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Gregans Castle Hotel
Corkscrew Hill, Ballyvaughan, County Clare, Ireland
Check availability as rates may vary for dates. Best rate guaranteed.
Far from the grim stone fortress conjured by the name, Gregans Castle turns out to be something quite a bit more refined and urbane: not a castle at all, it’s a 250-year-old manor house, lovingly maintained, thoroughly renovated, and reopened as a charming and elegant country house hotel, the sort of place that’s far too high-class to boast about the famous names in the guest book.But they’re there, if you look, and it’s easy to see why — this place is a classic, surrounded by gardens and paths, overlooking Galway Bay and the unique rocky landscape of the Burren. The house itself comprises some 21 bedrooms, as well as seemingly endless drawing rooms, lounges, libraries. The guest rooms are all different, ranging widely in size, from petite bedrooms to sprawling suites, and more subtly in style, from the absolutely traditional oldest rooms to the faintly contemporary newer suites.Hotel amenities stick to the essentials; this is a classic country house hotel, not an all-inclusive resort. The dining room serves modern Irish & European food, made from local and regional ingredients, including organic Burren beef and lamb, and local Atlantic seafood. There’s plenty to see in the surrounding rugged and rocky countryside, and even options for golfers, but in the evenings, guests may find themselves forced to socialize in the Corkscrew Bar or the drawing room — the sort of old-fashioned country life we’ve all at least seen at the movies, if not in our daily lives.
How to get there:
Gregans Castle Hotel is approximately a 1 hour drive from Shannon International Airport, 45 minutes from Galway City and 2 1/2 hours from Dublin.
- Complimentary upgrade upon hotel check-in, based upon availability
- Complimentary continental breakfast for two
- One complimentary glass of champagne or one cocktail, per guest, upon arrival
- Complimentary internet access (only for hotels that do not already offer this free to all guests)
- 21 Rooms
- Style: Traditional Elegance
- Atmosphere: Secluded
- 7 Guest Reviews
- Gregans Castle Hotel
- Corkscrew Hill
- Ballyvaughan, County Clare, Ireland
Hotel amenities and services
- 100% non-smoking hotel
- Babysitting (on request)
- Bar
- Bicycle rentals nearby
- Boardroom
- Free parking
- Free wi-fi
- Lounge
- Luggage storage
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Shopping area nearby
- Spa
- Spa treatments (on request)
Other Ballyvaughan hotels
7 Guest Reviews
All reviews are from Tablet guests with verified stays.
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- Matthew
- Stayed August 2012
- Rating: Excellent
What I liked:
The gardens and the drawing room. The friendly staff. The quality of the meals.
What the hotel could do better:
Nothing, had a wonderful stay!
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- Traci
- Stayed June 2012
- Rating: Excellent
What I liked:
The ambiance. It felt like you were staying in a private home.
What the hotel could do better:
Nothing, had a wonderful stay!
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- Sidney
- Stayed May 2011
- Rating: Excellent
What I liked:
Irish hospitality and luxury at its finest. The hotel, gardens and setting are gorgeous. Rooms are large and comfortably appointed -- no televisions but free wi fi. The bar and restaurant are terrific and the staff is friendly and helpful. The hotel (and the visit to the Burren) was the highlight of our 2-week trip to Ireland.
What the hotel could do better:
Nothing, had a wonderful stay!