Ashford Castle — Attraction in County Galway

To be honest I’m not even sure a destination like Ashford Castle needs another gleaming review or any additional accolades. This place is near perfection. We have had the privilege of staying at many exceptional luxury hotels but Ashford may indeed stand atop this list. The property itself is like walking back into time with the conveniences of today. The castle is simply gorgeous. Walking around from room to room and getting yourself lost is part of its magic. It’s really like you step back into an era of the past. Each room has a uniqueness, decorated in rich opulence. You exit the main foyer, walk beneath a crystal chandelier, pass a roaring fireplace, and within minutes feel a deep calm and gratitude for the privilege of staying within its walls.||We were in room 220. At first glance the room was next to the luggage storage and had a view of the parking lot but it absolutely did not detract from the sense of warmth and satisfaction we felt once inside. The bed was incredibly comfortable and the bathroom was spacious with a soaking tub and shower. The bathing products were luxurious and the towels soft and appeared new. The room grew on us as the days went on and we felt so at home by the end of our 3 night stay we were so sad to leave. ||The grounds are sublime. We often found ourselves just wandering outside taking photos of the castle and meandering our way through the paths, past fountains and gardens, admiring the small waves lapping against the shore of the lake. The grounds are enchanting and beg to be explored. ||The activities are plentiful. We booked a private hawk walk, 3 hour fishing tour, golf, massages and tennis. Everything was exceptional. The hawk walk is a signature activity and rightly so. It’s such a tremendous and educational experience. You meet and learn about the hunting birds. Your guide will teach you much of the hunting history and lots of wonderful information about the birds themselves. You will then walk these tiny paths throughout the property while your bird flies from tree to tree attempting to hunt flying back often to your gloved hand to retrieve a treat. It’s such an exhilarating experience. ||The fishing tour with their guide Frank is amazing. He will take you out on a boat he handmade and go fishing in many spots on the 44,000 acre lake. He is fun, knowledgeable and charismatic. He will assure you have a wonderful time. ||The golf course is a lot of fun. It’s 9 holes and you play it twice for 18. Adrian will assist in getting you set up and he is such a great person. Always happy to assist and seemingly always smiling. The course is in good shape and allows for a bit of challenge combined with forgiveness every amateur golfer requires. ||We did hit the spa up for one day. The massages were amazing. We had both Yvonne and Sarah. We did deep tissue massages and both had a nice combination of strength and finesse to assure your body was being treated for any alignments but at the same time with a technique that allowed you to really relax. ||Now let me tell you how our experience was with the Castles Dining. It was glorious!!!! Each morning they gave us breakfast and Patrick was there to greet us and was so unbelievably warm and cordial. The food was devine. All options you could think of were available and they seem to always remember what you like. |We also ate at the Dungeon, Cullen’s and George V. The Dungeon was fun. It was like dining in an underground pub. Cullen’s had some really amazing choices and the room was cozy. Felt like you were in a fishing lodge. George V is their fine dining restaurant where you get all dressed up and the food and staff absolutely deliver. All options were tremendous. ||I could keep writing on how amazing everything at the property was but none of it would be remotely possible without the Castles staff. WOW! When you stay at a luxurious 5 star property you come to expect great service but Ashford takes this to a new level. Every single member goes above and beyond to help assure your stay is not only memorable but one of the best in your lifetime. |There were so many instances where my wife and I were left speechless at their over the top hospitality and graciousness. Everyone seems to utterly love working at this property and it not only shows to us as guests but it oozes out of them with sheer pleasure. It is a resounding success of this properties ownership and management. I could go on and on about the staff but rest assured from this weary traveler it’s as good as it simply gets. ||When we were driving off the property we both felt sad and happy at the same time. Sad we were leaving but happy we had just discovered a gem like Ashford. There is absolutely no doubt we will be back. In fact we would come all the way back to Ireland just to have the opportunity of staying here again and once again being in the presence of these...

Ashford Castle proudly boasts centuries of hospitality, a trophy cabinet rammed full of accolades, countless famous visitors (pictures of whom line the endless corridors), and of course, the heartwarming Cinderella story of ruin to miraculous 5 star restoration. As you can imagine, it was because of these bold statements that I visited the Castle with expectations higher than the Sky Road itself. It almost seemed too good to be true. However, I must say, I was pleasantly surprised.

The Castle transports you back in time with its grandeur, salubrious decor, and various on-sight activities such as falconry, horse riding, and shooting (would recommend booking in advance but note that it is spenny). I also did the history tour which gave me a better understanding of the Castle’s past and the families that lived within its walls.

The rooms photograph awfully but are beautiful in real life so don’t be put off by the pictures uploaded by guests. The rooms are clean and gorgeous. Take the time to appreciate the hand blown chandeliers and the pieces of furniture from the period which were sourced by the owners at auctions (some pieces are original to the Castle which the owners were able to buy back; you’ll learn all this during the history tour).

The food was divine and I appreciated that ingredients were sourced locally. I ate in several restaurants on-sight including at the sister hotel up the road. The staff have it down to a tee. It was precise and impeccable across the eateries demonstrating how well trained everyone is. The George V dining room requires men to wear jackets. I was concerned this would be stuffy but this wasn’t the case. The staff members were polite and cracked jokes which helped create a relaxing atmosphere.

