What it is

An 18th-century manor house with 108 rooms and suites, an ESPA spa and indoor pool, four exquisite restaurants, and bottomless activities (including an 18-hole golf course).

What it isn't

Just for grown up Lords and Ladies. Kids are honored guests here, and pampered with a kids club (ages 4-12), children’s menus at the restaurants and even a kiddo’s version of their much-loved afternoon tea.

What we think

800 years ago, Richard Earl de Clare—a.k.a. Strongbow—built his stone castle on these 220 sprawling acres of stream-strewn woodlands and rolling emerald hills. No wonder. Even for Ireland, this plot of land is nothing less than perfect. Blessedly, the hoteliers behind Castlemartyr Resort kept all of the timeless charm and built a property that lives up to lore, with 11 rooms in the original manor house and 92 in the new wing. We love the original manor house rooms for their aura of history and proximity to the Knights Bar, where the rococo ceiling was adorned by the Switzerland-born Lafranchini brothers. But every single room option on the property feels like luxury, with enormous floor plans (500 to 3,000 square feet), king sized beds, touchscreen in-room AC, fridges with gratis mineral water, and more. For a more modern feeling and untrammeled space, consider the Residences—multi-bedroom homes with full kitchens.

You're here because

You love to feel like the king of the castle, and here you literally will. Plus, practically every activity you could want is right on the premises, including archery, clay pigeon shooting, tennis, a driving range, and a golf course designed by Ron Kirby.

The Moment

Perched by the fire for afternoon tea after strolling the misty grounds, you feel a bit like a character in a Jane Austen novel. And then your waiter brings you the most palatial tower of finger sandwiches (including poached salmon topped with trout caviar), scones and clotted cream that you’ve ever seen in your life and it’s settled: you’re not just a character, you’re the star.

Restaurants & Bars

The Bell Tower - relaxed and elegant and overlooks the formal gardens. It offers the very best of modern Irish cuisine always using the finest local and seasonal produce

Twelve Ten: The Grill - offers guests a casual dining experience with a selection of contemporary favourites.

Knight's Bar - the ideal choice for a relaxing drink, the bar provides a warm and intimate atmosphere in which to enjoy a pre or post restaurant dinner beverage. As you would expect our bar offers a wide range of drinks to suit all tastes be it whiskeys, fine wines, cocktails and much more.

Afternoon Tea

The Clubhouse

Private Dining

Location

Less than 40 minutes from Cork and 3 hours and 30 minutes drive from Dublin, in the verdant farmland of County Cork. Locals opt out of kissing the Blarney Stone; instead, stop by Kilcrea Friary, a medieval abbey (now in ruins) about an hour’s drive away.