Castle Oaks House Hotel

The children were eager to use the pool and play padel, and Mark at the leisure club, along with Sherna, FOH Supervisor, and Anna on reception, couldn’t have been kinder or more helpful. The whole team worked so well together, and nothing seemed too much trouble. Maggie looked after us at breakfast the next day after we had rushed out for my son’s First Holy Communion. She was friendly, quick, and couldn’t do enough for us. The breakfast was first class, and the Guinness bread was a big hit. We stayed the night before the Communion. Everyone was so kind, and the service was first class all round. Our room was gorgeous, but because it had just been painted we couldn’t stay in it, so they kindly moved us to one of the houses, which was gorgeous too. Castle Oaks Hotel is a real hidden gem in Castleconnell. We can’t praise the staff enough. Customer service can be hard to find these days, but we found it here, and the stay gave us wonderful memories. Thank you!

The building has lovely old-world character, from the plush-carpeted corridors to the breathtaking staircase. Walking through it felt like part of one of our best and most authentic hotel experiences. That was matched by the food: Maggie served us a sumptuous breakfast, and at supper Josephine greeted us with a warm smile and a tempting menu. When she mentioned bacon and cabbage as the day’s special, I was over the moon. We felt at home from the moment we arrived. Stephanie at reception welcomed us with friendly banter and told us about the local area and the hotel facilities. Her warm personality set the tone for a wonderful weekend at the cradle of the Shannon. Having stayed at a few hotels over the years, we’d put this one at the top for friendliness and attention to detail. A big thank you to Stephanie, Maggie, and Josephine. Any hotel would be proud of that trio. Thank you, Castle Oaks House Hotel.

The Shannon is just a minute’s walk from the entrance, and it’s beautiful. Along the river you can find the “Fairy woods,” with cute little wooden houses in the trees. We visited in spring, when it was sunny and warm, everything was green, and things were starting to bloom. I’d recommend walking by the river and crossing the bridge. The locals were lovely and suggested pubs where we had fantastic drinks. My mother and I stayed for two nights and ate in the bar. Josephine was lovely, chatting with us and making us feel welcome. Our room was warm and comfortable, with soft, clean linens and unstained towels. The bathroom was very clean and well maintained. I appreciated the non-slip bath mat among the towels, and would recommend using it. We had no faults to report and I’d definitely recommend staying here.

The cottage was spacious, with two good-sized bedrooms and a cozy living room, though the furnishings felt a little basic. The beds were very large and comfortable, but the pillows really need replacing, and we couldn’t find any extras in the rooms. The bathrooms were a good size, but the showers had such low water pressure that taking one was slow and frustrating. We even checked for another switch in case they needed turning on. We were in Ireland for Christmas with my partner’s family and stayed in the holiday cottages at Castle House Hotel. The main hotel was closed over Christmas and only opened on the 27th for a private event. The kitchenette is a good idea, but the tableware, pans, and cooking utensils were a very odd selection. If you’re planning to cook breakfast, it needs a lot of attention. I did wonder if that was meant to push guests toward breakfast in the main hotel, if it’s open. The main hotel looked festive and well appointed, and the team members we met before leaving were absolutely charming. Thank you.