Great National Hotel Ballina
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Great National Hotel Ballina

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Avg. €137 /night, 3/28 - 3/29
€161
per night
€129
per night
€96
per night

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About

#5 of 9 hotels in Ballina
4.1 of 5 bubbles
Location
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Rooms
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Value
4.3 of 5 bubbles
Cleanliness
4.2 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.2 of 5 bubbles
Sleep Quality
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Great National Hotel Ballina offers a welcoming retreat for travelers seeking comfort, convenience, and warm hospitality. With stylish, well-appointed rooms featuring flat-screen TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi, guests can relax and stay connected throughout their visit. The hotel boasts a 24-hour front desk, room service, a refreshing pool, a fully equipped leisure center, and the Éidin Spa, where guests can indulge in rejuvenating treatments for ultimate relaxation. Start the day with a hearty breakfast and enjoy free parking for added convenience. Renowned for hosting weddings, conferences, and special events, Great National Hotel Ballina provides elegant venues and tailored services to ensure a seamless experience. Ideally located near Ballina’s key landmarks, including The Humbert Memorial and St. Muredach’s Cathedral, the hotel offers easy access to local attractions and dining. Whether visiting for leisure, business, or a special occasion, Great National Hotel Ballina promises a m
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room
Pool
Bar / lounge
Kids pool
Highchairs available
Taxi service
Wifi
Fitness / spa changing rooms
Fitness classes
Personal trainer
Sauna
Pool / beach towels
Swimming pool toys
Indoor pool
Heated pool
Coffee shop
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast in the room
Kids' meals
Outdoor dining area
Vending machine
Business Centre with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Spa
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Foot massage
Full body massage
Hand massage
Head massage
Makeup services
Manicure
Massage
Neck massage
Pedicure
Salon
Steam room
Waxing services
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Newspaper
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Picnic area
First aid kit
24-hour check-in
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
Room features
Blackout curtains
Desk
Housekeeping
Interconnected rooms available
Room service
Coffee / tea maker
Cable / satellite TV
Walk-in shower
Safe
Telephone
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Clothes rack
Iron
Private bathrooms
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Electric kettle
Flatscreen TV
Bath / shower
Hair dryer
Room types
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
4.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Modern
Family
Languages Spoken
English
4.1
4.1 of 5 bubbles
(692)
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Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
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The Great National Hotel Ballina offers a serene location favored for its tranquility and convenience for sightseeing, along with ample parking facilities. However, guests have called out the property's dated atmosphere and the need for modern updates. While the cleanliness of the hotel receives praise, the amenities such as the leisure facilities and cold pool have guests suggesting improvements. Experiences with room comfort and service quality vary widely, with some appreciating the spotless spaces and friendly staff, but others pointing out issues with comfort, privacy, and responsiveness.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Outdated
Rooms
Dated
Value
Mixed
Cleanliness
Spotless
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Underwhelming

