Myself and my now wife had been saving up to get married for 4 years
> and had Chosen Jacksons Hotel Ballybofey as the venue, as it was there
> we first met 7 years prior. When we went there they were all very nice
> and on board and helpful with our wedding plans.
>
> We had been working with Jacksons wedding Coordinator exclusively for
> quite a long time organizing it, and he knew every intricate detail of
> all the wee surprises and gimmicks we had going on during the
> reception!
>
> A few weeks before the wedding, I called to speak to him and am
> informed that he is still on holidays ...(Which was my mistake he was
> not due back until the 18th of December)
> So I call back on the 20th only to be told that he is not back yet and
> is due back on the 24th of December. Obviously I get a bit nervous,
> and ask what their back up plan is? (Since he was many days over his
> supposed return time)
> I am told by a member of Jacksons Staff, quiet abruptly, that he will
> *definitely* be there for our wedding on the 30th ... in fact,
> “without a Shadow of a Doubt”
>
> So, I let Christmas pass and since time is a ticking, am straight back
> on the phone on the 27th. An Employee told me that he has caught a
> very bad cold and will not be in until the 28th of December. Once
> again I faithfully call on the 28th and I am told that he will
> definitely be in on the morning of the 29th of Dec, so I ask and leave
> numerous messages (since he has not been there to organize for nearly
> 2 weeks) that it be made a priority that I be called last thing on the
> 28th of Dec to 100 % confirm that he will be there for the morning of
> the 29th of December.
>
> The night of the 28th passes without a call from Jacksons, and when I
> ring ominously I get no answer
>
> The afternoon of the 29th Dec, I get a call from a woman Called
> Caroline (well hear more from her later on) to tell me that there is
> no way that our original wedding coordinator will be there for our
> wedding and in fact he will not be back to work for at least another
> 10 days as he is running a feverish temperature and is on strict bed
> rest for the next week.
>
> Obviously, I am not pleased, but again, with time closing in on the
> big day, I express how important it is for me to give my wife to be
> the dream wedding she deserves ..
>
> So she informs me that there will be 3 MANAGER's there, to compensate
> for the loss of the original coordinator and they will be at our
> disposal all day to help with whatever we may need ....
>
> So I explain to her that we had been working with the original guys
> for nearly 2 years and that there was a lot to go through and we
> should meet ASAP to go through it all so she can brief her team. She
> AGREES and tells me to meet her at 9.30 that night after our wedding
> rehearsal to discuss what needs to be done.
>
> As arranged, I ring after the rehearsal to make sure all is good (its
> a 30 minute drive) only to be informed that she has "LEFT FOR THE
> NIGHT " ???
> The receptionist is not impressed with what follows which is a string
> of ' Your kidding Me ' '' Your Joking me Right '' ? Which she replies
> '' NO '' to which I reply ...'' we’re getting Married in the morning
> '' ?
> To cut a long story short she says the owner is here and you can come
> talk to him ...
>
> So I get in the car and drive 30 mins to go and speak to Barry Jackson
> (the Hotel Owner) .." Who is as nice as pie" although his temperament
> would change later on during “billing”....
> So, I spend an hour and a half talking to Barry trying to bring him up
> to speed on what was nearly 2 years work, which i thought i got across
> easily and clearly..
> He assures me everything will be taken care off .....
>
> And here is the list of what we personally know
> happened on the day !!
>
> • The Reception room was flooded a few days before the wedding (which
> i tried to keep from my wife but Caroline told her on the Wedding day)
> • the “complimentary” suites were charged for as the hotel messed up the rooms and billing (which took ages to rectify)
> • The bride and grooms room was flooded and had to take a different suite
> • There was no hotel staff to decorate tables or venue this had to be
> done by friend of the bride and groom
> • The entrance of the bride and groom was a mess where people were
> kept standing for nearly 5 minutes before the bride and groom entered
> • The table plan was completely messed up. They said the top table can
> hold 21 . We only had 18, and 2 of our family had to sit down at one
> of the tables because they refused to sit by a 2 tier flight of steps
> at the edge of the stage. (the seat was nearly falling off) !!!
>
> • The Wedding coordinator Caroline then Raised her voice sharply to
> the grooms Mother because she wouldn’t move over, because she
> • The Menu of food was not what had been agreed by the wedding party
> and hotel (can you imagine this?)
>
> • After the speeches the Bride and Groom where then hurried to cut the cake.
> (We later found out that this was so Caroline could go home or to the
> bar where she we spotted her many hours later, and when spotted in the
> bar promptly left)
> • The Bride and Groom had to organize their own 1st dance, Garter &
> Bouquet toss, as the wedding coordinator(s) assigned to us in place of
> our *sick* one were nowhere to be found !
> • A member of the kitchen had to organize the wedding cake for
> distribution between the guests.
> • There were *NO* Management available after the cake was cut until
> 1.30am when Barry showed his face ...
> • The fire alarms went off constantly during the night and at the
> start of the reception.
> • In the men’s toilets outside the reception area (the ones mainly
> used by people due to its proximity to the reception hall) There was a
> cubicle that overflowed, spewing all sorts of rubbish in to the main
> toilet floor. Staff were informed, and shrugged their shoulders.
>
> • The bill for the reception was coated with extra charges that were the fault of the hotel mixing up rooms and charging different rates.
>
> • They tried to charge us for things that had already been agreed in
> the original wedding document i.e. use of the piano.
>
> So, regarding the billing, the next morning, when we went down to pay
> the bill, we meet Barry Jackson who was there to "tot up the numbers "
> (This is when he turned in to the most pushy and rude man) ....We
> started discussing items and he constantly harangued/pushed me to take
> the figures he had on his sheet (as if these were gospel)
>
> When I started to refer to my own notes and tally what was agreed
> previously .. he got really aggravated/angry and said things like "
> your only wasting your own time " and "I've got it all on my sheet here “ and on and on he went. As that great American saying goes,
> he basically Nickle and Dimed us on as much stuff as he could.
>
> To be sure, I nor will my wife ever set foot in this hotel again. They
> completely ruined our wedding and reception in execution and in
> spirit. Amateurish & Ill-tempered *supposedly* senior Management
> Staff were to blame and no one else.
> I spent most of MY wedding day trying to fill the roles of their staff
> and fixing there carelessness
>
> It’s outrageous what we went through. Thankfully, there are many other
> Hotels in Donegal, that would be glad of the business.
> You all have been warned now!!!
>
> And the wedding co ordinator that was sick and would not be back at work for 10 days he was so ill .........
> HE WAS BACK THE MORNING AFTER OUR WEDDING !!

