Killeavy Castle Estate

This hotel location is great - on a hillside in the Slieve Gullion area of natural beauty. It’s well worth a good tour around the area in general when you stay in this hotel. This review relates to a stay in mid-December which is the graveyard time for hotel bookings being the run up to the Christmas holiday. I think we had under 10 resident guest during our stay so please bear that in mind. First - the main hotel is in a new building some 50 yards from the Castle itself. Staying in the main castle itself would probably be charming, and thus expensive, and attractive to our friends from across the Atlantic who have a passion for such things. However, being there cuts one off a little from the main facilities the hotel offers, like the spa and restaurants. The castle is usually let as a unit for large parties and over the years, we have stayed in a lot of castles - the novelty has worn off. We took a large room in the new building, in the heart of things. It was spotlessly clean with a beautiful light grey Wilton carpet - really expensive looking and soft feeling. Not sure if it will age well though. There were sadly no drawers in the room for our bits and pieces - just ledges. For guests like us, with lots of bric a brac, this means an untidy looking room which we both hate. Likewise it only had an open wardrobe (like on a sleeper train or a mid-range cruise liner). We both prefer our clothing to be hidden from sight, like our bric a brac! The room had the usual upmarket amenities, TV, a Nespresso machine, a kettle and a large display of snacks - all chargeable - the only free item was 2 bottles of mineral water. Sadly there was no fridge, again an item that we consider to be an essential, where its absence was said to be part of the hotel’s “pledge to sustainability” - 11 light bulbs, a coffee maker and a kettle don’t count, it seems. Finally, on the room, very comfortable but no air-conditioning - we stayed in December and it was an ideal temperature but I’ll bet it gets hot in the summer! As you can see, we have a few niggles about the room but the bathroom was good - small single wash basin but really all that could be desired. Face flannels, bath robes, mini safe, slippers and a BATH with non-slip floor and similar separate shower. I do love my bath and it’s becoming rarer these days unless you book a suite - so the Bathroom was fine. Dinner first night in the main restaurant was average - I had roast beef which looked anything but freshly carved with odd, coloured gravy but my wife had a nice salmon fillet. The chopped mixed vegetable accompaniment was also a little underwhelming, apart from the nice boiled potatoes. Wine was a nice Sauvignon Blanc. Breakfast in the brasserie was super - a buffet, of course, with a great view over the surrounding countryside. Warm plates and iced water available, both of which essentials are often forgotten. Breakfast was really excellent. However, on the second day the breakfast was a la carte be

We visit every Christmas for lunch, however this year was extremely disappointing. The vegetarian menu is very very poor. Last year they did serve a beautiful cauliflower dish, however this year the choice was reduced for me to one dish as I am both gluten free and vegetarian. Basically I received a small portion of potato lyonnaise and I mean a very small portion for £17, which I considered ridiculous. I had to return it as it was cold and upon returning the dish the waitress told me the carrot salad garnishing the dish was supposed to be cold. I had to re - explain that the potatoes were cold. It was a very poor show for a christmas lunch. After wards I ordered a coffee and asked for a spoon to stir and was told they had none. Granted as I finished the coffee a young gentleman waiter did arrive with a spoon! Once again people with dietary restrictions do suffer!

Booked afternoon tea for 5 and night before had to change table for 7 persons. Two people ordering off menu due to dietary issues. 7 persons in total. Email arrived to confirm numbers but arrival table set for 6 awkward exchange. I ordered from menu a chicken sandwich and waitress came back from kitchen in 3 occasions to notify me of issues third time to say no chicken available. After long wait sandwiches arrived. Also ordered extra sandwiches for afternoon tea which I told waitress we would pay for and they never arrived. On a positive note setting is lovely and scones gorgeous but service and professionalism was lacking - we should never have been made to feel awkward due to hotels mix up. Afternoon tea really not worth money as portion of sandwich per person very poor and sweet treats just ok nothing amazing . I contacted hotel afterwards to discuss by email but no reply.

Excellent service from check-in, to the waiters and bar staff, everyone was very helpful and welcoming. The room exceeded our expectations, food and drink all to the highest standard, and the locally distilled Rostrevor Ruby gin was delightful. We enjoyed using the spa facilities and walked through the grounds to nearby Slive Gullian forest park where we were lucky enough to see a red squirrel. The fairy glen was also lovely but the fairies were too shy to say hello

Very comfortable bed. We just went with a standard room which was plenty big for one night. Staff were friendly and polite. Dinner in the Bistro bar was excellent. Drinks were reasonably priced. Every where was clean, the spa is great. Breakfast was delicious. I recommend the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs.

This is a lovely Hotel in beautiful surroundings. The staff were friendly and efficient and the food excellent. We booked a one night package which we thought great value. Tea and warm scones on arrival, a 2 course dinner from a varied menu and full buffet breakfast with lots of choice. We only stayed one night but hope to return at a later date.