Ivy Tower Hotel

This hotel offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere and exceptional staff hospitality, making it a memorable stay for many guests. Its spotless cleanliness, delicious food, and central location are consistently highlighted as top features, providing great value for money. The hotel is particularly well-suited for families seeking accommodating service and good food, sightseers and event attendees due to its convenient position, and business travelers who appreciate efficient service. To enhance your experience, be aware that some rooms may experience noise, so consider requesting a quieter location if you are sensitive to sound. Additionally, while breakfast is highly praised, it is not always included in the room rate, so confirm this detail upon booking.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel features a popular on-site bar that many guests describe as a true "Irish pub," offering a comfortable and often lively atmosphere with good beer and occasional music. This serves as a significant social hub for visitors. However, a recurring point of feedback is the lack of a lift, which can pose a challenge for guests with heavy luggage, mobility issues, or those staying on upper floors, as access is primarily via stairs. Despite this, the hotel maintains a generally pleasant environment, with some guests appreciating the presence of a beer garden for outdoor relaxation.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently praise the hotel's spotless cleanliness, noting that both rooms and common areas are very well-maintained and hygienic. While the rooms are described as comfortable and warm, feedback on their condition is mixed; many find them basic or dated, suggesting a need for renovation or updating. The beds are generally considered comfortable, though some guests found them either too hard or too bouncy, and occasionally noted duvets were too light. A significant concern for many is the noise from other rooms due to thin walls and slamming doors, as well as considerable street noise, particularly from the bar's smoking area, which can disturb sleep. Some rooms offer spacious bathrooms, while others mention small basins or the absence of a fridge or USB ports.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel receives overwhelmingly positive feedback for its dining options. Breakfast is consistently lauded as delicious, great, and excellent, with guests highlighting the generous portions and good variety, especially the traditional full Irish breakfast. While minor comments about coffee quality or temperature occasionally arise, the overall sentiment is highly favorable. The bar food also garners significant praise for its quality, deliciousness, and reasonable pricing, with many guests enjoying meals in the comfortable pub setting. Some reviews indicate that dinner service might be limited on certain days or that the kitchen closes early, so it is advisable to check availability.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location in Castlebar is a major advantage, making it highly convenient for guests to explore the town. It is within easy walking distance of local shops, pubs, restaurants, and the TF Royal entertainment venue. This prime position also makes it an ideal base for guests wishing to visit wider County Mayo attractions, including Westport and the scenic Atlantic Way. For those traveling by car, the hotel provides free parking for guests, typically with a special sticker, which is generally found to be convenient, although a few guests noted it could sometimes be tricky to navigate.

Staff & Service
The hotel's exceptional staff are consistently highlighted as a standout feature, receiving widespread praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and attentiveness. Guests frequently commend their willingness to go above and beyond to assist, whether by providing valuable local information, helping with parking, accommodating late arrivals, or handling emergencies with care. The quick check-in and check-out processes contribute to a smooth and efficient experience. Overall, the staff's dedication creates a highly welcoming atmosphere, with many guests feeling a strong sense of hospitality and a genuine team spirit among the employees.

Additional Information
The hotel is notably pet-friendly, accommodating guests traveling with their animals, which is a significant convenience for many. Despite its generally positive reviews, many guests express surprise that the hotel is rated only two stars, feeling its service and offerings far exceed this classification. The building itself is often described as an old-style building with Gothic decor and character, contributing to its unique charm. However, some guests note that certain areas appear dated and could benefit from renovation to modernize the aesthetic.