Kildare House Hotel

The restaurant was so loud, and the tables were close enough together that having a conversation was difficult. The menu was okay, but I only spotted two options for vegans or vegetarians. I paid €12 for a starter of the tiniest ciabatta with mushrooms in what they called “blue cheese sauce.” I could taste a tiny piece of blue cheese, maybe half a centimetre, only on the last bite. For my main I had fish and chips. It was dry and greasy at once, tasteless, and like eating paper. The chips weren't worth commenting on, and tartare sauce was the only thing I could taste. I don't mind paying for good food, but this dinner cost over €40, the portions were shocking, and it had no flavour. Never again.

I enjoyed my visit. The rooms were nice and comfortable, with a TV and tea and coffee, and the staff were great. Breakfast was okay, and the pints were really nice.

The staff at the restaurant were lovely, especially the brunette girl at breakfast. Breakfast itself was okay, but only black filtered coffee and tea were included, with extra charges for cappuccino or latte. We didn't sleep well during the stay because the mattress was awful, very soft and caving in places, and the pillows need replacing. There were no plugs beside the bed. A draft came through the windows, letting in a lot of outside noise, including traffic and music from below. The room was cold when we arrived, and the little plug-in heater didn't inspire confidence. There's no fridge either. We had to block the big gap under the door with a towel because the hall light brightened the room, and the walls are so thin you can hear other guests clearly. The blinds were old and tattered, and parking is a nightmare. Soul Burger food wasn't great, though it could be better. A burger is around €14.50 by itself, with chips another €5. The pizza base was far too thick, and the chicken in the bite box was like rubber. Spend a bit extra and stay somewhere else.

We arrived for breakfast at 11.15am on a bank holiday Sunday. The woman at the entrance checked with the chef, then came back to say breakfast service had stopped at 11.15. We asked what else was available and were told nothing until lunch at 12.30. Two other couples were turned away as well. Very disappointing. We went to another cafe in town, and it was 10/10.