Cliff at Lyons

Cliff at Lyons, Celbridge, Ireland: A Comprehensive Review

Cliff at Lyons, a Michelin Key Selected property nestled in Celbridge, Ireland, consistently garners praise as a luxurious and picturesque country retreat. Guests frequently describe it as a "fairy tale residence" and a "hidden oasis of calm, class, and wonderful design," offering a unique escape just 30 minutes from Dublin.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Cliff at Lyons is overwhelmingly positive, with an average rating often hovering around "excellent" or "fabulous" (e.g., 8.8 out of 10 based on 299 reviews, and 9.6 out of 10 based on 97 reviews). Guests frequently use words like "wonderful," "gorgeous," "amazing," and "stunning" to describe their experiences. Many express a strong desire to return, with some even rebooking for future stays.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently love the beautiful location and the overall enchanting atmosphere of the property.

• Design & Ambiance: The hotel is celebrated for its unusual collection of historic, rose-clad buildings, including a mill and former dovecote, that exude old-world charm blended with contemporary style. Manicured grounds, picturesque courtyards, gardens, and water features, including a lily pond and a flowing stream, contribute to a tranquil and serene environment. The interior design, with opulent soft furnishings, large open fireplaces, and cosy lighting, also receives high commendation.
• Amenities: The Well in the Garden spa, a two-story facility with a fireplace-warmed relaxation room, is a significant draw, offering botanically focused treatments. Guests also appreciate complimentary access to Village Thermal, featuring Finnish barrel saunas and hot tubs. The property provides bikes for guest use, encouraging activities like cycling and walking along the canal.
• Food: The culinary offerings are a major highlight, with guests frequently praising the amazing, delicious, and fabulous food.

3. Room Quality

Cliff at Lyons offers a variety of accommodations, including luxury rooms and individual cottages, each designed to balance Irish tradition with contemporary style.

• Comfort & Design: Rooms feature high-quality Egyptian cotton bed linen, premium bedding, and bathrobes. Guests often describe beds as very comfortable, ensuring a good night's sleep. Many rooms offer garden or lake views, and some include balconies.
• Amenities: Standard room amenities include a 40-inch flatscreen satellite TV, Nespresso coffee machine, kettle, wardrobe, electronic safe, iron and ironing board, complimentary water, and daily maid service with turndown. Bathrooms come with oversized rainfall showers, designer toiletries, and underfloor heating.
• Cottages: The cottages are particularly noted for their "luxury countryside / old Irish cottage charm," offering a warm and comfortable stay. They often include features like open fireplaces, roll-top bathtubs, hidden staircases, four-poster beds, and kitchens, making them suitable for families or longer stays.

4. Dining Experience

The dining at Cliff at Lyons is a significant highlight, offering a range of culinary experiences.

• The Mill Restaurant: This is the hotel's signature fine-dining restaurant, serving classic Irish cuisine in a beautiful double or triple-height room with the sound of rushing water outside, creating a bucolic atmosphere. It offers lunch, dinner, and al fresco dining on the terrace. Chef Seán Smith, known for his seafood, has received praise for dishes like Lobster Salad and Kilkee Crab Risotto, often utilizing fresh produce from the Lyons' garden.
• The Orangery: Full cooked breakfast is served here, and it's consistently praised as excellent and delicious. The Orangery also hosts memorable dinners with menus crafted from local and homegrown produce.
• Aimsir: Cliff at Lyons is also home to the two-Michelin star restaurant, Aimsir, which offers an elusive Michelin magic and is highly raved about for its award-winning cuisine.
• The Trellis Café: This offers a more casual dining option, including delicious cakes and wines.
• The Pantry: A pantry shop provides picnic baskets and provisions, ideal for guests exploring the grounds or canal.
• The Lyons Den Bar: Described as rich in design and overflowing with character, featuring deep-buttoned leather Chester sofas and a large open fireplace, it offers an "old-world charm" for drinks.

5. Service & Staff

The staff at Cliff at Lyons generally receive high praise for being superb, amazing, attentive, friendly, professional, efficient, and welcoming. Guests often highlight the personalized service, with one reviewer noting a kind gesture of Prosecco left in their room for a wedding anniversary. However, some minor inconsistencies have been mentioned, such as a "transactional" check-out experience without inquiry about the stay, or occasional delays in breakfast seating. There was also one instance of luggage going missing during a wedding, which the guest had to locate themselves.

6. Location & Accessibility

Cliff at Lyons is situated in Celbridge, County Kildare, offering a tranquil countryside setting.

• Proximity: It's conveniently located just a 30-minute drive from Dublin Airport, making it a viable option even as an "airport hotel" for some international travelers. Dublin city is approximately 12 miles away.
• Surroundings: The property itself is set within 22 acres of lush green surroundings, providing a peaceful escape to nature.
• Activities: Guests can enjoy activities like cycling, walking, barge trips, and fishing in and around Celbridge. Free parking is available for guests with vehicles.

7. Value & Pricing

The value for money at Cliff at Lyons has a rating of 8.2 out of 10. While many guests feel the experience is well worth the cost, some reviews indicate that dinner, particularly at The Mill Restaurant, can be quite expensive, with a few guests finding it not entirely worth the price, especially when main courses don't include sides. Prices for a 1-night stay for 2 adults can start from approximately $328.49 (as of January 27, 2026), with rates varying based on season, and whether it's a midweek or weekend stay. Special offers like "Bed and Breakfast" and "Midweek Escape" packages are also available.

8. Common Complaints

While generally highly rated, some recurring criticisms include:

• Dining Cost & Inclusions: Dinner at the main restaurant can be expensive, and guests have expressed disappointment that no sides accompany the main courses, making the overall cost feel higher.
• Lack of a Dedicated Post-Dinner Bar: Some guests noted the absence of a comfortable, dedicated bar area for relaxing after dinner, with the existing space feeling more like a waiting area.
• Minor Service Hiccups: Isolated incidents like a "transactional" check-out process or brief waits for breakfast seating have been mentioned. One guest reported a frustrating experience with lost luggage during a wedding stay.
• Maintenance & Updates: A few older reviews suggested that some parts of the hotel felt "tired" and in need of updates or maintenance.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. irishcentral.com
3. cliffatlyons.ie
4. cliffatlyons.ie
5. booking.com
6. booking.com
7. expedia.com
8. kayak.com
9. bridebook.com
10. michelin.com
11. thetaste.ie
12. cliffatlyons.ie
13. irishexaminer.com