Front of property - evening/night

Reviews of Rathbaun Hotel

2 out of 5
Rathbaun Hotel
Main Street, Lisdoonvarna, Clare

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 116 out of 177 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 40 out of 177 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 15 out of 177 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 4 out of 177 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 177 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Bert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
charming slice of history!
This is an older building that is VERY well cared for. The staff was excellent, accommodating, and friendly. Offered advice on where to go, things to do/see. The breakfast was excellent. If you are looking for a place with an "old time" feel, book here! The only real downside was the parking. It's not close if you are carting bags, and the hotel is right on the street. So if there isn't a spot in front of the building, you could be dragging bags a little ways from your vehicle.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shane

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Thomas

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wonderful location. Pleasant and helpful staff. Extremely well kept and comfortable facility. They have excellent food and service. Planning to hopefully spend more time in the local area on future vacations. Tom B
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
This is an attractive little hotel, well kept-up and immaculately clean. The hotel restaurant’s food was delicious and there was plenty of it; be sure to sample the homemade raspberry jam. The staff was delightful, starting with the proprietor (Lynn), who offered a gracious welcome and good advice on local attractions. She obviously makes a point of hiring nice people, too, because her staff was uniformly charming and friendly. Loved my stay here!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Grace

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Incredibly inviting! You’re welcomed with open arms and made to feel right at home. It’s location makes for a great time as there are pubs and amazing food at a short walks distance. Absolutely loved this part of our road trip through Ireland!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patrick

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The owners, family and staff are wonderful! We were arriving late because we were driving up from Cork, but they waited for us to arrive and helped us with our luggage into the room as soon as we arrived. They were very understanding and were amazing hosts. Breakfast was delicious and we also ate dinner there one night, and it was amazing. Everyone there was so nice and talked to you and asked about our trip and what we had planned and helped point out some places we may want to go see. They were so helpful and the room was perfect for us. Not far from Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher in the town of Lisdoonvarna. Parking is free in a public lot just up the street. Would definitely stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Duncan, Akron

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
A gem of a hotel. The hotel was like being invited into an Irish home. The proprietors made you feel like you were welcome and appreciated. Family owned and the pride showed in all aspects from the cleanliness of the rooms and bath, to the dinner with its unbelievable tasty prawn salad with a dressing that was the best I tasted in my travels. It is 5 star. The breakfast was made as if you had been called down to the table. Hot and delicious. If you looking for a Holiday Inn, not your place, but if you are looking to travel back to an era when hospitality and friendliness were integral to a stay at a pub/hotel in Ireland, then this is the spot. The hotel was hands down the best of any of the stays we had in Ireland. Would come back again and recommend to all.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

6/10 Okay

Darren

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

George

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Constance

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Lynn, John, and Anna made us feel so welcome and cared for. We were late the first night due to Airline delays. They stayed up and greeted us like lost family members. The breakfast was delicious and fresh. And the little bar was a nice place to wrap up the night. I will stay there again when in the area.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Elizabeth

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff were friendly and very helpful. Helped me with first aid after I took a fall while hiking. Location is terrific- very convenient to Cliffs of Moher. Parking was very easy.
Stayed 1 night in May 2023
Response from Rathbaun Hotel on May 29, 2023
Dear Elizabeth,Thank you for your lovely review.We really appreciate it.We are happy that you had a wonderful stay and we hope that your injury is okay now.Thank you and Best Wishes,Lynn and John Connolly.

10/10 Excellent

Coleen

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Wonderful welcome and lots of information provided to us by Lynn. Super clean place. Great linens. In the center of Lisdoovarna. Great pub down the street with live music.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Response from Lynn on May 28, 2023
Dear Coleen,Thank you for your review. We really appreciate it.We are happy to hear that you had a lovely stay with us.Best wishes.Thank you,Lynn and John Connolly.

10/10 Excellent

Scott

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hotel is very beautiful property old and refreshed Little slow In the bar restaurant but was very busy with only one waitress but she was very friendly and exhausted
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

jeffrey

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great people and service!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ann

Stayed 1 night in May 2022

6/10 Okay

Christopher

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The place is wonderful! The only problem we had was the cats. My wife is deathly allergic to cats. It made our stay hard. She couldn’t breath if we were in our room. Other than that John and Lyn were wonderful
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Steven

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Will

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great hotel lovely hosts
Stayed just 1 night. We really enjoyed the place. The food, the bar & the breakfast were very good. I was permitted to park my motorcycle securely in lock up yard. All the staff were very friendly & helpful. There wasn’t much on in lisdoonvarna sadly due to the pandemic. But still enjoyed our visit
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Damien