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Detailed Reviews
Mary D wrote a review Dec 2024
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I always have a great experience the staff from the cleaners to the restaurant are extremely helpful and friendly. The food in Mc Shane's is very tasty and reasonably priced and hotel itself is strategically placed on the outskirts of Ballina town and on the main road so various places are easy to reach. My favourite getaway..
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Date of stay: December 2024
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
4.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: 9am is best time for breakfast and Mc Shane's restaurant can get very busy from 7pm so go early...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Stephen Clarke, General Manager at Great National Hotel Ballina
Responded 1 Jan 2025
Thank you for your glowing review, Mary! We're thrilled to hear that the Great National Hotel Ballina is your favourite getaway. It’s particularly gratifying to know that our dedicated staff across all departments, from housekeeping to the restaurant, consistently contribute to making your stays memorable with their helpfulness and friendliness. We're also delighted that you enjoyed the meal offerings at Mc Shane's. Our team takes great pride in providing delicious, well-priced meals that enhance the overall guest experience. Additionally, we're glad that our strategic location on the outskirts of Ballina town, positioned conveniently on the main road, allows for easy access to various local attractions and destinations, making your stays both relaxing and convenient. Your continued patronage is deeply appreciated, and we eagerly anticipate your next visit. Thank you once again for choosing the Great National Hotel Ballina as your preferred retreat. We aim to continue exceeding your expectations and making each visit even more enjoyable than the last!
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Donegal A wrote a review Jul 2024
Donegal Ireland
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We booked an overnight stay in this hotel based on a relative's recommendation. It was just as expected, a good-sized room with a comfortable bed and a clean bathroom. The buffet breakfast was good. There was a nice selection of cereals, croissants, juices, toast, etc, and also a selection of cooked food. We had our evening meal in the restaurant and enjoyed it, service was efficient and friendly. Overall the overnight stay booked off the hotel website represented great value when some hotels are charging outrageous prices.
The reception and foyer area is beautiful and creates a marvellous impression.
If visiting Ballina again we would certainly book in again. Thank you.
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Stephen Clarke, General Manager at Great National Hotel Ballina
Responded 4 Jul 2024
Dear Travelbug, Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience at the Great National Hotel Ballina. We're delighted to hear that your stay met your expectations and that you found great value in our offerings. It's fantastic to know that you enjoyed your good-sized room, comfortable bed, and clean bathroom. We're pleased that you appreciated our buffet breakfast with its wide selection, and that your evening meal in our restaurant was enjoyable with efficient and friendly service. We're also glad that our reception and foyer area made a positive impression on you. Your kind words about our hotel's value, especially in comparison to other hotels, mean a lot to us. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Great National Hotel Ballina on your next visit. Thank you once again for your lovely feedback.
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A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
Kathleen Sligo wrote a review Jun 2024
Sligo, Ireland
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Had the most relaxing 2 nights chill out at the Great National Hotel and totally enjoyed our time there and would highly recommend to all my family and friends. Check in was completed fast and efficiently and friendly and our rooms were spacious, comfortable beds, loads of towels and toiletries and spotlessly clean.The added perk of tea/ coffee and scones on arrival for the older guests is another welcoming gesture. Delicious food, beautifully presented was had both evenings and the service was excellent by all the staff, but the accolade has to go to the charming young man Alex who not only was welcoming and efficient to all the diners, he also had a smile and a friendly word for all, he is a real asset to the business and couldn't praise him enough
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Date of stay: June 2024
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Stephen Clarke, General Manager at Great National Hotel Ballina
Responded 22 Jun 2024
Dear Kilclar, Thank you so much for your wonderful review of your recent stay at the Great National Hotel. We are thrilled to hear that you had a relaxing and enjoyable experience with us and that you would highly recommend our hotel to your family and friends. It’s fantastic to know that you found our check-in process fast, efficient, and friendly, and that your room met your expectations with its spaciousness, comfort, and cleanliness. We’re glad you appreciated the welcoming gesture of tea, coffee and scones on arrival. We are especially pleased to hear your compliments about the delicious food and excellent service you received both evenings. Alex will be delighted to hear your kind words. He truly is an asset to our team, and we are proud of his dedication to making our guests feel welcome. Thank you once again for your kind words. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Great National Hotel for another relaxing stay in the future.
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Debbie R wrote a review Jul 2024
2.0 of 5 bubbles
On the positive side, dinners at the Great National Hotel Ballina were really good! The menu choices were fairly limited, but that is not a bad thing because what they have they serve well, plus there are chef's choices which I tried and were really nice! Evening meals are a real plus here! The location is good, just a short distance outside Ballina just off the main road with plenty of parking. Hotel staff were really friendly and helpful.

However, our overall stay at the Great National hotel was not a good experience because of a number of issues and problems.

We were offered a 'walk in shower' room before we arrived, which we declined, but when we checked in they still gave us the 'walk in shower'. We were only staying for two nights and were tired so we decided to go with it rather than ask to be moved and move our luggage. The room was an adjoining room, i.e. with a connecting door to the next room; this would seriously affect our last night in the hotel because of noise.

The 'walk in shower' is in reality a wet room with a movable seat to sit under the shower; it is a room designed for wheelchair access. When you have a shower, the bathroom gets flooded as there is nothing to stop spray around the room. There are no towel rails which means you have to put towels wherever you can on hand/seat rails.

The TV in the room is really small (much smaller than one would expect for a hotel of this standard) and has a very limited choice of channels.

