Glenlo Abbey Hotel

Glenlo Abbey Hotel is an authentic taste of Irish countryside splendor. Formerly the ancestral residence of Galway’s illustrious Ffrench and Blake families, this 18th-century manor home has been lovingly restored and converted into an elegant 140-acre lakeside estate and hotel, outfitted with a nine-hole golf course and Pullman Restaurant rail carriage.

Property Details

Built in 1740 by the Ffrenches, Glenlo Abbey Hotel is a five-bay, two-story detached house with 46 bedrooms and suites. Your experience is reflective of the property’s old world charm in service, warmth, and luxury. The grand staircase leads up to the inviting and spacious rooms. All are extravagantly appointed with pillow top mattresses, 40-inch flat screen televisions, and Italian marble bathrooms.

Classic Bedrooms afford lovely views over the charming estate gardens and abbey building. The Corrib Deluxe rooms overlook the River Corrib and grounds. Discerning guests will appreciate the romantic Junior Suites, with their dreamy four-poster beds and separate living and dining areas. Consider the elegant Grand Suites, which epitomize 18^th-century luxury at its best.

Dining is a classic affair. Start with delectable breakfast buffets of homemade breads and jams in the River Room Restaurant, a magnificent period room complementing the history and tradition of the 260-year old hotel. Enjoy daily afternoon tea and silver service in the Ffrench Room. In the summers, partake in barbecues on the terrace amid the scent of the rose and herb gardens. Catch the televised sporting events downstairs at the Oak Cellar Bar while delighting in traditional Irish recipes and drinks.

The quintessential dining experience, however, is at the Pullman Restaurant. Two historic train carriages from the Orient Express—one of which was used in the film adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express—have been converted into a unique 66-seater restaurant. Its bygone atmosphere and inventive seasonal menus have made the Pullman Restaurant a coveted dining experience in Galway.

With 140 acres of surrounding countryside at their disposal, guests of Glenlo Abbey are rarely wanting for activity. Golfing is an absolute must here. The Glenlo Abbey Golf Course offers nine holes, designed by Jeff Howes and redesigned by Christy O Connor JNR for both the novice and aficionado. Guests can take advantage of a wide variety of activity, all within the hotel’s grounds. Try horseback riding, water sports, tennis, falconry, clay pigeon shooting, and some of the best fishing in Western Europe.

Beyond the estate, many of Ireland’s most visited sites are within easy access for those seeking a deeper West Ireland experience. Your Ker & Downey guide can easily whisk you away to Connemara National Park, Kylemore Abbey, the Salthill Promenade and Beaches, the Cliffs of Moher, and Galway City. Click here for a glimpse of Glenlo Abbey Hotel’s romantic enchantment.