The Royal Marine Hotel

The upgrade to the Danny Kaye Suite was fantastic. It was a beautiful, spacious room with pure luxury, and we didn't want to leave the hotel because it had everything we needed. The health spa is beautifully laid out, and the staff were extremely helpful. Breakfast was easy and enjoyable, with helpful staff there too. The history of The Royal Marine Hotel and its stunning setting are the icing on the cake. Another amazing stay. From the moment we arrived, Conor went above and beyond and couldn't do enough for us. He's a credit to the hotel, and we greatly appreciated all his help. We'll definitely return, fingers crossed for another amazing upgrade.

The pool is a real highlight, with a whirlpool, sauna, swimming aids for kids, supervision from a distance, and long opening hours. After 6 pm the lights go low and the soft blue glow makes it feel lovely and cozy, especially for couples or a girls' evening. Everyone needs a swim cap, which costs an extra €3. It was disappointing that children couldn't use the whirlpool or sauna, and a big mold mark on the wall made the pool area look like it needs renovating. Our room was spacious, the floors were beautifully decorated, and the main beds were large and comfortable. The extra bed for our child was okay, but not soft enough for my taste. We also had to ask separately for little things like slippers. There was no shoe polish or shoehorn, even at reception, and bathrobes were only available to SPA guests. At €250 a night, sending guests to reception for basics or not offering bathrobes at all doesn't feel right. Skipping breakfast meant we could enjoy nearly the whole hall to ourselves, with a really tasty cappuccino beside a lovely Christmas tree. Big thanks to the café bar staff for the delicious breakfast and great service 💪🏻 The other bar was fine, though the food selection was limited to things like hamburgers and fries, and we didn't get to see any of the advertised live music.

The staff were genuinely great, which makes it a shame that the owners and managers put them in a position where they can't meet the expectations created by the room listings. I'd call the category "Classic Room - Interior View" and price it a little lower, with an upgrade available for a room with proper light. Easy fix. I was hoping to unwind in the pool, sauna, and steam room, but four hours each day are set aside for family time. The kids' screaming carries into the sauna and steam room, so relaxing was out of the question. There are swim lessons too, which means lots of children around. They require flip-flops or charge €5 for theirs, but hardly anyone wears them, so I felt I'd fallen for a scam. The room situation was the main letdown. This was my third room of the same sort, and the chance of getting the decent-sized, naturally lit room shown online seems slim. Mine barely had space for its furniture and had less than pictured, just one chair and no table. It looked onto an unattractive interior courtyard, with almost no daylight. The chair was squeezed into the window alcove, but the window had no privacy sheers. I had to choose between a chair blocking movement or privacy, and move it whenever I needed the fridge or coffee maker. The online photos felt like false advertising, even allowing for the variation in a historic hotel. Check-in was chaotic with too many people arriving at once, probably because of the strict 3 pm policy. There weren't enough seats for tired people waiting in the lobby, since all the seating was reserved for paid tea service. A few sofas and chairs would help. There were no cups or glasses in the room either, and part of the bathroom faucet was coming loose from the tub, making it hard to use.

The vegetables were beautifully arranged, including a clever little potato creation, a light, crisp cube with gently flavored vegetables inside. The pepper sauce was generous too. But the Chicken Supreme was the star: amazing flavor, perfect texture, and so succulent. It arrived hot, which matters to me because I really don't want warm food. Family friends surprised me with a meal on 25 January 2026 as a gift for my 78th birthday 🎂. I wasn't very hungry since I'd finished a very late breakfast at home just 40 minutes earlier. I've eaten at the RMH, as I call it, many times, and this time I chose a main only. I asked the server to pass on my compliments to the chef, then decided to go and tell her myself. I had somehow imagined the chef would be a woman, and I was right. I think her name was Leah. If I'm still above the grass for my 80th in two years, I'll be back at the "RMH" and make sure to order Chicken Supreme. Thanks to everyone at the RMH, especially the kitchen. Martin Barnes, Dun Laoghaire town. 26 January 2026