Regency Leisure Club

This hotel was terribly difficult to find at first.
All directions brought us right past the street we needed to turn on. I wish the hotel would have recommended to «look up», because you could clearly see the hotel above the surrounding houses.
The front desk staff was nice enough, directing us to the buses, etc. Our room had a lovey view of the yucky, nasty looking roof, complete with all people being able to have a peek in our window. Room was in good order, but nothing special.
We were kind of disappointed with the festivities they had going on… they hassled us to pay an obscene cover charge when we were guests at the hotel… but we just said f* it, because next door was a Centra, complete with a liquor section. It was probably just as much fun having a Magners in our room than downstairs with some pretentious folks!

The classes here are really good and most of the trainers are nice and professional and I never get the feeling they look down on us chubby get fitters.
The only issue I would have is that the jacussi is never hot enough and chlorine smelling.
Other than that I love that the gym is never overrun with kids, too many bodies and has welcoming décor.

We stayed in B&Bs all over Ireland was really disappointed with how little we got for staying at this huge hotel. You have to pay separately for internet service and the rooms are tiny. Plus the parking is really a pain to deal with. I would not stay there again.

Was told today that the towel service is being withdrawn as of tomorrow. Such a very disappointing service. The staff and management within the gym itself remain exceptional. Hotel/​hotel group management practice the most awful customer service. I raised these issues with senior management by e-​mail weeks ago and was told he would take my comments on board. I doubt he even read what I sent.
I think that it shows a complete lack of respect for the customer to not deal with complaints adequately and not to listen. I had an issue with Virgin Atlantic once regarding a flight and the response was speedy and apologetic. I would fly with them again in an instant and recommend them to friends. The Regency hotel group management obviously don’t care and really don’t deserve your money or my recommendation.
The thing that makes it a difficult review is that the staff and management within the gym are really excellent and so friendly (they learn your name!). They deserve to keep their jobs so hopefully the gym membership will remain large enough. The hotel management could learn from them.

I really wanted to give this gym 5 stars… but my conscience just won’t allow me. I joined the gym a month ago after moving from Cork where I was a member of the Kingsley… which I loved.
The Regency gym has a lot going for it. There is a good amount of space and they are working on extending the facilities. It’s windowless but pretty airy nevertheless.
Membership: I got a student rate and I actually think they’ve reduced annual membership fees since. There is no joining fee. They have discontinued the option to pay by monthly direct debit.
Opening hours: Mon-​Fri 6.30am-9.30pm (decent enough)
Sat/​Sun 10am-6pm…as of August 1^st. Pretty pathetic really and the worst I’ve seen in a gym. They were opening from 8am-​8pm when I joined which wasn’t as good as the Kingsley but reasonable. The new hours are awkward for even the most dedicated gym bunny.
Reception: Down a few flights of stairs but doesn’t seem underground! Staff on the desk are always pleasant. At the moment you get a complimentary towel (which I love love love in a gym) but there was talk of withdrawing it recently… so who knows how long that little luxury will last?
Changing rooms: Lots of lockers-​but bring your own padlock. Pretty clean. Showers are acceptable. Not nice. Acceptable. Vanity area with hairdryers and tissues.
Pool: Lovely pool with jacuzzi and steam room. VERY popular!
Gym: Technogym cardio equipment which I like-​ellipticals (cross trainers), treadmills, bikes and 2 Wave machines. No stepper. Individual TVs (yay!). Selection of weight machines, 2 sets of dumbbells. One dual cable machine and a Smith machine. No barbells. Good few benches and usually a selection of stability balls. One 6lb medicine ball… but I believe more are coming with the extension. They also have the Technogym Kinesis equipment which is fun for a change.
Classes: Classes reflect the membership population so there aren’t hundreds but there are a few spinning/​step/​abs/​fitball classes. There would always be a class to attend if you felt like it…
Staff: Fantastic. Absolutely brilliant. Extremely friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Cannot recommend them highly enough. Everyone from reception through to the instructors and club manager gets a major thumbs up.
Overall: Staff here are great and they have some good equipment. The gym has great potential but hotel/​hotel group management seem hellbent on driving current clients away and dissuading futures ones by trying to withdraw services such as the towels and instituting the most pathetic and awkward weekend hours they can. The Ryanair approach to leisure clubs is really not what I was looking for… but it is an airport hotel I suppose… I would love to recommend it but would hesitate to at the moment. Who knows what they’ll take away next?