Lough Eske Castle

Fantastic experience: Excellent all around. Beautiful food, friendly & helpful staff & spotlessly clean. Highly recomend.

Fantastic experience: Superb stay last night, exceptional staff in all areas of the hotel, food outstanding, fabulous large room, can’t wait to return !

Fantastic experience: Lovely hotel that was WAY too hot while we stayed. Everywhere was too warm and though the setting was lovely, hotel immaculate, and staff very attentive and kind - that mattered. I could not take any more clothes off without being indecent, and there was sadly no escape in the rooms either....the breakfast was spot on, and the night we ate at the bar was also very good.

Positive experience: My girlfriend and I stayed for 1 night on Sat 1st March. It was €500 for 1 night with dinner/Breakfast before drinks. w The hotel was woefully understaffed. We had to wait 1hr 30 mins after check in time (3pm) to get into our room because it was not ready. No drinks were offered. it meant we could not go to the spa until 4.45. When our room was available it was a different room - an 'upgrade' to a garden suite -407. There was noone to take us to the room so we went ourselves, the key card did not work so we had to walk back to reception and again ask for help. Eventually a concierge arrived and took us down after re cutting the key. On arrival they had taken our luggage to someone elses room. Our room didnt have a TV remote so we couldn't turn the TV off and there was dust on all the surfaces. The room is enormous but the pleather sofas and damaged furniture are not 5 star. The spa - tiny swimming pool, broken showers, showing it's age. The situation is nice. You have to pay extra for an outdoor hot tub. We had to wait 25 minutes in a queue for breakfast.. in a 5 star hotel?! We helped an 80 year old lady in front of us moving a chair along the queue as she couldnt stand for that long. The food at dinner was excellent but its probably the most expensive meal (€200) I've had in a while. We asked for 2 glasses of champagne, the waiter poured them in wine glasses. They forgot our sides, delivering the wrong side dish after our meal was finished. I'm fortunate with my work that I stay in 4 or 5 star hotels and eat out regularly and this is nowhere near 5 star service. The bar was nice and live music good. cocktails were good but again, waiting 20 minutes for a drink, nobody to welcome you or sit you anywhere is not 5 star. The location is nice and gardens well kept. Overall, lovely staff, completely overwhelmed, nowhere near 5 star service. the rooms are dated, the spa is well below 5 star. The food is very good but it should be at 200 euro for a 3 course and a bottle of £10 wine. The room was dated and poor quality furnishings. Overall a really disappointing stay which was meant to be a special occasion.

Fantastic experience: Stayed here at the start of March and we had such a wonderful time. The staff in the hotel really made the experience for us! From Micheal the concierge giving us a wonderful welcome and helping us with our bags, he is such a gentleman to Anthony and Isabel in Reception it was such lovely start to our trip. We also had dinner here. Whilst the menu wasn’t vast the food was delicious and everyone that served us were soo lovely and friendly. We couldn’t fault the service at all! However, there was one waiter that we felt always went above and beyond and was always so lovely and friendly and that was Peter! He really added to our stay and made the experience that bit more fun. Breakfast here was lovely also and the omelette chef was very impressive. Whist we stayed here we went to the gym twice, but it is extremely small for a hotel and they had the heating oh high which is something I would recommend changing. The pool and thermal suite were lovely, however, it’s unfortunate that you do not have access to the thermal suite for the majority of the day. Also to note that the leisure centre closes early on the weekend. The bar area is lovely and they have a nice selection of drinks and often live music which adds to the atmosphere. The only factor that we felt let down the hotel was before our stay we had a few interactions with a manager and we felt she was very unprofessional and we very nearly cancelled our trip due to this one employee. However, all the other staff in the restaurant, reception, concierge and leisure centre were all top notch!! They couldn’t do enough. This really is such a wonderful hotel.

Positive experience: The food was good, but a little overpriced for what it was. The service was excellent and the staff very friendly and professional.

Fantastic experience: Fabulous place to stay. Staff are excellent, friendly, knowledgeable and professional. Room was so comfortable. Great location for touring. Delicious food. Better quality coffee at breakfast would be much appreciated.

Fantastic experience: Amazing castle with very attentive staff and high-end services. We felt so welcome. Only a short distance from Donegal Town

Fantastic experience: Just back from short stay- 4th time at Lough Eske and it never disappoints. Great meal and fantastic evening in the bar - guy doing music was great.

Fantastic experience: Fabulous hotel. Great service and excellent food.

Fantastic experience: We went to Lough Eske for the day ...a beautiful castle on stunning grounds. We are regular visitors and Shay the concierge always greets us with a smile and gives us 5* treatment...the food was lovely and very pleasant staff. It's always a pleasure to go there.

Fantastic experience: This hotel is five star for a reason. Well worth the entrance fee. Food in the Cedars was exceptional and with a service to match.

Fantastic experience: Beautiful venue. Great staff. Food delish.

Fantastic experience: Great hotel with a big green area outside . Spa service is just great. I have been lucky as there was one cancellation, so i got the appointment for a full body massage. It was done by Cidhra, who is Very professional and carry great knowledge about massage. I felt so relaxed and light. Must try when there.

Negative experience: It’s a modern boring hotel behind a castle facade. No atmosphere at all.

Fantastic experience: An absolutely wonderful stay at this beautiful location - cannot fault it!

