Honeymoon Review: Ashford Castle

Why go?

For the couple seeking a rural escape to a palatial destination, Ashford Castle combines lavish experiences and warm Irish hospitality for an authentic, unforgettable honeymoon on the Emerald Isle.

Honeymoon style

If a fly-and-flop honeymoon isn’t your thing, step into the storied history of Ashford Castle, where carefully curated activities invite guests to explore the rugged West of Ireland, before being cocooned in quintessential hospitality.

Delight in elevated country pursuits like horse riding and falconry, savour fresh seafood or fine dining options, set off on Lough Corrib in a hand-crafted wooden boat, take afternoon tea where the Guinnesses once did, and steal away into the award-winning spa for some serenity amidst it all.

Ashford Castle blends the gravitas of a majestically restored Castle with the cosy familiarity of friendly faces who’ll know you by name. Pack wool sweaters and unfussy separates that’ll take you from early morning dog walks to fireside cocktails after dinner. Ashford is relaxed romance at its finest, and epitomises countryside grandeur – without the pomp and circumstance.

Set the scene

It’s not by mistake that crossing the threshold into Ashford Castle feels like coming home. Beyond the stone Irish wolfhounds, you’ll find a crackling fireplace beneath a glinting chandelier, and a neat pile of wellies from the guests’ morning walk.

If you’re lucky, lounge ambassador Paddy Costello, who presides over the Oak Hall, will share a tale or two from his tenure of 49 years at the property.

Amidst the Castle’s characterful spaces is a sweeping sense of privacy: think fireside seats in the Prince of Wales Bar, where you’ll find guests enjoying fish and chips and Guinness for lunch, and the Billiards Room and Cigar Terrace tucked away upstairs, where you can escape into for a whiskey.

Below, clandestine corridors that were once underground servants’ entrances have been artfully transformed into wine cellars, where Sommelier Paul Fogerty plies guests with good wine and better stories.

Ashford’s visitors run the gamut, but many are loyal return guests: some are eager to explore Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, and others are busy treating themselves to R&R in suitable style.

Rooms

It’s impossible to go wrong with the Castle’s 83 individually designed rooms and suites, but for lough-side views and a palatial sitting room decorated with Lady Ardilaun’s original watercolour paintings, book suite 312.

Fixtures and fabrics may appear traditionally majestic, but the rooms are anything but old-school: expect thoroughly modern amenities like touchpad bedside controls and glossily-refurbished bathrooms. Still, touches of homey Irish hospitality abound: in your wardrobe, you’ll find a pair of wellies and a rain jacket for your outdoor adventures, and by the coffee table, a crystal decanter of sherry for an in-room aperitif.

The highlight? An enormous Irish wolfhound-shaped chocolate confection awaiting you at check-in, created by Global Director of Chocolate Paula Stakelum and best chipped away at over the course of your stay.

Food and drink

Ten dining options across the estate means every meal can be deliciously unique. The jewel in the property’s culinary crown is undeniably the George V Dining Room, adorned with eleven enormous Waterford crystal chandeliers (originally destined for the White House, before being redirected to Ashford by a former owner of the hotel, John Mulcahy).

Here, guests are treated to tableside-carved beef and splendid seasonal plates that draw from the estate’s kitchen garden and locally-caught seafood. The Doonbeg crab tortellini arrives plunged in flavourful shellfish bisque, and the Galway stracciatella cheese is a hit among the plant-based at our table. Ask for seconds of the more-ish petit fours while you ponder the decadent dessert options.

Don’t leave without sampling the langoustine and prawn risotto at Cullen’s at the Cottage, a more down-to-earth dinner experience. And if you’re on the move, stop into Mrs. Tea’s for a scone and a spot of shopping from homegrown Irish brands, or ask the staff at the Drawing Room to box up an Ashford club sandwich for you before you hit the road.

The story

From a medieval fortress to a grand retreat hosting royalty and nobility, Ashford Castle is a celebrated landmark of Irish history, whose colourful stories and endless lore over 800 years continue to permeate its storied hallways. Ashford Castle was formerly home to the Guinness family, and used as a countryside playground to dazzle high-society guests with shooting parties and elegant gatherings.

In 2013, Stanley Tollman, who founded Red Carnation Hotels with his wife Beatrice, visited the estate for the first time, and bought the Castle from its previous owners within six weeks. The following two years saw an approx. £56 million refurbishment, which preserved Ashford’s iconic history, restored its exquisite glory, and brought new spaces to life including the spa, cinema, and billiards room.

Family-friendly

Don’t be fooled by Ashford’s opulence: the Castle’s unique warmth and welcoming spirit makes it an ideal destination for even the littlest of visitors. Pony trail rides, falconry, and a junior afternoon tea experience will tucker them out in time for evening screenings in the plush cinema, complete with popcorn and sweet treats. Younger guests can even book the LEGO butler, and a chosen LEGO set will appear in your suite for hours of on-demand fun while the grown-ups slip away for a nightcap.

Spa

After a morning of outdoorsy exploring, a retreat into Ireland’s first Forbes Five Star Spa doesn’t disappoint. Sink into the warmth of the spa pool, unwind in the steam room and sauna before your treatment, and while away a serene afternoon in the relaxation room, but don’t sleep on the homemade kefir shots blended with kitchen garden ingredients.

Plus, a new partnership with powerhouse skincare brand Augustinus Bader brings science-backed facial treatments to those looking to glow from within, complete with sculpting and detoxifying facial massage for that lifted, radiant look.

It’s little wonder The Spa at Ashford Castle is on its tenth consecutive year of winning ‘Ireland’s Best Hotel Spa’ at the World Spa Awards.

Eco-friendly

Most impressive is the hotel’s growing kitchen garden, home to more than seventy beds of seasonal produce and speckled with colourful edible flowers that garnish the starters and salads served in the George V Dining Room. Nearby are a cluster of beehives and a newly planted 300-tree apple grove, which Head Gardener Alex Lavarde is particularly excited to begin incorporating into ciders and liqueurs.

Location

Ashford Castle is perched on Lough Corrib, the second largest lake in Ireland, located on the border of Galway and Mayo. Cold swims aren’t officially part of the programme here, but if you put in a good word to Robert Bowe, restaurant manager at the George V, he might join you for an invigorating lake dip at dawn.

Surrounding the property is 350 acres of manicured grounds and verdant beauty, which guests can explore on bicycles provided by the hotel. For those keen to explore “off campus,” nearby is the quiet village of Cong, just minutes away on foot. The Castle is a ninety minute drive from Shannon Airport in Limerick, but slipping into one of Ashford’s chauffeured cars makes it feel seamless.