Hotel review: There's lots to like but room for improvement too at this Kilkenny five-star

Close to Kilkenny City, Lyrath Estate feels very much a tale of two architectural stories

The original property, with its handsome Victorian Italianate facade, conjures romantic notes as it reveals itself along the sweeping driveway

Our rating: 8.25/10

Lyrath Estate, Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny

Location

Celebrating 20 years in business this year, Lyrath Estate in Co Kilkenny is the full-blown country estate escape with all the benefits of being a city break.

Nestled along the Paulstown Rd, just 3km from the heart of Kilkenny City, guests can avail of all the Marble City’s food, cultural, and artistic treasures — while also being in a park-up-and-stay destination demesne for those seeking a one-stop hideaway.

• 8.5/10

Style and design

Lyrath Estate's main entrance

Built as a sumptuous country pile in 1863 and evolved into a five-star hotel since 2006, Lyrath Estate feels very much a tale of two architectural stories. The original property, with its handsome Victorian Italianate facade, conjures romantic notes as it reveals itself along the sweeping driveway — while the considerable new addition, quite a blockish Celtic Tiger structure, has been quite sensitively concealed towards its rear and beyond.

The hotel’s main entrance, which features a curved and canopied set-down area, supported by steel cylinders, makes a slightly jarring introduction.

However, inside, there’s an impressive central foyer and reception area — with an airy, double-storey atrium bursting with fresh floral arrangements.

The double-storey atrium at twilight in Lyrath Estate, Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny

Features like exposed brick, fountains, and classical statues add heritage notes. It’s almost easy to forget about the manor proper beyond the main hall, which features very fine reception and drawing rooms, overlooking the gardens, with calmer spaces to retire to.

All in all, there are impressive spaces and while I feel the main hotel lacks the aura of some of its five-star contemporaries, it certainly tops many in terms of atmosphere — particularly come evening.

• 8/10

Service

Service is warm throughout, from the welcoming doorman to consistently friendly staff throughout its many components — duty manager Ayanda Tuswa was a particularly ebullient asset.

It’s worth noting that while I was very glad to be able to retire to one of the manor’s reception rooms to relax after dinner, the area was not serviced by staff at all during my stint there.

• 8.5/10

Guest rooms

A bedroom in Lyrath Estate, Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny

Lyrath is a considerable property featuring some 140 rooms, including myriad suite options. Rooms in the original manor house are particularly popular with wedding parties. Rooms are complete offerings in their own right, with particularly comfortable beds, generous bathrooms and most offering pleasant countryside or manor views. However, for a five-star property, they lack sparkle and feel dated, or even a little corporate. That wouldn’t detract too much from my experience where I paid a sub-€200 rate, but I’d be inclined to expect more from this star category as those rates spike at peak times.

• 7.5/10

In-room perks

Tea and Nespresso facilities, the property’s in-house bottled water as well as products from Rituals.

• 7/10

On the menu

Eden Bistro in Lyrath Estate

The hotel offers several dining options, I started with lunch at the Grill & Bar and enjoyed a tasty chicken supreme, although with main dishes starting from €26 for a lunch menu burger and desserts all priced at €12, prices are pretty premium for quite a casual dining affair.

Eden Bistro was a novel space for dinner; the low set ceilings dripping with foliage, botanic prints, and luxury booths made it feel like a restaurant you’d come across in Dubai. I opted for fail-proof wings (€15) followed by a fine Atlantic halibut dish, served with dillisk potato purée, spinach, clams, samphire, white wine sauce, and a side of tenderstem (€38).

Breakfast is served in the same setting. A nice addition is the fresh omelette bar, as well as inviting wellness options. However, green juices served in disposable plastic shot glasses feels cheap. A hot choice of kippers with poached eggs wrapped the experience.

• 8/10

Activities and amenities

A pool in Lyrath Estate, Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny

Guests who appreciate a plethora of amenities will find a pool and fitness centre, spa, and infinity suite. Bookable activities include falconry, clay-pigeon shooting, and a lovely intimate cinema. A pleasant loop walk around the estate grounds takes in the demesne’s lake and folly.

• 8.5/10

The bill

B&B for two from €220 (midweek).

Checking in

• Room to improve? Rooms need an overhaul to justify peak season rates. The manor feels a little obsolete to the typical guest experience. There is a profusion of faux foliage which teeters on cheapening the aesthetic of the property.
• Accessibility? Four accessible rooms.
• Family-friendly? 11 family rooms available, though the hotel is more geared towards adult breaks and retreats.
• Dog-friendly? Service dogs only.
• EV chargers: 2 EV chargers.

• The Hotel Examiner was a guest of Lyrath Estate.
• lyrath.ie