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As Kerry’s only castle hotel, the magnificent 4-Star Ballyseede Castle offers an authentic castle experience full of Irish charm and personality. The perfect base for touring the south-west of Ireland, Ballyseede Castle is close to Tralee and the famous Ring of Kerry, only 15 minutes from Kerry Airport, 90 minutes from Shannon Airport and not a million miles from anywhere. Set on 30 acres of ancient woodlands and manicured gardens, Ballyseede Castle Hotel is beautifully placed in secluded grounds and is the perfect choice for weddings, private events and guests alike. When you pass through the gates, you know you are entering a most special world steeped in history and splendour. At Ballyseede Castle, you will enjoy old world elegance, combined with modern-day comforts. Recently extended, the castle now offers 45 luxurious en-suite bedrooms – many with four-poster beds and garden views, and all the epitome of luxury ensuring you end your day in decadent comfort and style. From the Gate Lodge, to the newly-added ‘West Wing’ bedrooms, modern luxury comes as standard at this historic Castle. Ballyseede Castle has earned a reputation for its warm welcome and hospitality. It was named 'Ireland's Favourite Place to Stay - Munster' in the 2018 and 2019 Gold Medal awards and was also awarded a TripAdvisor 2019 'Travellers' Choice' award for 'Top 25 Small Hotels' in Ireland. Voted Luxury Travel Guide’s ‘Historical Luxury Hotel of the Year 2018’ in Europe, Ballyseede Castle is one of Ireland’s finest luxury castle hotels. The award-winning Ballyseede Castle is a family-owned and operated hotel. Marnie and her husband Rory, along with their dedicated team, have made Ballyseede Castle a holiday destination of choice in the south-west of Ireland since 2005. Its relaxed atmosphere, luxury accommodation and award-winning food makes Ballyseede Castle the ultimate destination for families, couples and individuals alike.
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Nestled in scenic tranquility, Ballyseede Castle Hotel is lauded for its enchanting atmosphere and historical elegance, complete with picturesque gardens. The luxurious decor and friendly animals roaming the well-kept grounds add to its charm. Guests are enamored with the spacious, tastefully adorned rooms that promise comfort and a touch of history.
The hotel's exemplary service, marked by staff warmth and professionalism, enhances the regal experience. With spotless cleanliness, good value, and delicious meals, the castle is a serene retreat celebrated for its romantic and peaceful location.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Enchanting
Rooms
Spacious
Value
Reasonable
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Opulent
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We had such an enjoyable stay at this castle. Our room was quite large, the pillows were very comfortable as was the bed, and we loved the freestanding cloth footed tub that was in the room. During breakfast, our server,Esther, Gave us some really good recommendations for how to travel the dingle peninsula. Her recommendations were spot on. The castle grounds are very fun to walk around. The restaurant Orangery Had drinks that we felt were quite expensive. The main restaurant served exceptional desserts. Would highly recommend going here.
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is what a castle hotel experience should be! What an absolute dream stay for couples, especially for honeymooners or ladies wanting to pretend to live like royalty. We stayed in 2 castle hotels during our Ireland trip and this was my favorite and when we return to this beautiful country, we will absolutely book here again.
If you're exploring Dingle, Tralee, Killarney or need a place to stay before driving to the Cliffs of Moher (which is about 2.5 hrs away), then this is absolutely worth coming to stay here - don't get a boring hotel - and here's why:
(1) your room is ACTUALLY IN the castle! Some castles have had additions added on to add rooms so you are not technically IN the castle. At Ballyseed, your room is IN the Castle! EEEEEE!!! It seriously feels like you are a cherished guest visiting a noble Irish family! There are only ~45 rooms and that's it so there is precious limited opportunity to experience a stay here.
