Hotel review: Sensational food in a beautiful dining room makes this five-star worth the journey 

The Pullman at Glenlo Abbey

Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate

Bushypark, Co Galway

Our rating:  9/10 

Location

Glenlo Abbey exterior at night

Just 4km from Galway City, Glenlo Abbey Hotel sits on a vast estate that slopes down to Lough Corrib. Set on a promontory overlooking the fairways and greens of its nine-hole golf course, it is surprisingly tranquil and bucolic for a property so close to the city. Less than 15 minutes by car to Eyre Square, it’s a handy taxi ride for those arriving by train or bus.

• 9/10

Style and design

The opulent decor inside Glenlo Abbey

Built in the 1740s as a grand family home by the Ffrenchs, a local merchant family, the private chapel was added in 1790. The house remained a family home until the 1980s when it was bought and developed as a luxury hotel. The original house has been much extended but retains the fine proportioned reception rooms, which are a lovely size for lingering with plush sofas, large windows, and ornate stucco. The decor is opulent, with antique furniture, chandeliers and interesting art, and works within the houses’s proportions. Stand out spaces are the serene abbey, where you can enjoy a drink, board games, or book by the fire, and a traditional cocktail bar with high stools.

• 8.5/10

Service

Glenlo Abbey's staff were confident and well trained

A smiling doorman, Ernest, greets guests with friendly chat, making a welcoming first impression that carries through the whole stay. There doesn’t seem to be many staff around during the day, so I skip ordering tea in the beautiful, light-flooded Ffrench room where I had hoped to sit and read. Elsewhere we find confident, well-trained staff, with The Pullman team outstanding. Dinner service under manager Ian McDonnell sparkles with a relaxed flow, bringing the perfect balance of energy and pace to a fun and memorable dining experience.

• 9/10

Guest rooms

The Superior King suite at Glenlo Abbey

Suites are elegantly tricked out and comfortable, with plush fabrics, beautiful antique and reproduction furniture and gilded lighting. A luxe bathroom with Bulgari toiletries and brushed brass fittings is spacious and well lit, with good shower pressure and plenty of storage. Cosy and comfy, the bedroom’s muted palette is soothing too but the colour scheme performs less well in more standard rooms; without all the extra features and chandeliers the more basic guest rooms can lack character. It’s easy to fix, and I’d love to see the warmth and personality of the gorgeous Ffrench Room introduced to the bedrooms, starting with the art and light fittings.

The Ffrench rom at Glenlo Abbey

• 8/10

In-room perks

A Nespresso machine, kettle, box of coffee pods and, strangely no tea — which had been forgotten — though was replenished, with a selection of Bewley’s teabags, once requested. Mini bottles of fresh milk are easy to acquire so there’s no excuse for plastic tubs of UHT milk at this level. Irish shortbread is complimentary and the well-stocked mini bar includes Keogh’s crisps, Butler’s chocolate, Jameson and Wicklow Wolf beer. I’d like to see them swap out Bombay Sapphire for a premium Irish gin too.

• 8.5/10

On the menu

Dinning at The Pullman is a joyful and impressive experience.

The Pullman comprises two original Orient Express carriages which were fully refurbished last year. Retaining exquisite marquetry and upholstery, they create a divinely nostalgic dining space for chef Angelo Vagiotis’ accomplished cooking that earned The Pullman its first Michelin star this year. A seven-course tasting menu is beautifully light and balanced, dancing from course to course on pretty floral china, all served with a flourish. Each dish is refined, creative and delicious, celebrating wonderful Irish produce like Connemara oysters, West Cork turbot and lobster, and Achill Island lamb. Factor in featherlight desserts, petit fours and warm madeleines, and this is one joyful and impressive experience.

Breakfast is well done with an appealing buffet supplemented by a really comprehensive menu of cooked-to-order dishes. Kudos for a decent charcuterie and cheese selection that includes helpful labels and a nice mix of Irish and continental varieties, including Gubbeen chorizo and Cashel Blue. An attractive range of fruit, yogurt pots, pastries and breads includes excellent light and fluffy scones. 

• 10/10

Activities and amenities

Glenlo Abbey's in-house cinema

A championship nine-hole golf course and 21-bay Trackman driving range attracts golfers, and there’s a private cinema in-house that shows films daily. Glo Spa, a small suite of treatment rooms and relaxation room overlooks the golf course but there’s no pool or thermal suite. Borrow free bikes or explore by foot on the lovely paths down to the lake, or the walled garden, which blooms in summer. Falconry and fishing can be arranged too. Eleven self-catering lodges next door to the hotel site will be joined by six new ones overlooking the golf course in 2027.

• 8/10

The bill

B&B from €299. The seven-course tasting menu at The Pullman costs €150 per person.

Room to improve?

At breakfast, it was surprising to find French butter (and in foil packets) on the tables. Beurre d’Isigny is a premium brand but why not serve an Irish farmhouse butter? At this price point we expect freshly squeezed juices at breakfast too. Turn-down service creates an opportunity for a hotel to make a connection with a guest at bedtime, so the lack of a chocolate, message, even a lavender sprig, was surprising.

Access for guests with disabilities? The hotel is accessible with a selection of guest rooms, but The Pullman can not accommodate wheelchair users.

Family-friendly? Children are very welcome, with a range of interconnecting rooms and suites, and a kids menu in The Abbey Movie Theatre.

Dogs welcome? Yes! €40 per night. a maximum of one dog per room. Dogs are welcome to explore the estate and must be on a lead at all times.

EV chargers? Yes. 4 available,

• The Hotel Examiner was a guest of Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate
• Glenloabbeyhotel.ie