A review of the best castle hotel in Ireland

I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that you’re probably sick of reading about COVID. Talking about COVID. Thinking about COVID. We know that January won’t miraculously bring normalcy, but the good news is that we will likely be back to traveling in 2021. So let’s talk about travel!

A lot of us want to check off those once-in-a-lifetime destinations we weren’t able to visit in 2020. And what’s more unique than staying in a castle? Read on to find out why Adare Manor is the best castle hotel in Ireland.

And before we jump in, a note: I wasn’t compensated in any way for this review – I just love this hotel.

xx,
Mercedes

The location

There are a lot of cool castle hotels in Ireland, but most of them are isolated. One of the reasons I chose this hotel initially is it’s central location. Adare Manor is located in the small town of Adare, which is right in the middle of the Cliffs of Moher, Blarney, Galway, Killarney, and Cork. It’s also easy to get to by car (see “how to get there” below) and set on a beautiful property.

Inside the hotel

The hotel itself is was built as a manor house in the 19th century, and is a very rare ‘Calendar House’. It has 365 windows, 52 chimneys, 7 stone pillars and 4 towers that represent the days, weeks, and seasons in a year. The architecture and furnishings are gothic, romantic, timeless, and everything you could possibly want from a castle.

The gorgeous architecture at Adare Manor

My favorite room in the castle is the 132 foot long Gallery, where breakfast is served. It was inspired by the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles, with 26 foot tall ceilings. Imagine eating breakfast here every morning!

*The Gallery, the Great Hall (reception), and the Drawing Room*

The grounds

The property is 840 acres set against a river (the Maigue), with gorgeous formal French gardens and an expansive famous golf course (home to the 2027 Ryder Cup).

Because the grounds are so expansive, they offer all sorts of outdoor activities – like fishing, archery, and clay pigeon shooting to name a few. You can even practice your axe throwing & falconry if you really want to feel like an Irish Lord or Lady. We didn’t have the time to explore any of the outdoor activities, but we are planning on doing some horseback riding when we visit in 2021!

A review of the best castle hotel in Ireland - Adare Manor, on the Maigue river — *The Maigue river*

The rooms

While the communal rooms of the hotel have been restored, the guest rooms have the perfect blend of modern renovation and classic furnishings.

We booked a Classic room, but we were upgraded to a Deluxe room (slightly larger). The furnishings were new, and the bathroom was pristine & freshly renovated. Honestly, all of the rooms are stunning so my advice is to go with the least expensive room since you’ll be spending a lot of your time on the grounds and in the common areas. However if you’re traveling with a group or family, you may want to reserve one of the cottages on the property (they sleep up to 6).

I’ve saved some video reviews of the room on my Instagram in my “Ireland” Story Highlights if you want a closer look!

*Classic Room, our welcome note, and a Deluxe Room*

The food

I’ll start with breakfast, which can be included with your room rate. This has to be one of the best hotel breakfasts I’ve ever had. Each morning in the Gallery they have an incredible buffet (charcuterie, pastries, the works). You also choose from individual dishes like eggs benedict and avocado toast. They also offer a fantastic afternoon tea (including champagne – because vacation is all about getting tipsy in the middle of the day).

Breakfast at Adare Manor - the best castle hotel in Ireland — *Breakfast at Adare in the Gallery*

For dinner, the hotel has a few options – but I highly recommend The Oak Room. It was an absolutely incredible multi-course meal, and The Oak Room was recently awarded a Michelin star – another reason why this is the best castle hotel in Ireland. They have an extensive wine list, but the experience is definitely not stuffy. They actually offer glasses for purchase via Coravin, which allows you to try higher end bottles. And if you want to feel even more prepared, check out my guide to selecting a wine. Menus change according to the season, but you can expect elevated traditional dishes with local products.

Dinner at The Oak Room at the Adare Manor Hotel in Ireland — *Our dinner at The Oak Room*

The drinks

Something I wasn’t expecting to find at an Irish castle hotel was an excellent cocktail. A good whiskey or some Guinness on tap, definitely; but The Tack Room actually delivers on excellent craft drinks.

They have specially designed menus – when I was there, the theme was Fantastic Beasts (!!!) – and every cocktail is handcrafted with precision & care. The bar itself is warm & cozy with overstuffed chairs and fringe lamps. It’s reminiscent of The Roger Room in LA, Pulitzer’s Bar in Amsterdam, or The Carousel Bar in New Orleans.

