Bellinter House is a spacious classic country house of Georgian heritage that was recently renovated as a 34 room luxury hotel.
Summary of reviews
Bellinter House Hotel & Spa, set in the picturesque Boyne Valley and conveniently close to Dublin, offers guests a charming and tranquil retreat. Its beautifully maintained gardens and historic Georgian architecture provide an idyllic setting for a relaxing getaway. The location is ideal for exploring local attractions such as the Hill of Tara and Trim, making it a perfect base for delving into Irish heritage.
The dining experience at Bellinter House receives high praise; breakfast is often described as delicious, plentiful and of high quality. Diners appreciate the friendly service and excellent chef. Dinner at the hotel's restaurant, Preston's, is equally commendable with guests highlighting the generous portions, delicious food and excellent cocktails despite occasional service lapses.
Rooms in the main house are fabulous, described as spacious, cosy and comfortable with comfortable beds frequently noted. However, accommodations in the stables or separate buildings need better upkeep and modernization with some guests pointing out issues like dust and maintenance problems. Cleanliness across the property has received mixed feedback, but many guests appreciate the clean and spotless rooms, emphasizing the need for more consistent cleaning standards.
Exceptional staff service stands out as a notable feature with guests frequently highlighting the friendly, attentive and genuinely helpful nature of the team. This attentive service contributes positively to the overall guest experience, ensuring a warm and welcoming stay.
The Bath House Spa offers a delightful and relaxing experience with skilled masseuses, therapeutic treatments and picturesque garden views from the outdoor jacuzzi and sauna. Though the steam room is noted to be small and in need of updates, the overall spa experience remains a highlight for many visitors.
The luxurious ambiance of this historic Georgian house, combined with its tranquil setting, excellent service and high-quality dining, make Bellinter House Hotel & Spa a highly recommended destination for a rejuvenating and indulgent stay.
The Pillo Hotel & Leisure Club garners substantial praise for its broad appeal to various groups of guests. Located conveniently on the outskirts of Ashbourne, it offers prime access to major transportation routes, nearby attractions like Emerald Park (formerly Tayto Park) and other local sites including Newgrange and Funtasia Drogheda. Its proximity to the airport and ample parking facilities add to its accessibility, making it an excellent choice for both leisure and business travelers. Additionally, the hotel is well-situated for guests attending weddings or sporting events in nearby venues and its strategic position appeals to family vacationers heading to theme parks.
Guests frequently commend the hotel’s facilities, highlighting the welcoming and friendly staff, well-maintained rooms and a variety of amenities. The rooms are described positively as spacious, modern and clean with comfortable beds and sufficient amenities like fridges. Despite occasional issues with temperature control and maintenance, the overall feedback underscores the comfortable and well-presented nature of the accommodations.
The Pillo Hotel & Leisure Club also receives positive feedback for its dining experiences, particularly for dinner service. Meals in the bar and restaurant are often noted as delicious with a strong emphasis on friendly and warm service. However, breakfast reviews are more mixed with some guests praising the variety and quality, while others criticize the food's temperature and the value for money. Still, the consistently friendly waitstaff left a generally positive impression.
Families find the hotel particularly appealing due to its family-friendly environment and activities, such as nightly entertainment for kids, a vibrant playroom and a spacious pool, even though some areas, like the kids' club, are not always available. The hotel's ambiance is popular among children, though it can make common areas busier.
The leisure facilities, including the gym, pool and spa, receive mixed reviews. The gym is highly regarded for its modern equipment and spacious layout. The pool is favored by children but has been noted for needing maintenance and renovation. The spa is appreciated for its services but has areas that could benefit from cleanliness and quality improvements.
Overall, the cleanliness of the hotel gets mixed feedback with many parts being described as spotless and well-maintained, but some lapses in cleaning standards were reported, particularly in the pool area. The staff's friendliness and helpfulness are consistently highlighted, enhancing the guest experience, though some inconsistent service moments suggest room for improvement.
Ultimately, the Pillo Hotel & Leisure Club stands out as a versatile and accommodating destination with a prime location, making it well-suited for families, business travelers and leisure visitors alike. Its strong points in location, room comfort and staff service, paired with family-friendly facilities, make it a commendable choice, despite some inconsistencies in dining, cleanliness and leisure facilities.
Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa is a lovely location for a relaxing holiday in Ireland with a tranquil atmosphere and friendly locals. The breakfast received mixed reviews with some guests impressed by its freshness and quality, while others found it underwhelming with limited options. The dinner service also received mixed reviews with some guests enjoying great food and reasonable prices, while others found it underwhelming with poor service and menus. The rooms were generally comfortable and spacious, though some guests found them outdated and in need of a revamp. The staff were consistently praised for their fantastic, friendly and accommodating service. The spa received mixed reviews with some guests loving the facilities and treatments, while others were disappointed with the extra fee and maintenance issues. The beds also received mixed reviews with some guests finding them remarkably comfortable, while others found them uncomfortably hard or noisy. Overall, Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa is a mostly clean and welcoming establishment with some enjoyable dining experiences and excellent staff.
The Johnstown Estate is a stunning hotel with beautiful surroundings and an unbeatable location. Guests have praised the exceptional service provided by the friendly and attentive staff, as well as the spotless cleanliness of the rooms and facilities. The hotel offers a delicious breakfast with a plentiful selection on the buffet, as well as two lovely restaurants with fabulous food options. The spa is a standout feature of the hotel with guests describing it as fantastic and incredible. While some guests have had mixed experiences with the pool and beds, overall, guests have had a lovely stay with comfortable rooms and good-sized bedrooms. The hotel is also family-friendly with plenty of activities to keep kids entertained. While some guests have expressed disappointment with certain services, overall, The Johnstown Estate is a beautiful hotel with great facilities that could strive to meet the expected 4-star standards across all areas of service.