Name: Central Hotel Donegal
Address: The Diamond, Donegal, Ireland, Donegal, County Donegal, IE
Price range: US$137–US$255 per night
Rating: 8.3

What guests think

At Central Hotel Donegal, travellers praise the unbeatable town-centre location and friendly staff, while opinions diverge on dated facilities and room quality, which range from newly refurbished and comfortable to worn, noisy, and basic.

Many appreciate the pool and gym and on-site dining, with a lively bar, while off-site paid parking nearby can be a minor hassle. Cleanliness is often praised, though recurring comments note worn or stained carpets and occasional maintenance or housekeeping issues like mold, drafty windows, or low water pressure. Expect some nighttime noise, a maze-like layout with stairs, and no air conditioning; a practical choice if you value convenience and amenities over modern finishes.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Pool and gym are frequently highlighted as positives, and the lively bar and on-site restaurants add appeal. Parking is off-site in public lots a short walk away and can be confusing at first.

Related guest reviews

10

Laura

26 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

It was central to everything in the town. Nice atmosphere in the bar. Staff where very friendly and they had great entertainment on.

8

Laura

14 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

This hotel would be difficult to navigate if you require mobility assistance. Stairs everywhere. No AC. I brought Small fan. Do not know if fans are available for the room. Rooms were clean. No washcloths. Requested extra hand towel for washing. The pub had live music the night we were there. Cute downtown area. Right in the middle. The view of the water was beautiful. Self parking in paid city parking. Does have an indoor pool and workout room.

8

Antonia

29 May 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Convenient. Nice pool and hot tub.

8

stephen

13 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The location is amazing. Right in town, steps from stores, restaurants and Donegal Town is a great little town. 5 minute drive or 15 minute walk from a Circle K that has outdoor laundry machines so no problem doing laundry if you need to. This hotel had all the basics so just 'acceptable'. Carpets were pretty old - worn and stained. 1 elevator, had to wait a bit sometimes. Really confusing stairs and hallways, I think this is a bunch of buildings cobbled and connected together which works fine just makes for some long hallways and blind turns - learning curve. Neither classy old nor clean new if you know what I mean. Staff were pleasant no real complaints. They do have gym and a pool hot tub, those were actually pretty good with a pleasant lady who manages reception there. We didn't try the food and breakfast was not included but this was probably a plus rather a negative because the breakfast options steps from the hotel are numerous and are really good, we tried 2 different ones. The parking is offsite, outside, at the dock which is a < 5 minute walk, and really cheap - basically free from 6 PM to 9 PM then 0.30/hour. A lot to recommend about this hotel except needs a complete refresh to the actual facility.

8

David

25 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Very convenient hotel from bus arrival, 10 second walk. Pleasant hotel. Bar and two restaurants. Bed was comfortable. Lovely water views. Had unpleasant experience one night at dinner. Dessert never came after 40 minutes. That was unacceptable and staff were indifferent. But would stay here again. I blame one incompetent unnamed waiter.

10

Laurie

6 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Front desk upgraded us to bay rooms which was nice. My sons enjoyed using the pool after a long car ride. Location is excellent right in center of town.

10

David

6 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Staff was very helpful. The location is excellent...right in the city 'diamond'. Parking was confusing at first, but is inexpensive and easy once you know what it entails. The fitness facilities are first-rate and a welcome feature while on a trip. Lots of charm in this classic beauty of a property.

10

Karen

24 Jan 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

This is a perfect location - right on the Diamond. Parking is available nearby (metered spaces you can pay for 9 hours at a time). The pool and gym are a huge plus. The dinner and breakfast we had there were very good. There may be wheelchair accessible rooms but the one we had was not (we didn't request one, just an FYI for guests) - although there was a lift there were also stairs between the lift and our room.

8

Edward

20 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Honestly, the staff was amazing, but beware if you're purchasing via Expedia. We got a room that looked out onto like a kitchen vent or something, with loads of peeling paint and mildew strewn all over the place. The pool was also not a fun experience for kids, as people use it for laps and there are a TON of rules posted, like no diving (which is obvious) but also no kicking or splashing. The location for Donegal, the town, was perfect, but I might book somewhere else if we go again. Hallway carpet was really old and grimy.