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent family run hotel
John and Lynn and family were excellent hosts, providing top class service comfortable accommodation and beautiful home cooked food. Will definitely return. Well done to all at Rathbaun!!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021
Response from Lynn on Aug 19, 2021
Dear Damien, Thank you for staying at the Rathbaun Hotel and for taking the time to review our hotel. We are delighted that you enjoyed yourselves. We look forward to welcoming you in the future. Very best wishes, John, Lynn and Team

10/10 Excellent

Martin

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A small family run hotel with great service, nothing was too much trouble. Fair play to John, Lynn and Cal.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021
Response from Cal on Aug 24, 2021
Thank you for staying at the Rathbaun Hotel, it was our pleasure to have your staying with us. Thank you for the lovely review. Very best wishes, Cal, John and Lynn

10/10 Excellent

Joseph

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent time.
Enjoyed our stay and the food was excellent, as was the service. Would stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2021
Response from Lynn on Jul 20, 2021
Hello Joseph, thank you for staying with us. We are delighted that you and your family enjoyed your stay at the Rathbaun Hotel. Thank you too for taking the time to review our family business. Very best wishes, Lynn, John and family.

10/10 Excellent

William

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021
Response from Lynn on Jul 12, 2021
Hello William, Thank you for staying with us and thank you so much for the lovely review. It was a pleasure to meet you. Very best wishes, John, Lynn and family

10/10 Excellent

Alan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent experience from start to finish
We chose the Rathbaun Hotel as it stated it was dog-friendly. We didn’t regret it. The staff were so welcoming from the start and when they say they’re dog friendly they actually mean it, even giving us a little dog towel on check in. We had dinner in the hotel and it was lovely. Breakfast really good and again staff were excellent. Live music until 11pm and after that it was so quiet we had great nights sleep. Located right beside the famous matchmakers bar (which was closed due to Covid but a landmark in itself) and a 2 minute walk from Burren Smokehouse. We’ll definitely be back to the Rathbaun Hotel. Thanks so much.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Victoria

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
It was wonderful! The staff was warm, friendly and helpful. If I ever find myself in Ireland again I would love to return. Cozy room with great live music and food in the evenings.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

8/10 Good

Rebecca M

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great value for money/ fab live music
Very pleasant well located family run hotel. Lovely food great atmosphere fab music Great value for money 😊
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Enjoyed that the hotel is centrally located in Lisdoonvarna - walking distance to everything in town & a shirt road trip to the features of the Burren. The live music sessions in the evening were a delight.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019
Response from Lynn on Nov 11, 2019
Dear Guest, Thank you for staying at the Rathbaun Hotel and taking the time to write a review. It is much appreciated. We are delighted that you enjoyed the hotel, our Irish music and Lisdoonvarna. We hope you get a chance to visit the hotel in the future. Very best wishes, Lynn John and Team

10/10 Excellent

John, Cork.👍

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Quite simply the nicest hotel i have ever stayed in. The staff could not have been more friendly and attentive, It was more like a home than a hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Sebastian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great place, small town, live music
Small room but had everything we needed. Good sized shower unlike a lot of other places in Europe. This is a hotel, not a private apartment or airBNB bull that's all over, so you get the kind of accommodation and service you expect. Great bar with live music downstairs, didn't hear any of it in our room.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location in the middle of the town. The staff were super friendly.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Johnny

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
One of the Best Hotel in town
The location are good because I drove there, the room are very clean, the hotel service were excellent, at 11 pm, the lady manager help us to fix minor light bulb at toilet. The reception also help us to carry our big luggages to the room at first floor.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019

8/10 Good

Jimmie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff when they are working the hotel, but they get uptight on the bar end and assume everyone is out to steal even though I got double charged for the same drink (and they only partially refunded me for their enployee’s mistake). Other than that it was pleasant
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019

4/10 Poor

Bernadette, New York

Traveled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It is as rated 4 but it wasn’t. The hotel was dark, dank and smelled of mildew. The shower had mildew. There wasn’t an iron. They advertised live music but they fail to mention that our room was directly above and it sounded as if they were in with us. It was a lively bunch. The staff were lovely, helpful and friendly. I’m not angry, it is what it is, just not recommending it to anyone.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019
Response from Lynn on Jul 21, 2019
Dear Bernadette, sorry you did not enjoy your stay with us and that the music disturbed you and your young daughter. An iron is available on request. The room description I feel is not a true reflection. Best wishes, Lynn

10/10 Excellent

PatsyGC, Pawtucket

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wonderful helpful staff. Great food in the restaurant and a great resident Irish music group every night. They finish promptly at 1130 so no worry of hearing music all night. Close to Cliffs of Moher and Doolin.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Trevor

