Dromoland Castle

I left very disappointed after what was meant to be a budget blowing, magical Christmas treat. I thought a trip to Dromoland would leave me relaxed, rejuvenated and ready to face a busy Christmas, but I just left disappointed. Maybe my expectations were just too high, having read all the amazing reviews I really was expecting to be WOWed, but I just can't say I was. For a 5 star of this price I found it very hard to justify the price. The room is large and beautifully decorated but: 1. We stayed in a family room with two queen size beds. I did not realise when booking how SMALL a queen size bed is for 2 adults. Its much smaller than the average king / super king most hotels offer now. My 11 year old was happy out in her queen size double but for 2 adults, 50+, it was not a comfortable night's sleep. 2. There is NO soundproofing in the rooms, every door closing seemed to reverberate through our room. Kids running through the corridor from 7.30 felt like the kids were in the room. I could hear people coughing / snoring from other rooms through the night. And a very Minor issue, if you sleep easily (a big issue if you don't) is the fíre alarm sensor ticks loudly every 30 seconds. Lastly, the plumbing in the rooms, not just ours because I could hear it from other rooms too, sounds like really loud feed back of a loud sound system every time you turn on the tap. If you put the tap on full blast the noise goes away, but splashes you / your clothes / the sink. If anyone goes to the loo in the night and tries to wash their hands everyone in the room is woken by the screeching from the tap. 3. Fine dining was a series of mishaps, no coordination between kitchen and bar. The cocktail menu is extensive, but you're given one ipad betwen the table to pick from pages of cocktails. By the time I picked a cocktail and then passed it to my husband to see service were getting anxious to get food ordered. I orderd a cocktail as an apperif, it was devine but came in a bowl and i had to ask 3 different staff members how I was meant to drink it without spilling it everywhere. The first shrugged his shoulders, the second told me he had never seen it before and the 3rd volunteered to get me a straw. Before we managed to drink our apperifs our starters arrived wine came mid way through mains, food couldn't be put down as it arrived before starters were cleared.. messy.. for a €350 meal for 2 adults and a child I expected perfection. Food was fine but lacked wow factor for me. You could, however, taste the freshness of the lobster starter, but for me the flavours on the plate were not enough to do the lovely fresh lobster justice. I had duck main but it was served with a 'jus' which was literally just what came out of the meat as it rested, not a fragrant red wine, full bodied jus as I had expected. Just the resting juices of the meat poured on the plate and topped with 1 wilted spring onion on top, complete with roots. We were told that there was a dress code for

We were a group of five friends meeting for Christmas. We had a fantastic experience . Enjoyed the ambience of the beautiful Earl of Thomand restaurant . Mulled wine or non alcoholic cider and Amuse bouche to start..The sandwich selection was varied and delicious. We loved the Battenburg and macarons . All the other and pastries cakes were lovely .As well as the scones of course ... Great service and friendly staff. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon.

Our favorite stay in Ireland If I could give Dromoland Castle 10 stars I would!! Absolutely gorgeous. The service we received was incredible, the rooms were spacious, gorgeous and very comfortable, the grounds were beautiful and the food was delicious.