The Grace, Westport | A Gateway to Ireland’s West

The Grace Hotel within the Westport Estate in County Mayo, Ireland, is much more than a hotel renovation and revamp of an old hotel. It is a reimagining of a hospitality offering on the doorstep of some of the West of Ireland’s finest coastline and the Wild Atlantic Way.

Combining contemporary design with clear nods to the surrounding countryside, the property caters to a range of reasons for visiting. With The Black Sheep restaurant and Kelly’s bar, the hotel brings dining and drinks together, making it easy to stay on the property for a leisurely evening. Equally, its location a short walk from the town centre offers the opportunity to make the most of Westport’s renowned hospitality.

With 129 rooms and suites, the property is large enough to feel like a resort, but still small enough to feel connected. The focus is clearly on creating atmosphere and a sense of wellbeing that reflects its surroundings.

Who this Edit is for

Image: Dining space of The Croagh Patrick Suite. © 2026, Palates & Miles

There are plenty of reasons to visit this corner of the West of Ireland, including a trip to Killary Fjord, a short drive from Westport. This Edit gives a well-rounded review of one of Mayo’s most anticipated hotel openings this year.

The stay was in the Croagh Patrick Suite, featuring a separate living and dining space, a bedroom and a large bathroom with a separate walk-in shower and bathtub. This suite can comfortably accommodate a couple wanting a little more space or a family looking for a base. Whilst the hotel has a full leisure centre and spa, these are not included in the review of this stay.

For those interested in dining at The Grace, this Edit also covers dinner at The Black Sheep restaurant and drinks at Kelly’s bar afterwards.

The standard

Every recommendation in this Edit is assessed against the same five points: service, design, food and drink, atmosphere and value. Value is not about cheap or expensive. It is whether the experience earns the time and price invested.

Arrival and the setting

The approach to The Grace, Westport is via a residential street within the town. Whilst it is by no means an elaborate entrance, the contrast once you pass the gates is immediate, with the impressive hotel entrance on the left. Car parking surrounds the entrance, which is convenient for moving luggage. There is also an overflow car park at the back of the hotel, a short and easily accessible walk away.

Large windows bring plenty of natural light into the entrance and lobby. Clever design and a warm colour palette make the space feel inviting. Reception is located to the left, slightly separated from the main lobby. Seating near the entrance, create a homely feel upon arrival. However, the most striking feature is arguably the two life-sized sheep ornaments that make sure you don’t forget where you are.

Both the restaurant and bar are accessed via the corridor to the right of the lobby. These spaces are large and well proportioned for the hotel’s size. The rooms are accessed to the left, where the lifts are also located. The design and layout do much of the work in these spaces, making the hotel a place to relax within throughout the day.

P&M Note: There is no outdoor space directly within the hotel’s grounds. However, the wider Westport Estate is on your doorstep should you wish to explore outdoors.

The room

Image: The Croagh Patrick Suite Living Space. © 2026, Palate & Miles

The Croagh Patrick Suite, located on the third floor of the hotel, is named after the county’s most famous mountain, which looks over the town. Whilst the mountain is not visible from the suite, references to it appear in the decoration and artwork.

Immediately upon entering, you are welcomed into a large living space featuring a dining area and a seating area with a sofa and two armchairs. Natural colours alongside the dark wood furniture create a warm space that is both functional and relaxing.

A large window brings light into the seating area, though the view is limited to the overflow car park below and trees further in the distance. Other rooms have a similar outlook, owing to the shape of the hotel and its position on the outskirts of the estate.

Image: The Croagh Patrick Suite Bedroom. © 2026, Palates & Miles

Located off the living space is the bedroom, which contains a large four-poster king-size bed and wardrobe storage. There is also a small built-in vanity beside the bed. The colour palette continues from the living space, complemented by lamplight and a second large window. Light green furnishings on the bed bring a sense of the countryside into the bedroom, which is a nice touch.