8

Philip

18 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Set right in the middle of Donegal this is a surprisingly large hotel with a small swimming pool and gym. Seemed to be popular with coach trips

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Cleanliness

Many guests found rooms very clean or spotless. Others report recurring issues such as worn or stained carpets and occasional mold or housekeeping lapses.

Related guest reviews

4

Naomi

3 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

When I got to my room the bathroom had pubic hair all over the floor and inside the shower lay two muddy show prints on the floor. The TV was also broken.

10

Pat

20 Sept 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

We stayed for 2 nights . Staff were very friendly and obliging. Cleanliness was excellent . Good range of choices for breakfast and food in general was excellent

10

Siobhan

4 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Spotless and lovely staff

10

Tanya

1 Dec 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Room was clean and tidy, staff all lovely and helpful

4

Emmanuel

23 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Big room but not practical at all. Carpet with stains etc. We did not stay for breakfast because the place is really just ok. No parking

8

Duncan

5 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel had music that night however, we went to bed prior to it starting and never heard a thing. The staff were very professional and friendly. The room was clean. On the down side there is no allocated parking so we had to park on the street. The windows in the room didn’t open (probably due to safety issues) and it was quite stuffy throughout our stay. There weren’t any coffee making and ironing facilities in the room.

4

Fritz Walter

5 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

- Personal war freundlich, nur beim auschecken mussten wir über 10 Minuten warten, obwohl keine anderen Gäste vor uns waren. - Im Zimmer Schimmel an den Fensterrahmen (Fotos) - Teppichböden auf den Fluren und im Zimmer nicht mehr in gutem Zustand. Für mich als Allergiker war es kein guter Aufenthalt. K

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6

Brian

25 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Service was very good. Hotel and the rooms need a deep clean.

2

Stephen

9 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The towels were wet and dirty upon checkin. I called down and they said nobody was available to help. The facilities were sub par all around The hot tub was luke warm. The shower had no water pressure. There was a towel warmer in the bath that did not work It felt like the hotel had been unchanged since 1983

10

Don

11 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Very clean, friendly helpful staff, and perfect location in town center, across the street from many excellent pubs and restaurants!

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Rooms

Room quality varies widely: some are newly refurbished, comfortable, and offer lovely river or bay views, while others feel dated, basic, or have drafty windows. Noise from nearby bars or street, lack of air conditioning, and occasional in-room Wi‑Fi or TV issues are mentioned.

Related guest reviews

10

Letitia

31 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great place room over looking the river great location

6

John

29 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Was right above the pub with karaoke night and it went on till 1230 at night. Couldn’t sleep a wink until it was done so loud.

10

Catherine

3 Jan 2026

·

Stayed 1 night

Staff were great, food great and room was newly refurbished. Great stay!

10

Anne Marie

27 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Love the Central hotel Staff are very welcoming Rooms cosy and comfortable Excellent location

6

Traci

14 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The location of this hotel was ideal-- right in the middle of Donegal town, near shops, pubs and restaurants. There were two things that made me not give the place a higher rating. The first is that we had an actual key for our room, which was a little weird, more of an inconvenience as our older kids like to do things on their own, but someone would need to wait for them, so they could get into the room (also no keycard meant that anyone could get on the elevator). The other thing was the noise from outside at night. The pro of being in the city center is that you have opportunities to get out and enjoy the town easily; the con is that, when you have thin windows, you get to hear everyone else have a good time late into the night. We did not sleep well here.

10

Zee

5 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We were upgraded to a room with a Donegal bay view. The size of the room was adequate but we were 3 guests & they only had towels, cups etc for 2 people. It was quiet and the front desk staff were helpful. The hotel is laid out in a circular formation & it is hard to find your way in or out.

