Dunraven Arms Hotel

I stayed at the dunraven during a recent business trip. Refreshing to see a legacy Irish hotel keeping up a reputation of excellence in dining, service and comfort. The reading rooms are a particular stand-out. Well done to the team.

Our recent stay was simply superb. The excellence of the service in this hotel is inspired by the remarkable leadership and management of the owner. The owner's personal touches both enriched and enhanced our stay. The cuisine is of the highest standard and truly delicious. The cleanliness of every aspect of the hotel is strikingly stunning and the amazing friendliness, fine service of the staff and the atmosphere ensures a truly memorable experience.
The hotel has an utterly beautiful and comfortable charm and the dining room has such wonderful character. In short, everything about this hotel ensured a lovely stay and the added attraction of the unique village of Adare is the icing on a lovely holiday cake.

Alastair & Olive

My friend and I stayed on Sunday night and from start to finish, everything was top drawer. Check-in was friendly and efficient, the room was spacious and spectacular, the staff were friendly and helpful and the dining (both evening dinner and breakfast) was second to none. I want to particularly compliment the menu with regard to the vegetarian options as they were above and beyond the normal vegetarian fare offered in most other hotels. Big thank you to the culinary team for that. I could go on and on about how impressed we were with everything but just know that this stay warranted an 11/10 score!!! We can’t wait to return and we’re actually planning on making it an annual tradition.

As someone who has stayed here more than once, from family events and weddings to just a quick break away with my husband, I was surprised by a few recent reviews and felt it was worth sharing a more realistic picture for anyone considering a stay.

One point that keeps coming up is the €50 taken at check-in. This isn’t a charge it’s a temporary hold that’s released when you check out. That’s been my experience every time I’ve stayed. Once the hotel releases it, how quickly it shows back on your account is down to your bank, not the hotel. I would recommend bringing a credit card as the charge tends to fall back much faster than a debit card. I will admit that this may be frustrating, but is it’s something I have experienced in many other 4 & 5 star hotels, in Ireland and globally.

I’ve also seen comments about tea and coffee not being in the rooms. On each of my stays, the hotel offers complimentary tea and coffee delivered fresh to your room at any time, day or night. Personally, I much prefer this to sachets and kettles sitting in the room, and it’s something the staff are very happy to arrange.

The swimming pool is also being misdescribed. As a guest, I’ve always accessed it from inside the hotel via the corridor. There is an outdoor entrance as well from the car park, which may be where the confusion comes from, but we don’t have to leave the building to use there facilities.

This is a four-star hotel with a mix of old and newer areas, which is part of its charm. The newer sections have lift access, and the older part uses stairs, something you’d expect in a historic building. The receptionist told me on one of my first visits the hotel dates back to 1792!! On every visit I’ve found the staff happy to help with bags or room requests if needed. We usually stay in the executive rooms, which do have a lift but I do love the charm of their standard rooms, despite stair access only.

As the hotel is located in the heart of Adare, some rooms face the main road, though many do not. If you prefer a quieter room, it’s easily requested, or save your self the trouble and book their executive or suite rooms, we have found these are the most spacious and quietest rooms.

Food has consistently been a strong point for me. The bar serves food well into the evening, and residents can enjoy drinks later on. Breakfast has always included a good selection from the buffet along with freshly cooked options, and I’ve found the quality very reliable. I would highly recommend their Roast Rib of Beef, if you choose to eat on their restaurant, it is the best in Ireland!

Something else to note, they have recently got in the EV charging stations but a tip- Bring your own lead, they do not supply this.

A hotel with real character and a team that make you feel genuinely welcome , one we’re always happy to return to.

