Kenmare Place, Main Street, Killarney, Ireland | (618) 248-8274
Elegant early
20th-century style interiors
Town center
location opposite national park
Spacious rooms with marble-topped bathrooms
Three restaurants
and five bars on-site
Excellent spa
facilities including thermal pool and sauna
Heated indoor
swimming pool and whirlpool
Underground
parking (though space is limited)
Free Wi-Fi throughout the
property
Small TVs in
rooms
Swimming cap
required for pool
Some traffic noise in
road-facing rooms
Some rooms have views of air-conditioning units
Breakfast
not included
Killarney Plaza
Hotel and Spa is an upscale property located in the center of Killarney. It's the
flagship of a local family-owned chain. The hotel shares a few qualities with
a luxury cruise ship, both aesthetically and in its impressive range of eating
and drinking options. The 198 traditionally furnished rooms are spacious, but TVs are on the small side. And traffic noise can be an issue in rooms facing the road. Spa and health
facilities standout as some of the best in town, while rates compare very
favorably with similar hotels in the area. But travelers could comparison shop with The Ross, a four-pearl property nearby.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
A flagship local chain hotel with Art Deco touches and luxury-cruiser styling
This flagship
hotel for the family-owned O'Donoghue Ring Hotel Group certainly impresses on many levels. Although opened in 2002,
the property's traditional-style architecture exudes a old-fashioned quality.
Stepping inside, early 20th-century elegance prevails, awash with ochre marble,
polished brass, and Art Deco accents. An impressive grand central staircase
draws comparisons with the Titanic and evokes a nostalgic ambience for
the time. The deluxe cruise-liner aesthetics continue through the hotel's
hallways, with subtly nautical-flavored touches and plush furnishings. And cruise
ship parallels can also be found in the impressive array of eating and drinking
options. The Killarney tends to attract slightly older couples looking
for a little luxury and may feel a bit fussy to younger guests.
Location
Set in Killarney's town center across from the edge of its famous national park
The hotel is
located overlooking the fairly busy intersection of Kenmare Place and Main
Street in the center of Killarney. While within easy walking distance of the
town's souvenir shops, galleries, and restaurants, the property is situated
across the road from the edge of the famous Killarney National Park and a short
trip from its lush wooded mountains, lakes, and valleys. Killarney bus and
train stations are also just a few minutes away on foot, while horse-drawn
carriages can be found right outside the hotel and are perfect for exploring
the town's attractions. The Ring of Kerry carriageway and tourist route is also
a mere five minutes by car, meaning easy driving access around some of
Kerry's most picturesque landscapes.
Rooms
Traditionally-styled rooms with free Wi-Fi though tiny TVs
The hotel has almost
200 rooms, all of which are decorated in traditional chain-hotel
furnishings with navy carpeted floors, antique-style furnishings, brocade-patterned fabrics, and brass lamps. Rooms are generally spacious and clean, with desks
and seating areas, while amenities include safes, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen
TVs -- though screens are very small. There's also no minibar in most rooms,
though free bottled water and tea/coffee facilities are provided. Bathrooms are
clean and topped with Italian marble and provide high-end Comfort Zone
toiletries and robes and slippers are available on request. On the down side, some rooms overlook air conditioning units, and those overlooking the
road get some traffic noise.
Features
Excellent range of dining and drinking options and impressive spa
With three
restaurants and five bars on-site, there's certainly a decent selection of
eating and drinking options. Menus are
sourced from locally-produced products and include international favorites as
well as some regionally-inspired cooking -- two separate kitchens means two distinct
dining experiences. Bars range from the trendy Plaza bar, which attracts a younger crowd, to the elegant Piano bar, which provides live
music and cocktails. The hotel also has a private health club -- which is
exclusive to guests -- and includes a mosaic-lined swimming pool (cap required),
whirlpool, and outstanding spa with thermal pool, sauna, and impressive range of
treatments. Underground parking is also available, though space is limited.
