We were just a bunch of college kids who formed a "Cosmopolitan Club" or culture club just so we could raise money for a trip to Europe. A bit of a sham, but the best thing I've ever done! We had the time of our lives! For the life of me, I don't know how we managed to afford to stay at Glenlo, but it was off season so maybe that was it.

We were supposed to stay at some hotel in Galway proper, but it was St. Patrick's Day and the hotel gave our room away before we got there. We raised the duce and told them they better find us a place where we wouldn't have to pay any more money and we wound up at Glenlo Abbey. I'm so happy we did! We felt like millionaires!

I think the story is that the guy built the abbey for his invalid wife and she died the day it was completed and never got to see the inside. Very tragical.

Fun stuff to do:
Have a luxurious dessert in the Oriental Express car
Wander around the grounds in the dark with a flashlight--spooky!
Go into the little basement pub thingy. Very cozy

I recently attended a conference held over 3 days at the Glenlo Abbey Hotel and I have only good things to say about the whole experience. All the required facilities for our conference were laid on - including wireless network connection in the comfortable conference room. However, the really memorable experience for me and my colleagues of the Glenlo Abbey is in the quality of the food, which was superb, and the warm and efficient service in all aspects (room, bar, restaurant) which was nothing short of excellent. The atmosphere of the "campus" is very peaceful and relaxing and with Galway centre just a 20 minute drive it is an ideal spot to stay.

I stayed in Glenlo with my girlfriend for a romantic weekend away in May of this year and found it to meet expectations in almost every way, indeed the Pullman restaurant exceeded them. This is a restaurant on board an old Orient Express Carriage and was very intimate.
With my job I have the privelege to stay in many 5* establishments and its nice to see one that lives up to its status, as so many others do not.
I highly reccomend it for anyone looking for a bit of class in Galway.

May 8 2006

If You ever go across the sea to Ireland, and plan to see Galway Bay, and are looking for a Wonderfull place to stay,Then try the Glenlo Abbey Hotel located in Bushypark Galway.
I and my wife have stayed at many Hotels, Motels, B&B etc. And have Never been Impressed or Moved enough to write a review or to praise our experiance there, But thats what this was "A Truly Wonderfull Experiance" One that will be remembered and talked about for years to come. The accommodations where far beyond our expectations, Deluxe but not gaudy, comfortable roomy and pleasant in every way, the delightfull nuance's such as fresh flowers and fruit on a irish lace topped table for two, the Bed Turn down service in the evening (done magically while your away from the room), the heated towels and white terry bathrobes to top off an evening or morning shower, all added to the sense of well being.
I cannot write this without the utmost praise for the Staff, Undoubtably the warmest friendliest and attentive that I have experianced anywhere (Not a bitter soul in the Bunch) Always asking if things were up to standard, always checking to see if any additional needs were neccessary, and always displaying a genuine concern for their guests, quite refreshing compared to some places I have stayed.
Even the dining was a unique experiance in that one of their restaurants consists of two dining cars from the orient express (I would estimate Circa 1930-1940) which provided an atmosphere of days gone by, we found the food and the service to be, in our opinion excelent. And to top off the day and perhaps have night cap, they have a comfortable, charming Pub on the premises.
All in all it was the most delightefull and pleasant stay we have experianced in our lifetime.
It was truly our "Camelot" for a short period of time.