Ireland Lodging Recommendations - Kilkenny, Killarney, Ennis
May 21st, 2014, 08:54 AM
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Ireland Lodging Recommendations - Kilkenny, Killarney, Ennis
Hoping to get advice on lodging for Kilkenny, Killarney, and Ennis.
For some reason the Tripadvisor reviews are all over the place!!! And they don't seem trustworthy.
-We would like to be in walking distance to the city center (10-15 minutes, max).
-Since we are a family of 4 we either need 2 rooms or a family room - in Killarney - we'd prefer 2 rooms since its for 3 nights.
-The budget per night to cover ALL of us (and hopefully it includes breakfast) is $350 - $450 USD.
-We would also like AC - last summer we made the mistake of staying in Munich with no air conditioning and my family hated me!!!
In Kilkenny - the Pembroke looks lovely - but we need 2 rooms and its out of our budget.
Thanks!!
For some reason the Tripadvisor reviews are all over the place!!! And they don't seem trustworthy.
-We would like to be in walking distance to the city center (10-15 minutes, max).
-Since we are a family of 4 we either need 2 rooms or a family room - in Killarney - we'd prefer 2 rooms since its for 3 nights.
-The budget per night to cover ALL of us (and hopefully it includes breakfast) is $350 - $450 USD.
-We would also like AC - last summer we made the mistake of staying in Munich with no air conditioning and my family hated me!!!
In Kilkenny - the Pembroke looks lovely - but we need 2 rooms and its out of our budget.
Thanks!!
May 21st, 2014, 11:09 AM
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Reading TA reviews needs a trained eye.. Personally I would take reviews from Forum contributors who you at least know are visitors and not serial review writers..
Unfortunately I am one of those people who wants a Clean, comfortable room and a good breakfast.. I don't really care if my baggage is in wonderful surroundings whilst I am out enjoying myself. To that end for Killarney.. The Eviston mid range rooms are great. The hotel is friendly, comfortable and breakfast is good. Sunnybank Guest House is 2nd choice. Ennis we like Grey Gables, SG over on TA gives Glenmora house. The Hotels in town are a little expensive Old Ground and Temple Gate. Kilkenny the Ormonde used to be hotel of choice but has outpriced its worth. Rivercourt is good if you can get a deal. Rosquil or Carriglea would be the Guest house options,, no idea on the ratings just personal choices.
Unfortunately I am one of those people who wants a Clean, comfortable room and a good breakfast.. I don't really care if my baggage is in wonderful surroundings whilst I am out enjoying myself. To that end for Killarney.. The Eviston mid range rooms are great. The hotel is friendly, comfortable and breakfast is good. Sunnybank Guest House is 2nd choice. Ennis we like Grey Gables, SG over on TA gives Glenmora house. The Hotels in town are a little expensive Old Ground and Temple Gate. Kilkenny the Ormonde used to be hotel of choice but has outpriced its worth. Rivercourt is good if you can get a deal. Rosquil or Carriglea would be the Guest house options,, no idea on the ratings just personal choices.
May 21st, 2014, 05:01 PM
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We live in North Central Florida and have visited MANY times in April, June and July. It is rare for us to not wear long sleeve shirts, pants and AT Least a light jacket!
AC should NOT be an issue in Ireland, unless you are staying in Templebar and need to keep the NOISE at bay!
AC should NOT be an issue in Ireland, unless you are staying in Templebar and need to keep the NOISE at bay!
May 22nd, 2014, 05:56 AM
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Thats funny about the AC becasue many of the reviews on TV for Kilkenny complained that there was none and it was an issue for the reviewer. Maybe they just like to complain!
Italian_Ch, my fellow Floridian, do you have hotel favs in these cities too?
Italian_Ch, my fellow Floridian, do you have hotel favs in these cities too?
May 22nd, 2014, 01:44 PM
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One year (2005?) as we traversed the Gap of Dunloe, on a bright, sunny, mid-June afternoon, our jarvey stripped off his shirt, complaining of the 'blazing' heat. The four of us from Florida acknowledged the relative warmth -- by unzipping our fleece jackets 8-)
The temp was probably in the 72-74 degree F range.
I'm more of a B&B or self-catering type. I generally only use hotels in Dublin, or if I'm planning a longish 'day trip' and don't want to worry about a late arrival. I've stayed at the Ashford Hotel and the Queens Hotel in Ennis, but the Ashford is a bit on the 'out-skirts' and the Queens, though a lovely hotel -- can't get a good rating from me due to the noise from the adjoining night club, nor from the street as all the nearby pubs empty out about two hours before the garbage trucks come lumbering through!
I've visited the Temple Gate and heard LOTS of good comments on both it and the Old Ground. Based upon my visit (and the LOCATION) I would give the 'edge' to the Temple Gate.
In Killarney, my favorite B&B is Carriglea House http://www.carrigleahouse.com/ but, it is not IN town, nor is it within reasonable walking distance, either. I usually don't stay IN Killarney. When I do, I usually rent a self-catering apartment for 3-4 days. In about 5 weeks, I'll be here: http://www.parkplacekillarney.com/ .
