Lemon Tree - Athlone

Stayed here New Year's Eve 2019 for one night. Had evening food in the bar and was really good and generous helping and served with pleasant and helpful staff. Bar had a good atmosphere and rang in the New Year with a rousing rebel ballad session. Room was clean and tidy, room temperature good and bed comfortable. Breakfast was buffet with cooked option of which I availed of the fry and it was above average standard and set me up for the trip home on a full stomach and busted my hangover! So a flying enough visit but a worthwhile visit but would stay there again if opting for an overnighter in Athlone.

The worst hotel I’ve stayed in for a long time. We arrived there at 5 pm and we’re given our room we could not believe when we opened the door the smell coming out of the bathroom was unbearable,it was as if someone had just used it, the smell of cigarettes in the corridor was horrendous,.the breakfast next morning was hard to believe black cremated sausages,you couldn’t tell the difference between the white and black pudding,when I asked for a coffee it was cold the didn’t switch on the machine,we asked for poached eggs when we cut them open they were raw I just couldn’t take anymore and left,we did complain but they didn’t care.

Parking outside hotel, check in efficient, room was clean, usual facilities. Lots of places to shop and snack at here on the service area such as McDonalds, Centra etc. Dinner in hotel bar was very good, best steak we have had so far, prices were reasonable also. Food was hot and tasty, service good. Breakfast was in the hotel restaurant and was a shambles. There were three others eating when we arrived about 08.30 so certainly not busy. Several tables had not been cleared from previous guests, our table was sticky, two of the three juice containers were empty, no glasses for juice, no plates and the bacon was as hard as wall tiles. Almost all the bacon was left on plates being cleared from the vacant tables but no-one seemed to think why.

The restaurant has comfortable cotton sheeting and a spacious dining area with a large TV. I appreciated being able to choose my pillow size and the receptionist was very friendly. The food and drink options were reasonably priced, with a pint of Heineken priced at €5.

When we finally 'fell ' on the hotel it was a bit awkward to get to their carpark, but really it was us, the hotel is behind the centre. The hotel is on the N62/R446 roundabout which is off the Junction where the N6 changes to the M6, yes confusing. It is outside Athlone so would need transport to get into Town, but we had done our sightseeing for the day so just wanted Bed Breakfast and the evening meal. We were given a room on the ground floor as the second floor was being refurbished. The room was pleasant enough and the shower good. We had booked a double but were given a Family room as there was an extra bed, great for laying the clothes out at night. We ventured out to look around the number of shops that are on the complex then back to the bar/restaurant at the hotel. The Waitress was quick and attentive enough though she was busy, and of course they had The Open showing on the TV, well they would as Shane Lowry was the leader and eventually the winner. We ordered Guinness and the Spicy Pasta. Guinness was grand, of course and the food great and filling. For 1 pint and 3 glasses of Guinness, you cannot order a 1/2 pint in Ireland, you order a glass so that and 2 Spicy Pastas came to €37.40. Breakfast the next morning was a self-service buffet although we had to ask for the pot of tea and coffee. Food cooked well and plenty of it.