*Some of the unique cocktails at The Tack Room*

And don’t worry – you can still get that pint of Guinness by heading to The Carriage House, which is a stunning Art Deco space that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

*Beers & the views at The Carriage House*

The spa

One of the things that makes this the best castle hotel in Ireland (and another reason I was so excited to stay here) is that they offer La Mer facials. I’ve never purchased La Mer products, but my maid of honor’s mother SWEARS by the face cream (EU link) and she is positively ageless. So since I had the opportunity, I was lucky enough to get a La Mer facial here – and it was worth every penny! It’s an incredibly relaxing experience (I definitely fell asleep). Your skin will glow for days, which is saying something considering the rough weather you will typically experience in Ireland.

How much a night can you expect to pay?

As I mentioned, I recommend the basic room since you’ll want to enjoy the grounds & the experience. At first glance the rates can be really expensive – up to €900 for a basic room. But if you can be flexible on dates they have Classic King rooms available for €380 per night (including breakfast).

Meals & experiences (like golfing or the spa) are also not cheap, but the level of quality and service make it 100% worth it. I recommend emailing the hotel with some flexible dates, and enquiring about packages and deals on activities. They will plan your whole experience at the hotel for you!

Why is this hotel worth it?

The location, the spa, the food, and the overall experience. What other castle hotel offers falconry, a world class golf course, La Mer facials, and dinner at a Michelin star restaurant? This hotel is absolutely worth it because you get the best of both worlds – the romantic castle experience with a modern luxurious twist. You’re close to many famous Irish towns & landmarks. But you’ll also be incredibly satisfied with your trip even if you never leave the hotel.

And one of the things I haven’t really mentioned yet is the service – which is truly impeccable from start to finish. Everyone goes above and beyond to make sure you have a lovely stay. The reservation team, the staff at The Oak Room, the bartenders at The Tack Room… everyone is charming. And our favorite encounters were always with the valet and front door men, who were so cheerful & sweet and always remembered our names!

What to do nearby

As I mentioned, one reason this is the best castle hotel in Ireland is the location. It’s central to so many great spots – listed below are a few of my favorites.

Adare town

You can actually walk through the grounds to the town of Adare. It’s incredibly quaint with traditional thatched roof houses, local art & antique shops, and delicious restaurants. I recommend The Good Room for breakfast (delicious but expect a longer wait), and 1826 Adare for dinner.

Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher are an absolute must see, according to most people who visit Ireland. Unfortunately when we drove up in mid-March, it was too foggy to see the cliffs – which is quite a common occurrence! I recommend watching the weather and making a trip out if you can be certain of the conditions.

Killarney

My favorite small town in Ireland is Killarney. It has that quintessential Irish charm you’re looking for, including some of the best local pubs. It’s about an hour and a half drive from Adare, so a super easy day trip. I actually recommend staying in Killarney if you have the time. I’ll be writing about all of my favorite spots there soon!

The traditional thatched roof cottages at Adare Manor in Ireland — *Traditional thatched roof cottages in the town of Adare*

What to pack

Regardless of the time of year, the weather in Ireland can be chilly & moody. I recommend packing cozy sweaters, tweed or checked skirts, and riding boots – all in earthy tones of greens & browns. Depending on how cold it is, layer on a plaid scarf or coat. Don’t be afraid to mix prints – as long as one is small and one is large, and they both have the same color palette. Also, don’t forget a sturdy travel umbrella like this one from Hunter (EU link). Lastly, bring a dress or two for dinner – I prefer a classic silhouette in green velvet or satin. Find my favorite items below.

How to get there

Adare is a quaint little village, situated an hour and half from Cork Airport, which is a major hub with plenty of direct flights on Aer Lingus. If you’re already in Europe, you can also try flying into Shannon Airport, which is just a half hour away.

I highly recommend renting a car, since Ireland doesn’t have much public transportation. You’ll also be able to stop along the roads to see other sights. Ireland isn’t a very large country, but it’s packed with stunning other-worldly spots.

We actually did a bit of a road trip from Dublin to get to Adare, taking a half day to see at some of the beautiful abandoned abbeys along the way. I’ll share a full guide to my two-week Ireland road trip soon!