Free
Children allowed

Facilities

Health or beauty spa nearby
Offsite parking discounted rates available
Clubhouse
Fitness facilities (surcharge)
Non-smoking rooms
Swimming pool
Restaurant
Room service
Family rooms
Lift / Elevator
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Good facilities
Cons:
Maintenance issues
Minor inconveniences

Categories

Cleanliness
8.1
Rooms were clean but some facilities showed signs of neglect.
Service
9.1
Staff were friendly and accommodating, enhancing the overall experience.
Location
8.6
Conveniently located with easy access to amenities.
Room Quality
8.6
Rooms were lovely and comfortable, though minor issues were noted.
Amenities
8.6
Good facilities, including the spa and pool.
Value for Money
8.3
Fair pricing for the quality of stay, despite some drawbacks.
Food and Beverage
8.1
Food quality was good, but some meals were not outstanding.
Overall Experience
8.6
Overall a pleasant stay with potential for improvement.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-06 11:42

Property Description

Luxurious Accommodation
The Shearwater Hotel, conveniently located between Athlone and Galway, offers elegant rooms with modern amenities including free Wi-Fi and LCD TVs. Unwind in comfort and style during your stay.

Exceptional Dining and Leisure Facilities
Indulge in fine dining at Marengo's restaurant, relax at the modern bar, or pamper yourself at The SPA. Stay active at the Shearfitness leisure centre which features a swimming pool for your enjoyment.

Versatile Event Spaces and Exciting Activities
Host successful meetings or special events at the state-of-the-art conference center with 9 meeting rooms. Explore a variety of activities nearby such as golfing, clay pigeon shooting, and horse riding for a memorable experience.

Book your stay at the Shearwater Hotel now for a blend of luxury and excitement!

Important information:

When booking more than 9 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 12:00 PM
Airport code: GWY

Property Policies

  • Parking

    Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 10 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    Children 11 years old stay for € 10 per person per night when using an existing bed.
    Children from 12 years old to 15 years old stay for € 20 per person per night when using an existing bed.
    You haven't added any extra beds.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.5
Based on 1099 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.1
Service: 9.1
Location: 8.6
Room Quality: 8.6
Amenities: 8.6
Value for Money: 8.3
Food and Beverage: 8.1
Overall Experience: 8.6
T
Tina couple ie
10
Shearwater was heaven
Pros:

The whole experience was 100% Definitely the best hotel we have ever been to. We had 12 staying and they went out of their way to make our stay as pleasant as possible. We had young children with us which can be a nightmare but the hotel had a fantastic childrens room with plenty to do. They also had a room beside the restaurant for children as well with toys for rhem to usec
Rooms were really big and spacious and the family rooms were ideal for families as it had 2 rooms. You walk down a small corridor and the room has 2 beds for kiddies and a lovey tippe for kids to play in.
Food was amazing and prices were good. Huge choice as well.
We asked the girl at reception could she surprise my granddaughter with a gift and it was not a problem. Many thanks to her for that. I dont know her name but shes the blonde woman with an English accent.
Id definitely recommend this hotel. Especially if you have small children.

Cons:

There wasnt anything that we didnt like.

2026-04-18 via Nuitee
M
Matthew couple gb
9
2026-04-16 via Nuitee
S
Sienna couple ie
10
2026-04-14 via Nuitee
A
Aoife couple ie
9
2026-04-11 via Nuitee
S
Stephen couple ie
8
2026-04-11 via Nuitee
P
Paul couple ie
10
We had a family occasion, meal, music, finger food etc.. hotel couldn’t do enough for us. Staff were amazing. Will do fu
Pros:

Totally Amazing

2026-04-10 via Nuitee
H
Hedderman family_with_children ie
10
Pros:

Swimming pool

2026-04-07 via Nuitee
G
Gemma couple ie
2
Not a great overall experience
Pros:

Bed was comfortable swimming pool was great

Cons:

Staff very rude they made us feel very unwelcome

2026-04-06 via Nuitee
B
Breda couple ie
10
A little break away.
Pros:

The staff were friendly and helpful. The beds were very comfortable.

Cons:

I was nervous driving in the car park because entry and leaving lanes were very close to one another.

2026-04-06 via Nuitee
K
kareana family_with_children ie
5
Rough as hell!! Should of stayed home and celebrated :(
Pros:

Breakfast was really good, staff could been a bit more friendly lady on the desk looked so angry early in the morning, older man was a charm and was the only staff member seen smiling had great communication with people staying

Cons:

-more staff supervision at event ( non residents letting their children acting rough and physically hurting other children) staff did ask them to stop hitting other children but after 4th time they should have been asked to leave instead of residents of the hotel having to leave. More interested in sitting drinking then correcting their children.
- pool bottom repaired!!!! My child got bad cut from the tiles at the bottom of the pool, was sent up a plaster from a lady on reception, apology or even ask what pool it was staff just couldn't be bothered, just the same reaction again when I said we left the event early as a certain group of kids non residents kept hitting my child and other kids; handed the plaster and asked is that enough plasters.
-We were promised by email my daughter little surprise in room, no welcome surprised as promised on email. Mentioned this at reception girl said well we have easter egg here have one these. Which is dissapointing for a ch
Have to say I travel with my daughter regularly and love family hotels but this was one of the roughest hotels I have ever stayed in couldn't relax at all, my daughter to say didnt have a great time after getting pushed,hair pulled, no surprise and more worrying a pool a deep cut I wish i stayed home with her.
Staff are young and so inexperienced, the only staff member was the staff dressed as the Easter bunny which also got a few kicks and pushes from the same group of kids terrorising other kids, patience of a saint so well done!!
My mouth was just open leaving this hotel i couldn't belive it as for the kids zone it was like a bomb zone when we went it old food lying about everything turned upside down and not one other child in the place.
No kids club in the evening even though it says it does. We have stayed in 2 star hotels and I think this would be the only neg review I have ever written but we work hard enough to bring the little ones away and this place is not the place. Save your money

2026-04-06 via Nuitee
S
Sarah family_with_children ie
10
Family friendly
Pros:

Everything about the hotel was lovely

Cons:

Not much else in the area

2026-04-06 via Nuitee
F
Fleming couple ie
7
Pros:

Large hotel. Clean. Good food.

Cons:

Nothing.

2026-04-04 via Nuitee
M
Mairead solo_traveller ie
8
2026-04-03 via Nuitee
T
Trevor family_with_children ie
10
Great value hotel. Highly recommended.
Pros:

Great location, walking distance to town.
Fantastic facilities, pool, gym, dinner, breakfast and bar were all top class.

Cons:

Not much to fault really.

2026-04-02 via Nuitee
A
Anne solo_traveller ie
4
Pros:

My husband and daughter were very impressed with the gym.

Cons:

The seating in the bar and breakfast room were very uncomfortable. At both meals we were squashed into what seemed like makeshift seating areas. The staff weren't particularly friendly or welcoming in the food areas

2026-04-02 via Nuitee
C
Clodagh Byrne family_with_children ie
10
2026-03-31 via Nuitee
A
Ann couple ie
9
2026-03-31 via Nuitee
V
Victoria solo_traveller ie
10
A wonderful service
Pros:

I had a wonderful time at the hotel. I really liked the service and the beautiful room. Everything was clean and lovely. The staff were very kind and always ready to help.

Thank you for the wonderful work.

2026-03-31 via Nuitee
S
Siobhán couple ie
8
2026-03-28 via Nuitee
S
Siobhan solo_traveller ie
10
2026-03-25 via Nuitee