We were very disappointed with Abbey Lodge after reading such good reviews here.

We booked in for three nights at the 4-star-rated Abbey Lodge, but when we checked-in, we were immediately shown to our room in the adjoining un-rated guest house called Ardree House. The two houses are owned by the same family and are joined by a glass corridor/breakfast room. While the rooms in Abbey Lodge are worthy of 4 stars, we could see why Ardree house was un-rated. Our room was very tatty, with stained carpets and mould on the windows. There was no power shower and no tea/coffee-making facilities in the room. We could not believe that the owners were getting bookings from the great reviews on this website combined with the description of their facilities on their own website, only to place guests in inferior accomodation (for the same price of 50 Euros per person per night) in their neighbouring house. After we complained, we were moved to a much better room in Abbey Lodge for our last two nights, and (after a bit of arguing) managed to secure a reduced price for our first night.

They don't provide tea/coffe-making facilities in Abbey Lodge either. You have to go down to a communal lounge if you want a cuppa. We were eventually provided with a kettle after we pointed out that as they advertised such facilities on thier website, they were honour-bound to provide them.

We stayed at three other B&Bs in Ireland after reading great reviews on Trip Advisor, and they were all superb. It was such a shame that the owners of these two very different guest houses have decided to merge their business, with the net effect of Ardree Lodge spoiling the reputation of Abbey House. They either need to drastically improve Ardree House, or run the two businesses separately.

So, if you decide to stay at Abbey Lodge, make sure you get a written statement from the owner, saying that you will actually be staying at Abbey Lodge - and be prepared to stand your ground. Alternatively, if you don't want the hassle, stay somewhere else!

Abbey Lodge had a great location, good breakfast, nice breakfast room and John was a great host. My one piece of advice would be for some renewing of some of the decor in the bedrooms. A simple change to nice clean, bright white comforter and some brighter decor would give a very updated feel to Abbey Lodge that it needs. It has such a charming character about it on the outside and has so much potential inside. Overall though, a very nice, clean and centrally located place in Killarney that I would recommend.

When we arived in Killarney we saw the lodge and my wife said if we we would get a room in the arch she would love to stay there what does a loving man...just walk in and ask if there is a vacancy..
go it right away...wife happy...me happy....so we stayed 7 nights..
everybody was very nice and friendly...the breakfast was great...if i ever return to Killarney my first choice would be the lodge and not a 4 or 5 star hotel

take care

Jay

February 2007, Killarney Ireland.
Oops, we forgot to plan this part.
Fellow Travelers haven’t we all been there?
Before you left your home country you had thought you had planned out everything pretty well.
Done your Country research, planned your routes,
picked some accommodations...
However comes THAT day.
The day that you and your traveling companion look at each other and say simultaneously:
“I thought you said you took care of this part of the trip?”
Well, there it was.
Killarney, we had not made an accommodation choice.
This might not usually be a problem, but in February a lot of Bed and Breakfast folk take a well deserved vacation, or they are closed for renovations.
This is what we found in Killarney, as it happens one of the establishments that we stopped at which was closed, recommended another B & B in town that they thought very well of and said that it might be open.
And to our very good fortune it was:
Abbey Lodge
Our base for the next 4 days to explore Irelands beautiful southwest coastline.
The ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula, the Beara Peninsula, and all the sheep roads, and byways that we could fit our little car on.
Abbey Lodge is perfectly located for this sort of thing.
The gracious woman who owns the Lodge is full of information, kind and considerate, and most importantly has a sense of humor.
Our room was huge, clean, comfortable, affordable and as it was located at the back of the Lodge. It was very,very quiet.
There was plenty of hot water for all and fantastic water pressure.
Breakfast was wonderful.
Served in either a cozy, comfortable inside room or a warm, bright glass enclosed sun room.
There was everything offered from Corn flakes & breads to a full Irish breakfast.
My Husband and I skipped many a lunch fueled by the Abbeys breakfast.
If you are looking for comfort, nicely appointed rooms,
value, good food, sweet staff, with a central location, this is the place for you.