Ashford Castle has stood on the shores of Lough Corrib for over 800 years, once home to the Guinness family and today a multigenerational five-star resort under the Red Carnation collection. Arriving through the stone gates feels less like stepping into another century, one with better plumbing and a falconry school. The 83 individually designed rooms and suites include a historic boathouse perched right over the lake, each one different, each one layered with antiques, four poster beds and views across water or woodland that change with every shift in Irish weather.

Food

Dining spans the formal George V Dining Room, the atmospheric Dungeon, Cullen’s at the Cottage, the Drawing Room, Stanley’s, and the Connaught Room. Breakfast in the George V is a proper occasion, and the Drawing Room’s afternoon tea, with Paula’s pastries, is the kind of indulgence that quietly becomes the highlight of the day. For something different, the Reel and Rooster cinema dining experience adds a playful twist to an evening.

Spa

The Spa at Ashford Castle has been named Ireland’s Best Hotel Spa for ten consecutive years and holds the distinction of being Ireland’s first Forbes Five Star Spa. It features five treatment rooms, a relaxation pool, a steam room and a terrace overlooking Lough Corrib, with a signature hammam using Irish and Spanish products including Voya and Natura Bissé. The seaweed scrub, drawing on the lake’s own mythology, is the one to book.

Environment

Situated on the shores of Lough Corrib, the second biggest lake in Ireland, the estate opens onto the wild, rugged landscapes of the west of Ireland. Falconry, horse riding, boat trips on the lake and long walks through ancient woodland are all part of the experience, and Cong village is right at the gates.

Average Review Score

Ashford Castle consistently rates highly across all platforms for the grounds, the spa and the warmth of the staff, alongside its Forbes Five Star recognition.