Negative experience: Don’t recommend. Stayed here for 1 night .. never again. Communication with staff wasn’t great. Tried to get room service. Phone wasnt working in room. Waved down a staff member in corridor . Ask for an empty Guinness glass & ice. They bring ice . 2 pints of Guinness and 2 empty wine glasses. Head down to the gallery bar for food. 40 minutes we waited on our starter. Then from starter to main took easily an hour to come out. Ask for medium rare steak. It was cold & completly rare. My partner ask well done .. hers completely rare and cold also. Ask the waiter for a drinks order which took forever had to call and ask again for it. Then the waiter didn’t understand what a sambuca was .. entertainment finished at 11 which is quite early. the singer was great in fairness. We return to our room about 12 to discover someone had been in our room moved our clothes and luggage .. tidied up the room etc. I would see thru that if we were there a few nights. But not when we were only in the room a couple of hours. Not a bit happy tbh as we had our personal belongings sitting in our room. Wouldn’t be one to write a bad review. This is easily one of the worst places I’ve ever stayed. For 375 a night it’s a disgrace.

Fantastic experience: Awesome accommodations and friendly check-in staff. Pub staff very inexperienced which affected service.

Fantastic experience: Stunning hotel. This is our second time visiting. Friendly staff. Lovely rooms.

Negative experience: In my opinion This hotel was didn’t meet 5 star expectations. We arrived at 1530 , hotel very busy .There were no porters available to help us with our bags. Queues at check in. Room wasn’t ready until 1730. I had a spa appointment at 1645. I had to get ready in the lobby/reception of the hotel!! Didn’t get key to room till 18:00. The spa was very busy! The rugs in the spa were dirty and in need of hoovering. The spa is in need of a renovation. The restaurant decor is old. The food came to our table very cold. My husband had to return his steak it was undercooked. My duck dinner was cold. Side dishes - very small. Our room was not in the castle it was in the gardens.. we had to Walk in the rain to the main castle for breakfast and dinner. No umbrellas provided. I never write reviews I felt I just had to in this scenario . Just not deserving of a five star rating . :( :(

Fantastic experience: Spent the Christmas period here with my fiancé and it was magical. Gorgeous castle set on beautiful grounds which is great for walks. The staff were lovely and very attentive and room was great. The food was great throughout our stay, will definitely be back!

Positive experience: The front of Lough Eske Castle is beautiful and the Christmas decorations in the lobby were stunning too! However the rest of the hotel is newly renovated and is not a castle,our room had a very long walk to get to and as it was on the ground floor we couldn’t use the elevator to get there any quicker. Some art in the hallway gave the impression it was antique like most castles but it seemed mass produced and modernised to give the feel of castle decor. The room was lovely and large, nice touch to be gifted some treats in the room too, a couple of things need changing in the deluxe rooms like the wooden bed had a space at the side that I hit my leg off of each time I got out of bed, also there was a cobweb on the frame as well as some dust on the picture. The bathroom sink had a plumbing issue and as much as I appreciate a warm cosy room I did wake up way too warm even though we turned down the heat it didn’t stay at the temperature we set it to. We booked the hot tub at the spa but found it hard to locate where it was from inside as there were no signs , we were offered some prosecco when we arrived. I did expect the hot tubs to have a canopy cover though when we were there it was raining so our robes and slippers were drenched by the time we left the tub. Dinner was delicious definitely worth booking Cedar’s restaurant if you visit,staff were really helpful and friendly! Overall enjoyed our stay but compared to some other castles I’ve stayed at around Ireland it lacked some key features like the surrounding area had no pretty gardens to walk around and I was a bit disappointed that there was no picture greeting card to take home so I asked at reception if they sold any postcards with the hotel on them but they didn’t.

Fantastic experience: Truly a jewel in the beautiful Donegal; every room is a work of art, food is spectacular and the area is breath-taking! Stay there to enjoy luxury and the friendly chats with the staff

Fantastic experience: My sons wedding - the staff were so attentive and nothing too hard - great food and awesome location - the accommodation was the best we have ever had - ask for a Donegal Suite - really enjoyed the leisure centre

Fantastic experience: Beautiful place - lovely food and lovely people working in hotel

Fantastic experience: Fantastic grounds and surroundings. Beautiful furnished rooms that feel very luxurious. The hotel facilities are amazing, the restaurants and bars combined with the outstanding service made our stay very memorable. The whiskey tasting is a great experience with some good Donegal history facts.

Fantastic experience: We were here recently with our family at a fantastic Birthday Party for 3 fab away days. A shout out to Rosemary, Head of front desk, Spence, Matre D for 3 amazing breakfasts and the famed Johhny for our fab evening sat night meal with duck and feather blade beef, a dish to die for. Also many thanks to all the friendly staff inc. Dylan on castle front door and Bernard and his horse Cilla! To Machella Spa Manager many thanks for the professional service and care. A first class stay, amazing Donegal people set this property appart from other well known properties on Lough Eske! Congrats to the owner of Harcourt Developments, Pat Doherty OBE, his family and the Mgmnt team for the vision and investment in this majestic, informal Castle hotel resort. We had a tremendous time. We look forward to a return again soon. Thanks to everyone for making us feel welcome, special and appreciated!..Thank you.

Fantastic experience: Fantastic stay at Lough Eske Castle. Beautiful surroundings, hugely attentive and sincere staff and comfortable rooms. We will be back, this is Irish hospitality at its finest.

Fantastic experience: An amazing place to stay, and I had the best Steak I have ever had, cooked to perfection.

Fantastic experience: Fabulous afternoon tea there. Amazing place and extremely good value for money. A fraction of what it costs in Dublin for afternoon tea in the same standard of hotel. Next time we go back we will stay there too.

Fantastic experience: My husband and I spent our honeymoon here 2 weeks ago, we were so well looked after, from Gerard the concierge, to Kayla on reception, through to Eligance in the restaurant, the whole staff treated us like royalty. The hotel and grounds are fab and the opportunity of a horse and carriage ride was amazing.

Positive experience: Meant to be 5 star Our room wasn't ready until well after 3 o'clock check in, due to quality checks on the room apparently, tried flushing toilet didn't work bulbs out in the bathroom, I could go on.

