FlyerTalk Forums - Back at Emerald Isle

FlyerTalk Forums (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/index.php)

- Trip Reports (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports-177/)

- - Back at Emerald Isle (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/2198083-back-emerald-isle.html)

Ross Castle Killarney

Our next hotel was Adare Manor. It is one of two hotels that have been awarded three keys by Michelin. I don't think much of this award, but it has been showered with praise in other respects. Choosing a room wasn't easy. On paper, the deluxe rooms are a decent size at 50 square meters. The staterooms are 55 square meters and cost more than double, which wasn't obvious at first glance. The suites are even bigger.
I later found out that the staterooms are located in the historic main building, while the “normal” suites and rooms are in the new extension. If you want a suite in the historic main building, you have to fork out around €7,500 per night, which is quite a lot of money. I ended up booking the Deluxe Room. Maybe there's an upgrade available with Virtuoso.
Upon arrival, we first arrived at the gate. As in Ashford, the questioning begins there (OK, in Ashford they remembered me from my first visit and opened the gate immediately). This also applies when you return, which is really annoying. It's OK to ask the guest, but then to engage them in endless small talk even though they're clearly not interested and to continue despite them blocking you is unprofessional. Some guests may love telling the doorman half their life story, but that's not me!
The hotel is then reached via the golf course. The newly built ballroom complex is on the left.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5d7daaceaa.jpg
A passageway then leads to the main house.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...25153f0676.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...323a5d77a2.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by offerendum (Post 37285922)

People love their luggage carts; they are very stylish.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7bdd4eaa73.jpg

These are standard luggage carts, in use all over the US as well as in Europe. Nothing particularly stylish about them. Or is there something I'm not seeing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1P (Post 37285947)

These are standard luggage carts, in use all over the US as well as in Europe. Nothing particularly stylish about them. Or is there something I'm not seeing?

That was sarcastic. Those items don't belong in the guests' field of vision. At least not in a hotel like this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by offerendum (Post 37286120)

That was sarcastic. Those items don't belong in the guests' field of vision. At least not in a hotel like this.

Ah, sarcasm doesn't always come across in the written word. My apologies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1P (Post 37287000)

Ah, sarcasm doesn't always come across in the written word. My apologies.

Not for this:)

Let's move on to a rather sensitive issue: service. Overall, it was good, but a few things were strange. Let's start with a real whopper. When we came back after housekeeping, they had forgotten their rag. But where?! What is it doing on the guests' toiletries bag? I thought long and hard about complaining, but I somehow feel sorry for the maids. If it was unintentional (which I assume it was), I don't want to get one of the weakest links in the chain into trouble. They usually work really hard for little money.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...386579465e.jpg
The next one is also a classic. We arrived at the door and waited for the shuttle. The doormen were busy with a guest, chatting animatedly about his car. Of course, this is also guest service, and the guy was probably very proud, but somehow you shouldn't lose sight of the other guests. It took at least five minutes for one of the gentlemen to come over. There's a lack of supervision here.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1e6a0405e0.jpg
The last one is also a great example. We had a Virtuoso booking, but no one informed us about our amenities. I had looked it up on the internet and found that there was a free afternoon tea. So I asked the guy at the reception desk. He didn't understand a word I said and started explaining to me where I could get afternoon tea. That wasn't my question. Then he started explaining to me how many days my booking was for and how much my rate was. Thanks, but I'm not that senile yet. Then he explained to me how much afternoon tea costs and so on. At some point, after further attempts, I asked him if he knew what Virtuoso was. No, he obviously didn't. After a while, his supervisor finally came and rescued me and especially him, who was completely overwhelmed by the situation. She was able to answer the question immediately and we got our reservation for the included tea.

You don't get that at a Premier Inn!