Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links

We stayed in the Portmarnock Golf Hotel on January 3rd-5th. The receptionist who booked us in was efficient and friendly. The room was clean and comfortable as one would expect for a hotel such as this. However we were very disappointed with the standard of service we encountered. The bar staff were disinterested and seemed to lack the people skills necessary in their role. The bar was very quiet on Friday evening when we decided to have a drink there. We asked one member of staff if we could sit anywhere we wanted in the bar area or were any tables reserved for dining only. She disappeared to ask someone else and never came back to us. Enquiring from another staff member as to where we could sit we were eventually shown to a table in the bar. I then approached the counter to order drinks but the two bar staff on duty left me standing there for 3-4 minutes before one of them finally came over to serve me. There was one other customer at the bar at the time. Later I returned to the bar to order drinks for a couple who had joined us at our table and again I was left standing at the bar for ages before being served. We decided not to stay and instead popped in to Malahide for a few drinks. The self service breakfast both mornings was good. However I couldn’t help but notice the lethargy with which some of the staff cleared and cleaned tables once guests on adjoining tables had finished. One staff member visited a vacant table at least 6 times clearing it as though he was disassembling a complicated device of some sort and then proceeded to wipe down only the parts of the table that he could reach without having to move the condiments. Saturday night in the bar was much the same as the previous night so we retired early to bed. The cosy bar area behind reception near the lifts was not open. It could easily have accommodated the few residents who wanted a nightcap.

Sadly I feel obligated to write a poor review following our recent stay at The Portmarnock Hotel ( 24-27 Dec 2024) Both myself (as a solo traveller) and my partner and I (as a couple) have stayed here many times over the years and so we decided to choose the hotel for our first ever festive break away - given that previously we have been impressed by the hotel. To say we were hugely disappointed is an understatement. From the outside the hotel bore little sign of any festive spirit aside from two very shoddy wooden “trees” and a lopsided artificial wreath in the glass entrance. We arrived at 11am - without any expectation of checking in early (we are seasoned travellers and know the score) and knowing all we wanted to do was drop off luggage and head in to Dublin - we were met at reception by a brusque male who, without any kind of “hello welcome to Portmarnock” etc advised us straight away that check in was not until 4pm and that we couldn’t check in - he didn’t even bother to ask our intentions. We explained about luggage drop and we managed to get that sorted. We then headed to Dublin and returned at approx 4.30pm to check in . On return again we were met by a young female receptionist - who again failed to even say “hello - Thankyou for choosing The Portmarnock for your Christmas break”. She immediately asked my partners name, confirmed our length of stay and asked for full payment - turning the card machine around to him - without so much as explaining why or what she wanted him to do - we’ve never had to pay in full on arrival at any hotel. When my partner asked her what she wanted him to do she turned and walked away into a back office and didn’t return - another receptionist then dealt with us but only after she had first gone to check on the other staff member - surely guests take priority? We were left standing at reception wondering what was going on. After that initial debacle we noticed tiny mince pies and metal canisters (filled with mulled wine) were sitting on a table in the middle of reception - again not the festive welcome we’d expect from a hotel such as the Portmarnock. And given that there were still a number of non guests in the hotel this offering was well picked over. We breakfasted each morning in the hotel - in the 1780 lounge - a great function lounge and which, many years ago, had been the main restaurant before the white elephant of the Seaview Lounge was created. Such a shame it’s only used now for breakfasts as at night, when lit up, it always had such wonderful cosy ambience. Evening meals each night were served in the Jamison Bar - again, previously food has been good in here - but it is now very tired and needs a facelift - given that the hotel was meant to be “guests only” on Xmas Eve and Xmas Day it wasn’t too much for us to think that there’d be festive napkins, crackers or even tablecloths on the table - sadly nothing - only well used and damaged tables used in the bar by regular golfers and locals. Sadly I think the hotel is resting too much on its reputation of being a “golf resort” and failing to address the fundamentals. The simple things like “hello” at reception. We now know the first female receptionist was a trainee but that really shouldn’t be an excuse to walk away from guests at reception. And if she was in training why leave her to deal with guests at such an important time of year? Please rethink reusing the 1780 as your main restaurant. The Seaview is grand for coffees or afternoon tea but neither it nor the Jameson Bar are suitable for evening dining. I would though like to make mention of Yan at reception and Aoibheann in the Jameson Lounge who are two true credits to your team and whom others could learn from. We appreciate our break away wasn’t marketed as a “festive break’ but it was the most unfestive place we’ve visited - bars in Howth were better decorated. Sadly, after many years of staying here, it’s unlikely that we will return.

The Christmas return home was tainted by the experience of our stay at this hotel. On checking in we were presented with dirty rooms and soiled towels. They rectified by re cleaning the rooms and changing the towels, a complimentary drink for our inconvenience. Christmas morning breakfast lacked atmosphere and the food presentation was poor , advised the team but they put it down to the time of year and the full occupancy! The next morning a similar situation with a 15 minute wait for eggs and toast, once. Again the excuse was the full occupancy, this time a complimentary breakfast offered for two but there was three of us!! The final straw came on the morning of checkout, housekeeping came into our room three times between 8.55 and 9.10! On each occasion we advised the room was occupied, when we complained the said it was a mistake and they meant to go to the room adjacent! Only issue was this was our room as well!! We highlighted all of the problems on checkout and asked that they be escalated to the senior management, unfortunately no communication received from them, very disappointing for a hotel of this standard, I have no problem with paying the premium charges, but would expect premium service!

Probably the best hotel in Ireland we have ever stayed. The manager Brian and all the personnel are excellent! Very well maintained, and the views of the sea, Howth and the golf links are amazing. The Seaview cafe/restaurant has a good menu, and the view to the sea is beautiful. The Jameson Bar also has a good menu, and is a nice place to meet with friends. Highly recommended!

We had lunch in the new sea view (old cocktail bar) area. 1. The booths with the high seats don’t really work as it cuts off the whole place from your table. 2. The staff were v young and v slow and v badly tempered- I understand it was New Year’s Eve and they wanted to be anywhere else-but they seemed over stressed, understaffed and under trained. 3. The food is v v average. And all the main course were v expensive. The management need to give the poor kids up at the sea view bar a dig out and get them in a better mood to come to work. Average ; won’t be back