Positive experience: Disappointing Honeymoon Experience - Poor Service at Cedars Restaurant We stayed at Lough Eske Castle for our honeymoon on October 30th and 31st, expecting a memorable experience. Unfortunately, the service fell far below expectations. Room service never arrived, even after multiple requests, and we had to retrieve our own laundry bags after they failed to deliver. Despite checking in for dinner at 7 PM, we were asked to return at 8:15 PM, even though the restaurant was only about 15-20% full. When finally seated, it took 25 minutes and a request just to get water, and service remained inattentive throughout the meal. The food itself was good, but the disjointed staff seemed uninterested in the guests’ needs. We didn’t receive all the items we ordered and were still billed for them initially. The lack of coordination and attention from staff was disheartening. Our first night left us hopeful, but the second night was a major disappointment. I would not recommend dining at Cedars Restaurant; the service does not match the quality of the food. For a honeymoon, I would recommend considering other accommodations like Ashford Castle or even a simple motel, as the service at Lough Eske simply doesn’t meet the standards of a luxury experience.

Fantastic experience: We had a family lunch here today for our joint birthday celebration. Everything is great, staff are friendly, kind and funny It's been a while since we were here and we enjoyed it. Highly recommended because it's heaven on earth.

Fantastic experience: We recently celebrated our wedding at Lough Eske Castle, and I cannot emphasize enough how incredible the entire experience was. From the moment we arrived, the staff went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect, not just for us but also for our guests. A special shoutout to the amazing concierge team who greeted everyone at the doors. They made each of our guests feel so welcome and treated us like family. The level of service was nothing short of extraordinary. We even had a bit of a wedding day disaster when we realized we had forgotten our rings in the bridal suite on the way to the church! In a panic, we called the hotel, and Shea from the concierge team saved the day by rushing the rings into town as quickly as possible. He got them there just in time, and we were beyond relieved. To top it all off, the breakfast was absolutely fantastic! Our guests couldn't stop raving about how fresh and delicious everything was—the perfect way to start each day. All the rooms are extremely spacious and beautiful, adding to the overall luxury of our stay, especially the new extension they recently added. The team at Lough Eske Castle are unforgettable!

Fantastic experience: Very nice property! My wife and I spent our 30yr anniversary here and was not disappointed. 5 star experience in every way. Outstanding

Fantastic experience: Had the most beautiful weekend here.we stayed in the Donegal suite ( the new part of the castle) All staff were extremely polite & friendly. As some one who travels a lot and has stayed in many beautiful places, that is very high up on the list. I would recommend it to every one. Inside the castle is absolutely stunning, the grounds are well Maintained, With lots of beautiful sculptures. The star of the weekend was Gerard- Gerard helped us carry bags to our room, he also gave lots of great local Recommendations. He was such a lovely genuine person, The castle is so lucky to have him. My only one comment which is, I couldn’t get a classic lemon drop Will definitely return ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fantastic experience: Lough Eske Castle Lough Eske Castle is truly a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable hotel experience. Its exquisitely appointed rooms ooze with old-world charm. Roaming over 40 acres of beautifully manicured gardens and woodland trails allows you to relax and drift into a tranquil state of mind. When you awake in the morning, stroll through the woodlands for a view of the fog shrouding Lough Eske. Arrive back at the hotel for an award-winning meal at the beautiful Cedars Restaurant, serving breakfast, dinner, and Sunday lunch. If you arrive without a vehicle, arrange to get a ride to Donegal Town. The town is full of historic sites, such as Donegal Castle and Donegal Abbey. Be sure to stop by Hannah Hats, the last hand-made cap maker in Ireland. There are many eateries in the town; we suggest Olde Castle Seafood Bar. Lunch is available back at Lough Eske with scrumptious food at Gallery Bar or The Father Browne Bar. Both have delightful menus. Explore the historic photographs of Father Browne and dig into his amazing journey of life through his works. The Lough Eske Castle is truly a memorable experience of luxury and elegance.

Fantastic experience: PLUSES: - Very polite and attentive service. - Gym, sauna, and hot tub were nice amenities. - Several complimentary snacks; chips, peanuts, cookies, tea and coffee. - Hair Conditioner is stocked in the showers. MINUSES: - The bed was a bit too firm to be comfortable; my shoulders and behind could not sink down enough to feel supported. - The bed pillows were too bulky, especially for a back or stomach sleeper. - There was a small gap in the window where the AC unit intake was placed.

Positive experience: It's a lovely hotel, but it's missing some key things. While at breakfast, we were seated, but no one came to take our order until 30 mins into breakfast, to which we were done with eating from the cold breakfast. They were standing in a corner laughing and gossiping about something. A lady had to go up to someone to ask them to take her order. They did this to everyone sitting there. When we checked in, someone was supposed to show us to our room but never did. They do this because they want to show you the location and it's a maze in here of rooms. The bar tender last night that served us (man with hair bun) he was wonderful! However, the staff are understaffed. There weren't enough people helping them, and many looked exhausted and rushed. That's on the owner. The hotel needs to be cleaned better. There are fingerprints on the glass on every door, and the wood has fingerprints, too. The walls are marked up in places as well. The bed was comfortable and the rooms were nice. That is a plus. But I wouldn't call this place homey. I love the library and red room with the fireplace. But I would not say it's worth what you pay. The lake is beautiful, and so are the grounds. But there needs to be some things addressed. The gregans Hotel could share some tips with the owners. That hotel was fantastic and worth every penny!

Fantastic experience: Amazing experience from start to finish. Exceptional service from your lovely staff. Rooms were impeccable and the castle itself was gorgeous. The dining was impressive from the bar area to the main restaurant. Can't wait to stay again.