10

Linda

12 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Everything was great except this old house type structure did not have air conditioning. It was not hot but I sleep hot. They provided a fan and everything went perfect. The staff is wonderful the room was clean and inviting

6

Ana

31 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Room is mediocre.windows are dirty , dresser drawers broken. Rundown. No AC

10

Véronique

9 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

pb de connexion internet : wifi ne fonctionne pas dans les chambre (3ème etage). petit pb aussi avec la tv qui n avait pas de son. ils ont reussi à lexremettre puis le lendemain cela ne fonctionnait plus

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4

Aimee

31 Dec 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Our room windows was really draft to the point the two of us and the room was freezing, we did ask to change rooms and we changed to a smaller room and the windows and frames were drafty so much so that it was blowing the carpet and we wer again freezing all night, I've since emailed the manager looking a refund with no answer back

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Service

Staff are widely praised as friendly, helpful, and accommodating, with upgrades and thoughtful assistance noted. A minority experienced slow or indifferent service at reception or in the restaurant, and follow-up to issues could be better.

Related guest reviews

6

Jeanne

30 Jan 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

I didn’t have the best experience of hospitality overall. Receptionists in particular were cold, bordering on rude. Check-in felt like an interrogation; when I called to say the Wi-Fi was down I was told that “no one else has complained”, and on day of departure I got a stern call telling me check out was at 11 and it was 11:10. (I thought it was at twelve- like most hotels I’ve been to in Ireland, and I’m traveling with a 2 year old as a single mom. Hotel was definitely not full. There was really no need to hurry us except for a sense of what? Authority?) I did have an exceptionally good experience with another member of staff- I think a gentleman who worked in the restaurant- who helped me on two occasions with my daughter’s stroller/buggy. That was a highlight, and in contradiction with the near rudeness of the ladies at reception. I’ve been traveling through Ireland for four weeks and this was my worse experience so far.

8

Robert

8 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great service, couldn't be more helpful.

10

Tanya

1 Dec 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Room was clean and tidy, staff all lovely and helpful

4

Heidi

17 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Run down, unhelpful staff. Out dated, staff was completely unhelpful

10

margaret

19 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

second time this year at central hotel, excellent staff and rooms very clean and comfortable. Brad who works as waiter/barman was very attentive and jovial, what a wonderful hotel with helpful wonderful staff, will definitely be back.

4

Fritz Walter

5 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

- Personal war freundlich, nur beim auschecken mussten wir über 10 Minuten warten, obwohl keine anderen Gäste vor uns waren. - Im Zimmer Schimmel an den Fensterrahmen (Fotos) - Teppichböden auf den Fluren und im Zimmer nicht mehr in gutem Zustand. Für mich als Allergiker war es kein guter Aufenthalt. K

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8

David

25 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Very convenient hotel from bus arrival, 10 second walk. Pleasant hotel. Bar and two restaurants. Bed was comfortable. Lovely water views. Had unpleasant experience one night at dinner. Dessert never came after 40 minutes. That was unacceptable and staff were indifferent. But would stay here again. I blame one incompetent unnamed waiter.

10

Paolo

23 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Excellent location, very friendly and helpful staff, comfort room

4

Aimee

31 Dec 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Our room windows was really draft to the point the two of us and the room was freezing, we did ask to change rooms and we changed to a smaller room and the windows and frames were drafty so much so that it was blowing the carpet and we wer again freezing all night, I've since emailed the manager looking a refund with no answer back

10

Jody

23 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Our time at the Central Hotel was wonderful. Staff were so accommodating! Breakfast and dinner were very good. It is central to everything in Donegal.

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Location

Consistently praised central spot on the Diamond with easy access to pubs, restaurants, attractions, and views. Downsides include city-centre noise at night and reliance on off-site paid parking.

Related guest reviews

10

Brandy

21 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Convenient location, great views. & hidden options

10

Marian

15 May 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We enjoyed our brief stay in Donegal. The central hotel is on the Diamond and is truly central to everything happening in town.

10

Julie

22 Jul 2023

·

No parking. Have to use public car park which is close by and inexpensive. Free 6pm-9am. About 5 minute walk.

10

Georgette

20 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Right in the heart of the town, close to everything. Lovely breakfast and we had dinner there as well which was excellent.

