The Setanta House Hotel (Setanta House Hotel)

Member Name: andycharger

Product:	Setanta House Hotel
Date:	02/05/02 (828 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great hotel, Good prices, nice location

Disadvantages: Building work

Last weekend I had the pleasure to attend one of my old college friend's weddings in Ireland. The reception and the accomodation was provided by a wonderful hotel in Celbridge, County Kildare called The Setanta House Hotel.
I hope to tell you all about it and you consider it whenever you fancy a break in Ireland and want to get out of the city of Dublin but be close enough to the action.

Location.
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The hotel is situated about 20-25 minutes drive from Dublin Airport. This is close enough along the Main N50 and a few country roads to keep you close enough to the city but distanced enough to enjoy the tranquil settings of the Irish countryside.
Just outside the small town of Celbridge is the hotel itself. Set in its own grounds and a few hundred yards from the road, it gives a rather impressive outlook as you roll up the driveway.

Overall asthetics.
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Very nice. An old converted stately mansion set in its own grounds. Its walled front garden has now been converted into the parking for the hotel while additional overflow parking is available to the front out side of the walls.
The aged stonework and creeping climbers give the majestic building a true image of a family with plenty of money that once owned the house.

Interior.
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Maintaining it classic panelling and woodwork inside, the Setanta House has stuck to its ancestral roots with decor. The Carpets and decorations are all in keeping with the building.

Facilities.
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Inside, there are 10 guest bedrooms of which I saw the interior of 3 and stayed in another. There is also a spacious bar with plenty of seating as well as 3 hospitality suites for parties,receptions and other functions.
There is no Gym or golf course on the grounds but there are a couple of nice courses nearby for you golfers out there.

The rooms.
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I was given the key to my room and the receptionis
t tried to explain where it was.
Very confusing with all of the staircases and corridors inside. We inventually found it but not until we had been looking for some time.
To say they are slightly remodelling would be an understatement. At the moment, they are increasing the size of the hotel by 50%! so there is plenty going on. While I saw no work occuring, I was forced to travel along bare concrete floors, A staircase with a makeshift wooden bannister (like in a new home) and be dangle upon by miles of bare wiring hanging form the walls and ceilings. I just hope none of it was live.
There was a door separating this part from the hotel but we still had to walk through it to get to our room.
Once through the door and back inside the main hotel, the corridors were ornately decorated and our room was a sight to behold.
Upon entering out double room, we were greeted with a 4 poster bed and a single bed, colour TV, 2 wardrobes, a dresser and the best ensuite bathroom I have ever seen.
The bathroom was as big as the main bedroom and had views down onto the grounds. A bath, A separate shower ,Toilet, Beday and sink were complimented by the panelled walls and tiled floor.
The bed was very comfy and the room was very nice. Just a shame there were no tea or coffee making facilities in the room.

Staff.
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Full of Irish hospitality, the staff were very attentive to our needs. They answered all of my usual questions such as "what time is breakfast?/How do I get back to the airport?/how long will it take?" and they were right every time.

Prices.
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A room like that would be about £120-£150 a night over here. I know because that is how much it cost when I got married last June in a similar place.
In Ireland, it was 120 Euros which is about £75. This included Breakfast which was again excellent.

Breakfast/Food.
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A choice of cereals and fruit from the "help yours
elf" bar was available for breakfast. This was followed by the usual fried breakfast of Egg,Bacon,Sausage,Hash Brown and white and black pudding.
No beens though which was dissappointing.
Tea and coffee came in your own teapot. Not just the small one cup wonders like over here but a whole teapot full to myself! Nice.

The main meal that we had for the wedding was obviously included but it did give me the opportunity to sample the quality and quantity of the chef's cooking.
Very nice food and presented well. Full of flavour and lots of it.

Overall.
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If you are looking for a place to stay and want to be just out of town, Setanta house could be for you. If you can ignore the restoration and building work for the next few weeks, then pop along. It is going to be a very special place once it is all finished!

***Its in the general section until the peeps at Dooyoo create the hotel separately. I have written this though while it is still fresh in my mind.****

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