Gougane Barra Hotel

Hotels
9.4 (374 reviews)
Gougane Barra , Ballingeary , ie
+353 26 47069

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Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Room service
Heating
Family rooms
Garden
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Excellent service
Beautiful location
Fantastic food
Cons:
Room temperature could be improved

Categories

Cleanliness
9.15
Rooms were clean and tidy with stunning views.
Service
9.65
Staff are friendly, helpful, and attentive.
Location
9.55
Exceptional lakeside location with beautiful views.
Room Quality
9.45
Amazing rooms with beautiful decor and views.
Amenities
9.15
Well-equipped bar and lovely sitting areas.
Value for Money
9.25
Great value considering the high quality of service and experience.
Food and Beverage
9.55
Delicious food with local ingredients, highly praised.
Overall Experience
9.45
Absolutely outstanding experience, highly recommended.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-10 15:08

Property Description

Scenic Lakeside Retreat
Situated in the West Cork Mountains, Gougane Barra Hotel offers picturesque views of the lake and mountains from its cozy rooms.

Culinary Delights
Indulge in delicious home-baked treats and locally sourced cuisine at the hotel's restaurant, showcasing the flavors of the region.

Outdoor Adventures
Explore the surrounding forest trails with complimentary rowing boats and bikes, or visit the historic St Finbarr’s Well and Monastery on the lake island.

Experience tranquility and nature at its finest at Gougane Barra Hotel - book your stay now for a memorable getaway.

Important information:

A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 12:00 PM
Airport code: ORK

Location

Guest Reviews

9.4
Based on 374 reviews
Cleanliness: 9.15
Service: 9.65
Location: 9.55
Room Quality: 9.45
Amenities: 9.15
Value for Money: 9.25
Food and Beverage: 9.55
Overall Experience: 9.45
B
Brid • couple • ie
10
Fabulously run hotel with excellent staff and 5 star food.
Pros:

Very comfortable. Spotlessly clean. Beautiful setting.

2026-08-25 • via Nuitee
E
Emma • couple • gb
8
Super Friendly staff and great location with walls
Pros:

We had a lakeside room on the first floor . Lovely views of the lake and mountains from our windows .

Cons:

Had no complaints at all . Staff very polite and helpful. Lovely evening meal
With wine pairings . Breakfast also very tasty with a good choice of cooked breakfast and bread products which were home made . Lovely spot first thing in the morning before the day trippers arrive . Would stay again

2026-08-24 • via Nuitee
T
Trina • solo_traveller • ie
10
Pros:

Everything from start to finish. Dinner and Breakfast was fabulous.

Cons:

Nothing

2026-08-22 • via Nuitee
K
Kate • couple • ie
9
2026-08-22 • via Nuitee
L
Lila • solo_traveller • fr
10
Pros:

En 1 mot : Fantastique ! emplacement +++ , hotel +++ Personnel +++, repas+++

NB : petit clin d oeil à notre Narbonnaise qui nous a très bien accueillie .. on reviendra

2026-08-22 • via Nuitee
M
Merce • couple • es
10
Increïble
Pros:

Ha estat increïble el lloc es idilic. El personal súper atent i amable. Molt recomanable

Cons:

Per posar una pega, es sentia una mica el soroll de les altres habitacions.

2026-08-21 • via Nuitee
L
Lochlainn • solo_traveller • gb
10
Amazing stay in a fantastic hotel
Pros:

Absolutely beautiful location, clean rooms with comfy beds, fantastic breakfast and dinner and the most lovely staff I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

Cons:

N/a

2026-08-20 • via Nuitee
P
Paul • family_with_children • ie
10
2026-08-20 • via Nuitee
F
Francois • solo_traveller • fr
7
Pas plus d’une nuit
Pros:

Le côté familial

Cons:

Salle de bain vétuste

2026-08-17 • via Nuitee
M
Martina • solo_traveller • ie
10
Pros:

From the minute we arrived, we experienced exceptional service from the wonderful people who run and work in this amazing place. The genuine warmth, care and professionalism of all staff is rare and clearly modelled by the most generous of owners Neil and Katy, who treat them like family. The food is beyond description, the ambience gentle and relaxing and the setting is picture postcard idyllic. Do yourself a big favour and book Gougane Barra hotel for a break that will be a total reset without much effort from you! Tell your family and friends about this magical place and share a rare and beautiful experience. Thank you Katy and Neil for the most fabulous few days.

Cons:

Everthing was fabulous

2026-08-17 • via Nuitee
N
nicola • extended_group • gb
10
Fabulous stay in every respect - don't hesitate, book now!
Pros:

Everything - what a special place! Location, food, staff and especially how welcome you felt from the moment you walk through the door.

Cons:

Nothing apart from our stay wasn't long enough!

2026-08-16 • via Nuitee
A
Alexandra • extended_group • sk
10
Pros:

Excellent location. Very welcoming and helpful staff.

2026-08-15 • via Nuitee
E
Eileen • couple • us
10
Charming and unexpected
Pros:

Location and old fashioned charm.had a very organic and authentic feel to it.

Cons:

Sold out for the next day

2026-08-10 • via Nuitee
L
Luis • family_with_children • es
10
Calma, Naturaleza Amabilidad
Pros:

Todo. La amabilidad de todo el equipo, el restaurante, la calma que ofrece el entorno, el levantarme pronto por la mañana ver el lago, hacer una caminata por el bosque.

Todo el personal muy atento, Jamies que le hacia ilusión hablar español, Isabella recién llegada de Australia, Neil el propietario que estuvo charlando con nosotros, la cena que fue magnifica…

2026-08-08 • via Nuitee
J
Julien • couple • fr
10
Une pause cosy dans un cadre idyllique
Pros:

L’emplacement fabuleux, la gentillesse d’un personnel, le dîner et le petit déjeuner excellents

Cons:

Rien. Tout était parfait

2026-08-06 • via Nuitee
T
THIERRY • couple • fr
8
Cons:

La pression de l’eau dans la douche

2026-08-05 • via Nuitee
J
Janice • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Loved the hotel staff and all around ambience..we will definitely be back

Cons:

Cannot fault it

2026-08-03 • via Nuitee
C
Claire • couple • gb
10
Pros:

We were looked after from the moment of arrival by very attentive, welcoming staff which was much appreciated after a long hike. The meals were superb and recent hotel update very tastefully done.
We don’t normally enjoy hotel stays but this was superb and we look forward to returning to this beautiful place.

2026-07-24 • via Nuitee
I
Irene • solo_traveller • at
9
Sehr ruhig, sehr angenehm
Pros:

Sehr ruhig gelegen, sehr netter See, Wald-Weg im angrenzenden Naturpark sehr zu empfehlen.

2026-07-18 • via Nuitee
J
Julie Anna • solo_traveller • ie
9
Utopia
Pros:

Everything, the location is heavenly, the friendly reception & relaxed atmosphere in the hotel, the room & bathroom were tasteful & spacious. Idyllic views.

Cons:

I liked everything, but I think there should be more vegetarian / vegan choices in the dinner menu.

2026-07-13 • via Nuitee