8

geraldine

28 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Location

8

stephen

13 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The location is amazing. Right in town, steps from stores, restaurants and Donegal Town is a great little town. 5 minute drive or 15 minute walk from a Circle K that has outdoor laundry machines so no problem doing laundry if you need to. This hotel had all the basics so just 'acceptable'. Carpets were pretty old - worn and stained. 1 elevator, had to wait a bit sometimes. Really confusing stairs and hallways, I think this is a bunch of buildings cobbled and connected together which works fine just makes for some long hallways and blind turns - learning curve. Neither classy old nor clean new if you know what I mean. Staff were pleasant no real complaints. They do have gym and a pool hot tub, those were actually pretty good with a pleasant lady who manages reception there. We didn't try the food and breakfast was not included but this was probably a plus rather a negative because the breakfast options steps from the hotel are numerous and are really good, we tried 2 different ones. The parking is offsite, outside, at the dock which is a < 5 minute walk, and really cheap - basically free from 6 PM to 9 PM then 0.30/hour. A lot to recommend about this hotel except needs a complete refresh to the actual facility.

8

Chi

15 May 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Overall is good but street traffic is too busy to find car parking.

10

Andrew

22 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

Great location

10

Don

11 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Very clean, friendly helpful staff, and perfect location in town center, across the street from many excellent pubs and restaurants!

10

Ben

21 May 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great hotel in the middle of Donegal, easy access to local attractions like the castle and waterbus. Plenty of on street parking and local car park two minutes away.

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Dining

Breakfast and dinners are often rated very good, and the bar has live music. There are occasional service lapses and one-off negative experiences, while many guests also enjoy numerous eateries steps away.

Related guest reviews

8

Caroline

27 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Friendly staff, good buffet style breakfast. Lovely dinner.

10

Alexis

8 Jul 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Fantastic experience at the Central Hotel. The location is ideal for a stay in Donegal — just walk out the door and you’re on the Diamond. Superb dining — the Thai menu is a must try! Courteous staff and gorgeous views. I’ll be back soon.

10

Laura

26 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

It was central to everything in the town. Nice atmosphere in the bar. Staff where very friendly and they had great entertainment on.

10

Jonathan

11 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

The hotel and all the staff were lovely, helpful and friendly. Breakfast was great and the evening meal options were also very good. Great location and the harbour view was beautiful

10

Georgette

20 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Right in the heart of the town, close to everything. Lovely breakfast and we had dinner there as well which was excellent.

10

Chris

9 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Breakfast was wonderful!

10

Jack

15 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The location was prefect the people were friendly and helpful as well as the breakfast.

10

Rosemary

26 Oct 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Lovely stay at the Cenral friendly helpful staff Dinner supberb

8

David

25 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Very convenient hotel from bus arrival, 10 second walk. Pleasant hotel. Bar and two restaurants. Bed was comfortable. Lovely water views. Had unpleasant experience one night at dinner. Dessert never came after 40 minutes. That was unacceptable and staff were indifferent. But would stay here again. I blame one incompetent unnamed waiter.

10

Karen

24 Jan 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

This is a perfect location - right on the Diamond. Parking is available nearby (metered spaces you can pay for 9 hours at a time). The pool and gym are a huge plus. The dinner and breakfast we had there were very good. There may be wheelchair accessible rooms but the one we had was not (we didn't request one, just an FYI for guests) - although there was a lift there were also stairs between the lift and our room.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	US$150
March	US$113
September	US$157
October	US$140
November	US$124
December	US$125

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7 $181	8 $189	9 $181	10 $180	11 $255	12
13 $173	14 $182	15 $178	16 $178	17 $178	18 $207	19
20 $180	21 $170	22 $170	23 $185	24 $180	25 $204	26
27 $170	28 $171	29 $180	30 $176

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $138	2 $160	3
4 $142	5 $147	6 $147	7 $143	8 $142	9 $182	10 $199
11 $143	12 $145	13 $137	14 $142	15 $137	16 $177	17
18 $144	19 $137	20 $146	21 $145	22 $137	23 $163	24 $174
25 $162	26 $143	27 $144	28 $137	29 $146	30 $177	31 $183

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Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Guest reviews

Very good

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property policies

Check-in instructions

Security deposit

Good to know

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