Trim Castle Hotel

The Bailey Brasserie at the Trimcastle Hotel was packed when my family and I ate there today, but the staff were still friendly, attentive, and went out of their way to keep things running smoothly. The food was delicious and the service was excellent throughout. We had a wonderful time and will definitely be back. Highly recommend the Bailey Brasserie.

The location is hard to fault, right in the centre, with parking beside the hotel. You park, enter your registration at reception on a tablet device, and then you’re obscured from the campers’ view. The comfortable bed was the best part of my Executive Double, which seemed just one step above the Deluxe Double. The room felt dated: there were no charging outlets by the bed, the radiator was the heating, the TV was small and on the side wall, and the shower was over the bathtub. The view looked onto a small courtyard, and its curtains didn’t fully cover it, so guests in the other rooms could get a peepshow while you showered or changed. Breakfast was mediocre at best. It seemed like it would be made to order, but it was really a buffet behind closed doors, with staff taking the food from heating stations after you ordered from a menu. All in all, the hotel needs modernisation and better food.

The staff are what make this feel like a home from home, and I’ll certainly be back. Paddy, the barman at our social event, was a true gentleman and so pleasant, nothing was too much trouble. Niamh at reception was helpful, empathetic and informative, always with a warm smile. When Daniel the chef heard they had no hash browns, he made me delicious sauté potatoes on the spot. I was blown away. The hotel is spacious, airy and clean, with a fairly modern reception area and a phone charging dock. There’s free parking below for customers and a rooftop garden with panoramic views over town. It’s very central, with the town centre, cafes, curiosity shops and Trim Castle all within a five-minute walk. There’s also a souvenir shop onsite. Surprisingly, it was quiet at night compared with similar hotels.

I was at a wedding here and the food and service were both very good. The rooms need an upgrade and feel dated. My king-size bed was two single mattresses pushed together, and the bath was so high I couldn’t step into it to shower. I’d stay for a wedding, but not for a longer visit.