Hotel Review
Location:

The Abbey Hotel is located in the charming small town of Donegal in north west Ireland on Donegal Bay. It overlooks the pedestrianised Diamond (main square) surrounded by attractive small shops, cafes and pubs. The hotel is also ideally positioned for guests arriving by public transport as Bus Eireann operate regular services to the Diamond from Dublin, Derry, Sligo and Galway.

Due to its central position the hotel does not have its own car park but guests are recommended to use the Quay Street car park five minutes walk from the hotel (30 cents an hour) and with no charge overnight we only had to pay €1 for our entire stay.
Arrival and check-in:

The hotel has an inviting, spacious entrance lobby with a reception desk to one side. We were warmly welcomed by a very pleasant member of staff who not only checked us into our room speedily but also surprised us with the news that we had been upgraded from a superior room to an executive suite.
The Room:

Leaving the lift, we couldn’t wait to unlock the door and stepping inside the room, what a treat there was in store for us. The suite was everything we could have wished for and more. Space had been utilised in the entrance hall to incorporate a large wardrobe, luggage rack, wine fridge, Nespresso coffee maker, kettle and hospitality tray.

Moving into the L shaped suite we found it to be tastefully furnished in calming shades of blue with coordinated soft furnishings and a chaise longue adding to the wow factor. A dressing table/ workstation with information tablet was positioned in one corner with a circular table and chairs by one of the windows which overlooked the picturesque Diamond.

The huge bed was so comfortable that if felt as if we were sleeping on clouds and with master power switches both at the bedside and by the door there was no need to go around turning off individual lights and lamps. A huge smart TV faced the bed and although we didn’t watch it much, it was perfectly positioned for us whilst leaning back on the cushions.

The stylish bathroom boasted both a large slipper bath and a separate rainfall shower cubicle. Contemporary pebble tiling and a deluxe vanity washbasin added to its appeal along with luxurious scented toiletries and thick pile Egyptian towels.

Dining:
The hotel offers a range of dining options from fine dining in its stylish restaurant to informal meals in the bar or food hall.

Market House Restaurant – with views from the windows overlooking the Diamond the stylish restaurant has a convivial atmosphere. Dishes are based on locally sourced produce with meat from local farms and fish fresh off the boats at nearby Killybegs. Irish prime fillet steak cooked on the stone is one of their signature dishes along with a daily specials board. Service is friendly and attentive with just the right balance of neither being rushed nor intrusive.

Breakfast is served buffet style in the Market House restaurant each morning with a wide selection of everything you could possibly wish to start the day with. Hot drinks and toast are then brought to the table with a friendly smile from the waiting staff.

Abbey Bar – informal bar meals are served in the split level bar which seemed popular both with hotel guests and locals alike. Live music takes place at weekends and occasionally mid-week for an enjoyable evening’s entertainment.

Food Hall – accessed from outdoors or through the Market House restaurant, it is open daily serving soups, salads, sandwiches and deli items.

Out and About:
Donegal Castle – explore the castle built by the O’Donnell chieftain in the 15th century overlooking the River Eske, with extensive additions two hundred years later. Donegal Castle

Donegal Railway Heritage Centre – Donegal had the largest narrow gauge railway in the British Isles and this museum is based in one of the few remaining original station houses. View rolling stock, interesting artefacts and model railways. Donegal Railway Heritage Centre

Shopping – having a wander around the shops is an absolute delight as they are filled with small independents from stores offering Irish tweed, knitwear and local artisan jewellery. Don’t miss Triona and Magee’s for tweed and the wonderful Four Master’s Bookshop all located close together overlooking the Diamond.

Five minutes walk from the Diamond on Tirconaill Street is the Hanna Hats factory and shop, established in 1924 and run by the third generation of the family. It’s now Ireland’s only remaining handcrafted hat producer and an ideal opportunity to take home one of their stylish tweed hats or caps to keep you warm as well as being a wonderful reminder of visiting Donegal. Hanna Hats

Donegal Bay – take a stroll along the scenic banks of the River Eske at the quayside. Pleasure boat trips operate throughout the summer taking passengers out into Donegal Bay in search of seals off Seal Island amid the backdrop of the Bluestack Mountains.

Further afield:
Slieve League cliffs (Sliabh Liag) – located on the south west coast of Donegal. These cliffs stand 691m above the Atlantic Ocean and are one of the highest and most dramatic sea cliffs in Europe. Either walk 1.7km or take the shuttle bus from the visitor centre to the Bunglas viewpoint for breath-taking views of the sea cliffs and across to Donegal Bay and Sligo. Slieve League

Killybegs – an attractive small town with a natural harbour and the largest fishing port in Ireland. As the town lies between Donegal Town and the Slieve League cliffs it makes a good stopping off point between the two.