Very disappointed as always wanted to stay here and finally did at 60 years of age.
€50.00 deposit taken off card when checking in but the refund on check out could take 5/7 working days! Why not just keep card details on file like most other hotels??? Receptionist asked was it our first time but did not explain where anything was. Superior room with mahogany floor had no atmosphere. No rugs, only blinds - no curtains, 2 austere leather sofas. Comfy bed with 2 separate duvets, husband not too happy. Swimming pool very dated up back of carpark, not accessible from hotel.
We only had breakfast which was poor. Fruit and yoghurt nice but cooked buffet not very hot, orange coloured scrambled eggs...., make your own toast which took 2 goes of the toaster. However the staff were lovely in dining room and you cooked eggs where available to order. I feel it is piggybacking on Adare Manor, no other hotel in the town but really should put some money into modernising the facilities and

Advertised as a 4 star hotel but it is 3 star with a 5 star cost. Busy check in with a queue of people. When you reserve or check-in check if your room has elevator access (many rooms do not) and if the bed needs a step-stool. Your room could be quite far away and there is not full elevator service to many rooms. So ask if your room is in the inaccessible floors as you are carrying your luggage or as we saw many golfers who were surprised. The bar area is outdated. The young staff are very warm and friendly. There is not food served all day in there which I would have expected from a 4 star hotel. The food was good (we had lunch, breakfast and dinner). Adare is so picturesque and touristy and expensive. Local pubs down the road from the hotel are busy and one would not let us sit for a pint unless we were ordering food.

The owner (we were told - Louis) fussed and admonished (in our view and hearing), a manager and a staff person at different times (dinner and breakfast). The rooms were large and clean though we had to ask for steps to get into the bed... they are so high. Its a Rubbermaid step stool. I am 5'8", my husband 6' and my friend at 5' 2" each found it difficult.
The parking lot can be a bit of a hike with luggage - ask at the front desk for help. They were able to help us out on check-out. The hotel fronts right onto a very busy noisy road so make sure your rooms are elsewhere.
With the Ryder Cup coming in 2027 they will be very booked even with outdated furnishings. The gardens are lovely. Take a walk across the street to Adare Manor or the local park. There are other hotels and pubs beyond Adare where you will get more value for your Euros. A major road by-pass project is in the works and will help reduce the traffic in the village (estimated 2027).

When at Christmas , lovely atmosphere.Service and dinner was excellent. Roast beef was delicious. The staff are amazing . Had a wonderful stay , heading back in January

Gorgeous rooms and food, staff are very helpful and lovely.

We got married in the Dunraven in April 2024. From the first time we met Louis and the staff and were showed around we knew we’d be booking our big day there. Everything in the lead up to the wedding was so easy and someone was always at the end of the phone/ email if we needed anything. The compliments flooded in about the food (especially the beef and the breakfast ham), the quality of the bedrooms, the grounds and most of all the staff. They are truly all a credit to the hotel with their warm, friendly and helpful nature.
We have been back multiple times for Sunday lunch, dinner and overnight stays and have always been welcomed back with open arms. The quality of everything in the Dunraven is of the highest standard and we would highly recommend to anyone.
We look forward to returning for years to come.

Absolutely appalling on how they threat there staff over Hurd owners roaring to staff for no reason place is very outdated food wasn’t up to scratch for a 4 star place very disappointed

We have often visited for Sunday lunch- always top class. As a result we decided to visit for the three nights over Christmas, checking in on Christmas Eve. A great welcome from the minute we arrived.

We had high expectations, and to say they were exceeded is an understatement.
The room was fantastic and the customer service from the staff in all areas of the hotel was top class.
Some of the highlights food wise , were the poached eggs in the morning and the roast beef dinner on Christmas Eve. The traditional dinner on Christmas Night was wonderful, ticked all the boxes.
If you are thinking of a Christmas break in 2026 I cannot recommend highly enough. It ticks all the boxes - ambience, customer service, food, comfort and fabulous rooms. It was a great experience which sadly went by too quickly.

Staff were welcoming and accommodating from the moment I got there, the room was stylish and classy while the hotel mepps its old worldly character. The breakfast the next morning was delicious!

stayed for 1 night in early December = always very good
Difficulty with stairs and asked for ground floor room - did not see a list to upper floor
Very attractive large room near reception - massive bed with individual duvets - 3 seater leather settee and chair, large writing table with separate dressing room and bathroom - exceptional value for the price paid
Lunch in the hotel and this time dinner in AUNTIE LENAS on main street
Scallops in veloute sauce to die for
Good to see bypass underway at long last - will take most of the traffic out of Adare and make it even more attractive
Overall a very enjoyable 2 days

We stayed at the Dunraven Hotel during our trip around Europe, and it ended up being one of the most enjoyable stops of our journey. The location was perfect for exploring, and the staff couldn’t have been more welcoming. Our room was comfortable, spacious, and had everything we needed for a relaxing weekend.