Breakfasts were disappointing because although there was a nice selection, most of the hot food was luke warm. It was a buffet service and food had simply been left too long with insufficient heat to keep it warm. The toaster was disappointing too, I put some bread through 3 times and still had just warm bread; the toaster was set far too low.

One thing we noted were the disabled (blue badge) parking spaces, they were just standard spaces painted up with the sign. Blue badge parking spaces need to to be much nearer to the hotel entrance and wider spaces for door access.

The worst aspect for us was noise on our last night, which left us extremely tired in the morning and was to have consequences later in the day. We had gone to bed, only to be woken up at midnight by the guests in our adjoining room having a noisy party! To make things worse, someone mistakenly tried to get into our room! We phoned reception to advise them of the situation, and the party appeared to disperse around 1am. However, at 4am a Smartphone alarm went off next door, which they slept through but we didn't.
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Date of stay: June 2024
2.0 of 5 bubblesValue
1.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
4.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
3.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
3.0 of 5 bubblesService
1.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Avoid the 'Walk in shower' room.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Stephen Clarke, General Manager at Great National Hotel Ballina
Responded 13 Jul 2024
Dear Deborah, Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback with us. We're glad to hear you enjoyed the evening meals and found our staff friendly and helpful. We appreciate your positive comments about the location and the quality of our dinners. We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the allocation of the 'walk-in shower' room and the adjoining room. We strive to meet all guest preferences, and we regret any discomfort this may have caused. The 'walk-in shower' is indeed designed for wheelchair access, and we understand it may not have been the ideal choice for you. Regarding the noise issue, once we were informed, we immediately took steps to alleviate the disturbance and reminded guests to respect their fellow visitors. We understand how disruptive this can be and are sorry for the impact it had on your stay. As for the car parking spaces, our blue badge parking spaces are located as close to the entrance as possible without obstructing access points. We do recognize the importance of accessibility and continually review our facilities to improve where we can. We also apologize for the issues with the breakfast service and the toaster. Our team works to ensure all food is fresh and at the correct temperature, and we will address these concerns to prevent recurrence. Your feedback is invaluable to us as we strive to provide a comfortable and enjoyable stay for all our guests. We hope you will consider giving us another opportunity to better serve you in the future.
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MONA MELIA wrote a review Jan 2025
3.0 of 5 bubbles
We were very disappointed with the chairs in the room. They were nothing like what were in the pictures on the website. They were hard stackable chairs that you would see in a hall for a meeting. They were very uncomfortable. The bar was very cold on the Wednesday night. We asked to move from near the door where it was very cold.

On the plus side, the food was very good and reasonably priced. The staff were all kind and helpful.

