So, just like a few others have mentioned in their reviews I too was a little unsure of exactly what to expect when we booked a chalet with Sandra and Craig after reading about there being a bar and a “bring your own” set up etc.
However, I’m delighted to say that a) everything was exactly as described and there literally was a full on “Irish bar” where you literally just “bring your own” booze ( or soft drinks as you prefer) then stash it behind the fully equipped bar and then serve yourselves and your friends just as you feel like it as the day / night goes on and all in the (totally private and permanently closed to the public) bar !
The bar has a lovely a lovely welcoming open fire, complete with the lovely smell of turf gently as well as a dart board and karaoke machine and smoke machine for fun no less plus board games and things should you wish all so that you can kick back and relax at your own pace - and all without having to worry about paying Irelands seemingly higher and higher bar prices on a night out AND without worrying about how you’re going to manage to find and pay for a taxi home at the end of your night ! And for those thinking about cost in these ever tighter times we’re living in - do remember to factor in too that as you’re bringing your own booze you’ll be saving a small fortune versus paying over the counter bar prices all night and THAT will go a long way towards paying for the already very reasonable accommodation cost - and the more nights you stay the more you save !
With regards to the accommodation / chalets themselves they are lovely and comfortable and “quirky” ( but all in a good way!) - if you want some soulless luxury 5 star villa type stay then this is not it, BUT if you want a comfortable, warm and welcoming chalet with all the amenities you might ever need and are seeking a genuine break away from the norm, in accommodation that’s clean, comfortable interesting and different then definitely give here a try.
There’s also the added bonus too of the wonderful heated coal fired wooden hot tub ( non of your cheap plastic Jacuzzi nonsense here, this is the real deal) all situated just 10 steps from your chalet door and all fired up by the hosts for you to enjoy a super relaxing soak as you chill out and let your every day strains and stresses just melt away.
Sandra and Craig ( the hosts) are two lovely, genuine, warm, welcoming people, who simply can’t do enough to make sure their guests have a special time when staying with them - even to the point of erecting a large rainbow flag outside the bar for our arrival to make sure that we knew us ( LGBT) guests were absolutely welcome there. Actually I’m guessing that they probably had THE ONLY “gay bar” in Donegal that weekend during stay ! Lol. We were delighted when they joined us for a while “in the bar” for a chat and as they say in Ireland “the stories and craic was mighty!” :-)
The chalets are located in a great area, very central to a lot of the must see places in the Donegal area and staying there gives you loads of options where to go and spend your day.
So, if you’re looking for somewhere “different” and not your standard boring “corporate” bland hotel or Airbnb where you can sometimes feel like just another conveyor belt customer I’d definitely recommend giving this place a try. I’m guessing if you do then you too will arrive wondering “wow, what’s this all about” and once you get settled in you’ll love it abd leave,l having had a lovely relaxing break and something different from the norm, having made new friends (with the hosts and perhaps other guests) and if you’re like ourselves you’ll have found yourselves having booking your next stay before you even depart ! :-)