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4.5
#3 of 9 hotels in Ballina
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Contemporary chic meets old world elegance throughout the Ice House. Funky furnishings, eclectic styling and stunning architectural design combine to make you feel like you're in the heart of the city. One look at the unrivalled riverside views from all our rooms and you'll immediately know you're not. The distinct, interior fusion of traditional and new styles are woven in to an eclectic mix. Together they form the perfect accent to the amazing views that stretch across the River Moy to the woodlands beyond. With great service, fantastic food, fine wines, clever cocktails and a hotel spa guaranteed to sooth... ...Discover the best of both worlds at The Ice House and make it your escape to the extraordinary.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Modern
Trendy
Languages Spoken
English
Location
The Quay, Ballina F26 Y9E8 Ireland
The Ice House Hotel
1,943 reviews
Getting there
Car recommended
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Nestled near Ballina with scenic views of the River Moy, The Ice House Hotel garners praise for its luxurious spa and exceptional dining. While the hotel's atmosphere is seen as elegant, a few areas may not exude the same charm.
Guests consistently commend the clean, spacious rooms boasting stunning river vistas, although a handful mention soundproofing concerns. The staff's professionalism is acknowledged, but occasional slow service and unexpected fees for basic amenities somewhat mar the overall experience, leading some guests to question the hotel's value.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Elegant
Rooms
Spacious
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Lavish
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First off this will be a detailed review I feel it's more helpful for others who might be considering visiting a location.
First impressions of the Chill Spa at the Ice House Hotel Ballina were only good one's. Upon entry we were warmly welcomed by the front office staff who directed directed us to the Spa reception which was located downstairs. If you struggle with stair's or steps it might be best to use the lift as the steps and steep and the stairwell is narrow .
The Spa itself was clean fresh quiet and above everything else relaxing. Lockers are supplied and are pin code protected and easy to use. The Spa supplies towel's sliders and gowns free of charge so no need to bring along your own. We had a package which was the deluxe double+ afternoon tea. Our day began at 10.30 with full access to all the relaxation rooms sauna and steam rooms as well as the outdoor jacuzzi's and seating. The view from the Sauna especially is impressive overlooking the river Moy. At 11.30 we were booked for a facial and deep tissue back massage. I believe my therapist was Melissa who was so friendly and incredibly professional. Offering advice on both how to look after my skin going forward and advise on self care at home regarding the tension in my back. Post therapy we were directed to the nap room which was so comfortable warm and relaxing. There we were given choice of herbal teas and sorbets. Post nap we relaxed in the outdoor area for a further hour or so. Before having afternoon tea.
Afternoon tea was included in the package so already offering good value. Now I myself have extensive experience working in the service industry myself for over 20 year's so this is based on both my experience as customer and as a Chef. The afternoon tea here is slightly different to other places I've visited around Ireland. And I am an afternoon tea snob . I found the serving to be slightly smaller than I have elsewhere. Not complaint just an observation. The food itself was tasty however not very filling. Overall we were happy with it but ultimately we needed to go get lunch later in the afternoon which we hadn't expected to need to do. Again not complaint just observation.
Overall delighted with our experience here and will consider revisiting here again based on the positives of the Spa .
Ratings Location 10/10 Those Views
Chill Spa 10/10 Fantastic Value
Afternoon tea 6.5/10 Small Portions
Cleanliness 10/10 Impeccable
Ambiance and Decor 10/10 Fresh Modern
Staff 10/10 Cannot be ridiculed
Value for money 9/10 Afternoon Tea again only let down otherwise excellent value for money.
Overall experience 10/10
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Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Parking can be an issue
2 jacuzzi's get filled up quickly
Sauna is hot as hell so be well...
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.
