Luxury with a friendly touch at Galway’s Glenlo Abbey Hotel
TAKE one four-year-old whose culinary desires extend to chips and chocolate, and place in a five-star hotel that prides itself on old-world luxury and opulent dining and you might think you have a recipe for disaster on your hands. In fact, for a few minutes, we thought that’s exactly what was going to happen but all was saved by some of the friendliest hotel staff in the country.
Arriving on a very wet and windy Sunday evening, we were immediately put at our ease by front-of-house Maura Lee, whose lovely lilt must work an absolute charm on overseas visitors but also made us feel welcome. We were given a quick tour of the hotel, including the very inviting reading room which looked like the perfect spot to curl up with a good book and a stiff drink.
Our interconnecting rooms on the second floor were just what we needed after a long drive from Cork. Our double bed looked soft enough to dive in — and we discovered later it was just that — while the kids were delighted with their room. They weren’t long getting accustomed to the 5-star luxury, donning the slippers, squealing with delight at the fact they had a (very large) TV in their own room, complete with separate DVD player. The rooms are decorated to fit with the hotel’s abbey’s origins and are very cosy.
We headed down to the Oak Cellar bar for some food, and it was very busy. The bar is vaulted and arranged with large tables, perfectly suited to dining as well as drinking. An adjoining room caters for overflow and the ever-friendly staff seated us there temporarily, produced colouring sheets and crayons for the kids, took our orders and then prepared a more appropriate table back in the main bar.
The food is good quality bar food with the usual offerings of soup, salads, steak, burgers and speciality sandwiches averaging at the €11.95 mark. My toasted ciabattta was dominated by the sun-dried tomato which meant the mozarella and pesto didn’t get much of a look in, but it was tasty, and served with deliciously crispy chips and side salad. The kids’ menu includes the usual fare of chips and fish goujons, burger, pasta, but the portion size is large. Food is served daily from 12 to 9pm.
Breakfast was served in the River Room restaurant and is superb, with the usual range of juices, cereals, muesli, fruit, cheeses, and breads and croissants, including a wonderful homemade banana bread and carrot bread.
Dinner is also served in this beautifully elegant room. We went for the a la carte option. My Duo of Thai Classic starter was delightful, a fish cake and duck spring roll, served with crispy noodle salad, and beautifully presented on a piece of slate. There was open seafood ravioli with saffron cream, and lemon and lime creme brule with rhubarb cream and orange sauce for afters. The wine list was moderately priced and the recommended 2007 Louis Jadot beaujolais at €37 went down a treat. Top marks to a fabulous maitre d’ who didn’t blink an eye when we asked if chef could rustle up some chips for Mr Fuss. He topped it off with a plate of 8 different ice creams for the kids (and daddy) to sample.
The table d’hote is €35 for three courses and served from 6.30-9pm every evening. A la carte starters range from €5.50 to €10.95, and mains from €14.95 to €27.95.
Glenlo Abbey Hotel, just two miles from Galway City. is perfect for people who ‘want to get away from it all’ without actually travelling deep into the wild west. The facilities include a double 9-hole par 72 course. I can can vouch for its wonderful lakeside setting, panoramic views, and a bracing wind from Lough Corrib to build up a healthy appetite for dinner.
There’s a 10-bay driving range to get you in the swing, and on-course expert to offer tips and advice. The hotel can even organise an archery clinic at a rate of €35 person.
There’s a resident Ghillie who can bring small groups out onto Lough Corrib to fish for trout, salmon, pike, perch and bream. It’s €150 for a full day (10am to 6pm) or €100 for a half day with a maximum of two people, and €20 per person for a packed picnic lunch. Other activities onsite or that can be organised locally include tennis, horse-riding and falconry. There is no pool or spa facilities.
We headed out to Salthill where they had a whale of a time at the National Aquarium. Open Mon-Fri 10-5pm, sat-sun 10-6pm, a family ticket (2 adults, 2 kids) will set you back €30.
From there we headed to the nearby Arabica cafe, where we enjoyed some great coffee and the kids had warm chocolate croissants. A bracing seafront walk was cut short by a heavy downpour so we headed to Leisureland. It’s ideal for all ages and abilities with a pirate ship to keep the young ones amused and a great fun slide. A family ticket is €22.
A two-night weekend stay in a superior king room with one table d’hote dinner and complimentary trips to Kylemore Abbey costs from €338, with a midweek package costing from €248. For golfing enthusiasts a stay and play two-night package starts at €318, which includes breakfast on both mornings, one dinner, afternoon tea in the French room and as much golf as you can squeeze in.
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