Review: Adare Manor 

Why book Adare Manor?

For a countryside escape that effortlessly combines faultless service, magnificent scenery and top-tier dining with a huge dose of Irish charm. 

Set the scene

To say that Adare Manor has been on my list for a while is something of an understatement. Over the years, photos of those dreamy, grand interiors have peppered my Instagram feed, and given its undeniable popularity with Conde Nast Traveller readers (it was voted the best resort in the world in our 2022 Readers' Choice Awards) it became a personal mission to experience Adare for myself. Even the arrival at tiny Shannon Airport is a joy – in just 10 minutes we’re off the plane, through arrivals and into the backseat of the taxi, the eager cabbie pointing out that every single person he has picked up from Adare has been full of stories of memorable, spoiling stays (“one person cried when they had to leave!”). Expectations are high, but as we make our way along a sweeping driveway surrounded by a perfectly manicured 842-acre estate and the neo-Gothic 19th century castle comes into view, they’re shaping up to be well-placed.  

The backstory

This is a hotel steeped in history. From the moment you step inside the palatial lobby (the towering fireplaces! The stained-glass windows! The gold leaf ceilings!) there are not-so-subtle nods to the hotel’s impressive past, but it’s the staff that truly bring Adare’s history to life – each well-versed and keen to share stories and fascinating tidbits any chance they get. 

Built as a stately home for the 2nd Earl of Dunraven in the mid-1800s, the property is an example of a rare calendar house, with 365 windows in the main building, 52 ornate chimneys, seven stone pillars and four towers marking the days, weeks and seasons in a year. It remained in the family until the 1980s, when it was sold and transformed into a hotel. In 2017, after a multi-million pound restoration project, a refreshed Adare was unveiled, with a new 42-bedroom wing, ballroom and spa. Every possible step was taken and euro spent to ensure the restoration was faultless – and it shows. From the original oak floors to the stained glass windows, leading artisans in every field imaginable were flown in to carefully bring Adare into the 21st century while lovingly preserving and celebrating its past. Modernising a setting like this isn’t easy, but what they’ve created here is a hotel that feels traditional and stately yet modern and fresh, with dark wood beams, elaborate pink marble fireplaces and numerous family portraits sat alongside tasteful soft furnishings – all greens, pastels and greys – and custom silk wallpapers. 

It’s elegant and comfortable without a hint of stuffiness, and as we sink into one of the squashy sofas in the lobby – wafts of the hotel’s signature fragrance mingling with firewood in the air – and watch as day trippers pop in to marvel at the grand surrounds in one corner while the hotel staff greet guests like long-lost friends in another, we’re struck by something you don’t get from photos: how homely and welcoming this place is. 

The rooms

So luxurious you could easily spend the duration of your stay here without needing to leave. There are 104 rooms – 62 in the Manor House and River Wing, and an extra 42 in the brand new West Wing. Although obviously varying in size, each offers the same level of grandeur – with sky-high ceilings, plush interiors, king-sized beds and marble en suite bathrooms complete with freestanding tub, rainfall shower, Acqua di Parma toiletries and super soft bathrobes. If you happen to find time, then a soak overlooking Adare’s acres is a very lovely way to spend an hour.

The plushest of the rooms can be found in the original Manor House; the 12 Dunraven Staterooms come with desk and sitting areas and original fireplaces, with views of the manicured rose gardens and golf course beyond. At 100 square feet our Signature Suite is palatial – heavy drapery, carved wood panelling, 19th century paintings, stucco ceilings and plump sofas across a lobby, sitting room, bedroom and bathroom. And if all of that doesn’t make you feel like royalty, then having a Manor Butler on speed dial will help. 

The spa

Oh, the spa. There’s actually two – the original spa on the ground floor of the Manor House is a tranquil spot with five treatment rooms, a post-treatment relaxation room – where you can kick back, enjoy fresh juice and hold onto that spa magic just a little longer – an eight-metre pool overlooking the river beyond (the doors open out onto it in summer) and a sauna. Skincare brand 111Skin took over the treatments in 2021, and the Rose Gold Renaissance treatment is exclusive to the hotel. It’s 150 minutes of what can only be described as pure heaven, including full body polish and exfoliation, a Rose Quartz Crystal massage, and ending with a gold sheet treatment mask. My skin has never felt so hydrated, and probably never will again. 

