Disclosure: Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclaimer here. Thank you for your support!
Wondering where to stay in Killarney? There are several hotels in Killarney worth your consideration, but let me draw your attention to my Cahernane House Hotel review, a 4-star manor house that is probably one of the most romantic hotels in town.
If you’re searching for unique accommodations in Killarney, particularly a luxury country house experience, look no further than this manor!
RELATED READING I The Best Things To Do In Killarney Ireland – A Curated Guide
Table of Contents Show
Arriving at one of the best boutique accommodations in Killarney
As you venture out of Killarney town centre and turn onto Muckross Road, you hit the main tourist drag.
There are bike rental shops, hotels of all star ratings, B&Bs, petrol stations – it’s all rather neon-hued and helter-skelter and this makes sense, after all, as the road serves as the main access point to the star attraction – the world renowned National Park.
Cahernane House is situated just off Muckross Road, but as you pass through the gateway and make your way down the dignified, tree-lined, driveway something strange happens…serenity descends.
Car horns are replaced by the sound of bleating sheep, tarmacadam gives way to parkland and you are affronted, through the trees, with a glimpse of the elegant and welcoming Cahernane House Hotel.
I’ve seen several reviews that describe it as the Irish Downton Abbey, but in my opinion, that doesn’t quite hit the nail on the head. Where Downton Abbey is, perhaps, a little austere and pretentious, the Cahernane House is convivial and charming.
And while Downton Abbey is pomp and circumstance, the atmosphere at Cahernane House is very much underpinned by the relaxed but professional congeniality that is Kerry hospitality, which you feel from the moment you cross the threshold to the moment that you depart.
The story of Cahernane House Hotel
The story of Cahernane House begins in 1656, when the Earls of Pembroke came to Ireland having been granted land in County Kerry. One brother was given the Muckross estate, on the grounds of which now stands the splendid Muckross House, while the other was granted the lands of Currans and Cahernane.
The current Cahernane House was built in 1877, when the old house was torn down and replaced by the Victorian mansion that you see today.
Having been in use as a hotel since 1914, Cahernane House underwent a large refurbishment project in 2017 with a total figure of €7.8 million spent on its renovation.
Utmost care has been taken with the tiniest of details and the hotel now offers very modern amenities, while still retaining the old world charm of a Victorian style hotel. The refurbishment now complete, it is now one of the best hotels in Killarney, Ireland.
Location
There are plenty of places to stay in Killarney, but those seeking accommodation would find it hard to beat the location of Cahernane House.
Cahernane’s position near the top of Muckross Road means that you can walk to Killarney town centre in around 20 minutes.
Turn right at the gate too and within a couple of minutes, you are at the gates of Killarney National Park, Muckross House and Torc Waterfall. Ross Castle is close by also.
While there are hotels a bit further along Muckross Road that are technically in Killarney National Park, they are too far from the town centre to be within walking distance.
These town centre hotels miss out on the beautiful views and scenery offered by the Muckross Road hotels. So the Cahernane House really hits that sweet spot in terms of location.
From Cahernane House, the scenic spoils of Killarney National Park are at your feet. It’s a perfect base to explore the town and tour further afield too along the Ring of Kerry and Wild Atlantic Way should you so desire.
Rooms and accommodation at Cahernane House Hotel
There are 48 rooms and suites in total – 12 in the manor house and 28 in the garden wing, with a further 8 rooms offered in the newly converted former Coach House, which is adjacent to the main building.
Rooms are exquisitely decorated, many with free-standing baths and rain showers, all containing original Irish antiques and plushly finished to match their Victorian surroundings.
It’s worth noting that the high standard of rooms in all categories at Cahernane House (not just the more expensive ones) is a major selling point.
Our room was a Junior Suite in the Garden Wing, which was added to the main building in the 1960’s and which was also completely refurbished in 2018. And, well, where do I begin?
On entering the room, there was a well-lit dressing room complete with a large wardrobe and a vanity area (which also featured a full-length mirror too).
Once you passed this area, you entered the main part of the room, which firmly stands up against the competition of rivalling even 5 star hotels in Killarney, cementing Cahernane’s position among the luxury hotels in the area.
There was a seating area, which included a rather large couch, an armchair, a TV and a feature that was most welcomed – a Nespresso coffee machine with the most beautiful blue and white patterned delf to sip your coffee from.
