Castlerosse Park Resort

The Royal Victoria Hotel was one of Ireland's first grand hotels and occupied this exact site during the 19th and early 20th century, hosting a roll call of aristocracy and VIP guests; Queen Victoria even made a brief visit in 1861. While neither grandiose nor a magnet for royalty, the independent Irish family-owned Castlerosse Park Resort is a good-looking complex that appeals to a far wider spectrum of guests. Interiors are largely smart, contemporary, and understated. The resort includes the main hotel building and rows of modern, low-rise lodges surrounded by manicured and expansive lawns stretching out to some superb Irish countryside. The hotel is seasonal and closes from November to mid-March.

It's the hotel's setting that really shines: The Castlerosse is positioned on the outskirts of Killarney town, overlooking the scenic Lough Leane Lake with the Magillycuddy Reeks, Ireland's highest mountains, as a picturesque backdrop. The complex also adjoins Killarney National Park on one side and the Killarney Golf & Fishing Club on the other. It's located off the N72 Ring of Kerry highway that circles some of the area's most beautiful and rugged landscape. Killarney town center is a five- to 10-minute drive from the property, while Kerry Airport is about a 20-minute drive.

The 120 rooms at the Castlerosse include standard guest rooms, Golf Lodges, and Woodland Cottages. Decor is usually simple and (mostly) modern, with straightforward wood furnishings and wall-to-wall carpeting. The lodges and cottages have two bedrooms, living rooms, full kitchens, and furnished patios; the lodges overlook the golf course, the lake, and distant mountains. Standard amenities include TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and en-suite bathrooms with walk-in showers or shower/tub combos. Free Wi-Fi is available but spotty in many rooms.

A continental and full Irish breakfast buffet -- not included in standard rates -- is served in the Grosvenor Restaurant, which is also open for lunch and dinner and features some lovely mountain views. (Note that breakfast is included at Loch Lein Country house.) Bar food is served throughout the day at Mulligan's Pub, which is also a popular haunt among locals and those seeking live music. Impressive health and leisure facilities include a heated indoor pool with a kids' section, a modern gym, and a hot tub, sauna, and steam room. Kid-friendly amenities include a kids' club and an outdoor playground. There is also a nine-hole golf course. Activities also include trekking, horseback riding, and canoeing and kayaking on the nearby lake. Wi-Fi is free throughout, but the signal can be weak in areas.