Please select your travel dates to see rates and availability
Info
Kinnitty Castle Hotel, located in the picturesque village of Kinnitty Co. Offaly is nestled in the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, offering the perfect setting for a romantic break in Ireland.
Summary of reviewsKinnitty Castle Hotel offers a unique and exceptionally historic accommodation amidst the enchanting Slieve Bloom mountains and picturesque landscapes. The hotel's location is one of its standout features, providing guests with a serene and escapist ambiance perfect for relaxation and exploration. The expansive grounds, dotted with forested areas, a small river and delightful walking and biking paths, enhance the tranquil environment. Visitors laud the charming and peaceful setting, making it a majestic retreat away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Guests praise the hotel’s breakfast experience, noting the extensive menu choices and delicious offerings. The elegant breakfast room overlooking the garden adds to the excellent dining atmosphere and the attentive service further elevates the experience. Although some guests noted a need for more variety, the majority of reviews emphasize the superb, fresh and hearty breakfast selections.
Dinner at Kinnitty Castle Hotel, particularly in The Dungeon Bar, is highly acclaimed for its quality and reasonable pricing. Standout dishes such as the vegetarian burger and steak receive frequent commendations. The Sli Dala restaurant also contributes to the positive dining experiences, complemented by the friendly and engaging staff. While some critiques were noted regarding service and food temperature, the overall dining feedback remains overwhelmingly positive.
Rooms at Kinnitty Castle Hotel blend historic charm with modern comfort. Guests appreciate the stylish decor, spacious layouts and particularly large, luxurious bathrooms. The very comfy beds ensure a restful night, despite occasional remarks about water pressure and room lighting. Cleanliness generally meets expectations, although some areas of the property could benefit from more rigorous maintenance.
The hotel's staff are frequently celebrated for their warmth, helpfulness and professionalism. Notable mentions of staff members like Connor and Chloe highlight their exceptional service and historical knowledge, significantly enhancing the guest experience. The friendly and accommodating nature of the team contributes to the hotel's welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.
Overall, Kinnitty Castle Hotel provides a magical and historic getaway with its stunning location, impressive food offerings, comfortable rooms and exceptional staff. While minor areas for improvement exist, the overall experience is one of charm, comfort and memorable hospitality.
Show moreRead review summaries for all categories
Categories
Rooms at this boutique hotel feature a classic decor and original, unique features and furnishing.
Dating back to 1209, Kinnitty is an impressive Gothic castle set within a stunning 650 acres of forests and parkland. The initial castle was destroyed and rebuilt in 1213 by the Normans. Its breathtaking location amidst the lush and gorgeous Irish countryside and its Castle Suites will certainly transfer guests back to the Medieval times, while its top-notch services will make them feel like true royalty. This luxurious and utterly romantic destination can cater to different private dining options thanks to the variety of elegantly designed rooms, be it romantic for 2 or an event for 200 people in the Great Hall.
Dating back to 1209, this remarkable Gothic castle is set in a stunning 650 acres of parkland and lush forests.
All children are welcome, children under 4 years stay for free when using existing beds.
Rooms at this romantic Castle feature classic decor and original features and furnishing; the hotel has also an elegant Library Bar with an open fire.
Kinnitty Castle was built in 1209, it was burned by the Republicans in 1922 and rebuilt as it is today in 1928, managing to retain the High Cross and the Abbey wall of the original structure intact. Partly due to its turbulent history and partly due to its Gothic-style architecture, Kinnitty Castle is home to a few ghosts. Especially the Geraldine and Elizabeth rooms are the ones where most guests have experienced paranormal activities. The ghost of Hugh the monk is one of the most famous ones. Although many guests and members of the staff have encountered him, he only appears to communicate with one employee.
Room Types
Guest Reviews
Kinnitty Castle Hotel is nestled in an incredible location surrounded by the Slieve Bloom mountains and enchanting landscapes. The grounds are expansive and beautiful, offering an array of delightful walking trails, mountain bike paths and serene hiking options. The property itself boasts a historic and authentic castle setting, providing a relaxing and charming vibe. Guests have praised the peaceful and serene ambiance, perfect for unwinding and exploring nature at its finest.
The castle grounds are dotted with forested areas and a small river, enhancing the picturesque and tranquil environment. Visitors enjoyed exploring the fairy paths and visiting the horses on-site. The hotel's old-world charm is complemented by spacious and elegant rooms, making it a fabulous accommodation choice.
The location is ideal for those looking to escape the bustle of everyday life with its secluded setting accessed through a long driveway. The surrounding scenery is stunning, offering a beautiful backdrop for a memorable stay. The hotel's proximity to the Slieve Bloom makes it a great spot for walkers and explorers alike. The mix of authenticity, amenities and beautiful surroundings makes Kinnitty Castle Hotel a truly magical and serene destination.
Kinnitty Castle Hotel offers a breakfast experience that receives high praise from many guests, reflecting a variety of positive aspects. The breakfast menu is noted for its extensive choices, including a buffet and made-to-order hot dishes such as porridge, eggs and traditional Irish fry. The food is consistently described as delicious with fresh fruits, cheeses, cereals and hearty portions that satisfy diverse palates. The atmosphere at the breakfast service is often highlighted as a significant positive with an elegant breakfast room that overlooks the garden, enhancing the overall dining experience.
The service during breakfast is lauded for its attentiveness and efficiency, contributing to the enjoyment of the meal. Guests appreciate the variety and presentation of the breakfast options, which includes freshly made omelets, tasty bacon and delightful pastries like apricots. Special mentions are made of the breakfast's exceptional quality and value with some describing it as first-class, superb and divine.
