Powerscourt Hotel, Autograph Collection — Hotel in The Municipal District of Bray

We had planned a special New Year's Eve celebration and 30th birthday for a dear friend and were eager for the occasion, particularly as it was our first night away from our baby. To mark this milestone, we opted for an upgraded room, incurring a significant expense. However, what we experienced was far from the luxury and hospitality we expected.

On the Friday before our stay, I received an email and a message via Booking.com urging us to book for dinner as the hotel would be fully booked. I promptly replied on both platforms, requesting any available slot at the Sika restaurant for this important occasion, as we enjoy fine dining. In the same email, I inquired about spa availability, and I was pleased to receive a response the following day confirming a spa slot. Given this, I reasonably presumed my dinner reservation request had also been addressed.

To ensure everything was in order, I called the hotel on Monday, only to discover—much to my dismay—that no dinner reservation had been made. Despite my prior emails and messages, I was told there was no availability in either restaurant. After expressing my frustration and explaining the importance of the occasion, we were begrudgingly offered a 9 PM slot at the Sally Gap, which we reluctantly accepted.

Upon our arrival at 4 PM, check-in was smooth, but our relief was short-lived. The bathroom in our room emitted a terrible odor, likely due to clogged drains. As the hotel was fully booked, we resigned ourselves to the inconvenience and went to the lounge for a drink and a light bite. Astonishingly, we were told no food was available in the lounge—only room service. Being forced to eat a sandwich and chips in our room at a supposed 5-star hotel was utterly unacceptable. Adding to our disappointment, the waiter forgot our drink order, leaving us waiting for 30 minutes.

Communication from the hotel was sorely lacking. Guests should have been informed in advance about these shortcomings, especially given the premium prices charged. Having skipped lunch, waiting until 10 PM for a mediocre dinner was beyond frustrating.

As if that weren’t enough, while getting ready for dinner, the hair dryer caused a loud bang, followed by a smell of smoke. After that, most of the room's sockets stopped functioning. I reported this to reception, and an engineer was sent at 8:45 PM—just as we were rushing to leave for our 9 PM dinner. When I requested the engineer return later, I was told he finished work at 9 PM and would only come back the next day. This lack of urgency and disregard for safety—especially given the presence of smoke—was appalling. What if a fire had broken out during the night?

Dinner itself was lackluster and overpriced, but what id expect from a "pub" meal. Afterward, we went to the lounge to ring in the New Year, only to find no fireworks or special effort to mark the occasion—another disappointment.

The only redeeming feature of our stay was the breakfast, which was excellent. However, that alone cannot salvage what was an otherwise disorganized, subpar experience. For the €1,700 we paid, we expected luxury and impeccable service. Instead, we were met with chaos, poor communication, and disregard for basic safety.

I am deeply disappointed and will not...

A Remarkable Stay at Powerscourt Autograph Hotel in Wicklow.

I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Powerscourt Autograph Hotel in Wicklow, and I must say it was an outstanding experience from start to finish. Everything about this hotel exceeded my expectations, leaving me with lasting memories of a truly remarkable stay.

From the moment I stepped into the lobby, I was greeted by the warmest of welcomes from the attentive and friendly staff. Their genuine hospitality and willingness to go the extra mile truly set the tone for my entire stay. Every request I had was met with efficiency and a smile, making me feel like a valued guest throughout my visit.

The hotel itself is a masterpiece in design and elegance. The attention to detail is evident in every corner, from the tastefully decorated common areas to the impeccably designed guest rooms. My room was spacious, comfortable, and beautifully appointed, featuring luxurious amenities and a breathtaking view of the surrounding Wicklow countryside.

One of the highlights of my stay was the dining experience at the hotel's restaurant. The culinary team showcased their creativity and skill, offering a menu that celebrated local flavors and seasonal ingredients. Each dish was a work of art, bursting with exquisite flavors that delighted my palate. The service was impeccable, with the staff providing insightful recommendations and ensuring my dining experience was nothing short of extraordinary.

The hotel's amenities were equally impressive. The fitness center was well-equipped, allowing me to maintain my exercise routine during my stay. Additionally, the spa provided a serene sanctuary, offering a range of indulgent treatments that left me feeling rejuvenated and pampered.

Located in the heart of Wicklow, the hotel's surroundings were nothing short of breathtaking. I had the pleasure of exploring the nearby attractions, from the stunning landscapes of the Wicklow Mountains to the charming villages and historic sites. The hotel's concierge was incredibly knowledgeable and provided excellent recommendations for local activities, ensuring I made the most of my time in the area.

Overall, my experience at Powerscourt Autograph Hotel in Wicklow was exceptional in every way. The combination of impeccable service, luxurious accommodations, exquisite dining, and beautiful surroundings created an unforgettable stay. I cannot recommend this hotel highly enough and look forward to returning...

Difficult to judge during COVID restrictions but feel at present service levels are nowhere near a 5 star hotel and in general was disappointing. On arrival we had an afternoon tea - set the bar for expectations as service and experience was outstanding - definitely recommend! Went to check in and unfortunately the bar was dropped from there. Very long wait to check in, not one acknowledgement from anyone, waited about 20 minutes to check in when clearly there were people in the back office that could have stepped in given the issues the guest in front of me was having. Reservations had been difficult to confirm and get hold of from the start but having sent multiple emails, I would have presumed all would have then been confirmed on check in - it was not, a few issues. Breakfast was terrible. Seated at a table in the middle of the floor, not socially distanced from anyone as is in the walkway for people coming and going to the continental breakfast. Back of chairs being knocked constantly by guests and service staff. Continental breakfast poor but during Covid this can be forgiven, hot breakfast not great, bacon/eggs no taste - not to be expected in 5 star hotel. Cold coffee, asked for a second and cold the second time. There was a wedding the night before and breakfast was therefore very busy with wedding guests - may be better to reserve one restaurant for wedding guests for breakfast as social distance not observed and a number of guests talking over our table to fellow wedding guests. Ordered room service one afternoon, odd no one knew how to take order when just asked for a toasted ham and cheese sandwich - was told to check what was on the menu and not sure they could make a toasted sandwich! Experience in Spa outstanding and one of the best massages. Head door man exceptionally helpful and informative. Check out experience woeful. Charge on bill from spa. Queried it at reception and told I would have to go back down to spa and ask what it was, reception could not ask the spa. Went back down to spa, they had no idea what it was relating to, but took close to 30 minutes to get it removed from our bill. Went back up to check out and asked if I could pay by cash - told yes but would need to be exact amount as they had no way to give any change - at this stage I was not surprised and had no issues leaving a few euros behind just to be...