I have heard some good comments about the Arbutus Hotel http://www.arbutuskillarney.com/ but I've never actually been inside of it. The food was pretty decent inside the Plaza http://www.killarneyplaza.com/hotel-...tion-killarney but that WAS back in 2003 or 2004 . . .
I've never actually over nighted in Kilkenny -- usually visiting it on either a 'drive through' or as a day trip from elsewhere.
Wish I could be more helpful.
The temp was probably in the 72-74 degree F range.
I'm more of a B&B or self-catering type. I generally only use hotels in Dublin, or if I'm planning a longish 'day trip' and don't want to worry about a late arrival. I've stayed at the Ashford Hotel and the Queens Hotel in Ennis, but the Ashford is a bit on the 'out-skirts' and the Queens, though a lovely hotel -- can't get a good rating from me due to the noise from the adjoining night club, nor from the street as all the nearby pubs empty out about two hours before the garbage trucks come lumbering through!
I've visited the Temple Gate and heard LOTS of good comments on both it and the Old Ground. Based upon my visit (and the LOCATION) I would give the 'edge' to the Temple Gate.
In Killarney, my favorite B&B is Carriglea House http://www.carrigleahouse.com/ but, it is not IN town, nor is it within reasonable walking distance, either. I usually don't stay IN Killarney. When I do, I usually rent a self-catering apartment for 3-4 days. In about 5 weeks, I'll be here: http://www.parkplacekillarney.com/ .
I have heard some good comments about the Arbutus Hotel http://www.arbutuskillarney.com/ but I've never actually been inside of it. The food was pretty decent inside the Plaza http://www.killarneyplaza.com/hotel-...tion-killarney but that WAS back in 2003 or 2004 . . .
I've never actually over nighted in Kilkenny -- usually visiting it on either a 'drive through' or as a day trip from elsewhere.
Wish I could be more helpful.
May 25th, 2014, 04:55 AM
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Just returned from a 2 night stay at Carriglea in Kilenny. It is in a perfect location - very close to the castle (3 minute walk). Everything in Kilkenny is very close. You can walk from the castle to St Canice's cathedral in 12 minutes and all the shops as well as other sites are in between.
Carriglea is a comfortable B&B with a charming hostess who will go out of her way for you. I am sure that it doesn't have ac.
Carriglea is a comfortable B&B with a charming hostess who will go out of her way for you. I am sure that it doesn't have ac.
May 28th, 2014, 04:42 PM
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We stayed at Abby Lodge in Kilkenny a couple of years ago and would stay there again. It was an easy walk to the castle. Nice and modern.
In Ennis we spent three nights in Glenomra House this past March. Mary is a character and puts out a great spread on the breakfast sidebar. The location is an easy walk to town but on a busy road, so in the summer you might want a room on the back for open windows and no road noise. I would choose this B&B over Grey Gables, where we have also stayed.
In Ennis we spent three nights in Glenomra House this past March. Mary is a character and puts out a great spread on the breakfast sidebar. The location is an easy walk to town but on a busy road, so in the summer you might want a room on the back for open windows and no road noise. I would choose this B&B over Grey Gables, where we have also stayed.
May 30th, 2014, 06:13 AM
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We stayed at the Arbutus for two nights in May of 2012. It was comfortable, quiet, and well-located, and the sitting areas downstairs were nice. The furnishings were not modern-style or new-looking, but I'm not sure if there are modern hotels in Killarney. The floor creaked occasionally, which is a pet peeve of my husband's, but as long as you don't have that pet peeve, I think you'd be very happy with it. I'd also recommend the little breakfast place called "jam" in town that sold baked goods - and, unsurprisingly, had delicious jam.
May 30th, 2014, 10:03 AM
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Places that only have a handful of TA reviews fall into a couple of categories.. They are either not popular because they don't have a high TA rating and rely on repeat custom or they don't badger their guests into giving TA reviews Like Stickers on the inside of Bedroom doors!!
Sorry but TA ratings need careful reading with an experienced eye.. Some of the Top places in some Locations are no better than some near the Bottom but are generally much more expensive.. Occasionally just because they have a high rating and don't have to make the effort to get repeat guests.
There was a totally unknown place in a popular town which I started to give regular recommendations.. Now its difficult to get a vacancy,, they were no longer on the cheaper B&B option booking site we used (actually that site has now closed) prices went up from €30 to €45 each and they are high on the TA ratings.. I am not saying that I instigated this transformation but the accommodation and owners are just as they were when the place was unknown 4 years ago.. I do know that one of the Highest rated places on the island of Ireland is so far up an unlit road out of town that they lend guests a torch and Hivi when they go out in an evening.
Sorry but TA ratings need careful reading with an experienced eye.. Some of the Top places in some Locations are no better than some near the Bottom but are generally much more expensive.. Occasionally just because they have a high rating and don't have to make the effort to get repeat guests.
There was a totally unknown place in a popular town which I started to give regular recommendations.. Now its difficult to get a vacancy,, they were no longer on the cheaper B&B option booking site we used (actually that site has now closed) prices went up from €30 to €45 each and they are high on the TA ratings.. I am not saying that I instigated this transformation but the accommodation and owners are just as they were when the place was unknown 4 years ago.. I do know that one of the Highest rated places on the island of Ireland is so far up an unlit road out of town that they lend guests a torch and Hivi when they go out in an evening.
