Killarney Ireland » accommodation

Best Golf Hotel in Ireland goes to…

starling — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:39:03 +0000

Congratulations to the Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa for winning the best hotel award at the 11th annual Ireland Golf Tour Operators Awards Dinner on Monday last.

Full story on the Irish Independent

Dunloe Castle Hotel : Mixed Reviews

starling — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:28:44 +0000

In the interest of bringing you unbiased information on Killarney this is the first in series of posts looking at accommodation options in and near the town. We’ll be presenting the good with the bad and in the interest of transparency let me confirm that we have no allegiance in any way to any hotel or other type of accommodation in Killarney.

The reviews will not be our own but will rely on the opinions submitted to review websites such as tripadvisor.com and Yahoo. To keep things interesting we welcome your comments and questions and will try to answer them as best as possible.

Dunloe Castle Hotel is described on its website as:

…5 star 110 bedroom property overlooking the famous “Gap of Dunloe” and River Laune in the county of Kerry. It is set amid 64 acres of parkland with 20 acres of sub-tropical gardens…

Wcities (an ostensibly independent information provider but not really given to ‘telling it like it is’) describes the hotel as:

This modern hotel faces the famous Gap of Dunloe. It is tastefully decorated with many interesting antiques and works of art. The staff members are helpful and friendly, and are willing to help you organise excursions and plan your stay in this beautiful part of the country. If you enjoy a game of golf, you’re spoilt for choice; there are ten championship courses nearby, including the highly regarded Killarney Golf and Fishing Club. The cocktail bar and restaurant are the perfect retreats for seeing out the remains of the day.

Room Amenities (from hotel website and yahoo)

* Air Conditioning (In Room)

* Refrigerator

* Telephone

* Television

* Daily Maid Service

* Balcony/Terrace

Hotel Details (from hotel website and yahoo)

* 110 Rooms / 4 Floors

* Built in 1965

* No Of Floors – 5

* No Of Rooms – 103

* Family Rooms

* Fitness Facility

* Swimming Pool

* Tennis Court

* Dry Cleaning

* First Class

* Health Club

* Pool (Indoor)

* Jogging Track

* Game Room

* Tennis (Indoor)

* Fishing

* Horseback Riding

* Bicycling

Visitor Reviews - Please bear in mind that there is no way to verify the identity of these opinion givers who could easily be members of staff and/or paid reviewers

Yahoo: 2 reviews both 100% positive and both highlighted the quality of food, staff and impressive views

Tripadvisor: 30 reviews (most from 2007 or 2008) with opinion extremely mixed (40% positive, 40% negative, 20% medium). Some sample comments from 2007:

Not a Five Star hotel I am afraid! Receptionist not in the least bit friendly on check in. Room very average. No wow factor in any part of the hotel.

I agree that it is a stunning location and very peaceful setting but firstly we found the staff to be quite rude, particularly a senior member of staff at the front desk. She was abrupt and unwelcoming when we arrived.

Definitely not 5 star – someone should take away 2 stars

My wife and I stayed here for a night on our honeymoon and as many others have pointed out the staff were as rude as could be

Killarney Accommodation: budget youth hostel

starling — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 16:38:16 +0000

The Killarney International Youth Hostel (part of the ‘An Ã“ige’ group) is an impressive 18th century mansion set on 75 acres of gardens and forest overlooking the mountains ringing Killarney National Park in Co. Kerry.

This 4-star hostel is very popular with individuals as well as groups and families. The staff are a great source of advice on trips and activities in the immediate vicinity of Killarney as well as Kerry and throughout Ireland. Free information and maps are available for cyclists, walkers and motorists keen to explore the kingdom of Kerry.

Contact the Killarney hostel to obtain updated information about group tours of the Ring of Kerry, Gap of Dunloe, and the Dingle Peninsula starting from the hostel. Information is also available on bicycle hire, boat trips on the lakes, horse riding in the park, canoeing, and much more.

The hostel sleeps 40 guests and costs from $14 for an off-season bed to $46 per bed in 2 bed room in high season.

Facilities:
Large TV & Video lounge
Secure storage room
Library and games room
Meals available (groups by request)
Self catering facilities
Laundry
Free bed linen
Towel hire
Large car park which can accommodate coaches
Wheelchair facilities
National and international hostel booking facilities

Local tours arranged (Ring of Kerry from 16.50)
Bikes for rent
Horseriding
Canoeing

Some reviews:
“Loved the place. Went there after reading the BUG reviews. They are true. It’s huge, clean, beautiful. I lay in bed in the mornings and watched the mist roll over the lakes, in front of the mountains!” BugEurope.com Review, Anonymous, USA, October 2003

“By far, the best hostel I’ve seen in my life.” BugEurope.com Review, Javier, Spain, January 2003

Please see our killarney hotels for information and links to high-end accommodation options in Killarney and the surrounding area.