The Harbour Inn

Buncrana 55.11617700, -7.46039300 , Derry Road (Show on Map)
9.1
Excellent


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1 room2 guests 1 room, 2 guests
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Summary of reviews'The Harbour Inn' delivers a consistently pleasant guest experience, earning high marks across various review categories. Situated directly across from a beautiful beach, the hotel offers a serene setting with stunning sea views, making it ideal for relaxation and adventure. Its proximity to Buncrana town center and significant sites such as the Inishowen Peninsula and the Giants Causeway makes it a convenient and central base for sightseeing.

The rooms are frequently praised for their spaciousness, cleanliness and comfort. Guests appreciate amenities like comfortable beds, modern furnishings and diligent housekeeping that maintain a high standard of cleanliness. Family rooms, in particular, are well-regarded for their generous space and suitability for larger groups. Although some guests noted occasional noise and dated decor in certain rooms, the overall feedback highlights a well-maintained environment.

Dining at The Harbour Inn stands out, especially the breakfast offerings, which receive overwhelmingly positive reviews. Guests rave about the diverse and abundant breakfast buffet, high-quality food and accommodating service. Evening meals in the bar and restaurant also impress with an extensive menu and reasonable prices, further enhanced by themed nights like Steak Night. The attentive and friendly staff contribute significantly to a relaxed dining experience.

The staff at The Harbour Inn are frequently highlighted for their friendliness, helpfulness and attentiveness. Guests feel welcomed and well-cared for from the moment they check in, often mentioning specific staff members who went above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay. Efficiency and responsiveness are key traits appreciated by visitors, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout the hotel.

Families find The Harbour Inn especially accommodating, enjoying spacious family rooms, convenient amenities and entertainment options. The nearby sandy beach adds outdoor fun, making it a perfect choice for family vacations.

Complimentary Wi-Fi is generally reliable, enhancing the overall stay, though some guests experienced connectivity issues in certain areas. Parking is ample and convenient with options like an EV charging point adding extra value.

Despite some minor critiques regarding bed comfort and room decor, the consensus among guests leans towards a comfortable and enjoyable stay. The Harbour Inn with its friendly staff, clean and spacious rooms and excellent location, emerges as a highly recommended choice for travelers seeking a blend of relaxation, adventure and convenience.
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Categories
Hotel near Golf Courses

Family Friendly Hotel

Hotel with Parking

Accessible Hotel

3-Star Hotel

Room Types
Family Room (2 Adults + 2 Children) This room has a TV and tea/coffee making facilities. The room is for 2 adults and 2 children under the age of 12 years. Please specify if you would like 2 doubles and 1 single or 2 double beds at the time of booking.

Single Room This room has a TV and tea/coffee making facilities.

Triple Room This room has a TV and tea/coffee making facilities. This room is for 3 adults.

Double or Twin Room Featuring free toiletries, this twin/double room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. The twin/double room has carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, as well as a safe deposit box.

Guest Reviews
9.1
Excellent
Location
The Harbour Inn offers an exceptional location that appeals to those seeking both relaxation and adventure. Situated directly across from a beautiful beach, guests are treated to stunning sea views and spectacular sunsets, which create a serene and picturesque environment. The beach is mere steps away, perfect for leisurely walks and enjoying the scenic coastline.

Conveniently located just a short drive or a 15-20 minute walk from Buncrana town center, the hotel provides easy access to shops, restaurants and local attractions, while still offering a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle. The proximity to the main road makes it easily accessible for travelers, although some guests noted occasional noise due to its busy nature.

The surroundings are ideal for exploring the Inishowen Peninsula, Derry City and other notable sites such as the Wild Atlantic Way and the Giants Causeway. Additionally, the hotel serves as a central base for sightseeing trips, making it perfect for those looking to discover the rich landscape and cultural heritage of the area.

The rooms are praised for their spaciousness, cleanliness and comfort with many offering lovely views of the ocean. The staff is consistently described as friendly and accommodating, contributing to an overall pleasant stay at The Harbour Inn.

For guests attending events, the hotel's location near wedding venues and local entertainment options is quite advantageous. While some remarked on the slightly industrial setting near a gas station, the overall consensus highlights the beautiful surroundings and the hotel's prime location by the beach as its standout features.

Breakfast
The Harbour Inn receives overwhelmingly positive feedback for its breakfast offerings. Guests repeatedly describe the breakfast as excellent with terms like "superb," "first class," and "fantastic" frequently used. The breakfast buffet is highlighted for its abundant and diverse options, including freshly cooked dishes, an array of cereals, toasts, croissants, pancakes, fresh fruit salads and a variety of hot dishes.

Many guests appreciate the full Irish breakfast, often calling it the best they've ever had. The breakfast service is noted for accommodating dietary needs with gluten-free options and a commendable selection to cater to even the pickiest eaters. The quality of food consistently receives high marks with mentions of delicious and freshly prepared meals.

