Castle hotels

wckc · Guru

Castle hotels

Michele Erdvig · Host

Wendy,

Welcome to the forum. Congrats on celebrating your anniversary on your first trip to Ireland! We have had a discussion about this before on the forum. Some people think that staying in a castle is a unique once-in-a-lifetime experience and well worth the splurge. Others have actually stayed in castles and not been that impressed. Since I am always on a tight budget I have never stayed at a castle but I have looked at and toured many of them. If I could afford it I would love to stay and be pampered in a castle. So, whether it is worth it is a relative question.

If you decide to stay in a castle, take a look at my "Castle Hotel" page. You also need to know that not every hotel with the word castle in its name is a genuine castle. If you need help choosing one, let me know and I will be happy to share my personal opinions.

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Maith thú Wendy,

Congratulations on your 25th year of marriage! I agree that Castle stays can be hit & miss. I have scrimped and saved on three trip plannings to put away enough money for castle stays and been quite thrilled with all three choices. Since it is Co. Cork for which you are asking, I would highly recommend Castle Townshend near Skibbereen. The rates at Castle Townshend are comparable with an upscale B&B. I think reaching a marriage milestone is justification enough for a castle stay. Michele has some great selections on her site, as well,

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit Devine

YaYa · Guru

Bit,

Could you tell me more about Castle Townshend. I read once it received a one star rating. Are the rooms comfortable ? I mean good beds and bath. I've always wanted to ask somebody who has stayed there. That is a part of the country I haven't gotten to.

Many thanks, YaYa

Michele Erdvig · Host

Joan,

Keeping in mind that everyone has their individual opinion on things, I found when I visited Castle Townshend a couple of years ago that a one or two star rating would be a fair judgement. Now, I have not personally stayed as Bit has. The rooms were large, as were the bathrooms that I saw. It was on the old, shabby side of the spectrum but seemed clean. I did not add it to my list of places to stay or recommend to others. Bit will be able to fill you in on the comfort levels.

Bill is off to Ireland at the end of this month and will be staying at the self-catering apartment at Castle Townshend. I'm sure he will tell us his opinion when he returns.

Michele

YaYa · Guru

Michele,

Thanks, that is what I've heard. We need to send you to just stay in Castles. I'll do that when I win the lottery.
YaYa

Dude · Guru

Well, I can weigh in with my two castle experiences. Kilkea Castle is pretty much just a nice hotel with small rooms. Waterford Castle, on the other hand, is very nice (and very pricey) with huge rooms; our bath was as big as many of our B&B entire suites with a clawfoot tub and old fashioned water closet. And being on your own private island has a certain cachet.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dude,

Thanks for your input. I toured Glin Castle recently and really liked it. It was small and more intimate than some of the larger castles like Dromoland and Ashford. When either Joan or I win the Lotto I will stay there.

I thought the rooms that I saw at Dromoland were glorified hotel rooms, albeit extremly nice (they were in the more modern wing). The bathrooms were impressive though. I love the setting of Ashford Castle. Some of the rooms in the main part of the building are very baronial. But they were the suites that you really have to be a president or millionaire to afford. Kinitty Castle was medieval in appearance (public areas) although I could not see the bedrooms since the castle was booked with a wedding party.

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Joan,

I am not a huge fan of the "Disney" castles, as I have heard them called. I like a bit of quirky and a bit of must. The others like Ashford and Dromoland are hotels in royal garb, in my opinion. Castle Leslie is another of my favorites, which might give you some insight into my style.

I , too, had read of its one star rating before I stayed there. I like to live on the edge sometimes and trust my gut. The beds were extremely comfortable, which is my grading factor, more so than appearance. The showers were strong and hot water plentiful, another plus. They had just painted and freshened most of the bedrooms when I stayed there. The rugs are a bit worn and some of the wallpapers a bit faded but this is something I expect when staying in lodgings that are a century or more old. The food was delicious, good size porportions and they were quite vigilant in making sure that no mushrooms or seafood came anywhere near my plate, even going so far as to using a different chopping board and knife to avoid spore transfer. Those small things garner a 5 star rating in my personal book. The view I had of the harbor from my window was a dleightful bonus.

As Michele said, each person has a different comfort level and expectations. I seek out lodgings in Ancient dwellings, as the voices within their walls inspire my writings. It cannot compare with the big Castles on the Isle nor does it try. I loved it because it was in the heart of a small Village and the locals could and would tell me stories of the Castle, when asked in pubs and shops. The Village itself is one that I want to spend more time in so I will definitely be back to Castle Townshend soon. Castle Townshend is a family home and a B&B. I expect it to have that "lived in" feeling.

Joan, you should put the West of Cork on your must travel list. There are a myriad of reasons, Mizen Head, The Schull Planetarium, Sheep's Head, BAntry are but a few of the delights.

Michele,

I will be interested to hear Bill's take on Castle Townshend, especially the self-catering.

Slan Go Foill,

Bit

YaYa · Guru

Dear Bit,

Thank you for your info. I also like the older places with creeky floors and character. I just have to be comfortable with a good bed, shower and most of all clean. Three of my favorites come to mind Ballynahinch Castle in Commemara, Hunters Hotel in Rathnew County Wicklow and Carrygerry House(for a night or two) near Shannon airport.

I've been to parts of West Cork but not all of it and haven't spent enough time there. It's hard when you're as slow a traveler as I am. I'll go for 3 weeks and spend at the least 4 nights in one place. I'm afraid my age and lack of funds are catching up with me. At least I can read about others trips on the web.

Bit, you have me confused, you e-mailed me about a month ago and told me you'd been to Ireland 4 times. Now I read here or someplace that you've been 6 or 7 times? Have you had some quick trips? Or are you in the planning stages? I did notice on your web-site your upcoming trip to Roscommon, that sounds lovely. My kind of slow travel.

Thanks again for the info on Castle Townsend.

Regards, YaYa Joan

wojazz3 · Guru

Well, I'll be at Castletowshend on Saturday night and then for the rest of the week. I'll give you a full report, but you may have to remind me. My first task will be to prepare for the hoolie the Saturday night after my return. I'll try not to get arrested.

Bill

CowboyCraic · Guru

Joan,

A mistype on my part, as I am planning trip 5 & 6. The tour to Roscommon is one of them, as I was just informed earlier this evening. The other is still in the works and that will be a quicker trip than I would like it to be, as it will be for just one week, if it transpires. 3 week trips area must for me, usually. I try to not stay in any place for just one night.

Castle Townshend is definitely clean and well ordered. I will have to check out Carrygerry if I stay over a few extra days in June.

Slan go Foill,

Bit

YaYa · Guru

Bit,

If you stay at Carrygerry House, make sure you are in the main house. It's a lovely place for your first or last night. Very peaceful, lovely green fields,sheep and horses. Also the Ennis's serve dinner. Hope you get your next trip real soon, even if it is a short one. Ten years ago, I'd jump at the chance.

Regards, YaYa

Michele Erdvig · Host

ttt for Dude.

Dude · Guru

Got it! Thanks, Michele.

SXMGail · Member

We stayed in Glin castle for one night last May, and almost tried to extend our stay because we enjoyed it so much. The service was excellent, and the room was spacious with a great view of the river.

Gail

Michele Erdvig · Host

Gail,

Thanks for your first-hand info on Glin Castle. I had a tour of it last time I was in Ireland and was impressed. I wish my budget stretched far enough for a stay. Maybe next time!

Michele