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Summary of reviewsAlcock & Brown Hotel, situated in the heart of Clifden, enjoys a prime location that provides guests easy access to shops, restaurants, pubs and local attractions. This central positioning enhances the guest experience by allowing exploration of the charming town and the natural beauty of Connemara without the need for transportation.
The hotel receives consistent commendations for its cleanliness, both in rooms and common areas. Recent renovations have modernized the rooms, which are also noted for their spaciousness and well-maintained amenities. Comfortable beds, comprehensive bath facilities and entertainment options such as Netflix further contribute to guest satisfaction.
Breakfast at the hotel is highly praised for its variety and quality, featuring a plentiful cold buffet with local products and delicious items like scones. Guests particularly appreciate the sumptuous and well-stocked offerings. However, the absence of hot breakfast options is a noted drawback. Despite this, the friendly service at breakfast adds to the positive dining experience.
The dinner experience is less favorable due to the lack of an operating restaurant and food service beyond certain hours. Many guests found this to be an inconvenience, but appreciated the staff's recommendations for nearby dining options.
Staff members are frequently highlighted for their exceptional service, friendliness and helpfulness. Notable figures like Patrick and James are often mentioned for their excellent service. The staff's positive demeanor and efficiency significantly enhance the overall guest experience.
The WiFi service performs reliably in the lobby but poses connectivity issues in some rooms, which can be an inconvenience for those requiring stable internet access.
Overall, while Alcock & Brown Hotel is a three-star property showing signs of age in certain areas, it offers a clean, comfortable and welcoming environment. With ongoing renovations, it holds promise for addressing current dated features, making it a solid value for travelers seeking a cozy and central base in Clifden. Show more
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Categories
Hotel near Golf Courses
Family Friendly Hotel
Business Hotel
3-Star Hotel
Room Types
Superior Double or Twin RoomProviding free toiletries, this twin/double room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. The twin/double room provides a tea and coffee maker, a seating area, a dining area, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, as well as city views. The unit offers 2 beds.
Superior King RoomOffering free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The double room offers a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor, heating, as well as a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
8.1
Very Good
Location
Nestled in the heart of Clifden, Alcock & Brown Hotel boasts an unparalleled location ideal for exploring this charming town and the wider Connemara area. Guests consistently praise its perfect central position with everything from shops and restaurants to pubs and the main street right on the doorstep. This prime spot makes it incredibly convenient for visitors to explore on foot, reducing the need for transportation and enhancing the overall experience.
The hotel is noted for its proximity to notable attractions and essentials, like a nearby supermarket, adding to the convenience. The centrality allows guests to immerse themselves in the vibrant local scene with easy access to Clifden's top sights and the natural beauty of Connemara.
The cozy and clean environment, alongside friendly staff and good breakfast options, further enhances the stay experience. Comfortable rooms, some with views over the town square, offer a perfect retreat after a day of exploration. Overall, the Alcock & Brown Hotel stands out for its exceptional location, making it an ideal choice for those looking to fully experience Clifden and its surroundings.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at the Alcock & Brown Hotel predominantly garners praise for its variety and quality, particularly regarding its continental options. Many guests highlighted the plentiful and well-stocked buffet that includes an assortment of cold dishes, local products and delicious items like scones. The generous and extensive offerings ensure that most guests find something to their liking with terms like sumptuous and superb frequently appearing in reviews.
While the continental breakfast is often described with positive mentions such as excellent, delicious and very nice, some reviews pointed out areas for improvement. A recurring theme among reviews is the desire for hot breakfast options, such as fried eggs or a full Irish breakfast, which were notably absent and left some guests disappointed. Despite this, the cold buffet still receives commendation for its taste, variety and fresh selection.
Overall, guests appreciated the hotel's breakfast for its quality and range with special mentions of the friendly service enhancing their morning meal experience. However, the lack of hot food options, notably mentioned by several guests, stands as a minor drawback in an otherwise positive overview.
Dinner
Travelers seeking culinary delights might be disappointed to learn that the Alcock & Brown Hotel does not currently feature an operating restaurant with many reviewers lamenting the lack of available dinner options at the hotel itself. Guests highlighted the absence of not only a dining room but also any hot food service, including breakfast and evening meals. Those looking for a late-night snack will also find the options limited, as there is no food service in the bar or restaurant past certain hours.
Despite the dining limitations within the hotel, some guests were pleased to find excellent food and facilities when venturing outside. The hotel staff seemed helpful in recommending local pubs and other dining spots in town, which may compensate for the hotel's lack of dining services. Guests did express a desire for the return of a warm, cooked breakfast and dinner and mentioned the hope for more options in the future.