(2) Brilliant restoration with modern amenities. The castle was respectfully renovated by a loving couple in 2005 according to the website and it looks like a regal castle you would see on a museum tour! While I do adore old fashioned castles, I appreciate modern amenities and this place has it. For example - they offer heated bathroom tile floors for added comfort! To get to stay in a castle that looks like a castle and also has amenities like a modern hotel, was a delight.
(3) Delicious food and Irish bar on sight. Not only do you get to sleep in a castle, you also get to dine and drink in a castle like a noble! We usually prefer checking out local restaurants b/c hotels usually have sterile boring food, but we made an exception for Ballyseed because of the care and thoughtfulness in their menus. I am vegetarian and my husband is not and there were delicious options on both breakfast and dinner menus. They even had soy milk for coffee! There are a couple of posh dining rooms to choose from; one dining room was a intimate sunlit dining room and the other room looked like one of those regal dining halls.
There is even a bar area in the castle! The bar room looks like a cozy Irish bar. The Irish whiskey and gin selection are not large, to be honest. The bartender was so nice, he made me simple syrup on the spot just to make me a cocktail. The entire staff here is so nice. You really feel like nobility staying here and we are nobodies! lol
This castle experience will spoil you and no other stay will quite live up to this.
The only disappointment in our stay was only seeing 2 dogs and not the Irish wolfhound!
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Date of stay: April 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Two nights spent in this beautiful castle. We stayed in a guest room at the entrance to the castle and with a very short walk we went to breakfast and dinner in the castle. Clean, elegant and quiet room. Stunning interiors of the castle, with two sitting rooms from a bygone era where you can sip coffee and tea like true nobles. Breakfast and dinner rooms are also wonderful. Breakfast partly buffet and for hot menus made to order at the moment. Excellent quality dinner both at the restaurant and at the bar/orangery. Courteous staff. Well-kept castle exteriors and presence of some very sweet donkeys and ponies. An experience absolutely worth trying because you can experience the castle like true gentlemen.
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Date of stay: June 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of County Kerry, Ballyseede Castle Hotel offers a truly extraordinary escape. I wish we spent two night here.
Approaching the castle, we couldn't help but be in awe by its imposing stone facade. We were greeted by a friendly shaggy dog who seemed to be a beloved fixture at the castle's entrance, adding to its warm and welcoming atmosphere. Stepping through the front entrance, we were immediately drawn in the castle's timeless charm, where every detail speaks of luxury and refinement.The castle boasts an array of exquisitely decorated rooms and suites, each adorned with antique furnishings and plush fabrics. Exploring the castle's winding corridors, we stumbled upon a series of inviting sitting rooms, each offering its own unique ambiance. From cozy nooks with crackling fireplaces to elegant parlors adorned with fine art and tapestries, there was no shortage of spaces to relax and unwind.
The room we were staying in felt like a regal chamber fit for a princess. A spacious interior adorned with classic elegance. A magnificent four-poster bed took centre stage. The room boasted not only the comforts of a plush couch and a dresser but also a charming desk and charming stuffed rocking horse. Now for the view, we were treated to not one, but two stunning window seats, offering panoramic views over manicured gardens below.
Although we had indulged in a hearty lunch, we couldn't resist sampling some of the delectable offerings from the hotel's menu. From espresso martinis to rich hot chocolates, each sip was a delight. And the grilled ham and cheese sandwich for my spouse and the Atlantic Seafood Chowder for myself were simply divine – a testament to the culinary excellence of Ballyseede Castle Hotel. Wish we could have sampled more of the menu.
In the morning, we were treated to a delightful breakfast spread complemented by an extensive à la carte menu, offering a tantalizing array of options to start the day off right.
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Date of stay: October 2023
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were really looking forward to staying at Ballyseede castle on our recent trip to Southern Ireland, It was supposed to be the highlight of our trip as we were on an ancestral holiday researching our Irish descendants. We even emailed the castle prior to our arrival with the details of why we were so excited to visit. My mothers great uncle Patrick Buckley was one of the men killed in the Ballyseede massacre. We received a lovely email back saying they would assist us with any information we might need. When we arrived to check in we found the receptionist very unwelcoming and quite frankly rude. We don’t think she even smiled once.
