BALLYFIN DEMESNE
Elegant and Peaceful Retreat
A former stately home, the Ballyfin Demesne’s American owners maintain the house much as it once was. Paintings adorn all walls, including the grand staircase, and the several large public rooms are replete with beautiful furniture and old books.
Lunch takes place in the conservatory at the back of the house, which features a multitude of potted plants giving the space an upmarket nursery feel. There is a door to the passageway that leads to the conservatory which, when closed, closely resembles a bookcase, effectively disguising the access. Ask a member of staff to show you the secret latch to open the ‘door’, unless you can figure it out.
The golden room, which overlooks the lake, is a delightful airy place to take coffee or afternoon tea.
The complimentary tour of the garden reveals a huge vegetable patch where various produce is grown to service the restaurants.
The hotel is located approximately in the middle of the country and its vast private lands ensure that its peaceful, quiet and unpolluted.
There are only 20 bedrooms in this hotel. Ours was big enough to contain a large four poster bed which you could walk all the way around, it being located in the middle of the room. A separate bathroom was the size of two New York hotel bedrooms. A few rooms have a lake view, although most are located on the back side of the hotel.
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Four poster bed in the middle of the room
Water (replenished daily)
Turn down service
Huge bathroom
8/10
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The beds are sumptuous, and soft enough for a good level of comfort. Pillows are equally comfortable, with a choice of depths and firmness. There is absolutely no noise or light pollution due to the rural location.
10/10
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Neither were tested on our visit due to the Summer weather in Ireland, which didn’t require the ambient temperature of the room to be changed.
N/A
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Without exception, each staff member is, in equal measure, friendly and professional. They are always keen to help, but instinctively know when you’d rather be left alone.
10/10
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The spa is less flamboyant than at many 5-star city hotels, but the jacuzzi/hot-tub is super-warm, and the sauna is hot. There is an indoor pool.
The gym is a decent size, with basic machines and free weights, and enough space for one or two yoga mats.
7/10
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Unusually for a 5-star hotel, but likely due to the relatively low maximum occupancy, breakfast is not buffet style. The menu choice is fairly varied, although conventional.
7/10
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The coffee at this hotel is good, not exceptional. It is brought by staff whenever requested, including to the bedrooms first thing in the morning (there are no coffee machines in the bedrooms).
8/10
The choice between à la carte and the tasting menu in the Michelin starred dining room isn’t an easy one, although the former’s duration of two hours as opposed to three and a half hours, is useful for guests who prefer not to eat late. Both are excellent, with three sets of delicious amuse-bouche to kick things off for both formats.
At certain times of the year, the hotel offers a 3-day package which is inclusive of all meals (including the Michelin dinner each evening). Its a useful choice, as the nearest restaurant to the hotel is several miles away.
The grounds consist of 614 acres of lake, gardens, forest, and open land, the latter two of which contain seemingly randomly criss-crossed lanes that can be navigated by guests using complimentary golf buggies. There is a boathouse containing two rowing boats, the use of which is complimentary for guests. And for an additional fee, clay pigeon shooting is available.
Personal Note
Its hard not to love this wonderful hotel in rural Ireland. Its a special place of peace and calmness.
The staff seem genuinely delighted to be working here, and always pleased to be of assistance. I asked one about the job - she said with a beaming smile that, “I feel like I’m on holiday”, and that it’s like “being in another dimension”. I completely get it.
This is an exceptional hotel that it beautifully looked after and very well managed.
