As the evenings close in, and our spare time is limited to the standard weekend, with maybe an extra day thrown in if we are lucky, I always prefer to look for a short break in a destination that can be reached in little more than an hour.
One of the keys to an enjoyable autumn or winter break is to keep travel time to a minimum. Í tend to hold off on the longer trips to Kerry, Cork or Donegal until the evenings extend again and we can take a four or five day break. This is also one of the reasons why a stay in the Hotel Newport makes perfect sense for travellers from the Galway or midlands region at this time of the year. Whatever we want from a hotel break, the Hotel Newport ticks all the boxes. A great location, value for money, friendly staff, a comfortable room, excellent food, cleanliness, amenities, and overall ambience.
Great Reviews
The following are the headings on the most recent Tripadvisor reviews on Hotel Newport, ‘Fantastic Food, Beautiful Break, Fantastic Hotel, Proper Irish Hotel, Amazing, Good Value for a Great Hotel’. With a ‘Very Good’ (8.5 rating ) from over 360 reviews on booking.com, Hotel Newport offers the best value available in the West of Ireland this autumn.
Westport is a very popular destination with visitors from all over Ireland, and further afield, but I am always amazed by the number of people who say they have visited Westport, but have not ventured any further west towards Achill, Mulranny or the Wild Nephin National Park and Ballycroy Visitor Centre. I recently visited a small lake in The Black Forest in Germany, which, while overrun with tourists, reminded me of Samuel Johnson’s verdict on The Giant’s Causeway, ‘worth seeing, yes; but not worth going to see’. The contrast with a few days earlier, when I had, almost alone, walked along the stunning coastllne of west Mayo between Newport and Mulranny, could not have been greater. No photographer or painter could do justice to this place, with its unspoilt beauty.
Hotel Newport
At a time when a number of hotels have been criticised for increasing room rates, the Hotel Newport offers great value for money this autumn, with breaks designed to suit all tastes. From single room occupancy to family suites, everyone is catered for with the hotel’s special offers including ‘Midweek Madness’ for just €180, which offers a free third night’s stay, ‘Sunday Funday’ which offers a complimentary drink of choice on arrival, bed and buffet breakfast for two people sharing for just €79. The ’School’s Out’ offer for all the family includes the best hot chocolate in Mayo, a delicious 3 course dinner and buffet breakfast each morning for 2 nights from €350.
All hotel bedrooms are designed to allow guests relax and unwind in comfort. Relaxing at the hotel, but with easy access to amenities and incredible locations, is what comes to mind when thinking of a break in Hotel Newport. The hotel is located in the centre of the town, and a number of fine local pubs and restaurants are located within a few minutes stroll of the hotel.
On my recent visit to Hotel Newport, the first thing I noticed was the friendliness of the staff. From reception to the bar and restaurant, it was clear the focus was on ensuring everyone was having a good time. While some establishments seem to have a ’take it or leave it’ attitude to their guests, the opposite was the case with Hotel Newport. Of course, the food was delicious.
The Town Itself
Newport is an attractive town, located on the edge of Clew Bay, and at the centre of the Wild Atlantic Way and the Great Western Greenway, the longest off-road cycling and walking route in Ireland. The town’s Seven Arches Bridge is one of the most attractive historic bridges in the country. Ideally located a short 10 minute drive from Westport, and a little over half an hour from Achill Island, the town is surrounded by the stunning Nephin Mountains.
Places of interest close to the hotel also include Rockfleet Castle, Burrishoole Abbey, Clare Island, Croagh Patrick, and Mulranny’s blue flag beach. Along with the unrivalled cycling and walking paths, golfing, fishing and water sports are also available nearby.
A slice of the Wild Atlantic Way
The Wld Atlantic Way stretches for over 2,500 km from Donegal to Cork. I hope at some stage to travel its entire length, which will take a number of weeks. In the meantime, I’m happy, this autumn, to settle for a small slice in the middle, staying in the Hotel Newport and exploring the area from Westport to Ballycroy. You should do the same.
Peter Timmins
