Free
Children allowed

Facilities

Health or beauty spa nearby
Offsite parking discounted rates available
Clubhouse
Fitness facilities (surcharge)
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Swimming pool
Restaurant
Room service
Family rooms
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 1158 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
B
bernadettebP5836QH • Friends getaway • County Galway, Western Ireland
10
Lovely place to meet a friend.
Pros:

Lovely environment for meeting a friend. Lovely food, staff very helpful and friendly. We felt very relaxed and welcome.

2026-06-13 • via Tripadvisor
Q
Quinn • couple • ie
10
2026-06-11 • via Nuitee
K
Karen • extended_group • ie
9
2026-06-10 • via Nuitee
J
Janina • solo_traveller • de
8
2026-06-09 • via Nuitee
A
Amanda • extended_group • gb
10
Perfect for our stay.
Pros:

Clean, quiet, and very helpful and pleasant staff

2026-06-09 • via Nuitee
5
585jjm • Couples
8
Average
Pros:

We had a stay here recently. It was Okey, nothing out of the ordinary. Your average hotel.
We enjoyed it as a couples one night away without the kids. Biggest let down was the food. Starters chicken ceasar salad was nice. However Ordered steak sandwiches for mains and it was mixed strips of beef with onion and mushroom mush. Parts of the steaks were cold and you can tell it was pre made. Dessert was truly awful, it was a strawberry cheesecake and it didn't taste like strawberry cheesecake. It felt like it was one of those shop bought pre made cheesecakes that are low quality. Unfortunately ice-cream was poor quality too. Best part of this meal was the pepper sauce with chips.
In saying that, once the dessert came out, there was no waiter around to see how everything was so the problem couldn't be rectified. Anyway that was the evening meal.
Breakfast was actually lovely. Was all self catering. Produce in the hot buffet was warm and tasty. Truly enjoyed it.
The swimming pool was Okey. It was a bit messy with some old broken sinky toys lieing around. However it didn't affect us. What did matter to us that the water station was not working. Also changing room facilities in ladies were quite wet and showers were dirty with used stuff (razor) around. Most of them had empty containers for shampoo. When approached staff at reception desk at the gym and enquired about shampoo, was told they don't have any more. So unfortunately had to walk back to the rooms to wash. Not once did we see any staff measuring cholerine levels or cleanliness while we were there.
Anyhow, these things can be all improved on. Just needs time, resources, training and a good schedule and maintenance. On a good note there were 2 staff members that did stand out. One person was a waiter. Tall dark haired male. He had a little bit a laugh with us when delivered our ceasar salads and moretti beers. He seemed to be the only waiter delivering food. So he was nice. Also in the bar there was a lady with black mid length hair serving drinks. Her welcoming smile and politeness was nice.
So overall our stay was Okey. It allowed us to get away for the night as a couple and just chill.

2026-06-08 • via Tripadvisor
K
Kiera • family_with_children • ie
10
2026-06-08 • via Nuitee
S
sarahmhayes • Family • Limerick, County Limerick
10
One of our favorites
Pros:

A big group of us stayed for the June long weekend, we had a great time as always. Our kids love the pool and the food is always fabulous. We didn't use the cinema on this visit but it's always a massive hit. Comfortable rooms that are spacious and the staff are always so friendly. Can't wait to return. Would highly recommend

2026-06-06 • via Tripadvisor
R
Rebecca • solo_traveller • ie
9
2026-06-06 • via Nuitee
S
Sarah • solo_traveller • ie
9
Pros:

Loved it would stay again hopefully more offeres

Cons:

Didn’t like the toilet Im the bedroom there was shower and I prefer baths also it’s was a disabled bathroom so don’t like it also seem to be disabled beds in some of the rooms on the flower I was in with I never saw at cinames before

2026-06-03 • via Nuitee
H
Henry • couple • ie
4
2026-06-02 • via Nuitee
M
Marian • extended_group • ie
9
2026-06-01 • via Nuitee
A
ANN • couple • ie
9
2026-05-31 • via Nuitee
I
Iva • solo_traveller • hr
7
2026-05-31 • via Nuitee
P
Pamela • solo_traveller • ie
8
2026-05-27 • via Nuitee
E
Elaine • family_with_children • ie
10
Pros:

The hotel has a lovely welcoming entrance, pool and spa facilities were fabulous, we used pool area quite a lot & the staff on all ocassions were super friendly and helpful👌Our room was nice, we were expecting it to be nicer, a bit out dated. Had all we needed & lovely to have tge choice of bath or shower.
Breakfast was delicious on both mornings, floor staff & supervisor were very friendly & attentive👏
We attended a weddding & the professiolism from staff in the lobby & function room was exceptional, the food served was top standard, we had salmon & beef as mains, cooked to perfection 👏

Cons:

The bar, it was cold and felt big & empty , there"s a nice lobby just off it which is more inviting.The management (man in blue suit) in need of some customer training, spoke to a number of people quiet abruptley over our 2nd day here. The bar staff were very friendly & very good at their jobs👏 There is a lovely garden sun room, which was closed! 1st weekend of suneshine! no suitable outdoor area available to guests. The outdoor area off the lobby hadn't been cleaned yet after the winter. There was green residue on chairs, tables & everywhere & this was the option guests were giving by the once again rude spoken bar supervisor/management on at that time. Guests would have liked to enjoy pphotos & the sunshine in a clean flowered patio area at this 4 star hotel. Very disapointing really, knowing there are hundreds attending & weather fabulous. .

2026-05-26 • via Nuitee
B
Benjamin • solo_traveller • au
10
Great place to stay in Ballinasloe
Pros:

Great spot to stay in Ballinasloe!

The Shearwater has everything you need - parking, restaurant, gym, pool, friendly staff and Guinness!

I will be back!

Cons:

No fridge in our room.

2026-05-26 • via Nuitee
T
Tina • couple • ie
10
Highly recommend 100%
Pros:

Absolutely everything was brilliant

Cons:

I cant fault them in anything

2026-05-26 • via Nuitee
T
Tina • solo_traveller • ie
10
Pros:

Amazing hotel

Cons:

No complaints

2026-05-26 • via Nuitee
S
Stephen • family_with_children • ie
10
Great for a family break, excellent food and facilities.
Pros:

Maybe some pancake options for the room service breakfast options.

Cons:

Doors set to close at very fast speed, dangerous for our kids with hands on frames etc

2026-05-26 • via Nuitee