With views for miles, luxurious spa treatments and complimentary pony rides, the Dunloe Hotel and Gardens promises an unforgettable trip for the whole family
It was a wet and miserable Thursday evening but in my heart, the sun was shining. I’d just finished up work for the long weekend and was on the road to Killarney for two nights at a 5-star luxury hotel.
Given that I live just 40 minutes away, you’d be forgiven for thinking that I was already well-acquainted with the Dunloe Hotel and Gardens. However, apart from being there for lunch once (more on that later), I knew next to nothing about it and certainly hadn’t fully appreciated the tranquil location and spectacular views enjoyed every day by its guests.
As I drove up the tree-lined road to the 64-acre estate, I knew I was in for something special.
The term ‘picture-perfect’ is often over-used but once I had checked in to my room, I immediately walked out onto the balcony and my jaw dropped. The rain had stopped and, in the distance, I could see the iconic Gap of Dunloe, nestled amid acres of trees and woodland. Closer to the hotel, a group of beautiful Austrian Halflinger ponies lounged peacefully in a field, blissfully unaware of their addition to the beauty of the countryside. I inhaled deeply and breathed out slowly, enjoying the serenity of the moment.
For anyone who isn’t familiar with it, the Gap is a narrow mountain pass between the Macgillycuddy Reeks, Purple Mountain, and five lakes all connected by the river Loe. It is often described as one of the most spectacular glaciated valleys in Western Europe. As part of my stay, I was offered a jaunt on a pony and trap through the Gap of Dunloe for a fabulous view of the region but due to a back injury I incurred the previous week, I declined and opted instead for an early morning massage. And I was glad I did!
Spa Experience
The hotel’s Treatment Rooms have a restful and comforting atmosphere and all treatments feature 100% natural products from Irish Made Award-winning brand, Ground Wellbeing, created by Peigín Crowley. My spa therapist was Derval and, once I told her of the back issues I was experiencing, she created a bespoke treatment for me that was somewhere between a full body massage and The Grounding Ritual. I loved every minute of it. The room was the perfect temperature and I was able to fully relax while Derval expertly kneaded the knots in my shoulders and carefully worked on the area of my back I had been experiencing pain in.
I floated from the room an hour later, ready to tuck into breakfast and face the day head-on.
A Family-Friendly Atmosphere
One of the most striking things about the hotel is that, despite the obvious luxury, it’s a very family-friendly establishment. I don’t have children but it was lovely to see multi-generational families enjoying their stay, making use of the leisure and playroom facilities and ensuring they met the famous ponies for a complimentary guided trek around the grounds. There’s a sauna and steam room for adults to luxuriate in or pool loungers available where you can enjoy gorgeous views of the countryside while the kids burn off a load of energy in the 25m pool. If the weather is good, there’s also an extensive outdoor adventure playground with swing sets, slides and monkey bars to ensure they sleep like logs at night! As well as that, the hotel is just a 20-minute drive to Killarney town if you choose to plan a fun day-trip.
Exceptional Dining
Irish hotels have a reputation for providing excellent food and the really impressive ones do it using local produce and suppliers. I have been fortunate enough to dine at several of these and am always impressed at the creativity and ingenuity of the menus and dishes placed in front of me. The meal I had at The Grill Restaurant in Dunloe Hotel was possibly my favourite of them all. Certainly, in the last couple of years.
I had the Dingle Goats Cheesecake with beetroot, pickled blackberry and pistachios to start and I can say, hand on heart, that it is the nicest starter I’ve ever had. My husband, John, had the Angus Beef Steak Tartare with spicy smoked pepper relish, pickled red onion, capers and sour dough croutons and said it was amazing. For our mains, we had Fillet of Atlantic Salmon and Osso Bucco of Kerry Spring Lamb and both were full of flavour and seasoned to perfection. To finish, I had a Mojito Bavarois Cake (an Italian meringue) and John had the Vegan Pistachio Berry Tart for dessert. Both were excellent, but we agreed that John won that round. A truly delicious meal and a credit to the exceptional chefs and kitchen team there.
If you happen to be in Kerry over the summer, I highly recommend checking out the hotel’s Jazz Sunday Lunch at The Grill Restaurant featuring the smooth live sounds of Velvin Lamont. I went with my mother last summer and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience – it’s a gorgeous way to celebrate a birthday or spend an afternoon with friends.
The Grounds
Afterwards, we took a walk around the manicured lawns leading up to the ruin of the13th century Dunloe Castle where guests can climb to the top and take in the views. We strolled around, admiring the many varieties of trees and flowers around us including Australian gums, South African lilies, New Zealand cabbage trees, Japanese maples, South American fuchsias and a Killarney strawberry tree.
There was a wedding taking place at the hotel on the Friday evening and I found myself thinking what a great location it would be for any couple planning to tie the knot. Between the ponies, the castle, the gardens, the Gap of Dunloe, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to photo opportunities and the family-friendly amenities make it ideal for guests travelling with children.
A Guided Trek
Before we left, I wanted to visit the stables to see the horses. Once there, the staff members suggested we go for the guided trek. I was a bit unsure as I’d figured this was mostly for younger guests of the hotel but it didn’t take long to convince us. Before long, we were on our horses and walking gently through the nearby woodland. Sitting securely atop my noble steed, Jimmy Choo, I felt briefly as if I was in a period drama, gazing at the nature around me and imagining what life must have been like when people used horses on a daily basis for transport. I stopped short at attempting to ride side-saddle though.
The entire trek took no longer than twenty minutes but I am so glad that I didn’t leave the hotel without experiencing it. Even (or perhaps especially) if you’ve never been on a horse before, this is a great way to try it out and see if it could become a new hobby.
From the warm welcome to the sterling service and glorious surroundings, my trip to the Dunloe Hotel was a fantastic break from my daily routine and one I can highly recommend to anyone looking for a superb getaway in the Kingdom.
The Dunloe Hotel and Gardens is celebrating 60 years in business in 2025 and have lots of great summer/autumn offers available that you can check out here.