This was our first hotel break after lockdown so we were really looking forward to it. The hotel is really quirky and is over 3 floors. Their covid measures in place, we felt were excellent. There was a one way system around the hotel, lots of hand sanitiser, and tables were well spaced in the restaurant. Our room had patio doors out onto a little balcony (Fern) overlooking the river. We had amazing weather when we were staying but could not get the doors to open. We called reception and they sent someone up, but they couldn't help. They then sent maintenance, but again they couldn't open them either. This was disappointing as the room was very warm and we really wanted to enjoy bringing the outside in!. We were not offered anything to compensate. We had a seaweed bath booked in the gorgeous spa. It was a lovely experience, marred only by the therapist who decided to clean out the hot tub right beside our baths using a very noisy water hoover. I think she could have picked a better time. These were the only negatives in our stay. The food was excellent both dinner and breakfast the next morning. The staff were all very friendly, and hygiene measures were excellent. We would definetely stay here again.
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Date of stay: August 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
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 Ice House Team, General Manager at The Ice House Hotel
Responded 1 Sept 2020
Dear Guest, Thank you for your recent review. I was delighted to read that you enjoyed your stay with us. I will follow up on the negative points mentioned in your review. I hope we get the pleasure of welcoming you back again in the future. Kind regards, Niall Kerins
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We stayed for 3 nights at the Ice House over the August Bank Holiday which coincided with my birthday. We had a lovely room with a small balcony and a lovely view of the river. We ate in the Restaurant on 2 nights and really enjoyed our meal. The atmosphere was relaxing and all the floor staff wore Visors and we felt very safe and secure. We opted for our room not to be serviced everyday which was an option so we also felt safe from that point of view. We did request and receive a change of towels which were left outside our room door as requested. The breakfast was good but a bit more variety would be nice. We didn't see any fresh fruit available on the menu and maybe some fish such as Smoked Salmon could be available. But this did not distract from the experience. We would recommend this hotel.
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Date of stay: August 2020
Value
Cleanliness
Service
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 Ice House Team, General Manager at The Ice House Hotel
Responded 6 Aug 2020
Dear Guest, Thank you for your recent review. I was delighted to read that you enjoyed your birthday celebrations with us. I hope to have the pleasure in welcoming you back to the Ice House again in the future. Kind Regards Niall Kerins
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It’s the year of the staycation and we decided to treat ourselves to a 4 day break in the plush Ice House Hotel. I’ve been dying to go here for some time. We opted for the River View room, a medium sized room with a fabulous floor to ceiling window and view of the Moy. However, the view was impeded by large black railings and it subsequently became apparent that the small path outside was actually a public walkway meaning that the curtain could not be left open in order to enjoy the view and removing all privacy. It meant the room was quite dark with curtains closed and lights on, even in the daylight in order to secure some privacy.
Food in the hotel was particularly disappointing. I had a wild mushroom pasta dish with no mushrooms but an unexpected large helping of frozen peas. My partner’s dinner was equally disappointing.
Deciding to order a drink at 11.15 on a Saturday night, we were told the bar was closed. On further investigation, we could order a drink to enjoy in one of the small rooms off reception but it was made clear this was an inconvenience and we were hurried along. We eventually just took the drink back to our room to avoid discomfort. The night porter was clearly unhappy we were still in the public area relaxing at 11.30pm.
The spa experience was unfortunately no better, while the therapist was clearly experienced and very skilled. The reception area was exceptionally noisy with the receptionist and a man talking continuously and loudly and the quiet room was anything but.
We eventually escaped to another spot and had a wonderful experience however, sadly despite my excitement at finally having the opportunity to visit the Ice House Hotel, I have no plans to return.
If staycations are the future, greater experience for the customer is crucial.
