Fodor's Expert Review Cahernane House Hotel

Dating from 1877, this imposing gray-stone house, once the residence of the earls of Pembroke, sits at the end of a long private avenue through a tunnel of trees—a refuge from the touristy buzz of Killarney town. A crackling log fire awaits in the stunning drawing room, which, like all the reception rooms, has highly polished mahogany furniture, wall paneling, grand velvets, and time-burnished paintings. It's worth paying extra for a room in the original house—they have a genuine sense of history, with fine Victorian furniture. Newer rooms have private garden access and peaceful parkland views. Classic French cuisine is served in the Herbert Room (closed Sunday night), with a bistro menu in the Cellar Bar daily from 1-9:30 pm.