One other thing I would say that as a 4 star hotel, I would have expected more bathrooms with shower cubicles. The only rooms with a shower were accessible rooms which have connecting doors to the next room. We have bad experiences of these types of rooms where there is no privacy as you can hear everything in the other room through the connecting door.
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Date of stay: December 2024
4.0 of 5 bubblesValue
3.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
4.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
4.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
4.0 of 5 bubblesService
4.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Stephen Clarke, General Manager at Great National Hotel Ballina
Responded 11 Jan 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience at our hotel during your New Year break, Freqen. We appreciate your feedback as it helps us to improve our services and facilities. We are truly sorry to hear about your dissatisfaction with the chairs in your room and the cold temperature in the bar. We strive to ensure that all our guest rooms are comfortable and match the expectations set by our online descriptions and photos. It seems we fell short in this instance, and we will review our furniture offerings to ensure they meet our guests' comfort standards. Additionally, we acknowledge the issue with the temperature near the bar area and will look into better ways to manage this, especially during colder months. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the food and found it to be reasonably priced. It’s also heartening to know that our staff members were kind and helpful throughout your stay. Regarding your comment about the bathrooms, we understand the importance of having more options with shower cubicles. Your feedback is valuable and we will consider it seriously as part of our ongoing improvements, particularly as we look to better accommodate the preferences and needs of all our guests. Thank you again for your review. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back and provide a more comfortable and enjoyable experience.
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James reviews wrote a review Jul 2024
Limerick, Ireland
2.0 of 5 bubbles
We stayed here for 3 miserable nights.
This trip away was meant to be relaxing and romatic and it was far from it.
The hotel seems like a nice upstating hotel as it 4 stars but we were fooled.
We greeted by refugees and a check in girls who was nice an pleasent.
The room is baige and offers the bare minimum comforts the bathroom is small croggy. Tv is small and out dated which suits the room. Walls are thin could hear foot steps from outside woke me up a few times.
When we came back down after sorting our clothes out and freshend up we went down for drinks and food. We pre booked and waited good 40 mins to be seated after all the refugees were in and out pushing through . We finally get a table cramped in the corner. We were not treated like guest at all. Waiting another 20mins for a drink and then starts nothing was orgainsed. Not managed well at all. The food was ok nothing to write home about.
We tried to get few drinks but the bar is very small and we took our drinks upstairs as we felt safer. The next day we came down for breakfast simple lay out. Had as twice for the coffee. But it filled us up and we explored Mayo. We came back around 1pm for a swim and to get ready for the evening. No electricity or water in the place. Couldn't believe it. We sat down waiting for a staff member to explain what was happening no body cared all i could find was refugees in their droves.
They had no water or facilities till around 9pm.
Next day we got a swim in pool are is unhygienic and very run down. Images on google or here is filtered.
At this stage couldnt wait to check out.
After the 3 nights we checked out and I gave back this feedback to deaf ears funny enough no manager around 😄, they took my name number for a phone call back never happened so I retured the favour myself and rang them asking for compensation which they agreed nothing happend left.
I wouldn't recommend this hotel to anyone It was waste if money. Not grand about it.
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Stephen Clarke, General Manager at Great National Hotel Ballina
Responded 4 Jul 2024
Dear James, Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback about your recent stay with us. We sincerely apologize for the issues you experienced during your stay and for any inconvenience caused. You stayed with us in November 2023 over a weekend when a social group tour, consisting of a retirement group, was also present. We apologize if their presence made you feel uncomfortable, but they were simply occupying the public areas including the restaurant and bar like any other guests. Regarding the power outage, I would like to explain that there was a major fault at an ESB substation in Sligo, around midnight the Saturday night resulting in power outages across homes and businesses in the surrounding region. Areas across North Mayo were among the worst affected. The majority of businesses in these areas had to close on Sunday due to the lack of power. Impacted customers had their power restored in throughout Sunday, with supply restored to the vast majority of customers by 8pm. During this time, our hotel ran on backup generators to maintain as much service as possible. Our team did their best to accommodate everyone to the best of their abilities despite the challenging circumstances. Our staff should have communicated more effectively about the situation, and we will address this to improve our response in the future. Our pool facilities are cleaned throughout the day, including the main bank and the changing facilities. We take hygiene very seriously and strive to maintain a clean and safe environment for all our guests. Regarding your dining experience, we apologize for the delays and any discomfort you experienced. We aim to provide prompt and efficient service to all our guests and regret that we did not meet your expectations. We also apologize for any inconvenience caused by the layout and condition of your room. We are continuously working on updating our facilities and appreciate your feedback. We understand that the experience did not meet your expectations. We value your feedback and will use it to improve our services. Thank you again for your feedback.
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callfrank wrote a review Aug 2024
Esslingen am Neckar, Germany
+1
3.0 of 5 bubbles
The Great National Hotel Ballina is a functional hotel that offers good value for money. The location is just outside the city, which gives it a quieter atmosphere, but it does mean you'll need a bit more time to get into the city.

The rooms are decent and give a clean impression, although the carpet was stained in several places, which detracts from the overall appearance. The room has what you often find in hotels in the UK and Ireland: an ironing board and iron, but no fridge. There is, however, a kettle with tea and coffee.

The bathroom is of an acceptable size, but I wasn't thrilled with the shower setup - it's in the bathtub with a shower curtain, which I personally don't like. Also, the water pressure in the shower could be better.

The food at the hotel is simple but adequate. The service staff was very attentive and friendly.

