Reception

Reviews of Dobbins Inn

3 out of 5
Dobbins Inn
6-8 High St, Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 163 out of 341 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 120 out of 341 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 41 out of 341 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 10 out of 341 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 7 out of 341 reviews" "

8.6/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Tammy, Hamilton

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very convenient location and great quality of food
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from Dobbins Team on 27 Apr 2024
Hi Tammy, thank you for your comments. Hope you enjoy the rest of your travels

10/10 Excellent

Wesley

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
So much history in this little inn. It was actually considered a castle at one time. Not to mention you can walk across the street to the huge castle. Remember it’s old…but that’s part of its beauty. The breakfast was 2nd to none!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024
Response from Dobbins Team on 7 Apr 2024
Morning, Delighted you enjoyed your stay at our Inn. Your comments will be passed onto the team.

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
My niece & I wound up at the Dobbin's Inn by chance, we were only going spend one night but we fell so in love with the Hotel & the surrounding town of Carrickfergus that we spent 3 nights there ! We were enchanted with everything about the hotel ; the warm, cozy atmosphere, the fascinating history, the thoughtful & courteous staff, and the simply delicious food that the house chef & staff cooked for us each day. Do yourself a favour and try their seafood chowder & fresh bread - it can't be beat !
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Response from Dobbins Team on 6 Mar 2024
Hi Michael, Thank you so much for your very kind comments. Will pass onto the rest of the team.

10/10 Excellent

Jacqueline

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very quite , went for night of just downtime for me & my partner was excellent
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024
Response from Dobbins Team on 26 Feb 2024
Thank you

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We loved the history of Dobbins Inn and its location. Beautiful scenery! Breakfast next to the fire in the dining area and tea time in the afternoon was relaxing.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
Response from Dobbins Team on 15 Feb 2024
Thank you so much for your kind comments

8/10 Good

Catherine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Overnight stay
Warm welcome and friendly staff. Room clean and tidy. Bed was very uncomfortable but clean laundry. Breakfast was tasty and freshly cooked. Good location.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
Response from Dobbins Team on 15 Feb 2024
Thank you for your kind comments

10/10 Excellent

Brenda

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Thank you for a wonderful stay. Room was comfortable and clean. The food was 5 stars. The staff went above and beyond for you. Alan who was night porter is a superb member of staff, friendly, courteous, respectful and just a top guy.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023
Response from Dobbins Team on 15 Feb 2024
Thank you Brenda, delighted you enjoyed your stay

10/10 Excellent

Dorothy

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023
Response from Dobbins Team on 15 Feb 2024
Thank you

4/10 Poor

Mary

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Overpriced and disappointing
This hotel is a listed building. So, it has no insulation therefore it is very important that the heating works adequately. My room was freezing!! On mentioning to staff they brought an electric heater that was not adequate in warming up my room on one if the coldest nights of the year. I had a very uncomfortable night. In the morning on touching the bedroom radiator it was red hot! So the heating was switched off the previous night! The tea at breakfast was out if a pump action thermos which was tepid, a fresh pot for each guest would have been welcome. I paid £90 for my room and breakfast and was very disappointed. However I ate supper in the bar and it was first class. The entrance where the reception is had an open fire that put putrid fumes all upstairs into the rooms. All in all a very disappointing stay and definitely not worth the money.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 6 Dec 2023
Dear Mary,I am sorry to read your comments about your stay and can only apologise at this stage for the lack of heat in your room for a period. However I hope to clarify a few of your points. The heating for the bedrooms is on a timer and set for the morning and also for the evening times. We were not aware there was an issue with the heating on the 2nd floor until a guest brought it to our attention. The heating on the first floor was working perfectly. Once the issue with the heating on the 2nd floor was brought to our attention the maintenance team were called and the issue was resolved in less than 3 hours. In the meantime you were provided with a heater as a temporary measure.We use the flasks at busy breakfast times however you would have been more than welcome to ask for a pot of tea or coffee.In relation to the fires we have in the reception and in our bar lounge, these are unique to our building within Carrickfergus and are a welcomed sight by everyone. Positive comments are always received when visitors walk into the building. While this is a personal view of yours, it is not one we have ever had before. I am glad to read that your enjoyed the food in the bar lounge. With regards to being over priced, 90 bed and breakfast for 2 people is well below other hotels in the area. Had you booked direct you would have received a rate roughly 5-6 less than through 3rd party.

