Historical Traveler Reviews of Bunratty Castle
Something missing
from A TripAdvisor Member
Great reception area, large, spacious room, nice furnishings, supremely comfortable bed and lovely bathroom.
Breakfast however was very disappointing for what I'd expect from a hotel of this calibre, reasonable selection but lots of packet/tinned items and hot breakfast items kept warm in containers not freshly cooked.
Also I discovered I'd forgotten my toothbrush and there was nowhere to get one.
Lovely Hotel
from luvsf
We stayed at Bunratty Castle Hotel in 1999, on our last night in Ireland and enjoyed it very much. The 'common area' was very elegant and the fire in the fireplace warmed our bones on a chilly evening. Also, the hotel pub was good for a quick bite after a day of traveling.
Our room was spotless and the bathroom was beautiful; you don't see much bead board in hotel bathrooms! Quite stylish!
It was probably the nicest hotel we stayed in during our 10 days in Ireland and we would definitely return!
Adequate hotel - Great location
from marymcq
My mom and I stayed here on a tour group and got in a day early to go to Bunratty Park and explore. While the hotel is nothing luxurious it wasn't bad either. The rooms are TINY which I experience in Paris also, but it's okay overall. The best part is you are with short walking distance from Bunratty Park...I would recommend this hotel to someone who wants a close hotel to Bunratty Castle.
Excellent location, good hotel
from vinnyjake
Can't beat the location as it is directly across the street from Bunratty Castle and folk center. Plenty of parking. The room was clean, large and more than adequate.
Liked it a lot
from A TripAdvisor Member
We just returned from Ireland and stayed at the Bunratty Castle Hotel our last night. You can't beat the location -- right across the street from the Bunratty Castle and medieval village, as well as Blarney Woolen Mills and other shopping. It's also just a short drive to Shannon airport. The rooms were nice and clean. The breakfast wasn't the best I had in Ireland, but not bad at all. They were able to accommodate the 4 of us in one room, which was great, too. I would definitely stay there again.
Nice but expensive
from A TripAdvisor Member
July 2004 - The Bunratty Castle Hotel was very nice but the most expensive night of our three week tour of England and Ireland. Since we were travelling with our three sons (ages 16, 13 and 10) we didn't want to miss the touristy folk park, castle and banquet (which was a lot of fun). But since we weren't with a tour group it was impossible to find a deal at this hotel. In fact I tried to book the banquet (6 months in advance) but they told me they were completely booked that night. When they found out we were staying at their hotel (owned by the same company) they 'found' 5 spots at the banquet. Also, I had to put down a 40 euro deposit when I booked the hotel and when my husband went to settle the bill they didn't have any record of my deposit which had been billed to my credit card 6 months earlier. Fortunately I had a copy of the e-mail they had sent me confirming the deposit. It would have been nice if there was Irish music in the pub every night (not just twice a week). Aside from the cost (2 rooms+folk park+banquet= $862.00) we had a nice stay. One day is plenty of time to see everything.
Very nice hotel
from A TripAdvisor Member
This was a very nice hotel. The rooms were very clean and modern, all in a quaint hotel. The view of the ancient graveyard was fantastic and the pub was world class. If you are staying in and around Bunratty, this is the hotel.
Nice hotel
from A TripAdvisor Member
Stayed one night. Great location as it is right across from Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, shopping and Durty Nelly's. Nice size rooms and bathrooms. Shower is a little tricky as tub is sloped on sides so you kind of have to stand one foot in front of the other. Tough time figuring out the thermostats for rooms but eventually got it.
Kathleen's (pub/restaurant) was pretty good but staff a little more reserved - not too talkative. All in all, it was fine.
Wonderful hotel
from A TripAdvisor Member
This is a great hotel. It's a large Georgian style yellow building that sits on top of a hill across the street from the Bunratty Castle and just above the Blarney Woollen Mills shopping area. The lobby and sitting areas are full of antique furniture and rugs and the restaurant, Kathleens, is set up like a great room in a castle. Great pub food served and also a small restaurant serving wonderful meals. Plus the pub has Irish entertainment twice a week. The rooms are goodsized, comfortable and have large new bathrooms. The hotel was full of guests from 4 tour buses and you would never know it. I would highly reccommend this hotel for a family or just a couple of any age.
Lovely Hotel
from A TripAdvisor Member
My son and I stayed at this hotel for two nights on a tour. It was lovely and comfortable despite ongoing construction and the smell of paint. The bath was exceptional and common rooms were warm and luxurious. Great location if you like to shop and do the tourist thing, which we do and did! Would definitely stay there again.