We left reception and headed to our room in the lodge in the castle grounds (unfortunately the castle was fully booked as there was a wedding that day) The room was comfortable and clean and we were left a complimentary bottle of tap water that was warm (it was 27 degrees outside) there wasn’t a fridge. The beds were comfy and the bathroom was modern and clean with lovely towels. We had a good nights sleep and woke refreshed. We headed to the castle for breakfast and was greeted by 3 dogs running around outside of the lodge. We had read that the castle had two resident Irish wolfhounds but didn’t know there were also 2 other dogs so thought it best to report it to reception. We were worried that they might get run over as they were very near the exit gates. The unfriendly receptionist was on duty again (obvious to us it wasn’t just one bad day she was having) and looked at us like we were idiots when we told her about the dogs and quite rudely just said “they live here”. Breakfast wasn’t a great experience, there was three of us and we were shown to a very small table big enough for two people with an extra odd chair pushed up to it. It was very cramped so we asked to be moved. None of the staff were friendly and we had to ask for someone to take our breakfast order after waiting a good 20 minutes. The waitress whipped her pad out and rudely said “ that’s my job” We helped ourselves to the buffet of warm yogurts and stale hard scones. There was also no honey. I asked for a late coffee but was told I couldn’t have that at breakfast. The cooked breakfast was ok apart from the fried eggs that were overcooked with hard yolks. We asked for a fresh one but got the same again. All in all not the stay we were hoping for Sadly. Such a shame as the castle and grounds were beautiful.
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Date of stay: September 2023
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Lovely grounds with unwelcoming staff
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arrived for our Saturday stay in a castle double. The grounds and the adjoining Ballyseede forest are very pretty and perfect for a not too tasking pre dinner stroll. Even with a wedding on we didn't feel in the way. From the bar staff to the breakfast wait staff we were treated exceptionally well from start to finish. Our room was beautiful, located off the third landing on the top floor. It is truly a romantic location that's quiet and removed from the hustle and bustle of other Kerry wedding venue hotels. Even with the wedding on i slept like a log in our four poster bed. All the drawing rooms are beautifully decorated and there was plenty of choice on the menu for a hot breakfast. We both opted for the full Irish which had plenty on the plate and overall found it great value for money for a castle stay. My only criticism is our starters in the bar came out looking and tasting divine but then our mains looked like they were thrown onto the plate. Considering the pricing more effort should be made on making the mains presentable too. The apple pavlova was heavenly and beautifully presented. This place is a gem.
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Date of stay: December 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Go midweek or ring ahead before selecting a date if you don't want to hear the laughter of people...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It has taken me a month to I wrote this review, the reason being that we wanted to talk to as many people as possible who attended our wedding on the 23rd May to get their feedback. I can honestly say that not one person had anything negative to say about their experience on that day in Ballyseede Castle, indeed it was the complete opposite, people raved about their stay there. From the moment we met Marney and her team we had a fabulous experience. The Castle itself, bedrooms, grounds and wedding venue are just magnificent. The food on the day of the wedding was incredible, many people commented on this and the availability of extra portions, whatever anybody requested they got. The rooms are so tastefully designed and comfortable with beautiful views overlooking the grounds and mountains in the distance at the back of the property. The setting is incredibly picturesque, with so many opportunities to take beautiful photos in such a relaxing atmosphere, and as for the animals, well they are entertainment themselves with loads of photo opportunities. When I spoke to Marney after the event, I said that whilst a venue can be beautiful, it takes the staff to provide the heart and soul of the hotel. Well Ballyseede has that in abundance. All the staff that we had dealings with were polite, helpful, knowledgeable and relaxed, it came across very clearly to us that they both loved and were proud to work in Ballyseede, so in this regard I would like to mention a few and please forgive me if I have missed anybody; Esther and Doreen (who could have their own stage show), Katie, Paul, Mary and Hilla were just amazing! Finally a special word to Marney who brought everything together in such an understated way. Thanks for everything! Lisa and Trevor.
