Victoria House Hotel

Victoria House is one of the many hotels and bed-and-breakfasts lining Muckross Road, one of Killarney’s main thoroughfares, but is also one of the most stylish in this price range. Housed in a charming building with dark gabled roofs and a cream-colored facade covered in ivy, interiors offer a quaint mix of Irish country and stylish contemporary decor. Checkered floors in white and green, mustard-colored walls, and ornately framed paintings make the lobby classic and elegant, while a dove-grey velvet couch and heavy white drapes give the space a homey feel that’s enhanced by the many wooden finishes. Off the lobby is the residents’ lounge, which feels a world apart from the rest of the property. With black tufted couches, gray carpet, textured walls, and a few brown accents by way of velvet curtains and armchairs, the room is sharp and sophisticated. Other spaces throughout the the hotel -- like the Ivy Room Bar -- are more modern, with swank decor, a mix of warm colors, and bolder design choices like whimsical, Wonderland-like red chairs. Most guests are couples from Ireland and abroad, and lots of families also stay here, all seeking warm yet modern accommodations close to Killarney's incredible natural scenery. 

This small boutique is located on Muckross Road, one of the main roads that cuts through Killarney. For guests traveling counter-clockwise along the Ring of Kerry, the property serves as an end point. There are few restaurants and bars nearby, but the hotel is next door to Ireland’s National Events Centre (INEC) and just down the road from one of the entrances to Killarney National Park. Central Killarney is about a five-minute drive or 25-minute walk down the road -- it's a lively and charming town with all manner of boutiques, cafes, and quirky restaurants. Muckross House -- a beautiful mansion that's home to a museum, gardens, and traditional working farms -- and 15th-century Ross Castle are both within a 10-minute drive. Ross Golf Club and Killarney Golf & Fishing Club are the closest golf options are both under 10 minutes from the hotel by car. Cork Airport is an 80-minute drive from the hotel and it will take almost four hours to reach Dublin by road.

Each of the hotel’s 37 rooms has been individually decorated in a contemporary style with subtle classic accents. The look across the board is bright and appealing. All rooms have an accent wall or multiple walls covered in eye-catching, all-over-pattern wallpaper alongside plush carpets in smoke-gray or beige, and furniture with antique lines. Most rooms have matching bed runners, curtains, and accent pillows and there are small seating areas in each room. In-room features include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen or tube TVs, electric kettles with free tea and coffee, hairdryers, toiletries, and irons and ironing boards (on request in some rooms). Deluxe Rooms and suites are more sophisticated than standard units, and have variable features that include king beds or jetted tubs in roomier tiled bathrooms. Bathrooms in Standard Rooms are compact and basic; they feature small walk-in showers and older fixtures, including pedestal sinks with two taps and little counter space. 

The hotel has two dining options: the up-market Sika Restaurant, serving locally sourced modern Irish cuisine, and the more casual Ivy Room Bar, which has a short pub food menu as well as beers, coffee, tea, and homemade scones. A la carte and buffet breakfasts are available daily, for a fee. During tourist season there's traditional Irish music in the bar two nights a week. There's a bike-rental shop next door to the hotel, and a walk-cycle path directly opposite the property leads into Killarney National Park. The hotel also offers babysitting services, but at least a day’s notice is requested. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, and guests can park their cars free of charge in the private parking lot right outside the hotel.