Lough Rea Hotel & Spa underlined its status as one of Ireland’s leading hotels by winning big at the 2024 Irish Hotel Awards in the Johnstown Estate, Enfield.
The luxury 4-Star hotel overlooking the majestic Loughrea Lake in Co. Galway and ideally located just off the M6 Motorway came up trumps in four categories: General Manager of the Year – Connacht; Wedding Planner of the Year – Connacht; Highly Commended Duty Manager of the Year; and Afternoon Tea of the Year – Connacht. It was a night of celebration for three members of the Lough Rea Hotel & Spa team in particular, namely Damien McManus, who scooped the General Manager of the Year award; Nicole O’Reilly, who was named Wedding Planner of the Year; and Aoife Nee, who was Highly Commended in the Duty Manager category.
In addition, Lough Rea Hotel & Spa was shortlisted for Event Manager of the Year (Ciara Hinchon Quinn), Marketing Manager of the Year (Klaudia Parzniewska), Restaurant Manager of the Year (Clayton Fernandez), Hotel Bar of the Year, Business Hotel of the Year, Local Hotel of the Year, Social Media Award, Spa Experience of the Year, Wedding Hotel of the Year, Intimate Wedding Venue of the Year, 4 Star Hotel of the Year as well as the winning Afternoon Tea of the Year entry.
The awards highlight the hotel’s ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional service and guest experiences in the Connacht region, and came on the back of Damien also winning Highly Commended Best Hotel General Manager at the 2024 Irish Hospitality Awards. These accolades sit proudly alongside the 2024 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award, which ranks the Lough Rea Hotel & Spa among the top 10% of hotels worldwide for delivering fantastic customer service, the 2024 Europe Travel & Hospitality Awards’ Hotel & Restaurant of the Year in Co. Galway and the Wedding Dates’ Top-Rated Wedding Venue in Ireland for 2023 and ‘24. Opened in 2008, the hotel is renowned for delivering wonderful wedding experiences.
“We are very proud of our team at Lough Rea Hotel and these awards truly show their hard work and dedication,” enthuses Damien, who been leading the hotel with distinction for the past four years and was a worthy award winner thanks to his commitment to excellence, ability to cultivate a motivated and dedicated team, and focus on delivering exceptional guest experiences.
Nestled just outside the quaint town of Loughrea, the Lough Rea Hotel & Spa’s location combines the tranquillity of a rural setting with the convenience of easy access to Galway City and the Wild Atlantic Way. Whether you’re heading to the famed Galway Races or looking for a simple, stylish night away, it caters for all your needs.
Boasting 91 bedrooms, extensive Shore Island Spa, ample free car parking on site and complimentary high speed WIFI, it is the ideal place to relax in comfort. Guests can enjoy the famous Rooftop Garden Bar, which boasts panoramic views of Loughrea Lake and the Galway countrywide, experience some fine dining at The Abbey Restaurant, enjoy a more casual atmosphere at the Lir Bar & Brasserie or indulge in Lough Rea Hotel & Spa’s award-winning Afternoon Tea sat in the Lir Lounge.
Set in an oasis of calm, the exquisite Shore Island Spa promises an experience of complete relaxation and indulgence. From massages to pedicures, your options are endless at Shore Island Spa which was named Best Connacht Spa in 2023 by RSVP Magazine.
Lough Rea Hotel & Spa also hosts several live concerts and events throughout the year. From comedy, tribute bands and country music stars, it has something for everyone. You can enjoy delicious dining ahead of the show and stay overnight afterwards to make a real occasion of your night out.
One of six properties within the Só Hotel Group, Lough Rea Hotel & Spa promises the ultimate 4 Star luxury experience that is contemporary in style and genuine with service and hospitality. Whether staying for business or leisure, it is the perfect choice for guests.
Furthermore, the Lough Rea Hotel & Spa has some of the best corporate facilities in Ireland. It is the ideal location for conferencing in Galway without the hassle of Galway traffic, catering for job interviews right up to company conferences and national events for up to 500 delegates. All suites provide guests with the most up-to-date technology along with comfort, privacy, space and exceptional service.
The Lough Rea Hotel & Spa is the ultimate wedding venue. The stunning De Dannan Suite features Murano glass chandeliers, luxurious velvet drapery and interchangeable lighting to suit the theme of the wedding. Situated off the Piano Lounge, where guests can relax and enjoy a cocktail, the Sonnagh Suite is a fabulous space for creative surprises or ideal as a games and movie room to entertain the little ones.
The Lough Rea Hotel & Spa is licensed for civil wedding and civil partnership ceremonies. Couples can exchange their vows against the panoramic backdrop of the lake and distant mountains of the fourth-floor Slieve Aughty Suite, while the Shore Island Spa is the perfect retreat for the bridal party to prepare and pamper themselves for the special day. An experienced team is on hand to make your wedding day everything you have ever imagined.
“We have 75 weddings already booked in for this year,” explains Damien, who is a native of Arigna, Co. Roscommon.
“We’re busy all-year round with weddings, conferences – for which we have six meeting rooms – spa breaks and lots of family gatherings. We’re the heart and soul of Loughrea and get great support from the local community on a daily basis. We’re the ideal place for special occasions.
“We have a great name for hosting weddings and pride ourselves in delivering exemplary service, food and a memorable occasion for all of our brides, grooms and wedding parties. We are very proud to be recognised as the Top-Rated Wedding Venue in Ireland for the last two years. Based on glowing reviews and heartfelt testimonials from couples on www.weddingdates.ie, the award highlights our commitment to creating unforgettable wedding experiences,” the affable General Manager concludes.
This article was published in Hotel & Tourism Magazine, Summer 2025, Vol 1 No 1
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