Owenea - Glenties

Steaks beautifully cooked, salmon and seafood fresh and first class, abundance of potatoes and vegtables

During my visit to Co Donegal, my wife's aunt kindly took us to The Highlands Hotel in Glenties for a bar meal. We ordered two cheese and ham toasties, a cheese and onion toastie, and two chicken salad sandwiches, along with 4 cups of tea and 1 coffee. Unfortunately, the food arrived in pieces - first the two cheese and ham toasties, followed by a cheese and onion sandwich. When the salad sandwiches finally arrived, they were missing the chicken. After sending them back, it took about ten minutes for them to return. The drinks also took longer than expected, with the coffee being tasteless and the tea not filling the cups adequately. A manageress explained the poor service by stating that it had suddenly gotten busy. While one wrong item could be excused, two mistakes and the delays were unacceptable. This experience was not in line with the service I have come to expect in Co Donegal.

I was in the area for work and decided to stop by for a coffee during lunchtime. The bar lounge area didn't look very inviting, with tables and chairs randomly placed in the middle of the floor. I waited for 5 minutes at the bar while a male staff member was serving someone else and was completely ignored. The same thing happened with a female waiter. When I finally got served, I ordered a coffee, a sandwich, and a side salad. My coffee arrived promptly within 5 minutes, but I had to wait 25 minutes for my sandwich and side salad. The bread was not fresh, and the side salad seemed to be yesterday's leftover mashed potatoes with a spoonful of mayo added to make it into a potato salad. The pre-made coleslaw was untouched, and the rest of the salad included bits of red onion, cucumber, chopped iceberg lettuce, and pineapple. It was not appealing at all, so I ended up leaving it. Overall, I was really disappointed with the experience.

My husband, our son, and I frequently visit Donegal, and the highlight of our trip is when we get to dine at the Highlands Hotel in beautiful Glenties. The Owenea Restaurant is beautifully decorated and the food is simply delicious, with meat supplied locally and a wonderful selection of seafood. The luxurious and pristine bedrooms add to the overall experience. From the proprietors, Mr. and Mrs. Boyle, to every member of staff, we are greeted with professionalism and warmth. This family-run hotel has a unique charm and familiarity that sets it apart from others. We highly recommend it to everyone. We are already looking forward to our next visit, coincidentally on March 13 when the famous band Bagatelle will be playing. - Mr. and Mrs. O'D-Brennan, Co. Mayo.

Visited this hotel for the first time for a bite of lunch with my husband and two friends. Got menu and decided what we wanted. My husband went up to counter to order like everyone else but was told by waitress that she would be with us at the table in a minute. Twenty minutes past and she still hadn't taken our order. She continued to take orders at the counter from other people who had come in after us. Decided that they didn't want our business so we left. Don't think we will be in a hurry back.