While the breakfast that was available received high praise for its quality and style, pointing to a potential strength in their culinary offerings, the general sentiment suggests the need for significant improvement in the dining experience. The enforced closures due to COVID restrictions have undoubtedly impacted the hotel's usual services.
In terms of cleanliness, reviews suggest there is room for improvement in managing kitchen cleanliness and timely clearing of dirty plates. The overall lack of an active restaurant and varying food service appears to be a point of frustration for many guests, detracting from what might otherwise be a more enjoyable stay.
Rooms
The rooms at Alcock & Brown Hotel receive high praise for their cleanliness and comfort. Many guests highlight how clean and tidy the rooms are with the housekeeping maintaining impeccable standards. The spaciousness of the rooms is another frequent commendation, providing ample space for guests to relax. Additionally, the rooms have been recently renovated or upgraded, offering modern layouts and pleasant décor. Amenities such as comfortable beds, well-equipped bathrooms and even entertainment options like Netflix further enhance the stay. Despite some minor issues like views overlooking rooftops or some elements appearing a bit worn, the overall sentiment is very positive, emphasizing comfort and quality renovations. The central location also adds to the convenience, allowing easy access to nearby attractions and dining options.
Beds
Guests overwhelmingly praise the comfort of the beds at Alcock & Brown Hotel, often describing them as very comfortable or even super comfy. The mattresses receive high marks for comfort, contributing to a good night's sleep. Cleanliness is frequently highlighted with beds and pillows often noted as spotless and well-maintained. Many guests appreciate the quality of the bedding, mentioning that it meets high standards. King-size beds and spacious rooms add to the overall positive experience. Although a few guests mentioned issues like sagging mattresses or beds that were not as comfortable, the general consensus is that the beds offer great comfort and contribute significantly to guests' satisfaction.
Cleanliness
The Alcock & Brown Hotel consistently receives praise for its cleanliness from guests. Visitors frequently highlight the very clean rooms, beds and bathrooms, as well as spotless common areas and facilities. The hotel’s commitment to impeccable hygiene is evident in the condition of the restaurant, reception area and public spaces. Several guests also noted recently upgraded rooms that are modern, spacious and comfortable. Though the exterior of the hotel might appear a bit neglected, the cleanliness and maintenance inside are exemplary. Overall, the Alcock & Brown Hotel stands out for providing a clean, tidy and welcoming environment for its guests.
Staff
At Alcock & Brown Hotel, guests consistently praise the exceptional staff. The overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive with many reviews highlighting the friendliness and helpfulness of the team. Reception staff are particularly noted for their warm welcomes and accommodating nature with several guests pointing out the excellent service offered by specific team members like Patrick and James, who is often mentioned for his welcoming demeanor and excellent service at the bar.
The efficiency and attentiveness of the staff enhance the overall guest experience. Whether interacting with teenagers or providing detailed local information, the staff earn high marks for their cheerful and cooperative attitude. The quality of breakfast also receives high praise, further indicating a commitment to guest satisfaction.
While the majority lauded the staff for being available and courteous, a few mentioned instances of staff being rarely seen or unavailable. Despite these occasional lapses, the overall impression is that the staff at Alcock & Brown Hotel are a cornerstone of the welcoming and hospitable environment. Guest feedback shows that the staff frequently go above and beyond, creating a warm, efficient and inviting atmosphere that significantly contributes to the enjoyment of their stay.
Wi-Fi
The WiFi service at the Alcock & Brown Hotel presents mixed performance based on guest reviews. While the WiFi generally functions well in the lobby area, there are recurring issues with connectivity in the bedrooms. Guests have reported weak signals and instances where the WiFi did not work at all in certain rooms. Despite some glitches, the hotel seems to have areas where the WiFi is reliable, mostly in common spaces rather than private rooms.
3 Star
Alcock & Brown Hotel, though only a three-star establishment, offers comfortable and clean accommodations at good value for money. Guests noted that the hotel is an older property with decor and bathrooms that feel dated, giving the place an overall tired look. The hallways and stairways in particular seem untouched since its inception, indicating a need for refurbishment.
However, despite its dated appearance, the hotel is well-maintained and kept clean, which contributes positively to the overall experience. Some renovations were observed to be in progress, which may address the outdated features in the future. For now, it stands as a comfortable, albeit slightly worn, option for travelers.
No, Alcock & Brown Hotel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Alcock & Brown Hotel.
No, Alcock & Brown Hotel doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Alcock & Brown Hotel.