Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa — Hotel in Killarney Municipal District

Avoid this hotel with its generic, unremarkable rooms/service typical of all-inclusive resorts or lower-end cruise ships.

We just returned from a lovely two-week Ireland trek and found fabulous places to stay and hospitable Irish staff everywhere . . . but here. I can’t fathom how this place receives 5-star reviews.

The generic rooms were not soundproof; hallway doors slammed all night long and the plumbing made middle-of-the night moaning Myrtle sounds, too. The room’s cheap Ikea-like furniture seemed far from 5-star. Our room's lake view was nice, but every day the staff returned the chairs to inward facing! Who wants to gaze into a generic room, back to the lake? At Ballynahinch Castle Hotel (Connemara) their sumptuous out-ward facing chairs allowed riverside views. (*I ecstatically recommend Ballynahinch). Our balcony area at Aghadoe Heights was a decent size, but without a side table, we had to balance coffee/book on our laps when the weather allowed us to enjoy that area. The lake view was lovely, but know that this view looks, first, across a busy roadway (see photos). The only positive I can think of about Aghadoe Heights’ room was its pretty good towels.

As for staff, an enthusiastic young man the last few days at breakfast was friendly & helpful--an outlier. Other hotel staff seemed to want to be anywhere else. The surly host who seated us for breakfast each morning seemed bothered by guests arriving. Once I came down first and asked not to order from the prepared menu until my companion arrived. No one took our order for forty-five minutes after we were both there. (The breakfast buffet and prepared fare were akin to unremarkable Hyatt quality.)

The completely inexperienced front desk staff responded to questions with actual deer-in-the-headlights stares. The only time I was annoyed over the entire two-week trip involved us trying to get a cab from to dinner. When we returned from driving the lovely Dingle area, we hoped to freshen up, then return to the lobby 35 minutes later to catch a cab for our Killarney reservation (*Harrow—lovely fine dining). We asked the two reception staff members to order us a cab for a specific time (we stated the time two ways: 19h50 and 10 minutes to 8). The skinny young man repeated our request, then failed to order any cab. I have no idea if he did not understand our request (he didn’t ask for clarification), did not know how to order a cab, or simply got side-tracked—he gave us no explanation when we came down for our ride; he skedaddled quickly from the reception area, leaving a different staff member to fix this. No cab arrived until 8:30 (so we were late for our reservation). The friendly driver told us that requests for pickup at the hotel should only take about 15 minutes’ time to fulfill. All told, the staff perplexingly flubbed this simple task.

Similarly, two times during our 4-night stay, I hoped for a to-go cup of morning coffee at the apparently open coffee service near the entrance, only to find no coffee available (having to toss a clean cup that I’d tried to fill and only obtained drops). One of these times was 7h30ish when I went for a walk toward the lake, so not late-morning hours. Simple things that should be expected in a 3-star hotel were amiss. Strangely incompetent staff.

Green-washing signs abounded, but no room recycling bin or front-desk recycling.

We were excited to enjoy a hot-tub, but the pool area was dated.

We enjoyed the nice thermal spa & its hospitable professional staff, as well as the sea scrub with seaweed bath. I would give it 4-stars (5-stars goes to places like San Montano at Ischia or the Gellert or Rudas spas in Budapest).

We chose not to eat dinner here after being unimpressed with their whiskey offerings and the cruise-ship look-alike...

To whom it may concern,

Myself and my boyfriend stayed in Aghadoe Heights hotel Saturday night 18th March and were extremely disappointed with our experience.

-Exterior of hotel is grubby and in need of cleaning/painting.

-Booked a lake view room for €240 per night. Photos on the website looked fab but our room was very dated and not at all like the photos advertised. -View and bathtub were nice but it was a pity about the room. -Dated decor. -Large, unsightly and noisy air conditioner. -Dated furniture. -Dated furnishings (wallpaper, curtains, throws and cushions). -Uncomfortable bed. -Flat pillows. -No extra pillows provided. -Hard mattress and no mattress topper. -No duvet! Only 2 sheets with a woollen blanket in between the sheets (this reminded me of the sheets you would be provided with on a hospital bed not a 5 star luxury hotel). -Coffee machine not working. -No nozzle on hair dryer. -My own bedroom at home offers more luxury and comfort than the room we received for €240 for the night. -€6.50 room service fee per person also is extortionate.

-Pool area was lacked a sense of luxury and relaxation that you'd expect from a 5 star hotel. -Lacking attention to detail. -Spa, relaxation and thermal suite were on opposite end of corridor to the pool. -We went to use the thermal suite this morning and were told that it was full and reserved for people receiving spa treatments. -I was then told that I could use the steam room and sauna but not to lay down on the heated loungers in case guests receiving spa treatments wanted to use them. -Having paid to stay in the hotel you'd expect to be able to freely avail of the facilities. -We were not told of limitations regarding use of the facilities upon book g or arrival.

-Unfriendly and abrupt staff at breakfast. -I emailed regarding vegan food options and was mailed a sample vegan menu but we decided to eat elsewhere (the Brehon has a far more appealing and extensive vegan menu). -There was no dairy free spread for toast only real butter. -I asked for porridge to be made with soya milk, but the porridge I received was made with water. It had milk on the side but it didn't taste or look like soya milk. -The buffet was ok but not as extensive as in other hotels I've stayed.

Overall we were very disappointed with our stay and definitely don't feel that it was the 5 star luxury experience that was advertised or that we paid for.

We spoke to Lisa upon leaving who offered to get the manager. We wanted to leave at that point but if you could pass on our comments to the manager we would appreciate it. I already emailed this review to reception to relay my disappointment but I got no reply.

Thank...

I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Aghadoe Hotel, and I can't help but share my delightful experience at this luxurious retreat. From the moment we arrived, we were immersed in an ambiance of opulence and treated with impeccable service that made us feel like we were the only guests in the entire hotel.

One of the standout features of Aghadoe Hotel is their exceptional staff. They are not only available at all times but also have a remarkable ability to make you feel like you are their top priority. Their warm and welcoming demeanor is truly exceptional, and they go above and beyond to ensure that your every need is met. I must mention John, the doorman, whose friendly and pleasant welcome set the tone for our stay.

One of the highlights of our visit was the outstanding culinary experience at Aghadoe Hotel. We had the pleasure of sipping fresh and vibrant cocktails that were a perfect blend of flavors. The cocktails were a refreshing treat, adding a touch of sophistication to our evening. The pear and goat's cheese salad, drenched in a rich balsamic reduction, was a taste sensation. We enjoyed this dish while gazing out at the breathtaking mountain views.

Our room was a haven of comfort and elegance. The spacious bath and shower were indulgent, and our own private balcony, overlooking the majestic mountains, allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the natural beauty of the surroundings. The large, luxurious full-size bed ensured a restful night's sleep, and we awoke each morning feeling completely refreshed.

Although we didn't have the chance to visit the spa during this stay, it was evident that it offers a haven of relaxation and rejuvenation. We can't wait to return and indulge in the spa's offerings on our next visit.

In conclusion, Aghadoe Hotel is a luxurious gem nestled in a picturesque setting. The combination of opulence, exceptional service, delectable cuisine, and breathtaking views makes it a destination that I can't wait to revisit. If you're looking for a place where you can unwind and be treated like royalty, Aghadoe Hotel is the perfect choice. It's a destination where every moment feels like a dream come true, and we can't...