Glasson, Athlone, Ireland | 353 (0) 90 6485120
Central countryside location between Dublin and Galway
Golf course with stunning views over Lough Ree
Spacious, cozy rooms with nice lake or golf course views
Well-regarded restaurant and bar
Free Irish or continental breakfast
Elegant events spaces with large windows and lake views
Cruises on Lough Ree from private jetty
Wellness center with massage services, sauna, and steam room
Free Wi-Fi and parking
Entry-level rooms with tube TVs could use some sprucing up
Can get noisy on weekends when events are taking place
The 65-room Glasson Country House Hotel & Golf Club is an upscale countryside hotel located in the middle of Ireland, outside of Athlone town. It makes a good base for exploring the Irish countryside or as a place to stop when driving cross country from Dublin to Galways. Rooms are spacious and attractive, and some have fireplaces in sitting areas. Views are of the beautiful lake or golf course, and some rooms have balconies. The hotel's restaurant gets good reviews, and the bar offers panoramic views of the lake from floor-to-ceiling windows. The property is well-equipped for hosting events, and weddings and corporate gatherings often keep it filled. For something a bit more intimate near Athlone, the Wineport Lodge Hotel is a fine choice, but it's more expensive.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Homey family hotel with a quiet setting, can get lively during events
This hotel has been in the Reid Family for two generations, though it started it's life as a
family farm with cattle and sheep enjoying the beautiful
Loug Ree views. Tom and Breda Reid decided it should be people enjoying the scenery, so they turned the farm into a golf course in 1993. In 2000, a 29-room
hotel opened, followed by 36 more rooms in 2006. In 2010, a bar and banquet
suite were added, with floor-to-ceiling windows that make the most of the
stunning panoramic lake views. Tom and Breda are still involved, and have been
joined in the business by their daughter Fidelma and son-in-law Gareth. There's a warm and homey vibe throughout the hotel, with a fireplace and cushy seating areas in the lobby, and a family member is always on hand. It
can get quite lively on the weekends, when many events take place, but the
setting itself is quiet and peaceful. The hotel draws a mix of families and couples
looking for a base to explore the Irish countryside, and it’s also popular for
weddings, corporate events, and -- of course -- golfing.
Location
Countryside setting on the shores of Lough Ree, midway between Dublin and Galway
The hotel is located on the shores of Lough Ree in the center of Ireland, 90 minutes west of Dublin and a little over an hour east of Galway. The hotel is accessed via a country road that winds its way through farmland from Athlone, 20 minutes away. Once you turn off the main road you travel down a sweeping avenue where you have magnificent panoramic views out over the lake and golf course. Being just 10 minutes off the main East/West M4/M6 motorway, the location is convenient for exploring the Irish countryside. It's about an hour and a half from the Dublin Airport and directly en route to the West Coast, and the Wild Atlantic Way. The lake feeds the River Shannon, and the hotel's own private jetty makes it well-positioned for exploring the inland waterways of Ireland. Several attractions are within a short drive of the hotel, including Athlone Castle and museum and Sean's Bar, listed in Guinness World Records as the oldest bar in Europe and an ideal spot to have a pint of Guinness and to listen to some live music. The village of Glasson, just five minutes away by car, offers quaint pubs and restaurants. Kilbeggan Distillery, among the world's oldest distilleries, is about a 30-minute drive from the hotel.
Rooms
Spacious, cozy rooms with views of the lake or golf course
Rooms are spacious and well appointed, with features such as air-conditioning, tea- and coffee-making facilities, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Entry-level rooms still have tube TVs, but Deluxe Rooms and suites have been upgraded to flat-screen TVs. Decor is traditional and cozy, as would be expected in a country estate, with warm earth-tone color schemes, rich wood furniture, and soft carpeting. Entry-level rooms could use a little sprucing up, especially in the bathrooms, which are showing their age. Bathrooms in Deluxe Rooms and suites feature modern sinks with granite countertops, separate glass showers and tubs, under-floor heating, heated mirrors, and towel warmers. Clothes lines are a convenient feature in all bathrooms. Suites add more space and have a cozy living area with a fireplace and nice patterned wallpaper. Family Rooms are extra spacious, with two bathrooms and a large lounge area that can be sectioned off to make a separate room. Some rooms have balconies, and views are of the lake or golf course.
Features
On-site restaurant and bar, fitness suite, golf course, and elegant events space
Killinure Restaurant serves regional fare for lunch and dinner with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. Scones baked on-site are especially popular. Decor is cozy, although a bit dated, and views of the lake are limited, but the food gets good reviews. The aptly named Lakeview Bar is more stylish and up-to-date, and it features a central wood-burning fireplace and beautiful views of the lake through large floor-to-ceiling windows. The menu offers bar fare and drinks. A private dining area called the Temple Island Room can accommodate groups of up to 24 people. The hotel's fitness suite also has views of the lake and offers cardio machines and two massage chairs, and there's also a sauna and steam room. Massages and salon services can be booked in the single treatment room. For even more chances to relax and take in the views, small seating areas are placed around the hotel for guests to pause to relax and enjoy the view. The hotel's golf course, designed by Christy O'Connor Jr., has hosted several televised golf tournaments. It's playable for all levels and offers stunning panoramic views over Lough Ree. With elegant ballrooms featuring even more beautiful lake views, the hotel also is popular for weddings, and it's well-suited for corporate gatherings and team-building events. Private cruises around Lough Ree and into Athlone town can be arranged for up to 60 people from the hotel's jetty.