Speaking of the staff, there were some who went above and beyond their pay-grade: Derry Ohl who will one day make a fine GM himself, Fiona Finnerty at concierge who had a “can-do” attitude regardless of the ask, and Shane Kerrigan who always made sure everything was ok.

The spa is impressive with a steam room, relaxation pool, and fitness suite. Treatments are spenny and you have to book the fitness suite / pool before you go which is annoying but I guess they do not want overcrowding.

I enjoyed the cinema which shows two films daily (free entry and no booking required). There’s a list of the films outside the door. You get free snacks but have to pay for drinks which come from the bar.

Having given a glowing review about certain members of staff there were also some members who could do with more training. Rather awkwardly, some of the lesser performing staff were the managers. Even managers need to keep learning and upping their game. I noticed this particular person being courteous to certain guests but arguably less so to others. It is not fair to assume unconscious bias but my gut says it is this. I would like to believe it was not deliberate but it did affect me and soured my visit. It should not matter if a person is staying in the most basic room or in a suite. A guest is a guest; there is no scale. Money comes in all shapes, sizes, and indeed, in all colours and ages. I would suggest staff members regularly complete unconscious bias training to ensure such attitude is eradicated.

If you dine in the same restaurant throughout your stay, you will be presented with the same menu. It would be good to mix this up a bit.

The walls have ears. Business meetings should not be held in guest areas. During breakfast, I could hear management loudly discussing increasing the prices of food and drink on the menu. Having paid €20 for a cocktail the night before, I almost choked on my piece of toast. The same individual also discussed how awful the hotel website was and how it needed a change across the board. It is your business and you do you but it is disrespectful to openly criticise aspects of the hotel within earshot of your guests who have paid a lot of money to be there.

In conclusion, I enjoyed my stay and would...

Our initial plan was to visit Ashford solely for the experience, with no intention of returning, as it is not a hotel that fits comfortably within the budget of a couple earning under $80,000 CAD annually. However, 2 nights proved to be the best trip we have ever had, and we found ourselves utterly enchanted by the place. We are now making financial sacrifices for the next five months to save up for another visit in December of this year.

I first encountered Ashford Castle when it served as the backdrop for the French Court in 1567 for the pilot episode of my beloved television series, Reign. All my life, I have harbored a dream of residing in a castle. When my husband and I had the chance to explore Ireland, we initially made reservations at Ballynahinch Castle. However, upon discovering Ashford, we were captivated.

Every conceivable need or essential service you might envision has been anticipated with remarkable foresight. The staff and customer service embody perfection in every sense. The outdoor beauty and gardens are nothing short of immaculate. Celebrating our honeymoon, we were delighted to receive exquisite caramel chocolate truffles upon our arrival, along with a lavish cake from Afternoon Tea, each valued at over 30 euros, all presented as a thoughtful gift in our honor. Hailing from Canada, we brought along miniature bottles of Ontario maple syrup and renowned Vancouver-based BC chocolates from Zimt Chocolates to express our gratitude to the exceptional employees who enhanced our experience. Among those who stood out—though many others also deserve recognition—were Molly, Madelina, Samuel, Ivan, John, Thomas, Eleanor, Michael, and Mya. They transformed our stay into an extraordinary experience, and Red Carnation Hotels are truly fortunate to have such remarkable individuals representing their company.

No other opulent hotel or luxury resort can rival the splendor of Ashford Castle. My husband, who is accustomed to budget travel, initially felt uneasy about the expense of our two-night stay at the castle; however, his outlook transformed after just one day. The castle exists in a league of its own; and oh, the cuisine—its nutrition, quality, and flavor are unparalleled, surpassing even the finest Michelin-starred dining experiences we regularly enjoy. The breakfasts were so satisfying that we often found ourselves content until 11 PM!

The guests at the castle are often those who can afford to indulge in life’s luxuries. However, take it from two individuals who have average middle class incomes: this is the resort of your dreams. This is the destination you save for two years to experience for just two nights (we celebrated our dream honeymoon in Ireland this year after tying the knot in 2023). This is the place that, upon departure, you immediately start planning your return for a longer stay. This is the hotel you envision visiting annually. This is your escape, your new aspiration, your ultimate destination.

I have two points of feedback to share for the sake of transparency. Firstly, the bicycles offered on the property are one of the few amenities not outsourced, which raises the question of why there is a fee to borrow them. Guests should not be expected to pay €35-€50 simply to use a bicycle. In our extensive travels across various price ranges, we have never encountered a charge for bicycle usage, making this feel insulting and inconsiderate.

Secondly, I found the selection of toiletries in the rooms to be lacking. The shampoos and conditioners were devoid of fragrance and caused more harm than nurture to my hair.

Please do not interpret these critiques as deterrents from returning or as reasons for others to avoid this establishment. The exceptional service, from valet luggage delivery to our room during check-in, to the availability of hot towels at breakfast, more than compensated for these shortcomings. While our stay was not flawless, perfection is subjective, and Ashford Castle comes pretty darn...