Dromoland Castle Hotel

I left very disappointed after what was meant to be a budget blowing, magical Christmas treat. I thought a trip to Dromoland would leave me relaxed, rejuvenated and ready to face a busy Christmas, but I just left disappointed. Maybe my expectations were just too high, having read all the amazing reviews I really was expecting to be WOWed, but I just can't say I was. For a 5 star of this price I found it very hard to justify the price. The room is large and beautifully decorated but: 1. We stayed in a family room with two queen size beds. I did not realise when booking how SMALL a queen size bed is for 2 adults. Its much smaller than the average king / super king most hotels offer now. My 11 year old was happy out in her queen size double but for 2 adults, 50+, it was not a comfortable night's sleep. 2. There is NO soundproofing in the rooms, every door closing seemed to reverberate through our room. Kids running through the corridor from 7.30 felt like the kids were in the room. I could hear people coughing / snoring from other rooms through the night. And a very Minor issue, if you sleep easily (a big issue if you don't) is the fíre alarm sensor ticks loudly every 30 seconds. Lastly, the plumbing in the rooms, not just ours because I could hear it from other rooms too, sounds like really loud feed back of a loud sound system every time you turn on the tap. If you put the tap on full blast the noise goes away, but splashes you / your clothes / the sink. If anyone goes to the loo in the night and tries to wash their hands everyone in the room is woken by the screeching from the tap. 3. Fine dining was a series of mishaps, no coordination between kitchen and bar. The cocktail menu is extensive, but you're given one ipad betwen the table to pick from pages of cocktails. By the time I picked a cocktail and then passed it to my husband to see service were getting anxious to get food ordered. I orderd a cocktail as an apperif, it was devine but came in a bowl and i had to ask 3 different staff members how I was meant to drink it without spilling it everywhere. The first shrugged his shoulders, the second told me he had never seen it before and the 3rd volunteered to get me a straw. Before we managed to drink our apperifs our starters arrived wine came mid way through mains, food couldn't be put down as it arrived before starters were cleared.. messy.. for a €350 meal for 2 adults and a child I expected perfection. Food was fine but lacked wow factor for me. You could, however, taste the freshness of the lobster starter, but for me the flavours on the plate were not enough to do the lovely fresh lobster justice. I had duck main but it was served with a 'jus' which was literally just what came out of the meat as it rested, not a fragrant red wine, full bodied jus as I had expected. Just the resting juices of the meat poured on the plate and topped with 1 wilted spring onion on top, complete with roots. We were told that there was a dress code for the fine dining restaurant, so we hauled appropriate shoes and clothes etc. I like getting dressed for dinner, but my husband generally feels he'd rather wear comfy shoes. Anyway, doing as we were told we found if you were celeb / friends of a celeb you could wear trakkies and flip flops to dinner. My husband was annoyed as I had made him wear proper shoes. A bit discriminatory really. 4. The last point was the disappointing pool and relaxation area. On the plus side there is a jacuzzi right on the side of pool so it's lovely to sit here and watch kids / family in the pool. There was 2 drawbacks though. The first is its not in the hotel, and although the ever obliging doormen are happy to drop you down it does take from the luxury of going to a hotel leisure centre. It was rainy, wet and windy when we were there so you have to get appropriately dressed, coats, shoes etc to go there. Most 5 stars we go to you can just pop on your slippers and pop down for a swim and come back to your room to shower and dress, but you have to be properly dressed to head down to the busy golf club so if you want a quick sauna or jacuzzi it's really quite a full excursion, like packing to go to the gym, you need to pack a bag and get dressed to go there. The second point on the leisure centre was there was A LOT of tiles missing from the poolside jacuzzi both under foot and on the seat, which were sharp and scratched both feet and bum. We went for breakfast and there was a totally different staff on for breakfast as from fine dining the night before. These were a much older, way more professional staff and it was like a different restaurant. Breakfast was good. Reception is hidden behind a big wall, so other than checking out you don't see them. Nobody asked if I enjoyed my stay. Avoid the family rooms, maybe the suites in the original castle are better, but if you want a good night's sleep def avoid these rooms. And if you have any mobility issues, as its down from the original castle through a series of small corridors to the extension where the family rooms are.

Dromoland is a magical place at Christmas . Beautiful Christmas trees and decor throughout . Check in was friendly and efficient . However lunch service was lacking , our desserts never arrived after half hour . We mentioned to manager who immediately rectified . Sparkling waters did not arrive but were on bill. Our room was beautiful . Spotlessly clean and very comfortable . Dinner at the earl of thomond was flawless. The dress code is certainly lacking at times at dinner , a few in hoodies and jeans . Lovely breakfast , great staff and front of house . Our third overnight stay at the castle and we loved it .

We were a group of five friends meeting for Christmas. We had a fantastic experience . Enjoyed the ambience of the beautiful Earl of Thomand restaurant . Mulled wine or non alcoholic cider and Amuse bouche to start..The sandwich selection was varied and delicious. We loved the Battenburg and macarons . All the other and pastries cakes were lovely .As well as the scones of course ... Great service and friendly staff. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon.

What a perfect place to kick of your christmas celebrations. Such a fantastic atmosphere throughout.. th staff are always so warm and welcoming. Mark the manager ensures there is attention given to every small detail. Also thanks to.John who was si helpful.

Such warm, welcoming staff. Have never experienced luxury like this before. From greeting to turn down. Wonderful. Expect to be spoiled for any other hotel. Breakfast in the dining hall was an amazing experience in itself. Just walking the halls and taking it all in was overwhelming.