We visit Sligo often, as my husband is from there so we have relatives to visit. Generally, we stay with them but this time we decided to book a hotel and have a little Sligo mini-break. After some googling and clicking we decided taking all factors into consideration to book the Yeats Country Hotel in Rosses Point. The factors that won it were that we could have five of us in the same room, the price (let’s be honest), and the location.
We booked a 2 BB1D deal online on the hotel’s own website a few weeks before we went- it cost €390 for Friday and Saturday night for 2 adults and 3 children sharing one room. We stayed in July 2020 so covid measures were in place.
As I said we paid, so this is not an ad, nor a collaboration. I didn’t tell the hotel that I had a blog and I didn’t tag them or share content while I was there. I did do some instagram stories with a mini-review afterwards.
Accommodation
We booked a family room to sleep 5. Bedding configuration was 2 double beds and a double fold out couch, the couch would fit 2 small children or one big one. The room was spacious, there was still room for a cot. The decor of the room was modern and generally it was in good nick. The bathroom hadn’t however been renovated and looked tired. Everything was clean.
Food
Our included dinner was OK and while there were lots of options on the kids’ menu the catering to family ended there. There was no colouring available, something that most places have these days although I’m told that this is less available due to Covid, but this wasn’t suggested by staff when we asked.
The order the food was brought out in was adults first and the kids waited after us for both their starters and main courses. Families like to get the kids food first so parents can help the kids prep theirs, cut what needs to be cut etc before enjoying their own meal. The meal was included in our package. (It only cost €30 for 2 adults and 3 children to upgrade from B&B, although we paid extra for the eldest to have an adult meal).
Breakfast is different due to covid restrictions. The way this hotel deals with breakfast is that there are hot and cold buffets with staff (wearing masks or face shields) serving the buffet items.
Tea, coffee and toast are delivered to the table.
There are no menus and no signs as to what’s available, so people ask, thereby holding up the queue by asking the staff “what do you have?” I suggested on check out that they display the menus and both ladies working on reception agreed that it was a great idea, but it sounded like I was the first to think of it. Guests were not distancing in the queue and I asked a couple of people to please stand back a little.
Our Breakfast Checklist – or how our family rates a hotel breakfast
- Coco Pops: Yes- although we could see the Lidl box so we know that they’re not actually the real thing
- Pain au chocolat: No, only croissants
- Availability of soya milk (one of my kids doesn’t drink cows’ milk): Yes and no problem at all
- Pancakes : We asked and were told that a delivery was expected soon, which meant they weren’t freshly made in the hotel so we decided not to wait for them
Location
The location of the hotel is fantastic, it’s in Rosses Point, about 10 minutes from Sligo town. a bus goes from the door of the hotel to the town. The location is what would bring me back to this hotel in a heartbeat. The view from the carpark is magnificent and it’s a short stroll to Rosses Point beach. There are cafes and restaurants within walking distance.
Hotel Amenities
There’s plenty of parking, and the views are fabulous from the carpark!
There’s a kids’ club but when we stayed it was pre-book only and we didn’t pre-book as we were late arriving the first night and were eating dinner the second night so can’t comment.
There’s a leisure centre, the gym area was closed when we were there and the jacuzzi was empty. We pre-booked a 45 minute pool slot and the changing rooms were sanitised before we went in. The pool is clean but showing its age.
There’s also a spa but we didn’t avail of its services, maybe next time!
Service
The staff were all very pleasant. After a long drive across the country we got a call from the hotel as we approached Sligo and presumed someting was wrong but it was just Darragh from reception ringing to check if we wanted food when we arrived. Going the extra mile to do something like that gave us a great first impression.
Covid measures
We had to send in covid questionnaires before we arrived. There were sanitizer stations around the hotel and we saw s.taff cleaning doors and handrails at various times. All staff in the restaurant wore shields, but not all in the bar. The residents’ bar was open but all seats were available which meant no social distancing. Most guests were not social distancing in the queues for breakfast (I asked people to stand back a little as they were on top of me) and I felt that some tables were too close to the queues to allow distancing. Any table we were given at breakfast or dinner were were happy with, but if we’d been given one that I felt was too close I would have asked for a different one. So, on the whole, good effort but room for some improvement, but we felt we could keep ourselves safe which is the main thing.
What’s to do nearby
- Rosses Point beach is walking distance, catch the sunset there
- Sligo has loads to offer families – walks in the woods, visiting Eagles Flying, beaches, Strandhill People’s Market, the dunes in Strandhill
Would we go back?
Yes. While it’s not our favourite hotel ever the location is fantastic and the rooms are large so we will be back.