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip 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 Ice House Team, General Manager at The Ice House Hotel
Responded 6 Aug 2020
Dear Guest, Thank you for your recent review. I was disappointed to read that you did not enjoy your stay with us. If you wish to discuss these issues in more detail please contact the Hotel on chill@theicehouse.ie or by calling 096 23500. Kind Regards Niall Kerins
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Stayed at Ice House for two nights in February 2020 I was very disappointed with this hotel considering it is included in the Blue Book Hotels of Ireland. It falls badly short compared to other Hotels in the Blue Book and I feel it is about a 3* hotel. The rooms need to be refurbished and while they have beautiful views the decor is very mundane. The breakfast was very poor the fresh fruit consisted of apples grapes and melon one choice of bread brown or burnt toast. Bacon was so pale I wondered if it was fully cooked. If you used the shower in the evening it was just about tepid. I didn't complain at the property the checkout was appalling the lady took my card and my money without asking if I had even enjoyed my stay. I was so sorry I hadn't used my Blue Book voucher at on of the more upmarket hotels I have previously stayed in. On one positive note the young staff serving the table's and the barman were very friendly.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip 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 ICE-HOUSE-TEAM, General Manager at The Ice House Hotel
Responded 7 Feb 2020
Dear Guest, Thank you for your recent review. I was disappointed to read that you did not fully enjoy your stay with us. Thank you for your positive comments about our waiting and bar staff. My apologies about your check out experience. We will be following up with the Head Chef regarding the issues with your breakfast. If you would like to contact the Hotel directly regarding these issues please call 096 23500 or chill@theicehouse.ie. Kind Regards Niall Kerins
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Stayed for one night. Booked for bathing therapies session in the spa, with the use of the thermal suite. The outdoor hot tub is amazing and the bathing therapies was a lovely way to spend the afternoon, with a bottle of prosecco. The steam room was closed, due to Covid-19 restrictions. Besides the hot tub and steam room, the other facilties available as part of the thermal suite are the sauna, aromatherapy room and showers, not as exciting as other spas I've been to but still nice.
Rooms were comfortable and clean, with a nice view of the river (however some of the rooms are on a path so people might walk by). Bathroom had a bath and shower and was very spacious.
Dinner was lovely if you want to push the boat out a bit and treat yourself. A big cocktail menu too. Breakfast was very nice as well, could order anything from the menu.
Lots of precautions in place for Covid-19. The stay was very enjoyable and nice, a bit pricey but worth it if you want to treat yourself, especially if you are going to use the spa facilities.
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Date of stay: August 2020
Value
Cleanliness
Service
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 Ice House Team, General Manager at The Ice House Hotel
Responded 18 Sept 2020
Dear Guest, Thank you for your recent review. I was glad to read you enjoyed your stay with us. I hope to get the pleasure of welcoming you back again in the future. Kind Regards, Niall Kerins
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The Restraunt and waiting staff were wonderful as well as the reception and spa staff. The room bank holiday Monday was 295 Euros for B&B, parking was a nightmare on our second day as bays closed off and had to drive around to find parking on the main road no explanation at all until we asked, inform people. Staff waking out of main doors with their lunch or dinner in hands not a great look for guests arriving. Bar area very small 4 tables in it so very close to other guests so has to enjoy the lovely cocktails at your dining table. The room stank of drains, the room decor was very shabby for a 4 star hotel.Suggestion maybe have a net curtain up as every time you needed to change you had to pull the curtain which made the room dark as it is s facing the river. The bathroom had a lovely bath but the mastic around the bath was very shoddy. The ceiling looked like it had a leak previously and was patched up, the shower screen was not big enough for the shower as all the water was over the bathroom floor. Put a handle on the outside of the bathroom door so you can close it, also the plug was not original so to drain the bath you had to fight to get plug out as would not work with the draining wheel.
I have stayed in better 4 star hotels.
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip 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.
This was our first time here and our first outing with the new covid 19 restrictions. The hotel passed with flying colours in this regard and clearly a lot of effort has gone in to make everything as safe as possible. It's a beautiful location with the view from the bedrooms overlooking the river estuary being the highlight. You really are paying a premium for this and it is a very comfortable spot for a short break. Outside of the bedroom, with social distancing especially, the options are a bit limited if you don't use the spa - which we didn't. The restaurant is a nice room but the dinner menu was disappointing for a boutique type hotel. It was a pity that there wasn't more fine dining on offer but having said that ,what we ate was tasty and there is a decent wine and cocktail list. The staff without exception were helpful and friendly so all in all well worth a visit especially if you can get a deal or go off peak.
