Auburn Lodge Hotel Ennis

I dont know what has happened to this lodge/hotel. We stayed here a couple of years ago and found it to be good and clean. This stay however was marked by damp/musty smelling rooms. Worse than that, we got the feeling that the rooms were not being cleaned correctly. When we arrived we were given a room that was totally unacceptable so we complained and to the hotels defence they moved us in a reasonable timeframe. We were upgraded to a "delux" which as far as I could tell was somewhat a par with the "standard" standard of other hotels. To our dismay this room also smelled a little musty and unclean but in this case not enough so to just pack up and leave. To be quite honnest, I wish I had and will if something like this ever happens again in future. If a hotel cannoy afford to clean their rooms correctly or keep enough heat on to stop dampness then they may as well shut up. To the hotels defence, most of the staff had a nice way about them.

Thank goodness I only booked for one night. The staff are the worst I have ever come across in terms of lack of engagement, let alone friendliness. On checking in, I handed over my voucher,which was duly processed and then I was thrust a paper to sign. That was it! No directions to the room, which was very awkward to get to, through a labyrinth and up stairs, through doors etc and no offer of help. I was not given info about breakfast times or even where it was. I went for the bar food - absolutely dreadful and way over-priced - €10.95 for 'Bangers and Mash' which was horrible. I put the sign for requesting breakfast in my room on the door handle as duly instructed. When it did not arrive at the time I had requested, I had a look and the sign was still there! It had not been collected - this meant I was running late and I dashed down to get the breakfast - which was mediocre - greasy, poor quality food. On checking out,it was as if I was invisible - I handed over the room key card to a girl who was chatting to her colleague - with her large handbag on the counter - and she took it and turned away again. Not one word of 'thanks' or 'did you enjoy your stay?' etc. I travel all over the country and I am in hotels regularly and this has been the worst. The room itself was just about ok.

Helpful staff. Quick service. Good breakfast. Spacious clean room.

The Auburn Lodge is on the Galway Road outside of Ennis so you would probably need a car. Very large car park. Walked into reception and lobby and was very impressed. Our room was down near the leisure centre and was a long trek from reception. Corridors are quite old fashioned and a bit battered. Reception and lobby have been re-modeled where it doesn't seem that the corridors have been. The smoking rooms were along the corridors just outside reception and the smell of smoke was disgusting as you walked down. Rooms are basic. Toilet seat broken and siliconed on the actual seat itself. No shampoo, just handwash in bathrooms. Rooms very clean so was perfect for the night just for someone to rest their head. Pool & gym facilities. Breakfast was average, nothing to write home about but was edible. Staff were very friendly.

Reception lost my reservation, dissappointed to find hand soap in the dispenser where one would normally find shampoo, shower gel... Otherwise ok, breakfast was nice.

rooms very comfortable and spacious. Food was lovely. Staff very friendly. Good location for shopping in Ennis. Would def stay there again.