However, not all feedback is uniformly positive. A few guests mentioned the breakfast as being average or needing more variety and there were occasional instances of poorly cooked items and unmet requests. Despite these occasional critiques, the majority of reviews emphasize the excellent, delicious and varied breakfast offerings that make for a satisfying start to the day at Kinnitty Castle Hotel.
Kinnitty Castle Hotel offers a dining experience that has garnered substantial praise from guests. The Dungeon Bar seems to be a highlight with numerous reviews commending the excellent food quality, including a standout vegetarian burger and a remarkably good steak that was deemed fairly priced. Evening meals in The Dungeon Bar are frequently described as delicious, fantastic and outstanding, contributing significantly to a memorable stay without needing to leave the hotel premises.
Guests also found the food and drinks to be very reasonable, enhancing the overall dining experience. Breakfasts at the hotel have similarly received positive feedback, complementing the delightful dinner options and extending the satisfaction to the morning meals as well.
However, not all feedback was universally positive. Some guests experienced colder food than expected with a few also citing the restaurant service as only average. A notable minority found the dinner restaurant's food below par with complaints about limited variety of Irish cuisine and an overall poor dinner experience.
Despite these occasional setbacks, the overwhelming consensus points to a generally wonderful dining experience. The friendly and engaging staff add another layer of enjoyment, making meals at both the Dungeon Bar and the Sli Dala restaurant -- noted for its exceptional fare -- a significant part of the Kinnitty Castle Hotel's charm.
Kinnitty Castle Hotel offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern comfort. Guests frequently praise the rooms for their stylish decor and spacious layouts with some rooms described as gigantic and featuring large, luxurious bathrooms complete with big tubs. The beds are repeatedly mentioned as very comfy, ensuring a restful night's sleep.
The castle's medieval atmosphere and historic details add to the magical experience, making the rooms feel like a genuine step back in time. Cleanliness is a top priority with both rooms and bathrooms regularly noted as pristine. Guests also appreciate the thoughtful in-room amenities, such as complimentary water, tea, coffee and biscuits.
The hotel's staff receive high marks for being friendly and helpful, contributing to a welcoming and relaxing ambiance. Despite minor issues like occasionally weak water pressure and some rooms being a bit dark, the overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive. The castle's facilities strike a perfect balance between preserving its old-world charm and providing modern conveniences, making it a standout destination for those looking to enjoy a blend of history and comfort.
Guests at Kinnitty Castle Hotel have varied opinions about the beds, though many express positive sentiments. A significant number of reviews highlight that the beds are really comfortable, describing them as very comfy and even super comfy. Guests appreciated the enormous, massive beds with one noting a double bed that could fit four people. Many found the beds to be great and very comfortable. However, there are some contrasting opinions with a few guests finding the beds uncomfortable, too small or hard. One guest mentioned that the mattress could be more firm, while another was disturbed by noise, impacting their experience. Overall, while most feedback on the beds leans positive, some guests encountered issues that affected their sleep quality.
Kinnitty Castle Hotel has a mixed reputation when it comes to cleanliness. Guests frequently mentioned that the property, while spacious and large, often suffers from issues with dust, cobwebs and mold, particularly under beds and on surfaces. Some rooms and communal areas have visible stains, scratches and sticky surfaces. Despite these issues, many reviews highlight that the rooms and bathrooms are clean and tidy with guests appreciating the clean sheets and overall comfort.
The historic charm of the grounds is often praised with well-maintained outdoor spaces providing a picturesque setting. Inside, however, some areas of the property could benefit from a bit more care and attention.
One of the standout positives is the staff, who are consistently described as friendly, helpful and accommodating. They seem more than willing to assist with any issues and help guests with their luggage if needed.
Overall, while Kinnitty Castle Hotel offers a unique and potentially dream-worthy stay for those interested in experiencing life in a castle, it could benefit from some additional maintenance and cleaning to meet the expectations of all its guests.
Kinnitty Castle Hotel is remarkably praised for its exceptional staff, receiving consistent accolades for their friendliness, helpfulness and professionalism. Guests frequently mention the warm, welcoming nature of the team, noting that their hospitality significantly enhances the overall experience of staying at the castle. The staff are described as accommodating, attentive and always willing to go above and beyond to meet guests' needs.
Special mentions go to staff members like Connor and Chloe, who stood out for their exceptional service and ability to provide rich historical insights about the property. The young bartender in the Dungeon Bar also earns accolades for being personable and informative, contributing to a pleasant dining experience where the food is highly rated.
Despite one mention of a rude receptionist, the vast majority of reviews emphasize the uniformly positive demeanor of the staff. From efficient front desk interactions to thoughtful gestures like special birthday plates, every aspect of the staff's interaction is geared towards creating a hospitable environment. Their professionalism and friendliness contribute significantly to the relaxed atmosphere and beautiful ambiance of the hotel, making the staff a true asset to Kinnitty Castle Hotel.
Kinnitty Castle Hotel offers an enchanting and authentic experience of staying in a historic castle, surrounded by the beauty and charm of the Slieve Bloom mountains. The castle with its magnificent and regal exterior, makes guests feel as though they have stepped straight into a fairy tale, offering a retreat into the past. Visitors are consistently impressed by the historical significance and character of the building, which feels both authentic and like a regal time capsule. The grounds, including the notable stone circle and high cross, add to the historic allure and magic of the castle. Nestled away from the main road, the hotel provides a secluded and tranquil escape. The beauty of Kinnitty Castle, paired with fantastic food and wonderful staff, ensures a truly memorable and enjoyable stay.
No, Kinnitty Castle Hotel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Kinnitty Castle Hotel.
No, Kinnitty Castle Hotel doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Kinnitty Castle Hotel.
No, Kinnitty Castle Hotel doesn't have a gym.
Location