Both the hotel & Quayside multi-storey car park (the car park recommended to us by the hotel) where easy to find as we drove into the city via Killea. A busy car park but we got a space after we went up several levels. We validated our ticket in the car park but could have also validated it in the hotel, price = 12Gbp for 24 hours. The car park pedestrian entrance/exit is literally across the street from the hotel.
It was immediately apparent on entering the hotel that it was busy, very busy & also very evident that there were a number of stag & hen parties present which clarified to me why I got a call ( might I add, a very friendly call) on the previous day from the hotel asking if our group of 4 adults & 2 teenagers = 3 male/3 female in 3 rooms was such a party as we would have to pay a deposit if we were. Check in was quite slow as the reception area was so busy with a lot of guests gathered there & at the lifts which were adjacent to the reception desk. It was a friendly & informative check in during which we were given info on the Wi-Fi code, hotel facilities, check out time & breakfast times & the need to book a time for breakfast. We also paid on checking in.
With 2 room keycards in hand, it was in to one of the 2 lifts & up to our 1st floor room. A nice sized room with a carpet floor, clothes rail, full length mirror, luggage rack, hairdryer, tea & coffee, iron & ironing board, wall mounted tv, double bed, sofa bed, small table, chair, smoke alarm, air con & plenty of electrical sockets. WiFi was excellent, quick & easy to connect to with member connect, fast speeds & consistent. A good sized window let in plenty of natural light but unfortunately, there was noise from the busy road outside, both traffic & people.
The bathroom was reasonably spacious with fully tiled walls & floor, a shower enclosure with an easily controlled shower c/w rain head on a rail, good pressure & any amount of hot water. There was a large mirror, shaver socket, plenty of towels, wall vent, conditioning shampoo/shower cream in dispenser & handwash cream in a dispenser.
After offloading our luggage in our room we went down for a drink as we had some time on hand before we met up with other family members. Our order was taken at our table by a server/waiter who then brought our drinks to us. When we popped in for a nightcap much later, after returning from the function that we were attending elsewhere, the bar was packed with a lot of guests ordering from the bar even though this was not permitted according to the covid info sheet that we were given when checking in & even though there were a number of security staff who were making sure that people were seated & socially distancing correctly.
We had major issues with noise from one of the adjoining rooms. It was clear that there was a party or get together there as we could hear numerous people coming & going, loud music & constant noise. When it became apparent that the party was not going to end without involving hotel staff, I decided to phone down to reception. My first call appeared to be fruitless as the noise relented but then quickly recommenced. I rang down for the 2nd time at around 04:00. The phone wasn’t answered but a staff member knocked on our door a minute or so later & told us that he had heard the call & seen our number & had come straight up to put a stop to the party, which thankfully he did but at this stage, the damage was done.
We booked breakfast (Sundays 07: 00 - 10:30) for 10:00. We went down at 10:00 & the queue stretched back to the lifts but did move fairly quickly. Buffet style with toast, croissants, chocolate muffins, cereals, porridge, yoghurts, fry, whole fresh apples, oranges & bananas, coffees, teas & apple & orange juices in small cartons.
We checked out at 11:00 when, I again raised the issue of the noise. The gentleman that was checking us out was aware of the issue as he was the staff member that came up at 04:00 & put a stop to it. He again apologised & I would hope that hotel management had been informed of what we had experienced. Even though I did not ask, I was surprised that we were not offered any form of compensation by way of a partial refund, future hotel credit or IHG bonus points, there & then, but no offer was made nor has been made since. It was a pity as it could have been a nice stay as the room, the breakfast & the location were very good & all staff that we interacted with, particularly at reception & the waiter/table server in the bar (from The Dominican Rep) were excellent.
We could have, would have, tolerated the odd noisy, drunken guest making his or her way to their room in the early hours but the racket that we were subjected to for several hours, totally ruined our stay & I doubt that we will return.