stay here for 2 nigths and had a great time. hotel had lots of intertainment for the weekend. we were happy with the food and the room. room were warm and hot was hot for shower and bath. staff were friendly. we will stay again for sure. :-)

Just back from a two night staff and was slightly disappointed in the hotel. The photos advertised on the website are not really reflective of what you get when you stay. We were 2 non smokers and appeared to have been placed in a smoking room (the room smelt and there was an ashtray provided). The decor of the room was very old fashioned and I've come home with a sore back due to the very old bed. Two lights in our room didn't work, nor did the hair dryer. There was a massage chair but only one setting worked.

We received a meal as part of our package and the food was 'fine'. Breakfast was included each morning and whilst it could have been better, it was ok. On the morning of our departure (having been for a swim and jacuzzi) we were really disappointed to have no hot water in our room.

The staff however were absolutely lovely, particularly the young receptionist and the leisure centre staff. I can't imagine the hotel would have been incredibly busy during our mid week stay so it would have been a much more pleasant experience if we had been placed in a room in the new part of the hotel, which looks lovely!

Just back from a two night stay, was apprehensive after reading some reviews but had a great time. Receptionist very welcoming and with the upgrade to the Japanese Suite the tone was set for the weekend.With fantastic views over the river, a jacuzzi bath & massage chair it was hard to leave the room.Breakfast was a welcome start to the day with a cheerful cook serving the hot selection.We had a great dinner in the restaurant on the Saturday and again the waitress was attentive & sociable. The new part of the hotel is definitely more welcoming,(although the walk to it was brisk to keep warm), as the older corridors looked gloomy. We enjoyed our stay- thanks Jackson's.