My fiancee and I stayed for 3 nights over Christmas with our little Jack Russell puppy, Max.

We have lots of good things to say about this hotel. It is situated in a magical location overlooking the River Kenmare estuary, set in beautiful gardens and forest with its own golf course adjacent.

There is a first class spa, SAMAS, which has won various awards, and we would agree its probably one of the best we have experienced worldwide. They limit the numbers who can use it at any one time to only a few couples, and there is an infinity hydropool set in the forest (see photos on their website). Unfortunately, access to the spa is chargeable at 60 euros for each visit, even if you are a hotel guest, but the best way to experience it is to take a SAMAS Experience which is 140 euros but allows you an hour in the hydropool, sauna, steam room then an hour's treatment (I had an excellent sports massage) and then an hour in their relaxation room with individual headphones and motorised loungers (again overlooking the forest)... The only better spas we have found worldwide were the Six Senses at Dar Al Masyaf, Dubai and the Mont Cervin Palace in Zermatt.

The staff were exemplary, mostly Irish and very attentive. The service was on a par with Four Seasons i.e. nothing was too much trouble for them and every detail was remembered. We had mentioned on the first day that we would like to try another route back to the ferry at Rosslare and on the last day the same member of staff handed us a hand written note of directions which impressed us. They also loved our little Jack Russell and were happy to package up a doggy bag for him after each meal with some meat scraps.

The food was really top class, we couldn't fault it. As it was a Christmas special package, the hotel was full (45 rooms odd) so it must have been pressurised in that kitchen, but each course was cooked exactly as requested and with much attention to detail. There were various "amuse-bouches" thrown in and the odd sorbet or soup which we thought was a nice touch. My favourite dishes were the scallops in squid ink and also the new potatoes with salmon at breakfast... so simple but so tasty to start the day! The wine list also looked superb, although we did not explore it too far as we found a very palatable wine on the first night and stuck with that throughout...

Of course, all this comes at a price, and it was expensive. The three nights including accommodation, all food, drink and spa entrances cost £2,400 for 2 which was steep by any stretch of the imagination.

We only had a couple of complaints which are valid for such a costly hotel.

1. The room had been made up as 2 single beds even though we had booked as a couple and their Christmas card left in the room was addressed to us as Mr and Mrs... The staff re-made the bed for us as a double but you could still feel it was 2 singles underneath and this also threw up another negative point. The beds were made with sheets and blankets which really is not acceptable in a hotel of this standing and cost. How much would it cost to buy 45 good quality duvets? I would suggest that this would be a very good investment before the multi-million pound spa, and multi-million pound individual residences in the grounds, The Retreats. Really the main hotel should get a face lift before so much money is spent on other things, e.g. replace the carpets, deep clean the furniture and curtains which seemed really dusty to us.

2. Warning to anyone planning to stay who is aged under 35 (we are 33 and 19). This establishment attracts older (and pretentious) clientele who prefer to dress up for breakfast, lunch and dinner so if you are planning to come down to breakfast in a T-shirt, tracksuit bottoms and trainers before your game of tennis or cycle ride, you may feel out of place. The staff aren't snooty but some of the residents are.

3. We were also very disappointed to have to miss the Gala Dinner which took place on the evening of Christmas Day (there was only a light lunch that day). Nowhere on the website or in the confirmation email did it state that there would be a Gala Dinner that required formal attire. It was not until we read the programme of events in the room that it stated this dinner was taking place and that "formal attire" was required. We would quite happily have brought black tie and a ballgown with us if we had known but had thought that this would be a relaxing few days in the Irish countryside as implied by the Christmas section of their website which stated "evenings relaxing by the fire...". Most of the residents seemed to have been before and knew the score but we were completely unprepared. The owner/manager played it down, saying they could throw together a jacket bow-tie and black shoes from amongst the staff and my fiancee could find something in a local clothing store Quills. The staff did their best to help me look presentable, but we did not feel comfortable and would not have enjoyed the evening looking out of place so dined in the room instead. Such a pity as it would have been so easy to have forewarned us, either by placing a draft progamme on the website or sending this out to us by email or post. The staff had found the time to email us to solicit a booking for the SAMAS Spa.

All in all, a great hotel in a wonderful location with top quality staff. We would go back, with some suits and dresses next time (!), but probably not until the rooms are renovated.

My wife and I and my parents stayed one (1) night at this exquisite inn / hotel. It is immediately recognized that the Brennan family have spent many, many years restoring this beautiful old Irish Country Home / Estate. The place is incredible packed full of antiques that are so perfectly displayed that you just want to assume you have won the lottery, move in and call this home! The proximity to town was awesome... just to the end of the driveway and we had the town with all its shops, pubs and restaurants available to explore and many places to visit, there were. The rooms were traditional overlooking the river and valley... sunken lounge areas with big bathrooms and separate bed area. Perhaps one of the highlights of our trip was the Spa. Samas was beyond most spas that my wife and I have experienced in the U.S., Canada or the Caribbean. This was truly "nature meets luxury" with monsoon and tropical rain showers, glass enclosed relax rooms with individual music selection and overlooking the surrounding landscape to the most unique jacuzzi massage pool we have every seen, placed in the midst of the trees.

I have read some of the other write-ups and I can understand how this isn't the place for everyone, especially if you are trying to just create North America in Ireland, but if you really want to see true Irish luxury with actual Irish citizens running the establishment which admittedly is becoming a rarity, I am sure as the Brennans say when you arrive, "You are very Welcome!" Wish we could have stayed longer!

slightly disapointed with our stay here. great staff, and all Irish which is rarer than you may think. overall though dated and a tired. needs a big overhaul. full of older repeat visitors who obviously like the familiarity of the place. Spa is great but only highlights shortcomings of the hotel. fantastic location though. just waiting the investment to take this place beyond its outdated reputation

Stayed here for two nights during a two week tour of Ireland. Our room was magnificent, with a four poster bed and glorious views over the garden and river.

The staff were wonderful, and all Irish, (except the French sommelier) which was a welcome change from some of the places we stayed. They were friendly and welcoming - we especially liked the extra touch of their cleaning the car's windscreen overnight and leaving a little card to say it was so we could view the Kerry countryside better - fabulous!

We ate here one night and were blown away by the gorgeous food. The bar terrace was glorious in the sunshine - only spoilt by the extremely loud group of overseas guests, whose conversation we were all treated to. What a shame they couldn't pipe down and enjoy the tranquility of this gorgeous place.