Talbot Hotel Carlow — Hotel in The Municipal District of Graiguecullen — Portarlington

2 adult, 1 toddler. Was placed in room 108 upon arrival, first night a wedding was taking place and in this room you can hear EVERYTHING, every conversation in the outside smoking area, the music sounds like its in your room, you can even hear people sliding chairs as they stand, this went on until 23:30...then it was just smoking area conversations. Night 1 no sleep for all. We complained and was moved to the forth floor, this was much quieter, although there was no event for the rest of our stay the smoking area wouldve continued to disturb us the entire trip. Food...the 4th floor restaurant, well, don't bother. Staff didn't have a clue about any questions we asked (1 of us is diabetic, asking if juice dilute is sugar free eg). The food was hit and miss. my entire life i have cleared my plate, told growing up about waste and starving kids in the world, however I couldn't stomach half my plate, went to bed hungry still, the diabetic couldn't eat half the food due to dietary reasons but what eating was...OK. Toddler had the kids menu pizza, 3 slices of im guessing frozen pizza judging by the base, not finished, not like our child. staff seemed like they would rather be elsewhere. We were 1 of 3 tables in the restaurant, after the meal we went for a drink in the bistro bar to check the menu for the next day..much better. Ate in the ground floor restaurant for the rest of our meals, much nicer. Although I couldn't eat the chips at lunch, tasted raw still but dinner time they were lovely. staff better - special shout out to Katherine (hope that's her name) lovely lady, always willing to help and find out any answers to our questions about the food. The swimming pool was basic, but perfect for our needs and the little one loved it and learned to swim while we were here. The dome across the road is a money trap. Take plenty of change for the arcade, very limited size but we only used it while waiting to the Congo soft play to open, speaking of the soft play area, its fine but in some serious need of a refurb. Loads of areas held together with gaffa tape thats ripping open with foam falling out everywhere, patches of floor missing and the same empty pack of Malteasers on the top deck for the three days of our stay despite it being closed for periods for covid cleaning. (I can guarantee this wasnt done in the play area, maybe the tables and chairs but not where the kids are playing).

Overall the hotel is ok, hit or miss all round. We won't be returning, but some...

We recently had the pleasure of staying at The Talbot Hotel Carlow, and I can confidently say it was an experience to remember. From the moment we arrived, the warmth and hospitality of the staff made us feel genuinely welcomed, setting the tone for a fantastic stay.

We stayed in the Killeshin Suite, and it was nothing short of luxurious. The suite had its own entrance hall, a beautifully designed living room with a flat-screen TV, and a separate, spacious bedroom featuring a super king-sized bed and another flat-screen TV—perfect for when my partner wanted to catch up on sports while I enjoyed my own programmes. The thoughtful welcome chocolates and greeting card left in the suite were a lovely touch, making us feel instantly valued as guests.

The attention to detail extended to the bathroom, where the fabulous waterfall shower was an absolute treat. The fluffy bathrobes and slippers added an extra level of comfort, making it feel like a true home away from home.

We dined in the restaurant, and the food was nothing short of exceptional. Every dish was beautifully prepared, full of flavour, and served by the most welcoming staff. Their passion for hospitality was evident in every interaction, making our meal all the more enjoyable.

The following morning, we took full advantage of the swim/spa area, enjoying a refreshing swim, followed by a relaxing sauna and steam session. It was the perfect way to start the day before indulging in a delicious breakfast that left us more than satisfied. The later checkout was also a welcome luxury, allowing us to savour the experience just a little bit longer.

A special thank you to the wonderful team at The Talbot Carlow. I want to give particular recognition to Kelly in reservations, Kerri at check-in, and Danielle and Sarah at reception. Their warmth, professionalism, and attention to detail truly made a lasting impression. They are a credit to the hotel and embody the high standards of service that make The Talbot stand out.

Having worked in the hospitality and accommodation industry for years, I can confidently say that The Talbot Hotel Carlow is more than just a building—it’s the heart of Carlow, offering an experience that stays with you long after you leave. I’ll most certainly be back, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a luxurious, welcoming, and truly memorable stay. For more details or to book your own experience, visit The Talbot Hotel Carlow.

Jennifer Lynch Hospitality &...

Stayed here for 2 nights with my wife and 5 yo and 2 yo. Problems started at check in. We were greeted by a member of staff who struggled to understand what I said. This resulted in being given the wrong room, which was already occupied. Unfortunately we realised after we had brought 2 kids and luggage to the room and had to go back to reception. There we eventually figured out what room we were originally allocated. The room itself was nicely decorated, large comfortable beds and extra bed was a single bed rather than a camp bed which was nice. We availed of the Dome next door to play bowling and a few arcade games, which is alright but don't expect too much. There is one outstanding glaringly obvious problem with this hotel. The staff. The ones I dealt with were inattentive, slow to react and genuinely didn't seem to care. We waited almost an hour for 3 pizzas on our first night with not so much as an apology or even acknowledgement that it took so long. The bar wasn't that busy, plenty of empty tables so no excuse for this delay. The second night we arrived into the bar at 5:10, with the plan to get food for the kids and then head into the Dome again for the evening. We ordered at 5:15 and by 6:40 we were on the verge of leaving, only there was no where else to go and the kids were exhausted. Bar manager waived the cost of the meal but the night was ruined, I explained i didn't want free meal, I just wanted the meal. When it eventually came my beef fajitas were inedible due to amount of salt and my wife's wings were bland and tasteless. The bar manager expressed her apologies and explained there was a technical issue and our order never made it to the kitchen, she tried her best to save the situation with false promises but once we were out of sight we were out of mind. During this time 2 other tables walked out and countless people complained about wait times. In complete contrast the breakfast service was great. Staff were under serious pressure as we had to ask for things 2 or 3 times but everything we got was hot and tasted great. The pool and gym facilities were great but given the poor service we received and the problems we encountered we will not be returning...