The breakfast staff and service also receive praise for being friendly and attentive, contributing to a relaxed and pleasant dining experience. The breakfast room's decor adds to the overall enjoyment, creating a cozy atmosphere.

While some minor critiques exist, such as the lack of variety on weekdays or suggestions for additional vegetarian options, these do not overshadow the predominantly positive experiences. Overall, a hearty, well-organized breakfast with a wide selection and excellent quality seems to be a standout feature at The Harbour Inn.

Dinner
Dining experiences at The Harbour Inn have consistently impressed guests with many praising the excellent food and extensive menu options available both in the bar and the restaurant. The evening meals are often highlighted as a particular treat, featuring a great selection of dishes that cater to various tastes, including delicious steak meals and traditional pub food.

Guests found the food to be not only tasty but also reasonably priced, offering good value for money. Special themed nights, such as Steak Night, received positive feedback, adding an enjoyable twist to the dining options. The breakfast offerings were also well-received with guests mentioning a wide variety of choices that make for a satisfying start to the day.

In terms of service, diners appreciated the quick, friendly and accommodating approach of the staff, which enhanced the overall dining experience. The vibrant and lively atmosphere in the restaurant, coupled with the cleanliness and stylish decor, contributed to a pleasant and inviting dining environment. Whether enjoyed in the bar or the restaurant, the food at The Harbour Inn has been described as first-class, making it a standout feature of the stay for many visitors.

Rooms
The Harbour Inn's rooms consistently receive high praise for their spaciousness and cleanliness. Guests frequently highlight the large room sizes, describing them as bright, airy and impeccably clean. Rooms are often equipped with modern amenities, including comfortable beds, silent-running fridges, safes, irons and fans, ensuring a pleasant and convenient stay. The decor and furnishings are modern and well-maintained, contributing to the overall comfortable and cosy atmosphere.

Family rooms, in particular, stand out for their generous space and suitability for larger groups. Many reviews mention the immaculately clean conditions of the rooms with daily cleaning services maintaining a spotless environment. The hotel also seems to be recently renovated, providing a fresh and modern touch to the accommodations.

Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, some guests note occasional noise from the road and the kitchen and a few mention that certain rooms appear dated compared to others. There are mentions of rooms without views and no lift access, which could be a consideration for some visitors.

Overall, The Harbour Inn's rooms are described as clean, comfortable and spacious, offering excellent value and a pleasant experience for guests. The combination of well-appointed amenities and diligent housekeeping makes it a highly recommended choice.

Beds
The Harbour Inn offers a mixed experience when it comes to the comfort of its beds, but positive feedback is prevalent. Many guests find the beds to be very comfortable, describing them as "comfy," "cosy," and "fabulous." Some even noted the "comfiest bed" they've ever slept on and praised the king-size beds for their comfort. The rooms frequently have comfortable beds, contributing to a pleasant stay. Cleanliness also complements the comfort, enhancing the overall sleep experience.

However, not all reviews were entirely positive. Some guests found the bedding itself to be problematic, mentioning heavy quilts and thick plastic mattress covers that detracted from comfort. Issues with bed size were highlighted, particularly with single beds being described as small and uncomfortable. A few reviews also cited the beds as too soft or too hard with a couple pointing out moldy conditions.

Despite these points, the consensus leans towards a comfortable stay, especially in rooms with larger beds. For travelers seeking a good night’s sleep, the Harbour Inn generally delivers with its clean and cozy accommodations.

Cleanliness
Nestled by the coast, 'The Harbour Inn' has garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews for its exceptional cleanliness. Guests frequently note the hotel’s immaculate and spotless condition with rooms and facilities consistently described as very clean and well-maintained. Both cozy and spacious, the accommodations provide a welcoming atmosphere enhanced by pristine environments. The bathrooms, much like the rooms, are noted for their high standards of cleanliness and practicality.

Visitors particularly appreciate the tidy and orderly nature of their stays, complemented by well-equipped and bright rooms. The diligent cleaning staff contribute significantly to the hotel's spotless reputation, ensuring rooms are pristine throughout each stay. Guests often mention that the hotel’s cleanliness adds to their comfortable and pleasant experience, making 'The Harbour Inn' a reassuring choice for those prioritizing hygiene and orderliness in their travel accommodations.

Staff
The Harbour Inn has received overwhelmingly positive feedback regarding its staff, creating a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for guests. Reviewers frequently highlight the friendliness, helpfulness and attentiveness of the team, emphasizing that the staff consistently go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay.

Front of house staff, night porters and receptionists are particularly noted for their exceptional service, often making guests feel right at home from the moment they check in. Specific mentions of staff members like Clare, Michaela and Sinead further illustrate the personal touch and dedication to guest satisfaction. Frequent compliments include descriptions such as lovely, fantastic, amazing, kind and professional, underscoring the high standards upheld by the team.

