Reception not friendly, so unlike all the other places we stayed in Ireland. There was a wedding party (big for weddings) so restaurant and bar was taken over by them. The one restaurant left was over booked. Room average, bar staff very friendly (we had dinner there instead of waiting) Food was good. All in all the hotel was so so, it was maybe a 3 star but definitely not 5. I would stay in Galway city next time ... more going on.

I stayed in Glenlo Abbey with a group of friends, the package for 2 nights cost €269 for 2 nights B&B and one dinner in the Pullman Restaurant. I dont know where it gets its 5 star status as it is not that amazing. For that price i was expecting a four poster bed, instead my friend and myself got 2 single beds in an average sized bedroom. The location is miles out of Galway, there is nothing to do there if you are not into Golf or fishing, there are no facilities ie Swimming, Spa, Gym etc, thought you needed these to get 5 star status. The meal you get that is included is a set menu with the usual Chicken, Beef or Salmon Choice and not enough veg served with it either!! Then to top it all off i left my coat behind and when i rang up about it and asked them to post it to me, they wanted my credit card details to cover the €7.00 postage, not the kind of customer service i was expecting from a so called 5 star hotel and for young, single girls, it is a bit of a dull location!! i wouldnt rcommend it, spend your money on the Radisson in Galway City Centre which has a spa, bigger rooms, better location etc and is cheaper!!

Glenlo Abbey has an understated charm about it. Service is excellent with friendly staff who went out of their way to help. Our bedroom was large, with a nice marble bathroom. On the downside, the bar is a little lacking in atmosphere and cosiness (it could do with an open fire). The jewel in the hotel's crown is the Pullman restaurant (two beautiful carriages from the Orient Express), which is really atmospheric and perfect for a romatic meal with a twist - it really is unique. The main dining room has excellent views. Overall, we really enjoyed our weekend, and plan a return trip soon.

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