Hey,
Just arrived at The Mariner, one of Rick’s recommendations in Westport. Yes, he’s right - there is a clinical feeling to the lobby. The room is okay, BUT it’s right on the street, even though I requested a room at the back months ago when I booked it. They are saving all of those rooms for an incoming tour group, the receptionist said. Also, I booked a king room, but the bed is more like a full-size…a queen at the very most. She said “that’s just the way our kings are,” but they should probably not call them kings (and charge for a king) if they’re smaller than that. She was not willing to change the room, even to a twin room at the back, because of the tour bus group. I can see what their priorities are! I’d never stay here again.
I’d just say that maybe an addendum to this listing in the RS Ireland guide might be that rooms overlooking the street can be noisy, and “king” rooms are really beds that are more like a full-size/queen. I feel a bit ripped off by this hotel.
On a more positive note, we visited Cong this morning, and it was great!