6/10 Okay

Jason

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 6 Dec 2023
Thank you

6/10 Okay

Aaron

Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

4/10 Poor

Ismail

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

6/10 Okay

Marcus

Liked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 14 Nov 2023
Thank you

10/10 Excellent

Matthew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The most welcoming place I've ever stayed in.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 2 Nov 2023
Dear Matthew, Thank you for your very kind words. Will pass onto the team.

10/10 Excellent

Kerri

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice place to stay
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 2 Nov 2023
Hi, Thank you for your comments.

6/10 Okay

Trish

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Staff & service
This property was convenient to a few pubs and opposite Carrickfergus Castle (handy) but very average accommodation and noisy with people up and down stairs and opening and slamming doors till late!
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 31 Oct 2023
Hi Trish,Will look at the doors, perhaps the closer on them needs attention. Unfortunately it is impossible to prevent people moving about the hotel. Your booking was over a weekend it is more likely that people will be out and about later.

10/10 Excellent

Jason

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 30 Oct 2023
Thank you

10/10 Excellent

Shirley

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 25 Oct 2023
Hi Shirley, Thank you

10/10 Excellent

Brenda

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Small drive from Belfast and easily accessible!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 17 Oct 2023
Thank you

8/10 Good

Mr M

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Quaint enjoyable stay
Quaint hotel, with a pub restaurant grub plus good value breakfast
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 13 Oct 2023
Thank you for your kind comments

8/10 Good

Tracy, Rimbey

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 13 Oct 2023
thank you

10/10 Excellent

Valentino

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great staff
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 9 Oct 2023
Thank you

10/10 Excellent

Theresa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
They had many options for meals and also were very helpful
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 1 Oct 2023
Thank you

8/10 Good

steve

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice place
Really friendly staff, great atmosphere, the rooms were clean and comfortable. Thank you for a great stay.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 25 Sept 2023
Thank you!

8/10 Good

Linda

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely old style pub with accommodation which is basic but clean and comfortable. Staff lovely. Dinner was also really good too with breakfast too. Cannot fault for the price.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 25 Sept 2023
Hi Linda, Thank you for your kind comments.

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Love this quaint place. Staff was absolutely wonderful and helpful. Bathroom is adequately updated for a great experience in a piece of history. Definitely recommend and would stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 20 Sept 2023
Hi Lisa, That is lovely to read, thank you for taking the time to leave positive feedback.

8/10 Good

William

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location, comfortable rooms, lovely breakfasts and very obliging staff.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 18 Sept 2023
Hi William,Thank you for your kind words

10/10 Excellent

G

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Enjoyable and great value
A very enjoyable stay. An obvious historical building, which is transformed into a quaint hotel. Friendly staff and great food made for a comfortable one night stay. Would not hesitate to stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 16 Sept 2023
Thank you for your lovely feedback. Delighted you enjoyed your stay with us.

10/10 Excellent

Craig

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 28 Oct 2023
Thank you

8/10 Good

Valerie

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I liked the feel or ambiance of the place with such a rich history. Would have liked for more of the history to have been shared. Shower was only good for petite people. Im not huge but not petite and it was tight. Friendly patrons and staff alike.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 14 Sept 2023
Hi Valerie. Thank you for your positive feedback.We have full details of the history in all of the bedroom guest directory. We also run a monthly tour about the hotel. This can be booked directly with the hotel.

8/10 Good

Alan

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 14 Sept 2023
Thank you

6/10 Okay

Robyn

Rabbit Warren type of hotel Not suitable for older customers
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from Dobbins Team on 12 Sept 2023
Dear Robyn,I would not say the hotel is not suitable for older people. In our 45 + years of running the inn we have had a vast number of "older people" stay and they have loved the fact that the hotel is steeped in history and this is reflected in our long corridors and quirky layout. We do not have lifts so this would indeed put someone off that perhaps had walking issues, but that could be any age bracket. I am sorry that you did not enjoy your stay with us.