Overall:

A superb hotel offering first class accommodation coupled with outstanding service from the dedicated team at The Abbey. With dining options ranging from informal meals in the cosy bar-lounge to a fine dining experience in the Market House restaurant, there’s something for everyone’s tastes and budgets.
Details: The Abbey Hotel, Diamond, Glebe, Donegal F94 AP8W
We were guests of Tourism Ireland and the Abbey Hotel and as always all views and opinions are entirely my own.
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Glenveagh National Park and Letterkenny, Donegal
The Slieve League Cliffs, Donegal
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real cool post ! Enjoyed reading it! Very informative too ★
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Thank you
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what a treat to see this hotel on your post! I went past it many times when I was in Donegal and kept thinking how much I would love to stay there. Great review!
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I hope you get to visit sometime Meg as The Abbey Hotel is beautiful. I just loved Donegal Town too and would love to return.
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Informative, Thanks for sharing
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Reblogged this on Indian Travel + Life.
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What a lovely looking place to stay, definitely an excellent sign when a place is popular with locals and visitors alike!
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The Abbey Hotel is absolutely gorgeous Helen and definitely somewhere I want to return to. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, it’s much appreciated.
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love it! Just brimming with charm!
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Thanks Andy, we really felt pampered staying there.
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A lovely trip Marion. Your photo of River Eske flowing into Donegal Bay is a worthy of framing and those cliffs are just so beautiful.
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Thank you for your kind words Sue. Donegal is a beautiful part of Ireland and we enjoyed touring the area. The Slieve League Cliffs are stunning.
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What an amazing hotel where you are visiting Donegal Marion and with fabulous food service.
Anita
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Thank you Anita for your interest in the Abbey Hotel. It was a luxurious stay with delicious food.
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Awesome hotel. Wish to visit.
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Thank you for taking an interest.
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It looks really comfortable.
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Thank you, it is a beautiful hotel.
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🙂🙂
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It looks very cosy and comfortable. Hope you had a wonderful time!
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We did indeed, thank you for your kind words and interest in this post.
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Looks fabulous Marion, what a treat to be upgraded. You look very glamourous with your champagne 🙂
We were hoping to visit Ireland during our time in the UK, much depends on my dad’s health though
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Thank you Alison. Hope your Dad’s health improves. You must be relieved to be able to be with him after such a long time. Ireland is beautiful and it would be great if you were able to fit in a trip whilst you are over here.
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Thanks Marion ..just have to wait and see I suppose
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Thanks for sharing
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It’s my pleasure.
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Oh wow it’s a 5 star hotel. So beautiful and neat
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The Abbey Hotel is Indeed gorgeous. Thanks for taking the time to comment, it’s much appreciated.
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How cold this place is 🥶
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If you have some time visit my blogs.
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Wow that hotel looks awesome, it would be hard to leave! Although that castle and the cliffs look incredible. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks Lyssy for your interest. The Abbey Hotel is beautiful and ticked all the right boxes for us. Donegal has some stunning scenery so if ever you plan on visiting the north west coast of Ireland, I would recommend staying there.
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Lovely scenery and impressive hotel.
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Thank you, the hotel was very comfortable and the surrounding area very scenic with much to see and do.
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Beautiful, quaint hotel! Looks to be a quiet little getaway, and the food services also look sublime. It’s true that the hotel experience can often make or break your impression of a city, so it looks like The Abbey Hotel really made your time in Donegal a good one!
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The hotel definitely played a big part in our stay but the charming town was lovely too. Thanks so much for commenting and hope your weekend has gone well.
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Looks like you had a fabulous time. Lovely hotel with its comfy bed and beautiful tub. And those cliffs wow! What a stunning sight.
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The Abbey Hotel is absolutely beautiful Alegria and the surrounding area idyllic. Hope you might get an opportunity to visit sometime.
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Gosh wouldn’t I love to visit Donegal. It’s is definitely on my list.
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Fingers crossed you get there sometime.
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I have been to Donegal town many times, and each time, as we drove past the Abbey Hotel and through the Dimond, I always wondered about what it looked like inside. And now, thanks to your lovely post about it, I finally know! Thanks for sharing. Wishing you a bright and beautiful Sunday! Aiva 🙂 xx
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You live in a beautiful part of the world Aiva. We fell in love with Donegal town and the charming Abbey Hotel and gave such fond memories of our visit. Hope you are all enjoying a relaxing family weekend together. Marion xx
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Looks like a great hotel in a great location, Marion. Obviously, we have to get back to Donegal. Thanks for this post. Allan
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I do hope you manage to get back to the west coast of Ireland as its unspoilt and scenic. Thanks so much for your interest. Marion
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Looks so decadent and wonderfully plush. What a thrill to get that upgrade. The whole area looks gorgeous too!
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We were so lucky to get an upgrade but we would have been happy with the standard rooms as they are lovely too. The Abbey Hotel is gorgeous and its setting in the heart of the charming town absolutely perfect. Thank you Miriam for taking an interest and for your much appreciated thoughts.
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Donegal definitely looks and sounds like a charming town. Your accommodations look splendid. The bathtub alone looks like it would be worth the stay!
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Donegal Town is small and charming and the hotel absolutely gorgeous. I just loved that huge slipper bath!
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It looks like a fancy Hotel
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It is indeed, but not too expensive!
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Another amazing accommodation, Marion. The bath is probably my favorite part with the Egyptian towels. Also, the food looks great as does Donegal in general. Hope you are having a nice weekend.
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That bath was blissful Leighton and I felt really pampered soaking in it. Donegal Town is a delightful small town and I’d love to return at some point as it’s so pretty. Thanks for taking the time to comment and hope you’re having a good weekend too.
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Oh Marion, I have no idea how you’ve managed to even leave this hotel to see the beautiful surroundings ☺️. What a gorgeous looking room (that bath)! And the gin bar … it would certainly invited me already early in the afternoon! I can certainly see why your rating of this hotel is so high – it’s definitely a stunning place to rest after a day of exploring castles and shops!
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I don’t know how we managed to drag ourselves away from the Abbey Hotel either it really was superb as was Donegal Town. Hopefully we’ll get back there at some point. Thanks for commenting. Marion
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It looks very cosy, especially the bath.
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That slipper bath was gorgeous. Thanks for taking an interest in the lovely Abbey Hotel Jamie.
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