We stayed in Lisloughrey (as it was known then, wish they didn't change the name!) on a Sunday night, having taken a very rare Monday off work after a Christening in Achill. We were going to head to Westport but en route a friend recommended Lisloughrey, I rang and was shocked to get the room for €85 for the night - incredible value, we actually thought that might have been per person sharing but no that was for the room and included breakfast! Now in saying that I've often had a look to see if we could get a similar deal but it seems to be €90 PPS.

It was the most amazing stay I've had in any hotel anywhere, the decor was out of this world, with fabulous candles lit everywhere and flowers all over the place. Fabulous little touches all over the place too, a book shelf filled with wellies in every colour and size that you can borrow, a games room with padded walls, bean bags and couches, the whole place was just beautiful. The Salt room was closed as it was Sunday so we had dinner downstairs, the menu looked great but the food was only average, the only not totally impressive experience we had. Our room was just out of this world, absolutely loved it. I can't believe it's a 4 star! Far superior to most 5 stars I've stayed in. After dinner we borrowed a DVD from their big DVD collection which was just so relaxing. Unfortunately we slept in and missed breakfast but got a late check out and ordered scones with cream and jam and cappuccino's to the room which was just bliss for a Monday morning. We wen t for a walk around the grounds of Ashford Castle afterwards which is just spectacular (the inside not so much!).


Overall would highly recommend - such a lovely place for a quiet get away. They seem to have changed their website and it's really hard to use now, I've never heard of anyone downgrading their website before! I don't know why they changed the name, it had such a lovely identity by itself, I think the Lodge at Ashford sounds like an outhouse! I've seen some of the pics of it recently online and it looks like it's lost a little of it's charm since we stayed there but hopefully not! The yellow in the hall looks nowhere near as warm and welcoming and luxurious as the red but hopefully the pics just aren't doing it justice. We loved it so much we plan on getting married there but want to have another look first!