Fantastic experience: A superb hotel with fantastic amenities set within well maintained grounds. Stunning views, warm welcoming staff always willing to help, exceptional locally sourced food, spacious rooms with a superb range of toiletries, lovely lounge with real fires for relaxing in and ample parking spaces. Donegal is a quaint picturesque little town with good tourist amenities & shops to cater for any type of stay. It's a great base for exploring the Iocal area. From the moment we arrived at The Lough Eske Castle Hotel, we were greeted with a very warm and friendly welcome. The decor and ambience throughout the hotel were very opulent and magnificent to see. I was particularly impressed with the cleanliness of the public & ptivate areas The waiting staff were attentive, proactive, and very knowledgeable of the hotel and surrounding area. A gorgeous relaxing spa and extensive grounds with some great walking trails add to the tranquillity of the stay at Lough Eske Castle hotel.

Fantastic experience: A Magical Anniversary Stay at a Historic Castle My wife and I recently celebrated our 20th anniversary with a stay at a magnificent castle dating back to 1861, and it exceeded all our expectations. From the moment we arrived, we were enchanted by the castle’s stunning architecture and the serene surroundings. The room we stayed in was elegant, with a perfect blend of historic charm and modern luxury. The bed was incredibly comfortable, offering us one of the best nights of sleep we’ve had in a long time. The highlight of our stay was the exquisite five-star dinner. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented, with flavors that delighted the palate. The dining experience felt truly special, and the service was impeccable. For anyone looking for a romantic and luxurious escape, this castle offers an unforgettable experience. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect way to celebrate our milestone. Highly recommended!

Positive experience: Nicely situated on Lough Eske this hotel has plenty of things to see and do. The rooms were lovely and the overall vibe of the place was magical. However not sure if was the time that we had booked the hotel but for a 5 star hotel we were let down by the overall package as a whole. We had booked the Romantic Proposal package which I had requested chocolate strawberries and macaroons to be left in the room upon arrival, these were missing and I had to go to reception to get them brought to the room while we relaxed in the thermal spa, this package also included diner at the Cedar Restaurant which upon arrival they were not aware of the booking we had made while checking in , which was fine but then the overall service took the best part of 2 hours with our staters taking 45 mins to arrive. The food however was delicious, but not worth the overall wait. I would normally be one to let this slide, but for the amount of money we spent and the place we were staying we just expected a lot more. It did seem like the staff were under a lot of pressure as there was a wedding going on at the same time, but these things are usually booked well in advance and I would assume a 5 star hotel like Lough Eske would have taken this into account.

Fantastic experience: An exquisite hotel on fantastic grounds. The Whiskey Tasting was delightful.

Fantastic experience: Attended a conference. Could have been more outdoors for me. An inspiring setting where Nature and Business come together.

Negative experience: TLDR - This is a 3 star at best but given the price point, 2. Since this hotel bills itself as a luxury 4/5 star resort, we expected better for the prices they charge. If you still want to give this place a go, I'd recommend booking midweek unless you want to be surrounded by wedding activities and guests in every part of the hotel during your stay. This was a stay as part of our Honeymoon and we were really excited about it as it was the most expensive hotel during our 35 night trip and it was not relaxing nor that luxurious. They could take some pointers from Ballynahinch Castle. The highlights: 1. Very nice massage 2. Grounds are beautiful 3. Room size, furnishings and bed were high end. Bathroom was large, modern and updated Things that made this less than a 4 star experience: 1. We were "upgraded" to a suite which was directly over the bar, meaning we couldn't sleep until after 11pm when the live music stopped. You could hear it clear as day in the Lady Francis suite. We were also across the hall from a bridal suite so we heard loud knocking, doors slamming and congregating in the hallway with loud talking starting at 6am and not stopping until the group left the hotel near 11am. Every 5 minutes people were in and out of the room. 2. Dirty plates in the clean plates stack in the breakfast buffet (several, not just 2) 3. Cedars was billed as a nice upscale restaurant and was mediocre at best. The 2.5 hour meal was almost offensive for a starter, main and dessert. Food quality was pretty average or below average. The salmon dish in the Gallery bar was the best food we ate at the hotel. 4. The robes are in thread barren condition. All the ones I used had large enough holes to stick your finger through 5. The thermal suite was nice but the steam room and sauna were not functioning, nor was the heated bench or the tropical shower. PRO TIP, do not pay for the private hot tub, there is a lovely large Jacuzzi inside you can use for free. The hot tubs are outdoors and not very private (you overlook them from the indoor Jacuzzi). I don't know why anyone would pay extra for those 6. Thermal suite amenities are lacking. A sign indicated extra amenities at the desk, I asked for a brush or comb which they didn't have (I feel it's courteous to shower before a massage but my hair was a tangled mess after no shampoo or brush). The shower in the smaller area off the thermal suite had no shampoo (one of the large 8oz bottles on the wall) which made me think it wasn't cleaned in several days because you would have filled the shampoo up. Also no wash clothes?? 7. There is a back staircase that leads to the back door of the courtyard and the carpet is dirty and has many dead bugs in it. It didn't change during our stay so no one was vacuuming this area. It's how you get from the second floor of the castle outside to go to the spa facilities. 8. We took out complimentary bikes which are just borderline dangerous. Gears don't change, tires need air, gears are squeaky and brakes need servicing. For the price of this hotel, invest in some new bikes for guests that can handle the hills on the route you send us on....we aren't even 40 years old and had to walk the bikes because we couldn't get them up some of the steeper hills 9. They have many lounges but only ever had a fire lit in one of them which meant that was the most popular and crowded. A luxury experience would have many fires lit so people could spread out and enjoy the ambience of the hotel. Also they only lit them at night when the mornings were colder and would have been nice to enjoy coffee there in the mornings. 10. The staff were the best part of the hotel but you could tell they were frazzled at times and potentially understaffed. Overall, there are many people buzzing about this hotel and so many obvious cleaning and maintenance items that someone should be empowered to fix, yet people just walk by then without doing anything. For the price point, I don't think I'd come back. We stopped by Harveys Point and I'd like to try their hotel next time.

