This is part of a letter I wrote to the manager of the hotel and she called me to "apologise" - how can a "sorry" compensate for a weekend in Faulty Towers???

When we arrived on Saturday afternoon, we could not park the car as there was another car blocking the valet area so we parked half on the road, half on the pavement, blocking the traffic. I ran into reception, was not greeted with a smile or a 'hello'- more a look of annoyance and told to "Leave the car there and someone will park it for you."


We got to our rooms and decided to go for a bite to eat in the bar and a glass of wine, but even this did not go smoothly. We asked a male member of staff where the bar was and he unbelievably told us to ask at reception! Instead of going back to reception, we opted to find the bar ourselves which we duly did. The bar had two other people in it. Yet, we waited an unbelievable fifteen minutes for three glasses of wine - we asked the girl twice if she had forgotten us and each time she said "I'll be right with you." At this stage we were justly annoyed, so had our wine and sandwiches and returned to our rooms.

We also ate at the restaurant which was average (I would liken the pasta dish to a Dolmio stir-in) apart from the fact that the waiter nudged my chair with his elbow and when I turned around he said "Will you move that?" nodding to a pitcher of water. I would have no problem doing this apart from the way in which my chair was nudged and I was asked so rudely. Also, only four people in our party ordered desert yet we were all charged for desert. Yet another nail in the coffin. We then found out that half of our party were given free champagne vouchers upon arrival and half did not - for what reason, I do not know.

That night we went out for dirnks and came back at 2.15am. We had to wait fifteen minutes for someone to answer the door - it was lashing rain outside and the notice sellotaped to the door informed us to knock. This was completely ridiculous as nobody was even in the foyer area, hence nobody heard us knock. The male who finally answered the door was dressed in the hotel uniform but said to us "Don't say that I let you in or I'll be killed."

The next day, we hit the shops and when we returned at 5.20pm our room was being cleaned!!!!We could not believe our eyes. The lady cleaning the room asked us to wait in the hallway until she had finished. I became so annoyed at this ridiculousness that I went into the room and sat as she finished cleaning the bathroom. 5.20pm cleaning the room? Absolutely ludicrous.

Piece of advise - DONT STAY HERE

My two friends and I stayed in this hotel in May 2007. It had apparently just recently changed hands. We had read reviews about the hotel under its previous name (which I can't remember now) and decided to give it a go. We arrived late in Galway so we were guided a little by the area it was in, which was great and the look of the building. Also the fact that we had a rental car and we could get valet parking. (we were very tired :) We had requested non smoking rooms and as soon as I walked into my room I could smell the smoke and there were ashtrays also in the room. I had requested a twin share even though I was on my own as I prefer the larger room that comes with the twin beds. I had a double bed, small room and filled with the stale smell of cigarettes. My friends room was not as bad as far as the cigarette smell was concerned. I honestly would not normally worry about a little smoke smell however this was extremely strong and, my friend, who is a smoker, agreed. I went to reception to request a non-smoking room and they told me that they were unable to provide me with any other room that would not be the same, as it was hard to stop people in Ireland smoking. I questioned the ash trays in the room and she just shrugged her shoulders. Anyway we stayed the night and I felt like I needed to wash myself and my whole suitcase afterwards but I suppose, that was my only bad experience with hotels on my trip so I guess I was lucky. I would not stay there again however.

Our children gave us a weekend away at the Hotel Meyrick and we must say it was excellent.

The service was second to none and despite the problem about the drinking water we were well assured by two bottles of water in our bedrooms. The rooms were huge (three large windows) to give an idea of its size not counting the one in the bathroom and towelling robes were suplied for after shower lounging.

Breakfast was huge and the tea was so nice I had to ask the brand and blend (bewly's)

The only reason we give it 4stars is they were doing up the lobby a bit but other than that it was a memorable visit and we would highly recommend it.
Mary & Michael Walsh
Waterford

I had booked a week-end away as a treat for my husband's birthday. Since it was a special occasion I decided to fork out and go to a 4 star hotel.
However this place is anything but. For €480 for a week-end for 2 and one meal I expected a fabulous place.
On arrival we were carted to a room at the back of the hotel with dirty carpets the whole way through. The bedroom was even more of a disappointment. The room was tiny, the bed cover was stained and the overall feel of the room was that it had not been updated since the 70s!
I complained straightaway and the concierge basically told me that they knew some rooms were not up to the 4 * standard they are purporting to be but that they were in a process of renovating. Not that it helped me any!!
Renovations were another thing, the hotel bar was closed and the lobby was being renovated with plywood strewn on the ground and potentially hazardous!
One positive, the food was nice enough, and the location is still unbeatable, but I truly believe they are misleading guests and that the whole experience is a fraud. I have never been as disappointed in a hotel in my entire life!