Ashford Castle

Ashford Castle Review

Massive, flamboyantly turreted, Ashord is the very picture of a romantic Irish castle and this famed mock-Gothic baronial showpiece, built in 1870 for the Guinness family, has been wowing visitors like Prince Rainier, John Travolta, and Jack Nicholson ever since. Nearly bigger than the neighboring village of Cong, it remains strong on luxury and good service, but light on authenticity: time-stained charm may have given way to too many creature comforts. Deluxe guest rooms have generous sitting areas, heavily carved antique furniture, open fireplaces, and extra-large bathrooms. Standard bedrooms in the discreetly added new wing are smaller, with marble bathroom fittings and Victorian-style antiques. The suites in the original castle building are vast, with double-height windows and Georgian antiques, and are blissfully comfortable. The Prince of Wales Cocktail Bar (named for the one who visited in the 1890s) is the venue for elegant pre-dinner drinks. The cuisine, by distinguished Swiss chef Stefan Matz, is stylish and unfussy. The hotel makes the most of its superb location at the head of Lough Corrib, and the surrounding formal gardens are possibly the most neatly manicured outdoor space in Ireland. The riverbank has been landscaped to facilitate angling while there has also been massive investment in the hotel's spa facilities.