Fantastic experience: This place does 5 star really well. They park your car, bring your bags in, and seem genuinely happy to help. Shea was so kind and really went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and taken care of. The room was beyond our expectation's with a towel warmer, large couch, and a jacuzzi. We also enjoyed breakfast here that was delicious and again incredible service. I really wish we stayed here longer to take advantage of the pool, sauna, spa and bike path. This place was so worth it highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: Excellent in all respects. The rooms, the food, the facilities, the friendly staff. All 5 star.

Fantastic experience: I think this might be the nicest hotel I’ve ever stayed at. The rooms are spacious with great amenities. The bathroom is amazing. Great water pressure. The rooms have air conditioning which is great for someone who likes to sleep in a cool room. The bed was awesome. The staff is nothing short of spectacular, everyone is so helpful and kind. We also did a horse carriage ride around the area with a 4th generation local. Highly recommended! Only stayed one night and wished we stayed longer. This place is a gem. I feel like I need to go back and lower the 5 star ratings I’ve given out. This place is a 6 star.

Fantastic experience: We had a lovely afternoon tea and spa day here back in August. Would 100% recommend the spa indulgence package. We had a lovely afternoon tea, the server was more than accommodating to our parties dietary requirements. Following this we had a relaxing time in the spa. Ciara was so friendly and respectful and made us feel so welcome. Looking forward to coming back in October!

Fantastic experience: Such a wonderful experience from the welcome, to the opulent rooms and bathrooms, outstanding breakfast and dinner. First class service all the way.

Fantastic experience: Lovely quiet evening of dessert & mocktails .....excellent service in elegant yet friendly surroundings

Fantastic experience: I was there for a wedding. Lovely and romantic place. The food was very good and the service nice and professional

Fantastic experience: We stayed for one night in August but wish we could have stayed longer. Rooms were well appointed, food was excellent and service was great. Would have loved to explore the grounds more, next time!

Fantastic experience: This place is quite lovely and aesthetically stunning. We stayed in the rooms across from the spa, which were once the castle’s stables, making them extremely large and spacious. The bathroom was exceptional, featuring an overhead shower and a large bathtub. The food here is excellent—filling and flavorful, which is impressive for a five-star hotel. The service from everyone we encountered, from the bellhop to the bartender to the waiter, was accommodating, polite, and very sweet. We truly appreciated the staff's warmth and attentiveness. Afternoon tea in the beautiful Green Room was delightful, and while the whiskey tasting was just okay, the spa experience was a bit underwhelming, especially since the steam room, my favorite, was out of service. Despite these minor setbacks, the overall service and quality were definitely worth the price.

Fantastic experience: Had an amazing stay at this wonderful Castle. The staff was exceptional and we took a very enjoyable carriage ride. Beautiful area with great scenery, make sure you take a walk through the trails and check out the lake.

Fantastic experience: One of the best hotels we've stayed in and we have been around the world in 5 stars. Food was stunning and the rooms are amazing.

Fantastic experience: The castle was our central location for playing golf at donegal and naring portnoo. We had a great stay at the castle, experienced outstanding service and hospitality. We highly recommend the hotel/ castle for all other opportunities.

Fantastic experience: Rooms were very noisy and doors constantly banging. But overall a fabulous hotel and place to stay. Staff were great, friendly and professional.

Fantastic experience: Beautiful hotel with all of the refinement one expects of such an establishment. Fantastic staff, lovely and generous breakfasts, and a wonderful dinner with reasonably priced wines and cocktails. Laura and Johnny in the dinning room made the experience even better. We stayed in the cottage at the gate house and the private, quaint cottage with fantastic views was a joy. Close to Donegal, Slieve League, and some beautiful scenery. A true gem Ireland should be proud of.

Positive experience: The grounds and the castle of Lough Eske are undeniably beautiful, offering a picturesque and serene environment that initially captivated us. However, our stay in the Courtyard King room left much to be desired. Upon entering, we were immediately struck by a musty smell that lingered throughout our stay. To our dismay, the "King" bed was actually two twin beds pushed together. This arrangement left me spending the entire night in the uncomfortable gap between the mattresses. If you're booking a king room, be sure to ask if it’s an actual king bed or two twins pushed together, especially if you’re assigned room 141. We dined at Cedar's Restaurant during our stay, where the presentation was superb. The fish was delicious—perfectly cooked and full of flavor. However, the filet was a complete disappointment. Despite being cooked to perfection, the cut of meat was the worst I have ever encountered, with a horrendous taste that overshadowed the chef's skill. Adding to our concerns, we found that the Q-tips in room were covered in mold—something I would not expect at any hotel, let alone one of this stature. Given these issues, I would choose another castle if given the opportunity. Lough Eske Castle may have stunning grounds, but the experience inside left much to be desired.

Fantastic experience: We haven't even stayed yet but already excited about this hotel. Staff extremely pleasant and professional on phone and over email in relation to my booking, something I've never experience before. Elizabeth at reception extremely friendly and helpful. I'm sure this review will only get better once we arrive there!

Fantastic experience: Amazing place with great people. Spencer and Sara together with all the chefs who cooked that amazing food were simply the best during our stay. Came away and we said that was actually good value for money!

Fantastic experience: Incredible time spent staying at Lough Eske Castle. I booked one night to treat myself as I was doing a solo road trip through Ireland and I truly wish I could have stayed longer. I enjoy a beautiful room with double doors that opened up into a patio. I had delicious afternoon tea, a whisky tasting, and a delightful three-course meal. The staff was incredibly kind and helpful. In the morning I had a wonderful breakfast in my room before going on the grounds tour and getting a massage at the spa. All in all a fantastic experience. This may be cheesy but sometime solo traveling gives me time to reflect and gain some perspective. My wonderful experience at Lough Este Castle reminded me of how we are all deserving of nice things and that kindness can be found everywhere. Hehe maybe a lot for a one-night stay, but I truly drove away feeling anew.

