Clew Bay Hotel

This family owned and run hotel has a modern, stylish interior but a friendly and homey atmosphere. From the Art Nouveau-inspired wallpaper in the hotel's lobby to the plush furniture overlooking the quaint street scene outside, there's a lot of charm and style in this compact, mid-range option. The owners are keen art collectors and have a permanent art gallery in the lobby displaying a range of works by local artists. The hotel attracts a wide range of guests and is particularly popular with people who like the outdoors, as many come to explore the nearby Great Western Greenway. A mix of European and American tour groups are also drawn here, and the hotel specializes in organizing activities like cycling, walking, golf, sailing, fishing, and surfing. Expect to see plenty of locals in the hotel's bar, making for a lively vibe, especially on weekends. 

The Clew Bay Hotel is situated right in the heart of Westport, on James Street. Surrounding the hotel are shops, restaurants, and bars, so it’s an ideal spot for those wanting to be in the center of all the action of this vibrant and charming town. The hotel is popular with people wanting to explore the Great Western Greenway, which is a 46-kilometer (29-mile) walking and cycling route along an old disused railway line. It runs between Westport and Achill Island. The Westport Leisure Park is directly behind the hotel, it’s a two-minute walk to Clew Bay Golf Club, and the Westport train station is a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Ireland West Airport Knock is an hour’s drive. Expect a 90-minute drive to Galway from here; it's the closest major city.

The hotel’s 48 guest rooms are available in a variety of categories, all of which blend simple modern style with homey accents to create a cozy atmosphere that's appropriate given the quaint Westport location (indeed, the hotel even has a category of Cosy Rooms). While style varies from one room to the next, guests should expect to see accent walls done in bold patterned wallpaper or on-trend hues like chocolate brown, plus bed runners and matching throw pillows in complementary shades and patterns. Otherwise, the palette is neutral, with warm wood furniture that has simple lines accenting a mostly tan color scheme. All rooms have electric kettles for tea or coffee, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, free Wi-Fi, and irons and ironing boards. Bathrooms are contemporary and well maintained, with tiled floors and walls in neutral hues. Some have a shower/tub combo, while others have a large walk-in shower cubicle. The tasteful mirrored tiling in the bathing areas are an eye-catching touch. Even small Cosy Room bathrooms offer a decent amount of counter space near the sink, and all bathrooms include hairdryers and toiletries. Due to the hotel’s location right in the center of lively Westport, noise can filter into the rooms at times -- particularly on Saturday nights.

For a small mid-range property, this hotel has a nice number of features for its guests. The main restaurant, Madden’s Bistro, serves traditional roast dinners, seafood, and European dishes. A full Irish breakfast is included daily in the room rate and is freshly cooked to order. Homemade bread and granola is also available, and the hotel is happy to provide the recipes. Madden’s Bar has large flat-screen TVs where live sporting events are shown. Live music is played here on the weekends and the bar attracts a lively mix of locals and tourists. It has a good cocktail menu and is a cozy space with a wood-burning stove and bright, modern stained glass windows. There's also an elegant Riverside Restaurant available for private events. 

Guests of the hotel have free access to the facilities at the Westport Leisure Center, which include an indoor swimming pool, a separate children’s pool, sauna, steam room, and a fitness center. The hotel has its own treatment room on the third floor where guests can have a range of therapies including massages, reiki, and reflexology. There is a large public car park to the rear of the hotel which offers a reduced rate to guests of the Clew Bay Hotel. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.