Hotel Review: Dromhall Hotel, Killarney in Ireland

Dromhall Hotel in Killarney is an upscale family-owned establishment that truly makes a lasting impression on guests. The charming town in County Kerry, in the southwest of Ireland, is located on the shore of Lough Leane and forms a part of the wild Killarney National Park.

Killarney is the official start and finish point of the famously scenic Ring of Kerry, making Dromhall Hotel and excellent base for travellers. The lively town is full of architecturally pleasing 19th century buildings and comes complete with horse-drawn carriages for visitors to enjoy.

Hotel

The lobby area is illuminated by a large skylight situated above a sweeping staircase

This was easily one of my favourite regions of Ireland and my stay at Dromhall Hotel played a big part in my experience. Dromhall Hotel is full of elegant interiors and traditional styling that includes antique furniture, extravagant oil paintings and other special touches. The second I walked through the door, I felt right at home in the bright lobby full of friendly faces.

The Randles family who opened Dromhall Hotel in 1964 still manages the property and it’s evident in the traditional look and feel throughout. This is a place full of comfy nooks and delightful treasure to discover which made me want to explore and the lobby area is illuminated by a large skylight situated above a sweeping staircase, which added a magical ambiance to the interiors.

Dromhall Hotel consists of 72 luxurious rooms and a wide variety of other facilities. There is the elegant Abbey Restaurant and more casual Kayne’s Bar and Brassiere for delectable dining experiences, while guests at Dromhall Hotel also have access to an indoor heated pool, sauna, and steam room at the Leisure Club. This facility includes a full-service spa all located next door at Randles Hotel. Best of all, Dromhall Hotel is conveniently located within walking distance from the centre of Killarney and some of the main attractions.

Room

Our Deluxe King Room in Dromhall Hotel was a space of pure luxury. Just like the rest of the hotel, rooms are tastefully decorated in a traditional style and the pale yellow wallpaper paired with accents in different hues of blue ensured a calming effect. This truly is a place for peace and relaxation in the Irish countryside; the King size bed was extremely comfortable, and we slept incredibly well each night.

Guests can choose between Family, Single, Triple, Twin, Double and the Deluxe King Rooms – ask to book a room with a lovely mountain view, if possible. Each room has a TV, a work desk, phone and, of course, tea and coffee making facilities. I loved the cosy nook with comfortable chairs and a little table by the window of our room as well as the fully equipped marble bathrooms, which included a selection of lavish toiletries.

Food

The classy yellow dining room of the Abbey Restaurant features glass chandeliers, large windows, and marble columns

As mentioned, there are two restaurants in Dromhall Hotel in which guests can enjoy a scrumptious meal. Menus for both feature traditional and contemporary dishes created by Executive Chef Cyrille Durand. The classy yellow dining room of the Abbey Restaurant features glass chandeliers, large windows, and marble columns. The resulting effect is a splendid setting for breakfast each morning during a stay at the hotel. Guests can expect a hearty breakfast that consists of both a buffet of cold treats and hot breakfast to order.

For a delicious lunch or dinner head on over to Kayne’s Bar and Brassiere which has a relaxed ambiance. The casual space has lots of exposed brick walls and wood furnishings, but even better than the setting is the excellent service that Killarney is known for and the amazing food. The menu changes seasonally but you can’t go wrong with the homemade soup and their traditional Irish stew. The food was simply divine and such a treat after a long day full of adventures.

To do

Killarney is blessed with unbelievably beautiful natural surroundings which means there’s no shortage of things to do. Nature lovers should take time to explore the enchanting Killarney National Park, majestic lakes and the mountains. Travellers can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides through town, the park and gardens. I absolutely adored our time spent at Ross Castle and strolling through the gardens and forests beyond it. Similarly, I couldn’t get enough of the wild beauty at Torc Waterfall and we spent an afternoon hiking up to the top of the waterfall through the forest.

But the attraction that has travellers flocking to Killarney all year round is the spectacular Ring of Kerry. The 200km loop goes through some of the most scenic parts of Ireland. Here, visitors can take in the rugged coastal landscape and rural seaside villages. In the warmer months there are even ferries that can take people to Skellig Michael, a rocky island with an abandoned monastery.

Although we explored a section of the Ring of Kerry, we opted for another day trip. On the suggestion of the lovely staff at Dromhall Hotel we decided to take the Dingle Peninsula Loop, passing by mountains, seaside villages, and lush green fields full of sheep stopping at each historical site including a fairy fort.

In a nutshell

County Kerry’s emerald landscape offers endless opportunities for adventure. The region boasts some of Ireland’s most iconic scenery and Killarney is the gateway to it all. There is no better base for exploring the area and Dromhall Hotel ensures travellers can see it all and come back to luxurious comfort.