2013 Award Winners FAMILY FRIENDLY HOTEL OF THE YEAR 2013

Hotel Westport, Westport, Co Mayo

Our Family-Friendly award is more highly valued each year, as times change and more people opt to holiday at home. We look for the places that cater especially well for families by providing the range of services and activities for varying ages and interests that make for a stress-free break. This year we’ve made this category a priority, with a team of young families testing special breaks all over the country on behalf of the Guide. The results have been very mixed, showing up a big divide between those who do it well, like our winning hotel, and the rest. What’s very clear is that a lot of hotels need to clean up their act and stop treating families like some kind of second-class guests filling in until the ‘real’ ones start coming back again - and there are huge opportunities in this area for well-run businesses, who can gain a new young clientele by catering to this market with respect by genuinely meeting their needs.

With their leisure centres and other all-weather activities, the best family-friendly hotels are a very good holiday option indeed, and this large, well-managed hotel deserves its place as a favoured destination for families. It’s at the centre of an interesting tourist area and its convenient location - quiet, yet almost town centre situation (no need to keep taking out the car) - is a big plus, also the helpful ‘can-do’ attitude of friendly staff. Great facilities include a white flag leisure centre & spa, also a Panda Club for 4-12 year old children during Irish school holidays and mid-term breaks.

Constant refurbishment and upgrading is the norm, food is well above average for an hotel, and it’s good value too – all of which will make it a happy choice for any family.