The seating area led to the bedroom area. The bed was kingsize and incredibly comfortable – I had two great nights’ sleep when staying at Cahernane. Located just off the bedroom was a fine, big balcony which had lovely views of the garden at the back of the house and on towards the Tomies and Purple Mountains.
I think our bathroom may have been my favourite aspect of our room. Finished with beautifully patterned wallpaper and replete with painted wooden panelling, the bathroom featured a free-standing bath with a separate, extremely powerful, rainshower.
Bathroom products are supplied by Elemis and slippers and robes are provided.
Dining at Cahernane House Hotel
Cahernane House offers two dining options; the more formal Herbert Restaurant and the casual Cellar Bar.
Herbert Restaurant at Cahernane House
The Herbert Restaurant is located in a large and grand room on the ground floor of the old house. Boasting 2 AA Rosettes and featuring a fine dining menu that is built on local produce, our meal here was excellent and the service was absolutely impeccable.
The Cellar Bar at Cahernane House
The Cellar Bar is also located in the main house, but below ground level in the original wine cellar of Cahernane House. This is a very cool space with an almost speakeasy feel to it.
There are light bites served from 1pm-6pm, followed by an evening menu – we ate here on our second night. Again, the food was excellent – I had the best fish and chips (made with squid ink batter) I’ve had in a long time and the focus here seems to be on getting simple dishes right, which is done to great aplomb.
You can also take your drinks from here onto the lawn outside – we did this on the day we arrived to watch the sun go down and it was a sublime way to end our first day at Cahernane House.
Breakfast at Cahernane House
Breakfast is served in the Herbert Restaurant and is cooked to order with great care. There is plenty of choice on the menu, including Irish oatmeal porridge, smoked kippers, omelettes and smoked salmon, egg and cream cheese bagels (which got my stamp of approval!).
Continental style breakfast is also provided and is also served to your table as part of Cahernane House’s Covid-19 safety measures.
Other amenities at Cahernane House Hotel
The house has a number of rooms that guests can relax in. There is a cosy and quirkily decorated library located just off reception that looks onto the front of the house.
There is also a large lounge complete with a bay window and large fireplace, which has currently been commandeered as extra dining space due to socially distanced tables reducing capacity in the Herbert Restaurant.
Off this, is the light and plant-filled Atrium, which also leads out to the gardens. It’s a lovely spot to have a cup of coffee and read the newspaper, or alternatively, enjoy something a little strong later on in the day.
There is ample free parking onsite and there is free wifi offered throughout the entire hotel, with good signal strength.
Situated in extensive manicured grounds that back onto Killarney National Park, if the weather is good the garden offers plenty of space in which to enjoy the sun and bask in the views of the mountains at the back of the hotel.
One thing that the hotel is lacking in is a health centre or spa, so it is worth bearing this in mind if you’re the sort who makes a beeline for the thermal suite the second you check into a hotel!
Being honest, this was not something I missed at all as during our two nights at the hotel, our focus was on enjoying the surroundings of the national park, meaning we didn’t have time to fit in any pampering. During a longer stay, however, this might be something that I would miss.
Wrapping up – what makes Cahernane House one of the best places to stay in Killarney Ireland
While I have not stayed in them all, I could probably hazard a guess that Cahernane House is one of the best 4 star hotel in Killarney.
Offering the service and attention to detail of a 5-star hotel, the only reason Cahernane House is missing that extra star is its lack of spa facilities.
Rich in history and full of character, this unique and special house is perfectly positioned for those planning on exploring Killarney National Park, and for whom relaxation and luxury are paramount.
It definitely earns its place as one of Killarney’s finest luxury stays – and if you don’t believe me, check out the Cahernane House Hotel reviews on Tripadvisor!
A special thank you to General Manager, Emer O’Riordan and Food & Beverage Manager David O’Brien for making our stay so memorable (with a shout out too to Gary in the Cellar Bar!) – we’re very much looking forward to joining you at Cahernane House again soon!
Disclaimer: I was kindly offered a generous media rate for my 2-night stay at Cahernane House Hotel. I was under no obligation to publish this Cahernane House Hotel review, and all opinions on this lovely hotel are my own.
