Castlemartyr Resort in East Co. Cork has been named the best 5-star hotel in Ireland at this year's Irish Hotel Awards.
The awards were announced at a bustling ceremony in The Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone, where 400 hospitaly industry professionals gathered to celebrate.
The awards are doled out according to a 280 point report compiled by the awards' team of researchers, documenting their visit to each establishment from arrival to departure and spanning all departments of the hotel.
Open since 2008, the stately Castlemartyr Resort is nestled into 220 acres of Irish woodland, with the hotel itself a revamped grand 17th century country manor house sitting in the shade of the ruins of an 800-year-old-castle. It's a historic property as the castle was built by The Knights Templar under Richard Earl de Clare, known as Strongbow.
It was also the hotel that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West were rumoured to have stayed at on their honeymoon to Ireland in 2014.
It features The Restaurant, a spot serving modern Irish cuisine and the Knights Bar, as well as a Health Club and activities such as tennis, kayaking, cycling, archery, croquet on the lawn, clay pigeon shooting and more.
The Lake Hotel in Co. Kerry was named the 4 Star Hotel of the Year, while the Abbey Hotel in Co. Dublin was named the 3 Star Hotel of the Year.
Kilkea Castle in Co. Kildare was named the Castle Hotel of the Year, Delphi Lodge in Galway's Connemara was awarded the gong for Gourmet Getaway of the Year.
For those looking to capture a romantic weekend away, or planning for a wedding in the near future, the awards offered up their pick of the best hotels in that area. Garryvoe Hotel in Co. Cork was named the Wedding Hotel of the Year, while The Lodge at Ashford Castle in Co. Mayo scooped the prize for Romantic Hotel of the Year.
Speaking about the event, Shane Smith, Director of NI Media who runs the Irish Hotel Awards said:
"It's been a while but we’re back with a bang. The turmoil that we've all been through was like nothing any one of us could have possibly imagined but thankfully the industry is getting back on its feet. This is of course great news for the sector and the standards that are being met, particularly considering staff shortages are simply outstanding."
Read the full list of winners below:
5 Star Hotel of the Year - Castlemartyr Resort
4 Star Hotel of the Year - The Lake Hotel
3 Star Hotel of the Year - Abbey Hotel
2 Star Hotel of the Year - Murray's Doonmore Hotel
Fine Dining Experience of the Year - The Lake Hotel
Boutique Hotel of the Year - Hyde Hotel
Castle Hotel of the Year - Kilkea Castle
Coastal Escape of the Year - Garryvoe Hotel
Country House Hotel of the Year - Mount Falcon Estate
Romantic Hotel of the Year - The Lodge at Ashford Castle
Wedding Hotel of the Year - Garryvoe Hotel
Intimate Wedding Venue of the Year - Killeavy Castle Estate
Dog Friendly Hotel of the Year - Inn on the Coast
Family Hotel of the Year - Dingle Skellig Hotel
Golf Experience of the Year - Ocean Sands Hotel
Gourmet Getaway of the Year - Delphi Lodge
Hotel Bar of the Year - Killarney Towers Hotel
Hotel Restaurant of the Year - Titanic Hotel
Local Hotel of the Year - Longcourt House Hotel
Newcomer of the Year - Elephant Rock Hotel
Rising Star of the Year - Abbey Court Hotel
Self-Catering Property of the Year - Waterford Castle
Irish Brand Hotel of the Year - Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa Cork
Excellence in Service Award - Clayton Hotel Charlemont
Great Irish Breakfast Award - The Metropole Hotel
Social Media Marketing Award - Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa Sligo
Spa Experience of the Year - Castlemartyr Resort
Airport Hotel of the Year - Shannon Springs Hotel
Business & Conference Hotel of the Year - Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa Cork
