Woodenbridge Lodge

The kindness here made Ireland feel like home on my first trip outside the United States. My wife and I stayed at the Woodenbridge Hotel in the last week of October 2025, and it was one of our best experiences in Ireland. Everyone was professional, friendly, and genuinely welcoming. The Goldmines Bistro waitresses even made us food after the kitchen had closed on two nights, which we really appreciated. Breakfast was lovely too, with amazing Irish breakfasts each morning, and the bartenders were helpful, personable, and great to chat with. Dave Clark and his father played live music in the evenings. Their talent added so much to the atmosphere, and they introduced us to songs we hadn’t heard before. We’re grateful for the hospitality and hope to return someday. Highly recommended!

There isn’t much to do around the hotel if you don’t golf, though a quiet coffee or beer with a book can be a nice way to spend the time. I really liked the relaxing feel of the place and the cosy seating areas to the right of reception, where we spent most of our time. The hotel could use some TLC, but the staff were fantastic throughout, especially on a very busy Saturday when the hotel was fully booked both nights. We came with friends, four of us on the first night and eleven on the second. I’d contacted the hotel beforehand because I’m a bad sleeper and didn’t want a room at the front. We got room 207, a lovely, quiet, spacious room with a double and single bed. It and the bathroom were clean, though the bathroom door and lock were very stiff. The food was okay, neither great nor bad. Breakfast was also just okay, with a small selection, poor coffee, and a cold pot of tea. The dining room was uncomfortably hot, and several people in my group felt the same. The staff worked hard through the busy Saturday.

Jillian and Lorcan looked after us all night, and all the staff were brilliant. We had a fantastic time, the hotel feels very homely, the location is great, and the restaurant was lovely. Can’t wait to come back!

The surrounding scenery was one of the best things about this quaint hotel. Our room was clean and functional, but sound travelled badly. Music from the function room below came through and reverberated; distorted, it sounded like cats being strangled in a metal bin. The staff were professional and courteous, but didn’t feel friendly. The hotel is somewhat dated, with potential to be better. Breakfast was mediocre: the hot food seemed prepared ahead and was dry and tired, and there was little variety in pastries and breads. At dinner, the steak was tasty but tepid, fatty, and tough, while the vegetables were hot, an odd contrast. The food issues could have been handled better. My booking was for one person, but was listed as two. I was charged for two and nobody tried to fix the error, so it definitely wasn’t value for money. The place also had an undercurrent reminiscent of Faulty Towers. Unfortunately, I couldn’t recommend it.