Overall, the hotel's infrastructure and decor are a bit outdated. However, the hotel serves its purpose well for a short stay, especially if you're looking for a good balance between price and quality.
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Date of stay: August 2024
4.0 of 5 bubblesValue
3.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
3.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
4.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
4.0 of 5 bubblesService
3.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Stephen Clarke, General Manager at Great National Hotel Ballina
Responded 28 Aug 2024
Dear Frank, Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback about your stay at the Great National Hotel Ballina. We are pleased to hear that you found our location quiet and our services to offer good value for money. We appreciate your comments regarding the room's cleanliness and amenities like the ironing board and tea/coffee provisions. We are continually working on updating our facilities and will certainly take your observations into account. Your feedback about the bathroom setup and water pressure is also noted, and we are looking into ways to improve these aspects to enhance our guest's experience. We're glad that our staff's attentiveness and friendliness stood out during your visit, and that you found the food to be satisfactory. Thank you again for your review. We hope to welcome you back in the future, ideally with some updates that will make your next stay even more comfortable and enjoyable
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Anita C wrote a review Aug 2024
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Paid for large family room. Not clean at all... carpet all stains, smell of sewerage from water - couldn't even brush our teeth, beds all stained. EXTRA small TV That only 2 channels worked. V old fashioned room. Like a room from the 80s. Long walk to room 230 with 2 kids and heavily pregnant and prams and no offer of any help. Breakfast not good. Had to ask staff both mornings for bowls, bread, orange juice, Milk, buffet was mostly empty and had to keep asking staff to top up eventho alot of staff standing around talking but not doing their Job. Hot food couldn't be ate. Lying there all morning. No fresh tea or coffee - tea in flasks - luke warm and too strong. No porridge for children. Swimming pool very basic. Ordered room service to room because children asleep. Was charged €6 for room delivery and then staff member asked me to come down to the bar to pay by card that she couldnt take card payment at door (so that defeated the purpose of room delivery when I was told to go down to pay) kids club - brought 2 kids and staff member too busy looking at phone to get up to even welcome us. Kids didn't want to stay.. wouldn't blame them. Didn't eat any other food in hotel cos other guests advised us not too...
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Date of stay: August 2024
1.0 of 5 bubblesValue
1.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
1.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
1.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
1.0 of 5 bubblesService
1.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Don't stay here
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Stephen Clarke, General Manager at Great National Hotel Ballina
Responded 28 Aug 2024
Dear Anitac, Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. We are truly sorry to hear about the multitude of issues you encountered during your stay with us. This is certainly not the standard of service and quality we strive to provide, and we sincerely apologize for the disappointment and inconvenience you experienced. We take your comments seriously and will address these issues immediately with our housekeeping, dining, and front desk teams to ensure they are not repeated. Our goal is always to provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all our guests, and it's clear we missed that mark during your visit. Regarding the charges and the inconvenience with room service payment, we will reevaluate our procedures to make sure they are clear and more accommodating. Please understand that a room service charge is standard practice in many hotels, and it covers the additional service provided. Without a card on file, our staff require payment to be made at the time of service, which is why you were asked to come down to the bar to complete the transaction. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us improve. We hope you will consider staying with us again in the future so we can demonstrate the high standards of hospitality we are known to provide. Again, we apologize for your less than satisfactory experience and thank you for bringing these issues to our attention.
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Breege M wrote a review Nov 2024
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Unfortunately my experience was mediocre, dinner on Sunday evening,had to wait 45minutes for the food, which was
Bland, I will not recommend your hotel. On arrival I had to request hot water to have a shower, at breakfast I had to request a pot of tea,otherwise I would not have got any beverage
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Stephen Clarke, General Manager at Great National Hotel Ballina
Responded 7 Nov 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience with us, Pioneer. We appreciate your comments about the comfort of the bedroom, and we're glad to hear you found our staff welcoming and professional. However, we apologize for any inconvenience caused by the wait time for your dinner and the mix-up with your order. This resulted in a delay as a new dish was prepared. Our management team addressed this with you during your stay and compensated you accordingly the following morning. At the time you were satisfied with the outcome of this resolution. We take all feedback seriously as it helps us improve our service, and we hope to welcome you back for a more seamless experience in the future.
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Sarann wrote a review Aug 2024