Positive experience: Very nice, cool setting but honestly it's not as posh as Harvey's Point just a couple kilometers down the road. The rooms are nice but not 5-star quality or worth the price in my opinion.

Fantastic experience: Can’t say enough great things about Lough Eske. Most friendly and fabulous staff. Shea (porter), among others will take care of you and have you smiling with their stories and effusive demeanour. Great jumping off point for west Donegal shore / Wild Atlantic Way.

Fantastic experience: Absolutely gorgeous castle hotel. We stayed in 2018, and it's just as beautiful this year as it was then. The grounds are so pretty! The staff is on point and does a fantastic job taking care of their guests. Highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: We went to Lough Eske Castle this afternoon for afternoon tea, 4 adults and 4 children for my sisters 50th birthday. We received such a warm welcome from the staff, the food was amazing, service was 5 star ⭐️ too and the setting was beautiful. 5 star review for a 5 star hotel, service and food. Thank you. We are planning out next visit and this time to stay for a 3 night stay.

Fantastic experience: Our favorite hotel in Ireland - absolutely exquisite. Rooms are SO comfortable, beautiful location. They helped find a driver (I'm sorry I forgot his name) who took us on a tour of Donegal for the day. We had a car but wanted someone to show us around, it was perfect. I can't wait to return!

Fantastic experience: An experience that you'll remember! The grounds and hiking trails around the castle are fantastic! The restaurants and bar maintained the castle esthetic and charm while offering great food and beverages. Afternoon tea is something you can not miss either, very well done. My only gripe is that the bathroom had signs of slight water damage.

Positive experience: We visited the spa and had lunch in bar/restaurant. The spa is beautiful, staff are excellent and the area is well kept and clean. The food, while we had to wait a while to receive it, was ok. The service was very poor, no one brought out drinks, and it seemed all staff disappeared once we got our food, so we couldn't ask. Our meal was over a good 10 minutes and still no sign, so we got up, paid and left. The gentleman who gave us our bill did apologise, but the whole experience did put a damper on the day. The main restaurant/bar also just felt run down, curtains hanging off the poles lamps askew and dead flowers in the vases on the tables. Tables not wiped. I was also shocked to see the amount of rubbish built up around the bins in the ladies toilets. It did not have that 5 star feel at all.

Fantastic experience: We went for a spa day and lunch and it was so amazing the spa itself was stunning thermal suite and hot tub pure heaven got the most amazing full body myself and my partner I went in feeling so tense but came out feeling amazing my therapist was so professional and made me feel so comfortable, my partner would say the same about his experience we then went and had lunch in the gallery bar which was gorgeous so fresh and service was Brillant would highly recommend a spa day and lunch here bar manager and bar staff were so accommodating

Fantastic experience: I am a Chauffeur who collected clients from the castle. The clients said that their stay was simply too short. They wished they had booked a few more nights to enjoy further the facilities and the wonderful grounds and Lough Eske itself. They could not have given this place a higher recommendation.

Fantastic experience: Great spot near Donegal. Huge room, lovely staff, excellent breakfast, restaurant and room service selections. The grounds are soooooo beautiful! Loved the jackrabbits. The surrounding area offers a LOT. Huge cliffs, castles, shopping, beaches. Would return in a heartbeat.

Fantastic experience: We had an exceptional stay at this hotel. The staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating, making us feel right at home. We celebrated our wedding anniversary here, and it was the perfect choice. The hotel itself is stunning and offers a truly relaxing atmosphere. One of the standout experiences was the afternoon tea, which was delightful and complemented perfectly by the spa services. Overall, our time here was superb and exceeded all our expectations. We couldn’t be happier with our stay and highly recommend it for a special occasion or a relaxing getaway.

Positive experience: May 2024. This stay was toward the end of our 2 week itinerary and we had hoped for great things. While the castle and grounds were beautiful there we a couple of things that detracted from our anniversary stay. I have to note that the massage I got in the spa from Yordan was probably one of the best massages I’ve ever had and I’ve had a lot! Book him if possible. The hot tubs were ok, we paid extra, but don’t expect anyone to check on you or bring you anything to drink. We needed up going to our room getting a bottle of wine and hunting down an opener to enjoy a beverage. It lacked ambiance and you are looking at the back of the spa building so no view. Out room was very nice but it had gotten into the 70s that day and it was stifling hot in there. We called down for a fan after waiting an hour and a half we called back down and they said they couldn’t find one. It would have been nice to know that so we hadn’t waited up. It was a hot night. The most disappointing thing was our dinner. Service was frustrating because we were ignored and basically had to flag down our guy every step of the way. The food was mediocre, not at all like most of the dinners we enjoyed across Ireland. Wish we would have skipped the stay and stayed an extra night at the shelbourne in Dublin!

Fantastic experience: Had the most divine, relaxing 2 days at Lough Eske. Secluded and quiet I was really able to chill out and switch off. All of the staff were fantastic and attentive. Rooms were spotless and very spacious. Food was gorgeous and the selection at breakfast was first class. The vast grounds are kept so neat and tidy...we walked for hours. Great spa facilities...the pool was lovely. I had a fabulous massage on the morning we were leaving. Just what I needed. All in all Lough Eske and its staff are phenomenal...so much so we've booked to go back in a few months

Fantastic experience: Outstanding service and amazing hotel overall. The rooms were beautiful and comfortable. The bathroom was huge and clean. The food at breakfast and the bar was very good. The grounds are so beautiful and there is so much to do. I was sad to leave!!

Fantastic experience: Room, perfect! Had a corner room on the second floor overlooking the courtyard. Spacious room, huge bathroom, and comfy bed (so comfy in fact we slept through our initial alarms!). Staff were incredibly helpful and kind, they really made our toddler feel welcomed and loved. No need to leave as food, relaxation, spa, entertainment, etc is all onsite! We'll definitely be back, according to my wife our 10 year anniversary will be spent at the Lough Eske Castle!

