Kilronan Castle Estate and Spa

Kilronan Castle Estate and Spa, a Michelin Key Selected property in Ballyfarnon, Ireland, generally receives high praise for its enchanting castle setting, luxurious ambiance, and dedicated service, offering guests a memorable escape.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The overall sentiment for Kilronan Castle Estate and Spa is overwhelmingly positive, with many guests describing their stays as "exceptional" and "truly memorable." The hotel consistently earns high ratings, often receiving 9 out of 10 or 10 out of 10 on review platforms. Guests frequently highlight the exquisite furnishings, peaceful atmosphere, and the feeling of stepping back in time to a grand old hotel. While the majority of feedback is glowing, a small segment of reviews, particularly from an older Reddit thread, has described the property as "worn-looking" and "absolutely mediocre," suggesting inconsistencies in maintenance for some.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of Kilronan Castle:

• Design and Ambiance: The castle itself, an 18th-century edifice restored to its former glory and set within 40 acres of parkland on the shores of Lough Meelagh, provides a truly magical and luxurious backdrop. The exquisite furnishings and overall "old-worldly feeling" are frequently mentioned.
• Service and Staff: The staff receives extensive commendation for being "first class," "excellent," "very helpful and friendly," and "impeccable." Many guests felt genuinely at home due to the warm hospitality.
• Spa and Amenities: The "award-winning spa" is a significant draw, with many guests finding it to be a highlight of their stay. The facilities include an indoor heated swimming pool, a fitness studio, hot and cold vitality pools, saunas, and hydrotherapy showers.
• Dining: The culinary offerings are often described as "excellent cuisine," "outstanding," and "delicious."

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Kilronan Castle are generally regarded as "perfect," "clean, spacious," "spectacularly beautiful," and "very comfortable." They blend vintage furniture with modern amenities, ensuring a comfortable stay. Standard in-room provisions include robes, slippers, tea/coffee making facilities, a kettle, a mini-fridge, en-suite bathrooms, and flat-screen TVs. However, some minor criticisms have included a lack of hooks in bathrooms for robes and issues with streaming options on the TV.

4. Dining Experience

Kilronan Castle offers a highly-rated dining experience:

• Douglas Hyde Restaurant: This award-winning fine dining restaurant focuses on dishes made with locally sourced produce.
• Casual Dining: The casual bar area, Drawing Room, and Palm Court also serve food, with guests describing it as "outstanding" and "really good."
• Breakfast: The breakfast is typically praised as "lovely," featuring a combination of self-serve cold items and a menu for freshly cooked traditional Irish breakfasts.
• Afternoon Tea: Guests can enjoy afternoon tea in the elegant Palm Court. While many rave about the food, a few guests have found the fine dining tasting menu to be "a little odd and over complicated" or the food in the casual dining area to be "below par."

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at Kilronan Castle consistently receive exceptional reviews. They are frequently described as "first class," "excellent," "very helpful and friendly," and "impeccable." Many guests express feeling welcomed and at home, noting the courteous and softly spoken staff in the dining room. The hotel is recognized for its ability to create a luxurious and relaxed atmosphere through attentive service.

6. Location & Accessibility

Kilronan Castle is nestled in County Roscommon, Ballyfarnon, on the picturesque banks of Lough Meelagh, surrounded by over forty acres of parkland and forest, offering a secluded and serene environment. It provides a true escape, feeling like stepping back in time.

• Proximity to Towns: The castle is approximately 4.7 km from the town center, with Carrick-on-Shannon about 20 minutes away and Sligo 30 minutes away for shopping and other amenities.
• Airports: It's approximately a 2-hour drive from Dublin Airport, 45-50 minutes from Sligo Airport, and one hour from Knock International Airport.
• Public Transport: Roscommon Train Station is nearby, providing regular services to destinations like Dublin, Galway, and Sligo.
• Local Activities: The estate and surrounding area offer activities such as strolling through the Fairy Trail, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, fishing on Lough Allen, horseback riding, and electric biking. Nearby attractions include King House Boyle, the Arigna Mining Experience, and the National Museum of Country Life.

7. Value & Pricing

Kilronan Castle Estate and Spa is generally considered to offer "excellent value" for a luxury castle experience, with some describing it as "luxury at an affordable price." Basic rooms in the off-season can start from around €149 per night. While the average price for a room at the castle is around $219, it's considered a good value compared to the average hotel room price in Roscommon, which is about $170. Guests are advised to check for special offers that may include spa packages, dining options, or breakfast. While the overall stay is seen as good value, some spa treatments are noted as being expensive.

8. Common Complaints

Despite the largely positive reviews, some recurring issues and criticisms have been noted:

• Maintenance Concerns: Some guests have mentioned that certain areas appear "worn-looking" or could benefit from upgrades. Specific complaints include black mold in en-suite showers, dripping bathroom taps, and stained roofs from water damage.
• Spa/Pool Maintenance: Concerns have been raised about the need for better maintenance and working checks in the pool and spa areas, including the steam rooms and water facilities. The swimming pool has also been described as "too dark."
• Heating Issues: One reviewer noted a room being chilly upon entry, which staff were unable to fully resolve. The general difficulty of heating old castles has also been mentioned.
• Minor Room Issues: A minor complaint about the absence of a hook in the bathroom for robes was noted. Inability to use TV streaming options has also been mentioned.
• Inconsistent Bar Service: Some guests have reported negative experiences with bar staff, including not being thanked after a purchase. Additionally, the Drawing Room bar was reportedly not open to residents before or after dinner on a Sunday night.
• Cleanliness: A few instances of rooms not being as clean as expected, specifically dirty bathroom floors, have been reported.
• Disruptive Green Lights: A criticism, possibly referring to emergency lighting, was noted by one guest as disturbing sleep.
• Employee Feedback: Indirectly, some employee reviews from platforms like Indeed.com suggest issues with management, feeling overworked, and a "toxic work environment," which could potentially impact guest service.

Sources

1. booking.com
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3. livingthedreamrtw.com
4. reddit.com
5. tablethotels.com
6. google.ie
7. booking.com
8. trustpilot.com
9. booking.com
10. kayak.com
11. kilronancastle.ie
12. agoda.com
13. indeed.com