Efficiency and responsiveness are other key traits attributed to the staff with many guests appreciating the prompt, courteous service provided during both the check-in process and their overall stay. The early check-in time and pleasant reception team are repeatedly praised for setting a positive tone for the visit.

Whether addressing guests' questions, attending to needs or simply offering a friendly demeanor, the staff at The Harbour Inn appear to excel in creating a warm and inviting environment. The consistent theme across reviews highlights that the team's efforts significantly contribute to an enjoyable and memorable stay. Overall, The Harbour Inn's staff are a standout feature, ensuring guests feel valued and well cared for throughout their visit.

Wi-Fi
Visitors to The Harbour Inn will appreciate the complimentary Wi-Fi, which makes it convenient for streaming services like Netflix. Many guests found the Wi-Fi to be quite strong in certain areas and generally good overall. However, there were some mentions of inconsistent and weak signals, particularly in the bedrooms. While there are limitations such as a limited number of sockets and some occasional connectivity issues, the free Wi-Fi is a notable amenity that enhances the stay for most guests.

Parking
The Harbour Inn offers a variety of parking options that guests generally find satisfactory. Many reviews highlight the convenience and ease of parking with terms like "easy and handy" and "convenient parking" frequently mentioned. The ample parking available onsite is a notable plus with many appreciating the free garage and the large parking area.

Additionally, the presence of an EV charging point in the car park and the adjacent gas station adds to the convenience. Reviews also note the availability of free on-site parking which aligns with the reservations, offering peace of mind to guests.

While parking is often straightforward, some reviews do indicate that parking can be limited, particularly on busy nights, signaling a need for a potentially larger car park. Nonetheless, the ability to park right in front of the hotel or even directly outside room doors is considered a significant asset.

Overall, the parking facilities at The Harbour Inn are seen as a positive feature, providing easy access and ample space for most guests, despite occasional limitations during peak times.

Family
'The Harbour Inn' emerges as an ideal destination for families, offering a blend of comfort and entertainment that caters to guests of all ages. The family rooms are frequently highlighted for their spaciousness, some even featuring large walk-in closets and enough space for kids to play freely. Families appreciate the interconnected room options, adding an extra layer of convenience for larger groups.

The hotel is praised for being very accommodating to families. Guests note that the staff are attentive to specific needs, such as dietary preferences, making it a hassle-free stay for those requiring gluten-free options. Entertainment at the hotel receives high marks, ensuring that children remain engaged and happy throughout their stay.

The proximity to a sandy beach adds to the hotel's appeal, offering a lovely spot for families to enjoy walks and outdoor fun. This combination of indoor and outdoor activities makes 'The Harbour Inn' a perfect choice for a relaxed family vacation or short holiday. Terms like family friendly are frequently mentioned, underscoring the hotel's commitment to providing a welcoming environment for guests traveling with children.

Families highly recommend the hotel, echoing sentiments of satisfaction and enjoyment. The pancake machine is notably a hit with the kids, adding a fun twist to meal times. Overall, 'The Harbour Inn' demonstrates a strong focus on family-centric amenities and experiences, making it a top choice for those looking to create lasting memories on their vacations.

3 Star
The Harbour Inn offers a pleasant stay with its well-deserved three-star rating. The friendliness and cleanliness of the staff are exceptional, contributing to an overall positive experience for guests. The breakfast is a highlight, although choices are somewhat limited. The dining experience is generally rated as three-star with food being nice but not outstanding. The rooms, while clean, are described as dated and sometimes fall short of expectations with small beds and intermittent shower temperatures being noted drawbacks. Despite these issues, the accommodation is deemed comfortable for a three-star hotel. However, the lack of pedestrian access to the nearby beach might be a minor inconvenience for some guests. Overall, The Harbour Inn is a suitable option for those seeking a clean and functional three-star stay.

Accessible
The Harbour Inn presents several positive aspects for guests with disabilities. The hotel features good ground floor access and an easily wheelchair-friendly entrance, which allows for smooth navigation to its premises. Level access throughout and specifically identified accessible rooms cater to guests needing these amenities, ensuring convenient accommodation. The hotel also offers a disabled room equipped for better accessibility, ensuring that those with mobility challenges have essential provisions. Additionally, its proximity to major attractions, coupled with great access to the hotel itself, further enhances the overall experience for guests with disabilities. However, some reviews indicate areas needing improvement, such as inadequate space to turn, very narrow corridors and no lift access, which might pose challenges to full accessibility. Notably, there are some issues with certain rooms, such as the absence of grip rails in disabled showers and the need to remove some footpaths for better maneuverability. Despite these occasional setbacks, The Harbour Inn provides a generally accessible setting with amenities tailored for guests with mobility impairments.


No, The Harbour Inn doesn't have any pool.

No, a spa isn't available at The Harbour Inn.

No, The Harbour Inn doesn't allow dogs.

Yes, parking facilities are available at The Harbour Inn.

No, The Harbour Inn doesn't have a gym.

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