One of the real highlights was the food—their famous carved beef at dinner was absolutely delicious, and the ham at breakfast was just as memorable. The hotel has a charming, distinctive character that makes it feel special rather than just another place to stay. We left with genuinely fond memories of our time there and were so glad we chose it as part of our European adventure.

Do not go here for lunch. What hotel doesn't serve hot food in the Bar at Lunch time, Dunraven Arms is that hotel. Sandwiches & soup were only on offer. Soup in a bowl on a hotplate on full view for us all to see. . Couldn't even offer us toasted sandwiches. Choice of 3 sandwiches. Not even a side of chips. NO HOT FOOD. Their excuse is they had a funeral crowd. Not a very good reflection on a supposedly 4 Star hotel.

Great location, superb staff, lovely room and great facilities. Whilst it’s a bit dated and some quirky yellow walls on corridors the hotel is quaint and really enjoyable

We have been coming to this hotel for the last 25 years and have always enjoyed our stay.
However this visit was very different.
From a disinterested cold welcome at reception by receptionist Camille through to senior management who would barely acknowledge you.
Food well below average, breakfast close to brutal where one would need a steak knife to cut the bacon and black pudding.
Gigantic sausage and overpowered with garlic and an anaemic omelette that looked half cooked and tasted worse.
Room very dated and general tlc lacking with no apparent investment spent in years.
Surprised how this hotel has retained its 4 star status.
Terribly disappointing for a family run hotel who seem to have forgotten their fundamentals.
Will not return.

Such a wonderful older hotel in the heart of Adare. The breakfast was terrific, with anything you could want. The room was very large and overlooked a beautiful grass central courtyard.

Driving from the Beara to Dublin last weekend ,we decided to "pit stop" for the night in Adare and checked into the Dunraven Arms. I'll keep this review brief . I was charged 420 Euro for a Junior Suite [we ate in the restaurant that evening - a further 130 for two]. Basically it's very bad value for money . The rooms are just not up to it. I could list a number of issues but I was just glad to check out in the morning and hit the road. Just not up to scratch for the money charged.

Bring your thermals!
We stayed in Dunraven Saturday to Sunday 11th/12th October - junior suite 116. We have visited many times over the years, weddings included, and the charm of Adare village itself is still intact. The hotel itself has some lovely qualities: service was friendly, helpful and professional in reception, the bar, the restaurant and the breakfast room. We had predinner drinks in the bar area, a mixed locals and guests gathering with food available (which looked nice to us!). No zero alcohol beer on tap (disappointing in 2025), but hey ho. Dinner in the Maigue dining room was lovely, good service, excellent food (limited mains choice - one meat, one fish, one veggie) - beetroot marinate salmon excellent for starters and the roast beef was good old fashioned roast on a trolley. Unusually, and delightfully, the beef ordered rare actually came rare (if a little pricy at €38 for one slice), and my wife's plaice was lovely. Gorgeous desserts, nice coffee and overall the price felt fine for what we ate.
As we had a postdinner drink in the bar, it started to feel a little chilly, so we retired about 10.30 Our room was freezing. The heat across the entire hotel, I was informed by reception (well it was the night porter as reception was abandoned) is on a timer which switches off around 10pm. Really? I kid you not - the charming night porter brought a heater to our room, which at this stage was a brisk 17 degrees. The bathroom was cold, the hot towel rack was off so the wet towels were still wet next day. The heat came back around 6am - but inexplicably was timed to off again at 9.30am! We could feel the breakfast room cool down as we lingered over a coffee. I asked the receptionist to please turn the heat back on - and fair play to her they turned it on for our wing/floor so that we were able to work until 11.30 without wearing gloves. Overall we had a lovely time (though let's be clear: the charm of the village is to the village's credit, not the hotels) , but wondered what kind of hospitality company in this day and age scrimps on heating and in-room tea/coffee facilities (there weren't any). It's a really cheap approach for a not-very-cheap experience (our rate was €360,not cheap for a cold room). Shame.