Fantastic experience: Exceptional service, beautiful grounds, large wonderful bathrooms in each relaxing room. Spa experience was better than expected!

Fantastic experience: We traveled to Lough Eske Castle for our elopement and we were treated like royalty , which isn’t always easy to do when we also have a toddler in tow. The hotel never made us feel unwelcome for having a small kid with us—I’ve honestly never felt so pampered and taken care of. We received a lovely room upgrade and everyone we interacted with was so kind and helpful. The was the single best hotel stay of my life!

Fantastic experience: Had a wonderful evening, missed the whiskey tasting, but Adrian stepped up and gave us an impromptu one. He was very knowledgeable and equally entertaining. Our only regret was that we were only booked for one night, highly recommend at least two nights !! Cheers

Positive experience: The grounds of Lough Eske are beautiful and quiet. The spa facilities were pleasant and the treatment I received was very good; however, we left feeling disappointed. As a young couple, staying in a place like Lough Eske, particularly considering the price point and its 5-star status is quite a big deal. Our experience fell short, meriting no more than a 3-star rating from both myself and my partner. While the staff were generally friendly, the service fell far below expectations. This was particularly prevalent at the dinner service. We had pre-booked a table, however we were left waiting for 10-15 mins to be seated. This delay was especially frustrating given the lack of significant crowds. When we were finally seated, we were served bread which was definitely not fresh and slightly stale. We ordered starters, mains and a bottle of wine. Firstly, the wrong starters were brought to our table and then we had to ask twice to receive our wine after the starters were served. Disappointing, particularly considering the expense of the bottle we ordered. Throughout the meal, attracting the attention of staff was challenging. At one point, we sought guidance on selecting a glass of red wine, the waitress offered my partner a taste of a particular wine but then poured half a glass of it and departed, leaving us unable to rectify the mistake; we couldn’t get anyones attention. Overall, the food was average at best, yet extremely overpriced. Our experience, unfortunately, did not align with the expectations set by Lough Eske's reputation and price point. There are definitely good points to Lough Eske, such as the grounds, spa and facilities, however the dining and bar experience left us feeling overall disappointed. With the dinner costing 224 euro, we received worse service and similar food to our local pub grub restaurant.

Fantastic experience: The Castle provided amazing service . All staff were very friendly and helpful. The breakfast was outstanding. Shea and Jake provided fantastic service. We truly enjoyed ourselves.

Fantastic experience: Beautiful castle in very picturesque Lough Ekse setting. The staff are super friendly and helpful, offering directions for all amenities offered along with the hiking and biking trails. Our room was excellent with very comfortable accommodations from beds to the seating to the bath and shower. The restaurant and bars were great and offered a great selection of dining choice from high end to pub fare.

Positive experience: While the staff at arrival and check in were amazing, the dining room staff were completely opposite. The room was very pretty and on the 2nd floor. Spacious and authentic. Bed was Not comfortable at all. We both were miserable and woke hurting. Dinner is by reservation and we were the 2nd table to be sat. It took 4 tries with the waiter to just get 2 glasses of water and ordering one cocktail. He completely ignored my partner when he tried 3 times to order a cocktail. Once he took the drink order he was no where to be found to take the food order. 18 min later drinks were dropped off we waited 8 min for the waiter to order food. It's a good thing another brings the food out. Unfortunately the waiter takes the completed plates so we were now 53 min into dining when our dinner was being brought out. We waited 36 min to get dinner plates removed and desert menu offered. By this time 5 other tables had been sat, served and were paying their bill. This entire time we never were offered water or another cocktail and the person dropping off food couldn't take that order. After we ate dessert, still nothing to drink, we sat waiting for our check. Finally a woman came over and asked if we needed anything, we asked for the check. A 3 course meal took 2 hours and 14 min, cost $198 euro for 2 with no apology. We were appalled and disappointed. As pretty as the Place is....eat somewhere else. Cheaper hotels were much better all around.

Fantastic experience: April 2024 - wonderful stay. Our suite was comfortably furnished with a beautiful bathroom (heated floors). Lovely grounds to walk around and lounges inside the castle to sit. Food was excellent for both dinner and breakfast. My husband enjoyed the swimming pool, sauna and indoor hot tub (you need to pay extra and reserve the outdoor hot tub which he did not do). Wonderful stay, would highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: A jaw dropping experience truly. The staff was incredibly kind and welcoming. The rooms were very spacious and seemed like a truly luxurious getaway. We spent our one night at the pub and bar and ate a great meal. I would recommend staying more than one night if you hope to use Spa services due to timing/openings. It’s beautiful enough that it’s worth an extra nights stay for the experience!

Fantastic experience: We had an Amazing Trip to Donegal .. Lough Eske Castle is Simply Stunning. From The Staff , to The Rooms and The Location . A well Earned 5 Stars .. All members of Staff Were Brilliant but A few Members of Staff stood out for us. Alan Barman in The Gallery, Dylan Mc Davitt Concierge, Katie in the Gallery Restaurant . We will definitely return to Lough Eske soon .

Negative experience: Ate this evening in the bar as we have done many times before the food was lovely but the service was just awful! They were very busy but the waiter just appeared to forget about us, even though he looked in our direction several times however he was very very attentive to his American guests! It’s a shame because the guests he bent over backwards for tonight, will probably never return, whereas we visit (did) several times a year. We did want dessert but ended up leaving as he never came back. I left feeling so disappointed and in doubt as to whether I’d return again after years of having had many dinners, stays and parties here as this is now the second time the service has been poor, the last time being several months ago before tonight! Such a shame, hope the service improves for ALL guests as it was one of my favourite places.

