A total of 35 lucky LYIT students are about to land some SWEET rooms

A hotel that has spent much of the last five years closed and disused is on the verge of reopening – as slick student accommodation.

Amid economic uncertainty and recession, the Gleneany House in Letterkenny closed its doors in 2011 – however its proximity to the Letterkenny Institute Of Technology has now given it a second lease of life.

Indeed, it has already been overhauled and spruced up, resulting in 24 en-suite rooms which each come with Wi-Fi, a dishwasher and microwaves.

There’s also free parking, a student lounge, launderette and 24-hour security. Additionally, a former hotel restaurant will shortly re-open to provide meals once term kicks-off again in a couple of weeks.

The local estate agent, Manus McGroddy, told the Irish Independent that the rooms offer “Carlsberg accommodation at Ryanair prices”.

“We have put a lot of work into it,” he added. “There is a definite shortage of student housing in Letterkenny and this will help to fill the gap.”

Mr McGroddy said more than half the rooms in the town centre building have already been snapped up.

“The hotel was lying empty. A lot of money has been invested in it and it now ticks all the boxes for students coming to Donegal.”

With room for 35 occupants, single rooms start at €60 a week, while doubles for students willing to share cost €80 – or €40 each.

With most extras included in the weekly rent, the only additional bill will be electricity.