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SligoOutside the window, the river winds its way to the sea, a playground for the resident swans and a family of migrant mallards on their way south. Adolescent drakes vie with each other as they ride the thick brown ropes of peat-rich water that curl round the cutwaters of the old bridge. Their raucous voices echo off the stone buttresses that drip with festoons of green weed as the family squabble crossly over scraps. Unimpressed by the fracas the swans disdainfully ignore offerings from tourists and locals alike as they drift downstream. A squadron of gulls scream angrily at a mallard that has taken off with a slice of bread in its beak, but the intimidation doesn¿¿¿t work and the gulls resort to self recrimination.This is the daily entertainment from our balcony on the second floor of the Glasshouse Hotel in Sligo. We leave the car three stories below the hotel under CCTV scrutiny. The lift takes us straight to Reception. To return here is like coming home. At the desk we are welcomed by Justyna like old friends.A Mecca for comfort and cuisine, the all-glass facade of the hotel leans over the river for six stories. Inside, the decor is ultra-modern, the mezzanine floor with curved walls and a light and airy atrium above. The corridors all have the same curvilinear patterned carpet and the walls have a thematic decoration of large vibrant prints of the human form using bright colour. The rooms are a delight in form and colour and the bathroom impeccably clean. With a huge window that takes up one wall and a balcony from which to watch the world go by our room is a delight. At night the river¿¿¿s voice soothes us to a dreamless sleep while the moon rides low over the skyline to keep us company.Inventive menus from a good chef, attentive staff and a room with a view all conspire to make a three night break seem like a week!There is an Italian bistro, (or should it be trattoria?), called Bistro Bianconi, full of atmosphere with realistic frescoes, including Michelangelo¿¿¿s David, strategically censored with a banner for the faint-hearted. Food, service, craic, staff and wine deserving of stars from heaven, if not from Michelin.So much to see in and around the city. Walk along the boulevard past the tiny chapel to St. Bernadette, the cramped bookshops and the little cafes with their own individual smells. The river flows gently here occasionally sliding smoothly over huge slabs of old stone from ancient weirs. There is an old ruined abbey in good condition and very atmospheric. It¿¿¿s not hard to sit and imagine the hooded friars in the cloisters under the warm sunshine. There is an other-worldliness to Sligo, its curious streets and alleys, but none more so than in the surrounding countryside. There is a conscious awareness of the de dannan in the hedges and fields and stones. No one will admit to the existence of the little folk but no one will look you in the eye and deny them. Lyon¿¿¿s department store is a time warp, a haven of what was known in more relaxed times as an emporium. But it is only in the fabric of the building that evidence of a timeless era exists with its creaking uneven floors and its elegant staircase. Elsewhere both stock and staff are modern and as for the restaurant-sufficient to say that there is a queue every day at lunchtime.It was late in O¿¿¿Halligan¿¿¿s and the seafood chowder had gone down a treat with a few pints of the Black Stuff when we became aware of stories being bandied around in front of the turf fire. This is a pub for comfort. Uneven slabs of stone on the floor conspire to trip the unwary while little booths cuddle those in for a meal. Dark and mellow, the woodwork creaks and groans with every movement. Warm umber light, old photos, a lot of craic and seafood chowder to die for and the odd dram of Mr Jameson¿¿¿s golden nectar all conspire to help the stories go down.Even W.B.Yeats himself admitted the existence of the fairy. Not the light gossamer creatures of children¿¿¿s books bu

It's one of our recommendations to our customers if they need to book a training with us in Sligo.We stayed almost 1 week in a standard room with a river view. However there is nothing standard about this hotel. It was so fresh.and funky, helpful staff and really great.facilities. Really nice bar/restaurant(we didn't eat there), shame they don't have a swimming pool or a spa. If we ever get the chance will stay there again. the location and and service are great, the best in sligo

It is a nice hotel, great location, nice bar. we didn t have dinner in the hotel s restaurant but the breakfast was quite ok. price a bit high but would recommend. the rooms not facing the river are noisy as in the morning a big container is being filled with empty bottles. it happened on both mornings.

Did not provide a GPS coordinate and it was very difficult to find. Once we got here the room/people were very pleasant. Nice size room. Easy location to town. But no wifi in room. Iffy in bar area. Good service/breakfast.

Location couldn't have been better. Literally a minutes walk to all the bars, restaurants and shops. Loved the trendy d¿¿cor, furnishings and pop art throughout. Room was a lovely calming green with a great balcony overlooking the river. Cleaner had the room cleaned while we were at breakfast which must be a first. All staff were exceptionally friendly, efficient and professional. Really liked the design of the hotel from the View Bar serving cocktails to the outside seating area. Only issue was having twin beds pushed together which kept separating instead of a double bed. Even so, we enjoyed a very relaxing stay at The Glasshouse, highly recommend and will definitely return