Inishowen Gateway Hotel

3.0 star property

Photo gallery for Inishowen Gateway Hotel

Full breakfast on weekdays (EUR 14.95 per person)
Property video
Exterior
Indoor pool
2 bars/lounges

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Spa
  • Gym
  • Bar

Explore the area

View map
Railway Road, Buncrana, Donegal
  • Place, Vintage Car and Carriage Museum
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Place, Buncrana Beach
    ‪15 min walk‬
  • Place, Star Amusements
    ‪16 min walk‬
  • Airport, Londonderry (LDY-City of Derry)
    ‪42 min drive‬

Room options

Double or Twin Room

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(44 reviews)
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed OR 2 Twin Beds

Family Room

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • 27 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 1 Twin Bed

Similar properties

About the area

Buncrana

With a stay at Inishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana, you'll be on the beach, just a 1-minute walk from Buncrana Golf Club and 10 minutes by foot from Buncrana Beach. .This beach hotel is 0.6 mi (1 km) from Vintage Car and Carriage Museum and 0.8 mi (1.3 km) from Star Amusements.

What's nearby

  • Vintage Car and Carriage Museum - 13 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Buncrana Beach - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Star Amusements - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Millennium Forum - 24 min drive - 22.3 km
  • Malin Head - 51 min drive - 51.7 km

Getting around

  • Londonderry Station - 30 min drive
  • Londonderry (LDY-City of Derry) - 38 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Harbour Inn - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Peppers Diner - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪The Cottage Bar - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪The Drift Inn - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪The Coffee Cup - ‬18 min walk

About this property

Inishowen Gateway Hotel

Beachside hotel with indoor pool
Inishowen Gateway Hotel offers 80 accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. This Buncrana hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access.

Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations and complimentary toiletries. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones. Irons/ironing boards and hair dryers can be requested. Housekeeping is provided daily.

An indoor pool and a children's pool are on site. Other recreational amenities include a health club and a sauna.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Seagrass Spa has couples treatment room(s). Services include hot stone massages, facials, body wraps, and body scrubs. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including hydrotherapy.
Make yourself at home in one of the 80 guestrooms. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as desks and coffee/tea makers.
Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa, which offers massages, body treatments, and facials. You're sure to appreciate the recreational amenities, including a health club, an indoor pool, and a sauna. This hotel also features complimentary wireless internet access, a picnic area, and a ballroom.
Grab a bite to eat at the Peninsula Restaurant, a restaurant where you can take in the ocean view, or stay in and take advantage of room service (during limited hours). Relax with a refreshing drink at one of the 2 bars/lounges. Full breakfasts are served on weekdays from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM for a fee.
Featured amenities include a business center, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a 24-hour front desk. Self parking (subject to charges) is available onsite.
Full breakfasts are available for a surcharge between 7:30 AM and 9:00 AM on weekdays.
Peninsula Restaurant - Overlooking the ocean and golf course, this restaurant serves breakfast and dinner.
Loughview Bar - This bar serves lunch and dinner. A children's menu is available. Open daily.
Room service (during limited hours) is available.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site (surcharge)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Weekday full breakfast available 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM for a fee: EUR 14.95 per person
  • 2 bars/lounges
  • A restaurant
  • Snack bar/deli

Restaurants on site

  • Loughview Bar
  • Peninsula Restaurant

Things to do

  • 9-hole adjacent golf course
  • Children's pool
  • Fitness classes
  • Full-service spa
  • Health club
  • Indoor pool
  • Sauna
  • Steam room

Family friendly

  • Children's pool
  • Indoor pool
  • Snack bar/deli

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)

Business services

  • Business centre
  • Conference centre

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • On the beach
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace

Full-service spa

  • Body scrubs
  • Body wraps
  • Couples treatment rooms
  • Facials
  • Hot stone massages
  • Hydrotherapy
  • Manicures/pedicures

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel

More

  • Ballroom
  • Banquet hall
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Reception hall

Room amenities

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • TV

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Limited room service

More

  • Desk
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in fee: EUR 20
Contactless check-in available
Late check-in subject to availability
Late check-in fee: EUR 20 for check-in between noon and 2:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before noon
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Renovations and closures

The property is closed between December 24 and December 25.

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for full breakfast: approximately EUR 14.95 per person
  • Early check-in fee: EUR 20 (subject to availability)
  • Late check-in fee: EUR 20 for check-in between noon and 2:00 PM

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, mobile payments, and cash
Mobile payment options include: Apple Pay
This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, and a first aid kit

We should mention

Reservations are required for golf tee times; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation

National rating

Rating provided by Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority of Ireland, source of official star ratings for accommodation.

