our room - later we get a call and then a girl comes round asking for a signature. Clearly no communication between staff members.
Get to the room and there's drilling and construction - we heard a lady complaining and wanting moved room at check in, turns out we're there too.
Found a travel sized wine bottle cap on the floor behind the bathroom door so not thorough cleaning happening.
The wifi system sucketh. You sign on and it boots you off every time your phone locks. There's no "stay connected" box to tick so you have to constantly have to sign on. You're in the middle of nowhere, you have unsecured wifi. Just let people have it without the hoops! This drove me batty. With no cell coverage in the south, my son at my mothers house - needing solid wifi in case of emergencies is standard!
Kitchen closes at 9. Husband went down at 10pm to see if anyone could throw a sandwich or some toast together and he was just told no. I honestly have never been somewhere that a) kitchen closes so early, especially somewhere so remote or b) the staff wouldn't go that extra mile and throw some toast on. No vending machines, no in hotel wee shop, no where local open late for food either, so pack a picnic for your room!
Kept up til 2.30am with rowdy neighbours, a family with kids, screaming yelling slamming doors. Housekeeping calls at 10.30 and keeps knocking despite hollers of NO THANK YOU and then as you turn over, pull the quilt over your head and get comfy? The drilling starts.
Asked at reception and was told work would continue all day, as it was "essential maintenance". Heard 3 more people complain.
Went to the bar for lunch, please wait to be seated sign. We waited and waited. One member of staff walked PAST us. We waited more. No one came near us. No one to be seen or found. We left and went elsewhere.
While they made a good faith effort in ? We wouldn't be back. Though they have the most amazing bath tubs of any hotel, ever! read more
