Average accomodations, no charm
by TripAdvisor Member PhotoTravels
This hotel is more oriented to the business traveler, although its location makes it useful for the tourist also. It is a busy, commercial, purpose-built hotel that has no charm.
Although we stayed here outside of the tourism season, the hotel lobby was busy when we arrived, about 19.15. The car park was jammed, possibly for a dinner event, as many of the cars were gone by later in the evening.
We were cheerfully greeted at reception and assigned room #108 per our booking. We asked for a pub recommendation, and the employee spent time showing us several alternatives on the map.
When we reached the room, it had a heavy odor of smoke. Our booking had called for non-smoking, so we asked about another room, and reception readily gave us #113. The second room did not have the smokey odor, and had the additional advantage of facing the rear (grassy) court, rather than the front car park, so it was more quiet.
We noted that some rooms had a non-smoking plaque on the door; neither #108 nor #113 had that indication. Both rooms had two beds, and were small enough that it was difficult to find space to open two suitcases on the floor. The furniture was a little worn, but the bedspreads and linens seemed newer.
Half of the ceiling of room #113's bathroom was covered with numerous black mildew spots, as was much of the caulking around the tub. Other than that, the facilities were acceptably clean, but certainly not deluxe.
The included breakfast buffet was unremarkable. It included cereal, fruit, juices, rolls, and a limited selection of hot dishes, which were typically dry and somewhat tasteless, but filling enough.
The hotel is located on the west side of busy highway N18 south of the town centre. A guide book had indicated that the hotel was a "5-minute" walk from the centre, and that had influenced our choice. Actually, it is a 15 to 20-minute walk, so we drove to our dinner at Cruise's Pub (which was enjoyable, as live "traditional" music started as we finished our dessert about 21.30). The location is ideal for Shannon Airport -- it took us only about 20 minutes to drive there.
In summary, the Best Western was slightly worn, acceptably clean, and busy. Okay for business travel, but lacking in charm for tourists.
Worst Hotel I ever stayed in
by TripAdvisor Member IrelandPrincess57
Stayed there for a weekend and it was the worst ever.
Dirty plates at breakfast, rough clients, rude staff. Seen two people been thrown out of a pub in town and going back to be served in the bar here for the night !!
Do NOT go there !!!
A Scare at Bedtime in the West County
by TripAdvisor Member BMX1
I stayed in the West County Hotel from May 18th to 20th, on a girl’s weekend, and when it was time to leave I could not get away quick enough.
We were in the residence bar late on Friday night when a fight broke out between two members of a wedding party. It was very scary and violent with one man having a glass smashed in his face and blood everywhere. The police were called but I feel the staff did not control or handle the situation well and we spent the rest of our stay in the hotel feeling unsafe.
I could continue in dept detailing my issues with this hotel, but basically the hotel bar seems to attract a fairly rough crowd and it’s wrong when a paying hotel guest feels too intimidated to use the hotel facilities they have paid for. The hotel staff seem indifferent to what is going on around them, and if it were me working there, I would be embarrassed. The dishes at breakfast were dirty both Saturday and Sunday and you had to go through 5 or 6 to find a clean one. Apart from the rough crowd in the hotel bar, the bar is in desperate need of a makeover, it’s shabby and jaded looking.
On the plus side the bedrooms are clean and comfortable, and I did eat in the hotel restaurant, the Pine Room (part of the weekend package deal) and the food was ok, and our Saturday in Ennis was a great night. The breakfast was also ok, once you found a clean plate.
There may not be much the hotel can do about some of the guests they accommodate but they could try and keep some control in the hotel and increase their staff’s level of professionalism.
Better than meets the eye
by TripAdvisor Member xtnjohnson
This was another last-minute booking for us - my boyfriend, a friend, and me, traveling through western Ireland. We initially found the property a little disappointing; the promotional photos were taken at night, which certainly made the property more attractive than it proved to be by the light of day. It appeared to be standard Best Western ca. 1983 - dark woods, dreadful patterned carpets, slightly tatty-looking.
But the room was very comfortable, the staff helpful and accommodating, and the adjoining health club is a gem: in fact, it's a bit out of place, much more modern than the hotel it's attached to. The pool is suitable for lap swimming, the jacuzzi is well-maintained, and the exercise area, while small, covers all the basic needs with up-to-date equipment. The slight problem is the locker room, whose awkward layout results in a sopping-wet floor. Also, the showers that don't get fully hot and, worse, have spring loaded taps that you must repress about every 90 seconds. The club also charges 1 euro per towel to hotel guests - the hotel asks guests not to use their own towels! We used the hotel towels anyway.
The location is a bit too far south of downtown Ennis along a busy road to be walkable, but parking in Ennis wasn't a problem and the hotel lot is free.
a few days away
by TripAdvisor Member tomtaz
A travellor from Northern ireland
Date; 1:08:2007
Celebrating our anniversary with a few days away.
We were very satisfied with the hotel staff.
Reception quick and efficient.
The rooms were fine if a little warm.
We enjoyed the Leisure facilities ie swimming pool. No children allowed after 7pm. So adults get peace.
We had an early bird meal which was very good value for money and tasted great. The coffee shop is handy but a little expensive.
We walked into the town centre which we didnt feel was too far. we are both not that fit. We had a meal in the loft which was very good. We would definitely return, This 3 star hotel was much better than the 4 star we stayed at on the way home. So well done West County.
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