Property is also known as

Inishowen Gateway Hotel Buncrana
Inishowen Gateway Hotel
Inishowen Gateway Buncrana
Inishowen Gateway Hotel Buncrana
Inishowen Gateway Buncrana
Inishowen Gateway
Hotel Inishowen Gateway Hotel Buncrana
Buncrana Inishowen Gateway Hotel Hotel
Hotel Inishowen Gateway Hotel
Inishowen Gateway Buncrana
Inishowen Gateway Hotel Hotel
Inishowen Gateway Hotel Buncrana
Inishowen Gateway Hotel Hotel Buncrana

Inishowen Gateway Hotel Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 202 out of 336 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 98 out of 336 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 21 out of 336 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 7 out of 336 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 8 out of 336 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

9.0/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Philip

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

John

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Great hotel got married there 37yrs ago been going there every year and was disappointed with the fact that they have shut the main bar which was at the centre of the hotel the heart of the hotel and drew you in when you entered the hotel and they have instead opened up the bar at the back of hotel to replace it, this new bar has no atmosphere at all you can't really relax in it as it feels like I'm sitting at an airport terminal waiting to board a flight to Spain thats never coming. The foyer is now dead and uninviting due to the main bars closure, if it wasn't for reception I'd have thought the hotel closed. Also glass of pino at the bar tastes cheap and vingery also noticed desert portion has been halved from last visits. This hotel has amazing staff and the rooms are spotless modern luxurious just a pity about the bar which I might add had no sea views which the original bar did and is one of the main reasons I would book its one off their main selling point and I feel a bit cheated to left staring at the the main busy road instead of the relaxing view.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

William

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice location . Comfortable rooms.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carla, Searsport

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Michelle, at reception, was amazing. She could not have been nicer with a simple request and very friendly every time we walked by the front desk. We have stayed at the Inishowen 3 times over the past 20 years and it’s a perfect place to stay when visiting Buncrana and the surrounding area
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Clare

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Nice clean room.. bar food delicious.. had lovely walk, very scenic view.. all in all stay was great!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Helen

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Robbie

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

John

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hotel was great friendly staff ,good food in the bar ,great breakfast choices,Rooms were very clean and spacious but my favourite thing was to relax on the room with great TV choices including netflix so perfect stay.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Danielle

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Definitely would return, but will bring a pillow.

Stayed there for 2 nights and the service was great. It was my partner's birthday and they made a lovely gesture to celebrate. Thank you. The breakfast was particularly good!! Lots of choice and lots of it. The location was fantastic, with great walks and such a handy base for exploring the peninsula. Only marking it down slightly for not firm enough pillows and a slight weird smell when we first entered out room each time. The pool and sauna facilities were top notch and overall we would very happily come back.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Daniel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lost its ambiance. Guests now denied entry to the Loughview bar. The heart and soul of the hotel. The Swilly bar for guests affords a view of the carpark. The selling point, spectacular view, is inaccessible unless you pay for sea view room or are dining. This will impact upon the hotel’s regular returning clients.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Therese

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Not worth the trip

We stayed here recently for a special occasion and unfortunately our experience was extremely disappointing. The hotel felt musty, and both my partner and I had sinus issues at night. Our baby also coughed throughout the nights, which was very concerning. On arrival after 9pm, we were shocked to find that the cot for our baby was not in the room, even though this had been requested and confirmed by the hotel. It was brought up quickly when we asked, but I was initially told to make it up myself while holding a screaming baby. When I questioned this, a staff member reluctantly offered to do it but admitted he didn’t know how. He proceeded to make a very unsafe bed, ignoring my instructions that it only needed a sheet on the base. In the end, I had to ask him to leave and make the cot myself while my baby cried. Overall, our stay was uncomfortable, stressful, and absolutely not worth the money. What should have been a special occasion was completely ruined. I cannot recommend this hotel and will not be returning.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Justine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Mary-Grace

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Colin

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly and helpful staff, quiet comfortable rooms, and great breakfast options. Checkout time of noon was very welcome, we never felt rushed.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

4/10 Poor

Philip

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Disliked: Cleanliness

Needs a bit of TLC

This hotel has potential. The steam room was dangerous. The noise coming from an exposed pipe. The carpet throughout the hotel needs deep clean or replaced. The staff through the hotel were very welcoming and civil. The best point of the hotel was the breakfast. Buffet style and well maintained with the best choice and nurishing food.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Marie

Travelled with partner
Over all stay was quite enjoyable loved music in bar excellent singer food was fine room was great value
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great Hotel
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Abraham

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Its 20 minutes away from Derry.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Derek

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Janet

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gary

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely friendly and helpful staff, Room was spotless, spacious and quiet, the beds are honestly one of the most comfortable beds ive ever slept in. Breakfast was lovely and plentiful, would definitely love to return to this hotel and try their Sunday carvery next time.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

LORI

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service
Service staff was under staffed in the dining room. Took over an hour to get drinks. Finally went up to the bar to get them ourself. Food was yummy.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

kevin, Salem

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice Hotel and good breakfast, food from bar was great,only one nearby pub, a bit of walk to buncrana mainstreet good stay
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Darragh

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Fergus

Travelled with partner
Liked: Amenities
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025