Beyond the bedroom is a large bathroom with a walk-in shower, a freestanding bathtub and a large Victorian-style sink. Toiletries are by Irish brand Ground, further enhancing the sense of wellbeing.

The suite also has a small bar area within a cabinet, containing a small fridge, an espresso machine, a kettle, a safe and glassware. This can be closed off when not in use, keeping the space tidy yet functional.

P&M Note: This room did have air conditioning in the living room part of the suite. It is important to note this is not available in all room types in the hotel.

Food and Drink

Image: Côte de bœuf for two at The Black Sheep. © 2026 Palates & Miles

The Black Sheep restaurant is the hotel’s premier dining space, inspired by Grace O’Malley, a pioneering Irish figure known for her conviction, courage and craft. These are qualities the hotel is keen to embody in the restaurant’s design and delivery. Opening in the evenings for full dinner service, the space combines rich tones with low lighting to create an intimate atmosphere.

The menu is simply divided into Starters, From the Land and From the Sea. Table breads are available to start, with the Mescan Stout & Treacle bread a particular standout. Starters include house-smoked burrata and Gilligan’s beef croquette.

From the Land includes a signature Irish Hereford prime dry-aged côte de bœuf for two, which was the highlight of the meal during this stay. It is served with triple-cooked fries, onion rings and béarnaise sauce. Organic chicken with mushroom fricassée, truffle mousseline and chicken velouté was also of note.

Image: Cocktail at Kelly’s Bar. © 2026, Palates & Miles

From the Sea includes roast halibut bourguignon and Clare Island lobster served with squash ravioli. The menu makes clear use of local produce, with a strong influence from European cuisine and technique.

Overall, the restaurant impressed with both the quality and quantity of its offering. The food is not fussy, but it is considered and of the quality expected from a hotel of The Grace’s standing.

Following dinner, the obvious choice for a digestif is Kelly’s bar, conveniently located across the corridor from The Black Sheep. The bar is large, spread across several spaces with booths and a small library section. It also serves as the hotel’s casual dining space.

It is a natural place for a post-dinner cocktail to finish the evening.

Service

Service was, for the most part, consistent and warm, with the exception of some small hiccups at check-in and during breakfast. Staff were friendly, professional and keen to provide a welcoming experience. A particular standout was the team in The Black Sheep during dinner, who were happy to explain the concept behind the restaurant.

With the hotel at full capacity during the stay, breakfast was a little crowded. Queues formed both at the restaurant entrance and around the buffet, putting pressure on the team and slowing service slightly.

Minor issues at check-in were quickly resolved by the Manager, who was on hand to help. These issues reflected a property still in its early days and will hopefully be ironed out in due course.

How to structure a stay

The Grace works equally well for a short weekend break or as a base for a longer stay exploring the Wild Atlantic Way. Its proximity to the town centre means you can alternate evenings at the hotel with exploring and eating out in Westport.

The hotel’s wellness facilities also offer the option of a spa break for those who prefer to stay on the property or are returning to this corner of the West of Ireland. These facilities were not assessed during this stay.

Practical notes before you book

• Parking at the front of the hotel is limited, so make use of the overflow car park, accessed just outside the entrance gates.

• Some parts of the hotel were still undergoing building works in August 2026. These caused no noticeable disturbance during this stay, but it is worth checking their status before booking.

• Breakfast can be busy, particularly when the hotel is near full occupancy. Consider going down earlier if you have morning plans.

• Check the room category carefully before booking, as room sizes and layouts vary.

Final thoughts

The Grace, Westport is a new hotel with the potential to become one of the most sought-after stays in the West of Ireland. The design and features show considerable attention to detail, whilst the service still reflects a hotel in its early days. There is scope for greater consistency as the team learns from its first summer season.

The rooms, restaurant and bar invite guests to spend time on the property and this is something the team has achieved particularly well. Cleanliness throughout was another strong point.

Palates & Miles looks forward to returning to The Grace and seeing how it develops over the coming months and years.

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