Connemara, County Galway, Ireland
Karen, Cork
Where did you go?
Renvyle House Hotel, County Galway
When did you go?
For 2 nights in September 2015
Who did you travel with?
My husband and son
How old were your kids when you travelled?
15 months
Where did you stay?
We stayed in Renvyle House Hotel which is on the coast in Connemara. It was a great base to explore the county. The hotel is very old world and is where Yeats went on his honeymoon. There is a real colonial feel about it. The gardens are great. There’s a horse and loads of walks on the grounds. There is also a large playground with a playhouse, swings and slides and an outdoor pool (only in use in the summer). The kids club is only open during school holidays which we were disappointed to learn however the receptionist offered to take out the toys in the big room off reception to let our son play with them. Over 3s need to be supervised regardless. The restaurant did a great breakfast. We ate dinner in the bar the first night and our son slept in his buggy. The second night we got a babysitter and had a three course meal followed by a table quiz in the bar. The food was fantastic. Pets are allowed in the hotel and a lot of people had dogs with them which kept our son entertained.
How was the journey there?
The journey was fine. We stopped at Brigits Garden just outside Galway on the way and had a stroll and lunch. There is plenty of room for kids to run around and a play area in the cafe with soft flooring and toys.
What was the food like at your destination?
The food in the hotel was excellent and there were plenty of options for our son from omlette in the morning to chicken and veg in the evenings. There are also baby bowls.
Were you able to find all your baby and toddler essentials at your destination (formula, food, wipes, nappies, medication etc)?
We brought everything so didn’t need to shop!
How was the public transport system?
We had a car and drove around Connemara.
Did you use a baby carrier or a stroller?
We used a stroller only.
What kind of activities did you do?
We went to Kylemore Abbey near the hotel which has plenty of outdoor space. The walled gardens are gorgeous and our son loved them. There is a lovely cafe here also. Other than that we took walks around the hotel and on the beach and relaxed (as much as we could with a toddler).
Overall, did you have a good trip?
It was very enjoyable however, the hotel was quiet as it was not during school holidays and I think it would be nicer to go when there are more kids around so we didn’t feel like our little man was being noisey.
Do you have any advice for parents travelling to the same place?
Also, there are no lifts so you will need to carry your stroller upstairs. Ask for a room on the ground floor if possible.
