What it’s Like to Stay in a Castle Hotel in Ireland

Staying in a castle hotel is not without its quirks. I mean, it’s an old castle modernized into a contemporary hotel, right? So there will be some oddities that are specific to each.

A few consistent things I noticed in both of my castle stays are that there may be minimal or no elevators and if there are elevators, they’re not the speediest or smoothest rides. The layout of the hotel itself can also be slightly confusing with hallways branching off into unexpected directions or having to go up and around to go down. That sort of thing. Rooms can also be one-of-a-kind, both in layout and in furnishings. And that’s part of the charm and history of castle hotels, so be sure to pay careful attention to what you’re booking and choose a room that best suits your needs.

There’s old stuff (and old-looking stuff) everywhere. Castle hotels are big on history, rightfully so, and artifacts and info adorn are abundant. Whether it’s a historical brochure you’re handed upon check-in or a friendly chat with a staff member, you can learn a lot about the castle and its history, making for a richer experience.

This doesn’t mean you’ll be sleeping on terrible old beds in drafty rooms though! The rooms of both castles I stayed in had incredibly comfortable beds, and abundant hot water, and amazing water pressure. The room decor at Dromoland Castle was more modern, while the room decor at Waterford Castle leaned more in keeping with the castle period but everything was comfortable and well-kept.

When it comes to meals, castle dining options tend towards larger, heavier (and more expensive) meals. If you’re looking for a quick, light bite, I found that hard to come by in both castles I stayed at. That’s pretty true of Irish food in general, it leans towards hearty meals, but I found that especially in the castles it was hard to find a simple sandwich or soup and salad at dinner. That’s not to say the food is bad. In fact, quite the opposite. I enjoyed a wonderful multi-course pre fixe dinner at Waterford Castle and cozy drinks and some fantastic fish and chips at Dromoland.

When it comes to staying in a castle, you might expect the service to be top-notch. And you wouldn’t be wrong! The service ranged from great to excellent and was very polished and proper. The staff was, but not overly familiar or chatty. Exactly the kind of royal treatment one might expect!

Staying in a castle hotel is a peaceful and private experience. They’re not particularly social atmospheres and you’re certainly not going to find a lively nighttime scene. Rather you’ll enjoy a quiet round (or three) of drinks tucked into cozy chairs by a roaring fire.

Another thing to note is that these hotels are typically not just a quick stroll into town. They’re often located on lots of land, or in the case of Waterford Castle, on a private island, and more isolated from other hotels and activities in the area. Castle hotels are best suited for someone looking to spend some time at their hotel and enjoy the full resort experience as opposed to someone who is looking for a convenient place to lay their head that’s near the popular tourist activities in the area.