10/10 Excellent

Sharon

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from Dobbins Team on 12 Sept 2023
Dear Sharon,Thank you

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 9 Sept 2023
Thank you

10/10 Excellent

Harry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Perfect for us.
Most pleasant people.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 9 Sept 2023
Great to see!

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
In prime location and very clean, comfortable room
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 6 Sept 2023
Thank you

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 6 Sept 2023
Thank you

6/10 Okay

Moshe

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 28 Aug 2023
Thank you

8/10 Good

Roger, LONDON

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good location for touring Belfast and Causeway Coast. Hotel recommended nearby Mayur Indian Restaurant which was excellent quality and value.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 9 Sept 2023
Hi Rodger, Thank you for the kind words, Mayur is indeed a super Indian and lovely staff.

8/10 Good

Rosemary

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Kirsty is the best!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 26 Aug 2023
Ack Rosemary that is very kind, but it is a team effort. Delighted you enjoyed your trip and the weather stayed fairly dry lol

6/10 Okay

Alan

Disliked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 26 Aug 2023
Hi Alan, Thank you

10/10 Excellent

Cathie

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Dobbins Team on 14 Sept 2023
Thank you

6/10 Okay

Mary

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
It is an old building. I enjoyed that but possibly the reason for poor internet (could not get it in our room) Loved Paula, she did the best she could. Also the housekeeper who helped out in the dining room at breakfast, she was great!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 26 Aug 2023
Hi Mary, Thank you for your kind comments and highlighting individual members if the team. Will pass on.

2/10 Terrible

Theresa

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Staff lovely and friendly, I’m afraid everything else was awful. Dirty shower with hair! Holes in bed sheets, loose toilet seat, no window, skylight that had debris falling down on to bed, to afraid to open it! Skirting boards extremely dusty, no iron to freshen clothes, only one sample size shower gel and shampoo which was not enough for a couple. Hot water issue whereby you have to run the hot sink tap for 5 mins to get the shower to run hot but there is no sign explaining this, we had to go down to reception, so so disappointed :-(
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 21 Aug 2023
Hi Theresa, I am so sorry to read your comments. I have spoken with housekeeping as that is not a standard we adhere to, so my sincere apologises for that. I will get our maintaince to look at the window as this can be easily opened and closed, however a quick check can sort this out. We do not have irons in the room only the iron board however we have irons on request, this information is in our guest directories in the bedrooms. The issue with the hot water taking time to come through, is also advised in our guest directory but again I am sorry that you had to come to reception for that to be explained. You had requested an early check in & this was the 1st available room to enable this. However it does seem that on this occasion we have not been at our best and for that I can only apologise and ensure you that your comments have been noted and will be addressed. Kind regards

8/10 Good

hugh

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good location for Gubbins walk
Enjoyed a very relaxing stay in Dobbins. Very comfortable sleep followed uo by excellent freshly cooked breakfast. Good location for Antrim's attractions.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 18 Aug 2023
Hi Hugh,Thank you for your kind comments. We are the perfect stop for a visit to the Gobbins.

10/10 Excellent

Joanne

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It is not often that you have the chance to stay in a 12th Century property with 21st Century amenities, but Dobbins Inn is one such place. The staff were wonderfully friendly and helpful, the room was comfortable, the food was excellent (we had dinner one night as well as the included breakfast). The wi-fi was a bit patchy, but that was understandable given the 3 foot thick walls! Carrickfergus is a lovely town with a great castle, and St. Nicholas' Church is a hidden gem. We would book again in a heart-beat!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 13 Aug 2023
Hi Joanne,Delighted to read you comments and thank you for takng the time to post. I will pass onto the rest of the team

8/10 Good

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Old world charm, staff were attentive and helpful. Great breakfast.Resident ghost also...
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 13 Aug 2023
Hi John, Thank you for your kind comments, Maud the resident Ghost says your welcome back lol

8/10 Good

Georgina

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 28 Aug 2023
Thank you

6/10 Okay

Albert

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Internet had shown a new renovated nice room. Our room was old an small but ok.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 7 Aug 2023
Dear Albert, Thank you for your comments. Rooms are be upgraded rgularly when able.

8/10 Good

Benjamin

.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023
Response from Dobbins Inn Team on 2 Aug 2023
Thank you