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip 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 Ray Byrne, General Manager at The Ice House Hotel
Responded 17 Jul 2020
Dear Guest, Thank you for your recent review. I was delighted to read that you enjoyed your stay with us during this time. I will pass your kind comments to all the staff. I hope to have the pleasure in welcoming you back to the Ice House again in the future. Kind Regards Niall Kerins
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My partner and I booked the Ice House Hotel as the highlight of our staycation. We had originally booked it after hearing about its 5 star spa however unfortunately during our stay the outdoor spa was closed due to renovations.
Pros: 1) We stayed in the Still suite. The room was a 5 star room which was spacious, clean, modern and had a lovely balcony.
2) The food in the restaurant was very nice. We had breakfast and dinner within the hotel.
Cons: 1) We found the layout of the hotel impractical. When we arrived we were told in order to use the lift to get to our room we would have to go through the restaurant and the spa area. There were couples dining in the restaurant as we walked through the restaurant with our luggage. In order to leave the hotel each day we had to walk through the spa. Their were individuals in their bathrobes having a spa experience as we walked through the spa.
2) The hotel had informed us prior to our stay that spa renovations were taking place however the building works began at 8am which we could hear from our bedroom. During our spa experience we could hear drilling while we tried to relax in the "Chill Relaxation Room" at 5pm.
3) Staff: While dining in the restaurant my partner asked one of the staff where the bathroom was and the staff member was unsure of its location. Later in the evening when we enquired about how to get to the bar the staff were also unsure.
4) Bar: Following our meal we went for a drink in the bar. There were only 4 small tables located in the bar and in close proximity to each other which were all occupied. The staff then situated us in a corner in the restaurants which we had just left. The restaurant was bright, lacked music and the staff members were setting up around us for breakfast.
Overall I do not think I would return to the Ice House Hotel. As the highlight of our staycation it was a disappointing experience.
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Date of stay: June 2021
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.
The room was nice and clean and the bed comfortable. Those were about the only positives. Unfortunately there was very loud noise from the building all day and after a long drive to Ballina we wanted to rest. We were hoping for a relaxing stay , hence why we booked a spa suite overlooking the river and it was the furthest thing from relaxing. So so disappointed with the hotel overall. The spa looked nice but we used the thermal area and the two jacuzzis did not even work. We were told they were waiting for the plumbers to come to get them working. The complimentary prosecco on arrival was a welcome gesture however given the price we paid for what we got, it was close to daylight robbery and it was not good enough. Didn’t have dinner there because genuinely wanted to get away from the hotel for a while and breakfast was very mediocre. It said on the website that 7th of July, the spa was open, we were there on the 14th and it clearly still resembled a building site. We should have been informed beforehand and in my opinion the spa is not ready to be open because it is not a relaxing environment . While we were in the hot tub, a builder was beside us fixing something. Our room was right adjacent to where the work was ongoing and it was an absolute nightmare to be honest. The noise was awful and we had to leave the room all day till builders were done because the noise was so bad. Very disappointed and would not return.
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip 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 Ice House Team, General Manager at The Ice House Hotel
Responded 20 Jul 2021
Dear Guest It is disappointing to read that unfortunately we did not meet with your expectations on this occasion. We would love the opportunity to discuss this issue further. You can contact me on chill@theicehouse.ie or call me on 096 23500. Warm Regards Niall Kerins
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Parking is exceptionally limited.
They say they have 32 rooms but they don't have 32 spaces.
it was an issue for us the weekend we were there and ended up having to park on the foothpath.
to get to spa from room you have to go through reception or restaurant area and they advise you to go to spa in your dressing gown.
London, United Kingdom94 contributions154 helpful votes
I agree with the above but anytime we have stayed which is very often I have seen kids .
Ballina is a vibrant town there is a play area on the cathedral road and a play area near the large store called Archers
There are lovely places to eat like the Junction cafe
The river suites at the hotel are very large they can cater for children adequately
There are more places to choose from in the Ballina area.
PRICE RANGE
€142 - €244 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
ice hotel ballina, the ice hotel
LOCATION
IrelandWestern IrelandProvince of ConnachtCounty MayoBallina
NUMBER OF ROOMS
32
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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