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Date of stay: May 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:If you want a beautiful relaxing stay in a castle, this is it!!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My parents and I loved our stay. We booked two junior suites for one night, one was in the west wing and the other was in one of the turrets. After checking in, the staff offered to send our bags up to our rooms and they arrived promptly.
We had also booked in afternoon tea prior to our check-in time. We were looked after by a lovely staff member named Doreen who was extremely pleasant and attentive to every need. She served us again at breakfast and was just as pleasant and all informative as she told us about the Rose of Tralee who had just been selected the previous evening. The meals themselves were all exceptional and all requests were catered for.
The castle itself is amazing and we were in awe of the history and decor. We had a lovely stay and would love to stay again.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Just be aware that the castle loop walk is not sign posted and you may need the help of some nice...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stayed in the castle for 3 nights for a family wedding, such an amazing experience from start to finish. The food was well presented and cook to perfection and the rooms in the west wing are amazingly furnished and extremely comfortable especially for us as a family unit away for a long weekend. The staff were very accommodating throughout our stay, I must give a special mention to Esther who everymorning made us feel as though we were in a family's dinning room being looked after by this friendly face and fulfilling our every need. Esther is an absolute credit to the castle and really goes above and beyond to please. Even with our kids she was patient and engaging with them which was nice to see. I would recommend staying in the castle and meeting Esther in the breakfast rooms every morning. Also our kids found it very entertaining that there was a number of very well behaved dogs on the premises and they didn't mind being hassled by our lot. So highly recommend a stay here in kerry.
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Date of stay: November 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The hotel, building, and garden itself are lovely, authentic, and pretty perfect. We stayed in the Castle Superior Double Room, which was at the top front of the castle and the room was lovely, with a comfortable bed, great amenities, and modern conveniences. We ate at the O’Connell Restaurant in the evening and the food was really quite good. They were out of the wine we wanted but we found a great alternative. We were the last reservation of the evening and had the five-course meal, as a result, we did feel a bit rushed by the staff and would recommend booking an earlier reservation for anyone doing the 5 course. The included breakfast was typical Irish fare but good. The customer service is what lets Ballyseede down. Days before we were set to arrive I called to enquire about booking afternoon tea and was told by the woman who answered someone would call me back, did not hear back that day, so I called again the next and was told the same thing. I then sent an email hoping that would be easier and get a response. I never did hear back from anyone about if there was a time available, so we didn't bother to head over until after our check-in time. I then got a call from reception for the day I had enquired about the tea asking where we were. They had booked us a tea time but had not even communicated that the time I had inquired about was available or notified me. I explained that no one had contacted me about it and we were not going to be there and the lady was pleasant about it. The other issue was the service in the restaurant. The first female staff member was not very friendly and did not provide very good service. We kept having to ask for basic things like water refills, cutlery, etc. She also made us feel like we were a bother to her and was very much looking down her nose at us. The female staff member who replaced her when she went home was wonderful. Last thoughts, if you don't care much about service and just want a lovely place to stay, this is it. If customer service is important to you I would probably look elsewhere.
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes we stayed in a cosy castle room and it was very lovely. Smaller by far than all the king size rooms but there is enough room to walk around easily, an armchair and dressing table and ensuite. We were not disappointed by it. I would recommend if you don’t want to spend the extr money and the whole experience of Ballyseede Castle is well worth it.
There are more places to choose from in the Tralee area.
PRICE RANGE
€153 - €221 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
ballyseede castle hotel tralee
LOCATION
IrelandProvince of MunsterCounty KerryTralee
NUMBER OF ROOMS
45
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