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Food is good, Distant staff with the exception of a couple of young floor staff in the bar. We enjoyed our break at this Hotel, however the place is lacking in atmosphere. We booked 2 meals for the restaurant for two of our nights and although the food was good the set menu is pathetic for choice for a 4 star Hotel and the Restaurant is a public bar . We were constantly seated in the bar side as opposed to the Restaurant side we had to endure the drunks both nights (Just loud and language) The room was a great size for 3 adults, cleaned every day, towels and tea tray addressed every day. Complimentary water in room which was replenished daily. Breakfast was good. All the essentials for choice.
We were able to enter and leave via the back door, which is held open with a stone? not sure if this is allowed, but was handy to and from the car. On our last day whilst packing our car, we had to step over a very intoxicated member of staff, who was out having a smoke at the side door. He was very drunk as stated - I was hoping it was his day off. We never seen or heard of a General Manager on the 3 days we were there.
Hotel is clean, toilets immaculate. Not sure we would stay again due to atmosphere or lack of , and the Restaurant setup.
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Date of stay: August 2024
4.0 of 5 bubblesValue
4.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
4.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
3.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Pay for meals as you get them. We noticed far better choice and better value then pre paid set...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Stephen Clarke, General Manager at Great National Hotel Ballina
Responded 12 Aug 2024
Dear Sarann, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We’re pleased to hear that you enjoyed certain aspects of your stay, including the spacious rooms, cleanliness, and breakfast offerings. However, we’re sorry to learn that your experience in our restaurant and bar areas did not fully meet your expectations. We strive to accommodate all guest preferences, and that you were seated in the bar area rather than the main restaurant on both occasions. We understand that this affected your dining experience, particularly given the atmosphere in the bar during those times. We’re excited to inform you that we have plans to revamp our bar and bistro towards the end of the year, which we hope will enhance the atmosphere and dining experience for our guests. Regarding the individual you encountered outside we find it hard to believe it was a staff member however we are currently investigating the matter to identlfy whom it was. Our management team is always on-site to ensure a positive experience for our guests at all times in areas of the hotel. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we will use it to make the necessary improvements. We hope you will consider staying with us again in the future to experience the positive changes we are implementing. Thank you once again for your comments.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
4 contributions
Hi Shauna, Yes we have fridges available on request.
Answer from Joe 23
Dublin, Ireland246 contributions162 helpful votes
Yes. All there.
Michelle S wrote a tip 17 Mar
12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Keep doing what you are doing."
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Trevor W wrote a tip Feb 2025
2 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
"Beware of food quality!"
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connor024r wrote a tip Jan 2025
County Dublin, Ireland9 contributions14 helpful votes
2.0 of 5 bubbles
"Fine for attending weddings nearby, but I wouldn’t stay here if your plan is just to stay at the hotel."
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Denatus wrote a tip Jan 2025
London, United Kingdom35 contributions39 helpful votes
3.0 of 5 bubbles
"Insist on coffee from the coffee maker. Don't book breakfast - lots of better options in town."
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Mary D wrote a tip Dec 2024
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"9am is best time for breakfast and Mc Shane's restaurant can get very busy from 7pm so go early or book"
Read full review
Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Ballina area.
PRICE RANGE
€93 - €126 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
ramada ballina, ballina ramada
LOCATION
IrelandWestern IrelandProvince of ConnachtCounty MayoBallina
NUMBER OF ROOMS
87
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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GREAT NATIONAL HOTEL BALLINA | UPDATED 2025 Reviews & Price Comparison (Ireland) - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Great National Hotel Ballina
Which popular attractions are close to Great National Hotel Ballina?
Nearby attractions include Jackie Clarke Collection (3.1 km), Belleek Castle Museum (4.0 km), and Rouse's Bar (3.0 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Great National Hotel Ballina?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an indoor pool, free wifi, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at Great National Hotel Ballina?
Top room amenities include a flat screen TV, blackout curtains, and a desk.
What food & drink options are available at Great National Hotel Ballina?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at Great National Hotel Ballina?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Great National Hotel Ballina?
Conveniently located restaurants include Poacher Restaurant, Dillons Bar & Restaurant, and The Cot & Cobble.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Great National Hotel Ballina?
Yes, guests have access to an indoor pool, a fitness centre, and a sauna during their stay.
Are any cleaning services offered at Great National Hotel Ballina?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Does Great National Hotel Ballina offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business centre, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.
Are there any historical sites close to Great National Hotel Ballina?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Ballina Town Centre (3.2 km).
Is Great National Hotel Ballina accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access, reduced mobility rooms, and facilities for disabled guests. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.
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