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019
Response from Lynn on Jul 21, 2019
Dear Trevor, Thank you for the high recommondation, for Rathbaun Hotel, it is very much appreciated. Very best wishes, Lynn and team

10/10 Excellent

Judy

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019
Response from Lynn on Jul 21, 2019
Thank you for your review of the hotel Judy, we are delighted that you enjoyed it. Very best wishes, Lynn

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Stayed 2 nights in May 2019
Response from Lynn on Jun 18, 2019
Thank you, hope you visit again

6/10 Okay

Sharon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Room comfort
Rathbaun Hotel
Lynn and John are very friendly. Great music in the evening. We enjoyed the food. Rooms are small and beds are rock hard and for this reason would not stay here again. Didn't sleep very much.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019
Response from Lynn on Jun 18, 2019
Thank you for the kind comments, delighted you enjoyed your evening. I' am sorry that the beds were too hard for you. Best wishes,lynn

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Stayed 3 nights in May 2019
Response from Lynn on Jun 18, 2019
Thank you, much appreciated.

8/10 Good

Barbara, Tacoma, WA USA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We loved everything about this place, location, staff, food with one exception. The beds were liking sleeping on slate tablets. I have never slept on a bed so hard, even my son, who is an outdoor guy and sleeps in the backs of his Jeep or on the ground more often than the rest of us, found this to be hard. With that exception, this place is the bees knees. Live Irish music every night. Full menu food service until 11:30, and just the nicest people running the whole thing. There is tea/coffee in the room, hairdryers / soap etc. And the location is perfect if you are visiting the Cliffs of Moher or any of the surrounding attractions. The staff are great on showing you all the amenities and things to do in the area, and they supply maps and tips and times....just amazing !!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018

8/10 Good

Paula

Very friendly and helpful staff, Food was tasty. Room decor and bathroom was a little dated but very clean. No onsite parking but parking is available close by.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Pam, Brooklyn, NY

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Staff was knowledgable, accommodating, understanding, efficient... just the right balance of being available, and letting us have our space. The building and decor are not modern or all that updated, but this adds to the charm, no joke. Our en suite room was cozy, organized, clean, highly functional... like staying at your Gran's, but just a bit fancier! Great location, delicious breakfast, sweet gift shop, relevant knowledge of the area, and incredibly flexible when we showed up earlier than planned. I highly recommend it, and will stay again when I make it back to Lisdoonvarna.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018
Response from Lynn on Aug 28, 2018
Dear Pam, Thank you for the review, it is much appreciated. I am glad you enjoyed the whole hotel experience. Very best wishes, John, Lynn and The Rathbaun Hotel Team

8/10 Good

Sandcat, Near London

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Lovely friendly hotel.
A bit dated decor, but the welcoming, friendly staff, breakfast and entertainment made up for this. The hotel seemed to be run by a family, the daughter of whom was a great asset to them. All the staff were very attentive. The breakfast staff continually checked is all was okay. The breakfast was plentiful. Best porridge I have ever had. The resident entertainment was very good. I could but fault this hotel and would stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018
Response from John on Aug 22, 2018
Thank you for the lovely reiew. We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay at the Rathbaun Hotel. I will share your comments Anna and our staff. Best Wishes, John Lynn and staff

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Best hotel in Ireland!
The live Irish music was amazing, staff charming, and the town and food were impeccable. This is a must for anyone visiting Ireland!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018
Response from John on Aug 22, 2018
Thank you so much for appreciating the hotel. Very best wishes John and Lynn

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Honeymoon in Lisfoonvarna
We loved the Rathbaun hotel, the staff, and the food. Everyone was very kind, the food was delicious, the music at night was fun, and the room was clean and comfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018
Response from John on Aug 22, 2018
Congratulations again on your engagement. Thank you for the lovely review. Very Best wishes for a wonderful life together. John, Lynn and Staff.

10/10 Excellent

Carol

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Superb hospitality. John and Lynn were welcoming and the staff couldn’t have been nicer. Great music in the evening and a grand breakfast made it a great stay. Highly recommended!.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2018
Response from John on Aug 22, 2018
Thank you Carol, we are delighted that you enjoyed your stay at the Rathbaun Hotel. Best wishes John, Lynn and Staff

8/10 Good

Kevin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2018
Response from Lynn on Aug 28, 2018
Thank you for staying with us and recommending the hotel. Very Best wishes, Lynn, John and team.

10/10 Excellent

John, Stuttgart Germany

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Live traditional Irish music 1930-2330....no breaks! Great!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2018
Response from John on Jul 22, 2018
Thank you for staying with us and for the review. I will pass on the message to the musicians. Best wishes, John and Lynn

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Room comfort
Walls are paper thin, room was musty, and the music downstairs sounded like it was in the room. Too expensive for what you get.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2018