Gregans Castle Hotel

Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare

It may not be a castle but this rambling 18th-century manor house, wrapped in gardens and with views over the otherworldly karst landscape of the Burren, has its own romantic charm. More

Good Hotel Guide Review

It may not be a castle but this rambling 18th-century manor house, wrapped in gardens and with views over the otherworldly karst landscape of the Burren, has its own romantic charm. Indeed, author J R R Tolkien was said to have drawn inspiration from the surroundings when he stayed here. Run by the same family since 1976, now headed by Simon Haden and Frederieke McMurray, the hotel is designed to let guests relax and take in the natural beauty, but among modern comforts. Soothing colours, modern art and antiques fill public rooms; the drawing room invites with a fire, books, sofas and large windows overlooking the gardens. Bedrooms are equally calming with fresh colours, original art, more flowers and books. All have views over the garden or towards Galway Bay. Have a drink in the Corkscrew bar with its open fire before moving into the elegant dining room to enjoy Modern Irish dishes that make creative use of local, organic and foraged produce: perhaps beef with salsify, morels and wild garlic. Breakfast on pancakes, eggs Benedict or smoked haddock before a day spent wildlife-spotting or walking the Cliffs of Moher.

Hotel details

Address

Gragan East
Ballyvaughan
Co. Clare
H91 CF60
Ireland

Telephone

00 353 65 707 700

Bedrooms

21. 7 on ground floor, 
1 suitable for disabled.

Open

mid-Feb–end Nov.

Facilities

drawing room, bar, dining room, wedding facilities, 15-acre grounds, EV charging, public areas wheelchair accessible, no adapted toilet.

Background music

in bar and dining room.

Children

all ages welcomed, extra bed €25–€50, no under-7s in dining room after 6 pm.

Dogs

allowed in some ground-floor bedrooms by arrangement (€25 per stay), not in public rooms.

Credit cards

Amex, MC, Visa.

Prices

B&B doubles from €260. Set menu €85. Min. 2-night booking usually, but ring to check 1-night availability.

Comments about Gregans Castle Hotel

The epitome of understated country house luxury. The rooms are big and individually decorated. The house is delightful. The region is dramatic. The cooking is first rare, imaginative without being pretentious. When the dining room was closed I ate in the bar - a relatively simple meal but one that would have graced a good many fine restaurants. - Richard Parish - September 2017

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