Then there’s the pretty spectacular Padel Club – just five minutes from the main house and surrounded by woodland, it features a 17-metre infinity pool positioned to feel like you’re swimming amongst the treetops. 

The food and drink

Food is a huge focus at Adare, and The Oak Room is their Michelin-starred crowning glory. Headed up by Devon-born Mike Tweedie, the menu is classic and makes the most of what’s local and seasonal. Our seven-course signature menu ran from delicate beetroot tartlets topped with caviar to a seriously decadent hazelnut and chocolate souffle tart with salted raw milk. My partner was horrified when I asked for cheese at the end, but I implore you to dig deep and find space – having Irish cheeses, caramelised walnuts and chutney popped on your plate from the trolley is an utter delight. 

The Carriage House is the more casual restaurant option, based in the new part of the hotel serving steak, pizza and fish and chips in a relaxed setting.  

The Tack Room was a real highlight – a basement drinking den stocked with over 100 different whiskies and a solid cocktail list. If head sommelier Jonathan Jønsson is around, be sure to ask for his recommendations (just don’t make any plans to get up too early the next morning). 

The 40-metre-long Gallery, apparently the second-longest room in the country, provides the breakfast setting, where you can tuck into anything from freshly-baked pastries and homemade cereals to a full Irish breakfast (a must if you had one too many whiskeys in the Tack Room the night before) surrounded by stained-glass windows, heavy tapestries and intricate oak-wood carvings. 

The neighbourhood

When you arrive at a hotel as spoiling as this for the weekend it can be all too easy to stay put, but I would highly recommend venturing out to experience the charming village of Adare bordering the grounds. The locals are extremely proud of the attention the hotel has brought, and residents seem genuinely pleased to see visitors strolling the quaint high street, snapping pics of the thatched cottages and stopping for a cup of tea at one of the local cafes. We walked into one of the pubs that sits on the high street for a Guinness (when in Rome) to find a mix of locals and tourists sat supping pints, a fire crackling in the corner and rugby on the telly. 

The service

Quite simply exceptional, and without doubt the highlight of our stay. The team here are the heart and soul of the hotel, with a manner that always feels genuine. 

For families

It’s practically impossible to be bored at Adare. Golf is a big focus – Adare has Ireland’s most impressive course and will play host to the Ryder Cup in 2027 – but even if golfing isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other ways to fill your time from the pool and padel courts to virtual games sessions in the sports simulation room. 

Outdoorsy folk are spoilt for choice; take your pick from falconry, fishing and archery. Our horse drawn carriage tour was not only a relaxing way to see the grounds, but a great way to learn everything there is to know about Adare. We sat with blankets over our knees as Sarah – a local horse handler who runs the tours – reeled off fact after fact about Adare, as a very lovely boy named Barney gently trundled along in the afternoon sunshine. 

Eco effort

The thought and hard work behind Adare’s sustainability initiatives goes far beyond removing plastic straws from the mini bar. The team – overseen by Thomas Breen – seem genuinely committed to ensuring the hotel is as green as possible, all starting with comprehensive training for each new team member. Half of the hotel’s fleet of cars and vehicles are electric (they are aiming for 100 per cent by 2024), they source as much as they can locally and even encourage suppliers to be greener with their delivery methods – refusing to work with those who use excess packaging. In-room amenities are fully recyclable, and the hotel is actively involved in community projects such as cleaning and maintaining the local village, park and pathways. 

Accessibility for those with mobile impairments

A few of the ground-floor rooms have been adapted for guests who use a wheelchair, with interconnecting rooms available for those travelling with a companion or carer. There are also specially selected bikes available for children that may need additional support, and bed lifts and hoists can be arranged prior to arrival.

Anything left to mention?

It’s easy to see why people go back to Adare time and time again – you leave with the feeling that you’ve been well looked after, rested, restored and ready to face the world.