Positive experience: What a lovely hotel, great location and friendly staff. I stayed in 108, the room pretty big and elegantly kitted out. The steam room next to the pool needs updating, but apart from that its a great place for 1 or 2 nites.

Fantastic experience: We went on spa at Lough Eske yesterday and had the most amazing time. The grounds and entrance provide a grand yet peaceful location. The facilities were just beautiful for the spa and the staff were lovely. Treatments were delightful and Shea happily drove one of our guests with mobility issues to and from the castle. We then enjoyed lunch in the castle bar, to our delight. A wonderful experience and can't wait to return for a long weekend. Thanks to all at Lough Eske. They've earned every star! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Fantastic experience: Castle is a little hidden gem. Bigger than it looks and all kinds of rooms to plop yourselves in and admire the paintings and chandeliers or read a book. Also the food and drink menu were superb. We ate in the Gallery Lounge in front of the fireplace. Our room was in the stables overlooking the gardens. So cute and unique! A big shout out to the 2 concierges, Shea and Dylan! Both were so inviting and provided the history of castle. Both urged us to go explore Slieve League, the highest maritime cliffs in Ireland. We had a fantastic hike and are now enjoying our pints as a reward!

Positive experience: Nice hotel hidden away in secluded grounds. Rooms were generous size, clean and comfortable. Staff throughout were very pleasant. However, we had very poor service for food in the Father Browne Bar. We decided to eat there as pizza was on offer for a fussy eater. A number of other families with kids decided the same. There was only one staff member assigned to do both the bar service and food service. Food was being delivered from upstairs. It took 2 hours for 2 courses. Side order never came. One of the pizzas came with rocket instead of Roquefort. Not what we would have expected from a 5 star hotel. It may have been an off night, but we would suggest the bar for drinks only and eat in The Gallery or the main restaurant.

Fantastic experience: Wonderful experience! The property is beautiful and the staff are very warm and helpful. The specialty cocktails are very good and the lounges are comfortable to relax in for a while. The afternoon tea is also fantastic.

Fantastic experience: Stayed this week at the beautiful Lough Eske Castle Hotel and I would like to say that the service was second to none, the hotel and surrounds were fantastic but if you are a "foody" then the food experience that we enjoyed was SPECTACULAR hard to match it across the whole of Ireland. Thank you Sinead for all your help in reservations and especially for your upgrade- 10/10

Fantastic experience: This is a very memorable location to stay at! From the first sight of the castle to every employee being genuinely kind and helpful this place is top notch. The employees do not care who you are, they treat everyone like royalty! The courtyard room we stayed in was very spacious and luxurious without being gaudy. The bed was extremely comfortable leading to one of the best nights of sleep I can remember. Walking the castle grounds was relaxing. The view of the castle at night was equally as impressive as the daytime. Some things are worth the price, this is one of them. Well done to everyone at Lough Eske Castle, well done! I will stay here again if I ever get back to Ireland.

Fantastic experience: Lovely hotel but it's not cheap. Excellent food, staff well trained and attentive. Great Spa. Now If they could just build a roof over Donegal it would be perfect.

Fantastic experience: Stayed at Lough Eske last week and had such a wonderful stay. When we entered the hotel, greeted by the big staircase, it was so cosy and inviting. The interior of this hotel is just perfect. Such a great location during the cold wet months. The staff were beyond friendly and check in was super quick. Our bags were brought to our room. We booked the superior deluxe room. Our room was around where they were doing construction and it could be seen from the hallway walking to our room but this was not invasive at all and there was signs apologising for any inconvenience. There was absolutely no noise from this and the view from our room window was not impacted at all. The room was perfect. Chocolates and a personal letter were left for us which is always a nice touch. Apart from a few scratches, marks and scuffs on the furniture and walls, this room was perfect. After we arrived we decided to take a walk around the hotel to look at the spa and gym. The spa is in a separate building from the castle but by no means a long walk. On our first night, we went for dinner and George was our server. He was beyond helpful and polite. The food was to die for. Everything was just amazing I can’t fault anything. On the second day, we got up for breakfast. Everything we tried was lovely and it was nice to have the choice to order and to go up and pick whatever you wanted too. We also had spa treatments booked and the outdoor hot tub this day. I used the gym before all this. The gym is quite small but it has pretty much everything you’d need. Cardio machines, weighted machines, dumbbells (which look like new), 3 kettlebells, a yoga block, a few mats and one bench. To be honest there could be more benches but I know that there isn’t due to the actual size of the gym, it’s pretty packed with what’s in it. There was 2 other people in the gym when I was there and tbh if there was anymore than that it would feel way too crowded. Overall a good gym with clean and well looked after equipment. The spa treatments were just amazing. We got 30 min massages. I didn’t catch the woman’s name but she was beyond friendly and amazing at what she does. The ultimate way to relax, would 100% recommend. The staff at spa reception are also so friendly and accommodating. After our treatments we spent time in the relaxation room with complimentary sorbets and I made an herbal tea. It was lovely here. Then we checked out the thermal suite. This is quite small and we didn’t really spend much time here because it was a little bit busy. Everything seemed good but just again, quite small. Then it was time for our hot tub, this was great. It was freezing getting in and out of it but was still lovely to sit and relax in the bubbles with a glass of Prosecco. After all this we went back to the room to get ready for dinner on night two. The restaurant was super busy and the poor staff had their hands full. They were extremely apologetic for the wait and gave us complimentary Prosecco and sorbet which was nice. The food, again, was gorgeous. We were quite full after the two courses and we inquired if we could get dessert sent up to our room, this was an extra €5 to do this but we didn’t mind. Overall the stay was one of the best we’ve had. The staff were friendly, the food was amazing, the hotel itself was lovely even to just walk around the common areas. Would definitely recommend if you’re looking for a luxury getaway. We’d love to come back