On Galway's Headford Road, the Menlo Park Hotel stands as both a landmark and a legacy, a family farm transformed into a thriving four-star destination through vision, resilience, and a deep sense of community.
Founded in 1998 by father-and-son team Paddy and John Francis, the hotel began almost by accident. "We wanted to open a bar," John recalls, "But to get the city licence, we needed 20 bedrooms. The more we thought about it, we realised that adding the bedrooms and expanding the plans to a hotel was a better idea. It was all very accidental."
What started as a licensing necessity soon became a passionate family venture. In the early years, John and Paddy managed everything themselves, with John handling everything from wages to accounts. "I was working six days a week," he remembers.
From those modest beginnings, Menlo Park grew steadily, expanding from 20 to 90 bedrooms and carving out a reputation for warm hospitality rooted in family values. "Over the years, we've gotten to know generations of local people, "John says. "Some came to work with us, others regularly called in for dinner or to socialise. Those relationships have defined our success."
That sense of belonging extends to the staff. General manager Elaine Healy, who has been with the hotel for more than two decades, says the culture is unlike anywhere else. "There's a feeling here that's hard to explain," she says. "It keeps people here." About a third of the team has stayed more than 10 years, a rarity in hospitality. Guests describe the atmosphere as one befitting a traditional Irish family hotel, delivered in a four-star setting.
The Francis family's values are passed on to the next generation. John's children began by making beds and cleaning rooms, learning the business from the ground up. "They earn their positions," John insists. "That way, they appreciate the work." Their continued involvement is a source of pride. "I'm proud of my children for wanting to work here. "I'm proud of the team we've built; some even met their husbands and wives here. And I’m proud of what my father started and what we've achieved together."
Some of John's pride extends across the Atlantic Ocean, all the way to Menlo Park, California.
"I am proud of the connection we have with Menlo Park in California. Over the years, we have had the mayors of the Californian Menlo Park, come and stay. It was us that promoted that link from day one, our restaurant was called the Oliver McGlynn restaurant in homage of the two people that went to California originally."
Boasting certificates of friendship that connect the original Menlo Park with its American twin, John and the hotel have worked hard to facilitate and grow that relationship over the years, welcoming visitors from the region to the hotel regularly.
While true to its roots, Menlo Park has modernised with ambition. “We wanted to be the best four-star hotel in the city,†John says. With strong TripAdvisor rankings, a loyal customer base, and support for local clubs and events, the hotel remains deeply connected to the community.
As John reflects on the journey, gratitude underpins every word: "We've been so fortunate over the years, and I want to thank our customers, our hard-working staff, our neighbours, and the local community for standing by us. Without their support, none of this would have been possible."
For the Francis family, Menlo Park Hotel is more than a business; it is a shared journey, proof that with roots in hard work and community, success can flourish across generations.
