shashie

Spent 3 weeks in Ireland in Oct-Nov, staying at 9 different B&Bs. Feel obliged to let one and all know that our stay at Carrabaun House in Westport was THE WORST. The house, front garden and view are lovely and the location isn't bad, but these folks are definitely in the wrong business.

It might be acceptable for a one night stay (we were there for 3!!!), but just hope you don't need more toilet paper or have a light bulb burn out. You MUST put in your breakfast order by 8PM (and absolutely no substitutions allowed! No sausage with your French Toast: "not enough room on the plate.&quot but good luck FINDING anyone to give your breakfast order to. (Note: the French Toast is made with something thinner and less bread-like than the cheapest sandwich loaf.) And don't expect any offers of more tea, coffee, or bread with your breakfast. Once your so-so meal is placed in front of you, you will not see anyone again. One breakfast was placed on our table 3 minutes before we joined our traveling partners, so don't be late if you want your food hot.

She was right there and sweet as honey, though, when it was time to take our money. In 5 trips to Ireland, I've never had a B&B experience like it -- thank goodness!
-- Marsha

IrishEyes

Sounds like the pits. Thanks for the head's up on it. Will you be doing a Trip Adviser review? Did you stay in any places that were very good?

shashie

All the rest of our B&Bs were wonderful in their own, unique ways. We don't splurge on accommodations, but always found clean, quiet, comfortable rooms, and very welcoming hosts. Breakfasts were well prepared and substantial -- we really only ever ate one other meal per day. I will try to put a Trip Advisor review together.

One more note on Carrabaun -- their website claims a recommendation from Michele Erdvig's "Best Little Guide to Ireland." She has never recommended them and her request that the note be removed has been ignored.

shashie

umm. Pardon my ignorance, but is a Trip Adviser review different from a post on this forum? Thanks for your help!

IrishEyes

I guess you can add false advertising to Carrabaun's defects. It sounds like the owners should not be in a service industry. It is nice to hear that the rest of your B&Bs were fine.

Trip Advisor is a different website where you can post reviews: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ Many people here on Fodor's use it to review places to stay.

This is the page for reviews in Westport, Co. Mayo: http://tinyurl.com/y9x8zk

I did not see a listing for Carrabaun House but you can start one yourself by putting that title in the box that says "Subject of your review". It usually takes a few days before a review appears on Trip Advisor.

shashie

Thanks! Mental lapse on my part -- I did register and use TripAdvisor.com for some research before my trip. I posted a review of Carrabaun House there a day or two ago, so it should appear eventually.
I know positive reviews here and on other forums have helped me find good places to stay and special sites to visit. I hope a warning regarding a bad one helps someone out, too.

chezzle

Thank you,thank you,thank you.I'm glad I am not the only one who has a tale to tell.Just stayed there 2 weeks ago with a party of 6.I smoke...(yes I know) and am th only one in the party to do so.We got to our room.had a ciggie in the bathroom(actually a couple of puffs).I carry a portable ashtray.The "queen's' son came to our door to see what we would like for breakfast.I did not open the door fully as my husband was resting on the bed.'Snoop' started to look over my head,shouldersetc. as I was speaking with him.I thought he was checking out my husband.Nope.5 minutes after 'Snoop' left...there was a pounding on the door.It was the 'Queen' herself.Yelling that this was a non-smoking facility.I knew the rules...if I did it again I would be asked to leave.I apologized...I truly did not know.She then "demanded'me to pay for the room the next night as now she could not rent out that room.Again..my oversight..so I apologized again and agreed to her demand.Later,when we met our party in the lobby...I found out the 'queen' had knocked on everyone's door...told them the same.They were guilty by association!No one else smokes!!Met up with friends who live in Westport.They all have heard of the 'queen'She does not have a good reputation in town.apparently not well thought of.Next morning.."queen' was oh so friendly and chipper.She asked how my stay was.I let her know.I told her that to single me out was fine...but to be as rude as she was to everyone else was uncalled for...an she owed them an apology.She refused.I told her she made everyone feel very un-welcome and she should consider another line of work.The 'queens' husband came out and said too bad..be on your way.Yes..I smoked....no signs stating otherwise in lobby or on website.I did find the no -smoking sign later that evening in our room.UNDER the remote control on the table.Marsha was right..it wqas the worst...from the thin,frayed towels..holes in rugs etc.Also 2 people in our party found hair in their food..they were afraid to mention it.We go to Ireland 3x a year..Never..have we had such a horrible experience.Again...I know all about non-smoking...nothing was posted.Friends of ours who have a B&it was booked at the time)said it must clearly be stated.

shashie

Wow! I guess it turns out we were lucky that we could never find them! She made us eat earlier than we liked, told us our beds would be made while we ate and we should have our things out of the way when we came down. And when I needed something and heard voices in the hall, I'd open the door and hear doors slam immediately -- like a Marx Brothers movie!

She always set the breakfast plate down and sweetly said "Enjoy, dear!" Well, by the 2nd morning we knew that was obviously completely fake, so it was just plain annoying.

We had porridge the first two mornings we were there, and then didn't get any the 3rd morning. She said "Well, you changed your order and it is too late to make it now." 1) We hadn't changed our orders 2) Most B&B owners would have made it for you anyway, and 3) if she wouldn't do that, she could at least have said she was sorry for the mix up -- it wouldn't have been nearly as aggravating to us.

I sure hope the Tourist Office in town doesn't refer people to her! I don't know if it will do any good, but I wrote to TownandCountry.ie to let them know it was definitely NOT the "Experience" they want their customers to have.

chezzle

I realize I was ripped off and will never see my money again...but I did contact the Bord Failte...and thanks for the tip on contacting Westport Tourist Offices.I heard yesterday Westport was all abuzz of the treatment the Carrabaun House showed us.She also told us rooms would be made up while we were at breakfast...which I skipped.I just got the feeling they would be in our room snooping for more 'evidence'.Business must not be good to them...Queen works at a spa/salon during the day.No one there can tolerate her.

mmculp

My sister and I stayed at Carrabaun in July 05 - completely agree with these reviews. We were very uncomfortable there, and the owner and children were most unfriendly.

IrishEyes

Angela Gavin does not sound like the very rudest B&B owner I have met but from the reports she seems to be in the top 10. The Queen...LOL! Marsha & chezzle's reports are now on Trip Advisor. Maybe everyone else who has stayed there should add their comments to Trip Advisor also.

SiobhanP

Sorry to hear about your ecperiences. i have never stayed as its not on my radar of westport places to stay but it's a small town and word gets round fast. You cannot do business like this and expect to have customers coming back. She will get her come uppance but DO complain to Bord Failte is she is approved by them.

RosemaryT

Just spent 3 days at Carrabaun House.(July, 2007) Would highly recommend it. Everyone was friendly (big fluffy towels). Angela came to the door to take our breakfast order every day. She was very pleasant and helpful. In all the B & B's we stayed in you had to order the night before. A very pleasant experience.

Shadow

wow...I've stayed here twice...Angela was as nice as can be...spent a good bit of time talking with us on the first trip, did not see her the second one, but did see her husband. Sometimes they do ask for breakfast orders the night before...most not though. I don't mind that.
Sorry several of you had bad experiences!
Shadow