Very bad experience

We just returned from a trip to Doolin, and stayed at the Ballinalacken Castle the night of September 4, 2005. Upon our check-in we noticed quite a few men parking in front of the Ballinalacken, walking up behind the building (as it sits isolated on a hill) with guns and could also hear shots being fired. When we were shown to our room, we could hear the gunshots loud and clear and told the young woman that we had been looking forward to peace and quiet on our vacation and it would be impossible to relax in the room for the afternoon, having spent two days sightseeing. After waiting in the room for a few minutes while she checked on the status of the shooting, she called to say that it would be going on until 7 pm (it was 1:30 pm) and that if we left we would still be charged for the room for the night, per the owner. We went to the front desk to talk with the owner, who was beligerent from the very start. I think we got 5 words in, as he was almost screaming at us that the "shooting contest" has been going on for 55 years, and were we asking him to ask them to stop? We were both stunned, and barely managed to reiterate that what we were asking was if there was a room further away from the noise that we could be moved to. He finally did move us (after he was done saying what he had to say), and if we kept the windows closed, it was acceptable. But it took the shower 1/2 hour to drain after taking a shower, the previous person's bath towel was left in the bathroom, and the room in general needed a good cleaning.

Bottom line: If you want a peaceful afternoon, do not stay here the first Sunday in September. You may even want to ask if there is anything scheduled for the time you are there, as who knows what else may come up. And, the location, view, and building itself are beautiful, if you don't upset the owner and can enjoy it.

My favorite room

This was our fourth trip to Ireland, and our room at Ballinalacken Castle Country House was my favorite of them all. We had a beautiful four-poster bed with views of the sea, Cliffs, and the Burren in the distance. It was stunning. Our hosts were very nice, and we were lucky enough to have good weather so we could climb the stairs to the castle on the grounds. We didn't eat in the restaurant... that's next time. I would definitely recommend Ballinalacken to anyone... it's worth the money.

Ballinalacken Castle Hotel was pretty nice

Ballinalacken Castle hotel was pretty nice. We did have room number 16 which is recommended in Frommers. The view was pretty nice from the room and we did love the sitting area surrounded by windows. The bed was pretty comfortable. My only complaint was the pink mildew in the shower. In my opinion if you are paying $200 for a room the least they can do is make sure the shower is spotless!

Peaceful, great food

I would echo the review before this one. We loved our stay at Ballinalacken Castle Country House - we were in room #8 that looked out over the ocean. The room was large and the hotel so peaceful. A wonderful stay. Splurge on dinner - it was the best meal we had in Ireland. It is just over an hour from Shannon Airport and an easy drive. Easy access to Doolin, Moher, and Burren. I can't say enough!

Wonderful Hotel

The Hotel was a wonderful place to stay in County Clare. It was convenient for touring the Cliffs of Moher, The Burren Region, and the small village of Doolin. If you're flying into Shannon, it is a great starting point.

The rooms were great, but be aware it was the most expensive place we stayed in on our week long trip to Ireland. The dinner there was probably the best meal we had, and also very pricey.

Overall, if your looking for a great place to stay and you're not scared to spend a few Euros, this is a great hotel.

Moving, Tranquil and Perfect

My husband and I are avid "manor house" travellers. This place exceeded our expectations for the price we paid. We had a superior room which was enormous and beautifully appointed. The private castle which is on the grounds and avilabale for guests to tour adds a feeling of exclusivity and mystery. The hotel stands alone on a windy moist hill which creates a mood of going back in time, like an aristrocrat living in luxurious isolation. The restaurant is quaint and interesting, with great food. The hosts went out of their way for us. This place is a real gem if you wish to visit Doolin or the nearby spa towns.

Great place with view of the cliffs

Very nice place. The owners met us when we got there and stayed up late to let us in after going into Doolin to listen to music. We loved Doolin and will be going back the next time we go to Ireland.

We had the suite on the end of the b and b facility. It had an open sunroom on the end with great views of the cliffs. The dinner and breakfast that we had at the hotel we outstanding. Dinner starts with a nice adult beverage by the fire where you make your dinner selections. Then you go into the dining room after you finish and have dinner, a nice gourmet dinner.

The only complaint that I had was low water pressure in the tub. Other than that, it was great. We also didn't get to go into the castle portion of the place because it was too windy.

Best views in Ireland in a country Manor Home!

Very picky travelers we are and travel to Ireland almost every year.

There is no hotel in Ireland quite like the Ballinalacken. We had heard about it for years... "Best view in Ireland" We'll it was the best view in Ireland...and the best food, and the best staff, and the best castle ruin in a fabulous location. The main part of the hotel is an old manor home with gorgeous marble fireplaces, high ceilings, intricate moldings and lots of character. Also lots to do: A few minutes from the cliffs of Moher (which we had a view of from our room), you can take the coast road to Glaway is a must-do (35 mins), the hotel is located in the great music town of Doolin, which also has the ferry to the Aran Islands! I can honestly say this is the best hotel in Ireland.

A real castle

This place is great. They have a real castle and the owner let us go in it all by ourselves. It is a great big thing hundreds of years old in great repair and you can walk up a spiral staircase all the way to the very top. It is real high. The hotel is great, run by the owner, who handles the pub and his daughter at the front desk, dining room,and everywhere else and his son-in-law in the kitchen. These are very nice people who treat you with warmth and courtesy. It overlooks the Aran Islands, the cliffs of Moher and the Buren. A real find.

Nice!!!

Ballinalacken Castel Hotel is a small hotel located near Doolin, Ireland. We found the hotel to be superb. It is in a great location to tour western Ireland, the Cliffs of Mohr and Irish Music in Doolin. The hotel is in a secluded area with a very friendly staff. Rooms are large, well appointed with great views and nice bathrooms. If you are coming to the Doolin area this is a great place to stay.