Gate Lodge

The location was convenient and easy to get to, and the comfortable bed and pillows helped me sleep well. But the cold tap at the sink didn’t work, several bulbs were out and some lights weren’t working properly. It was a decent stay, though the place could use more cleaning and maintenance.

The location in central Kilkenny is the only real positive. There were missing bulbs in the room lamps, no bin, a dirty bathroom and hairs in the bed. Maybe it’s fine for a stag or hen group that only needs somewhere to sleep, but otherwise I’d avoid it. The sign just inside the front door says, “We apologise for any inconvenience caused during your stay,” which felt like a preview of what was to come.

My check-in was already three hours overdue when I tried the code I’d been given for the lockbox at the front of the property. The code worked, but there was no key inside. I had to call someone, luckily I’d paid for overseas phone service, and then wait 25 minutes on the sidewalk for them to bring a key.

We booked at short notice and mainly wanted to see the city, so everything was fine for us. It’s an affordable place right across from the City Council and Smithwick's Experience, close to central Kilkenny. It still seemed to be under renovation, and we had to call the helpful man to get the front door code. He was very helpful and showed us around.