Ballyliffin Lodge & Spa

A very nice seaside hotel on the Donegal coast. Very good free and private car parking.Similar to many holiday hotels of this nature in the county but it’s specially good because it is spotlessly clean and operates like a proper 4 star hotel.We were warned that it can become a bit raucous when they have a wedding to cater for but they do warn you that this will be the case when you are booking. Well done hotel. We missed the wedding but it was still very busy with restaurant and bar patrons in the evening- it seems to be the social centre of the area. Fortunately, our room was far away from any noise.It is not directly on the beach but in the village near the beach - see photo from my room.The rooms are smallish, clean and adequate, if not special. The bed is comfortable and the Wi-Fi very good. There is no air conditioning which is a problem in hot summers but central heating is there for the more chilly days. We had to open our windows wide open to keep coolOur room (207) had just about adequate power points -3xsquare pin- but no USB points. The usual kettle and TV are provided but no fridge, gowns or slippers but you don’t expect these for the bargain £110per night price (room only) we paid. They do have larger rooms and sea view rooms available at extra cost which we would have preferred but we were not able to book these - presumably because they were all already occupied.The rooms have a combo bath/shower facility. I do love a bath but they are getting rarer because of the space they occupy. A small tip here - if you prefer a bath to a shower, remember to bring your own soap - the soap and shampoo dispensers are out of reach while you recline in the bath ( see photograph). Alternatively, bring a plastic cup to fill from the soap dispensers before you get into the bath!They have a spa and indoor pool which my daughter and granddaughter both greatly enjoyed.We had dinner and breakfast (extra £25 cost on the package) in the main restaurant which was really good. Dinner was one of the best meals we have had in a Donegal hotel, which often do not really come up to scratch, food wise. Excellent wine list as well. Breakfast was a buffet and was more than enough. Restaurant staff were simply amongst the best I have met, anywhere in our world travels. We had a small problem with a fly cooked into our potato salad but this was dealt with with the absolutely correct apologies and procedures. Again, well done ladies.All in all an enjoyable stay.Captains Bar.Stoped off here with the family for a quick lunch and a pint. It was very quiet but service from the quite extensive menu was quick and efficient - thanks Jack.Well worth a stop if you are in need of a quick lunch whilst travelling up the Inishowen Peninsula.

Fantastic stay, room got upgraded to a suite food was delicious will definitely be back again.

We stayed here for one night and honestly the place is absolutely lovely. Cannot fault the rooms or the hospitality of the reception staff and AFTERNOON/EVENING Restaurant staff.The rooms were lovely size and offered heating and a decent fan for hot nights. The view from our room was incredible and the bed was so spacious!We went to Jack's bar around 4pm to get food as we were travelling a long way was extremely impressed by the staffs customer service skill from the moment we sat down to when we left. We had the tear and share for starter which we both thought was incredible. My partner then had the build your own pizza and I had the steak sandwich and was so impressed with the attention to detail on the food. We couldn't get to the dessert because the food filled us up. The staff couldn't do enough for us and they were all very pleasant.Sadly the experience was let down a bit by the breakfast staff and the lack of food hygiene.We came down and got seated straight away and got asked if we wanted a drink I asked if I could order a latte and was told that we had to pay extra for a latte I found this very odd. So I ordered a normal coffee. Which was not drinkable.We went up to get food and was concerned that the bread and pastry wasn't covered, The milk was sitting out rather than in a metal container and the juice was sitting out also covered and with the flies about it didn't surprise me that the fly was in one.The breakfast itself was OK me and my partner both had frys but scrambled egg was cold and the toast was not fresh so it was also cold when it got to our table.I also feel the breakfast staff could have learnt alot from the afternoon and evening staff as their customer service left a lot to be desired and the experience from the 2 different groups of staff was like night and dayThe cocktails were proffesionaly done. I never got their names but the 2 lads were very good and fast. This was Tuesday 1st August between 8pm and 9pm. I hope they both get recognised for their skill.

Love the hotel.Some feedback for management regarding the spa. It’s great, you have done all the hard things right but a few basic things could be easily improved.The shower beside the steam room should be cold only (also saves you money).The swimming lane is too narrow for multiple swimmers. Also put up a sign saying Fast. The lane should be for the serious swimmers.There should be a thermometer in both the sauna and steam room.There should be the standard egg timer in the sauna.There should be a water fountain pool side.A free standing ice bath or plunge pool would be a nice addition.

We had an excellent stay at this hotel. Staff were very friendly. Would highly recommend this hotel.

Recently had our wedding at the Ballyliffin Lodge and Spa.It was just an absolute 5 star effort on their behalf from start to finish,Danielle was an amazing coordinator and was able to handle all of our requests and really put us at ease then on the day Madeline was absolutely incredible, honestly her and her team made the day so special and all of our guests had an absolute ball.The food, service, hospitality, rooms, everything was just first class and would highly recommend anyone thinking of having their wedding here to do so.Meghan and Conor 28th July

Really enjoyed our meal in the Ballyliffin Lodge.Went out for a drive and called in for food. Very busy, but staff organised a table for us.Meal was lovely, and we will certainly go back again based upon the experience we have had. Would certainly recommend a visit.

Beautiful, clean and comfortable hotel at a reasonable price. Staff are very helpful and pleasant anf the food is delicious. The pool and health suite is a bonus ! That's our second time here and we will definitely be back.