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Ballygarry House Hotel & Spa

This pleasant privately-owned hotel just outside Tralee presents a neat face to arriving guests and also has extensive landscaped gardens at the back; recent improvements to the main Tralee-Killarney road have worked in the hotel’s favour as a slip road has been created, making access much easier and easing traffic noise.

Now in the third generation of ownership by the McGillicuddy family, the hotel’s 50th anniversary fell in 2008, and it’s greatly to the credit of the management that so many features of the original 18th century Ballygarry House, and the traditions of hospitality that were established in the early days, have been maintained.

It is held in affection locally and recent refurbishment, which has brought a more contemporary tone to the furnishing style, has been undertaken with due respect, with warm colours creating a welcoming atmosphere in the smart public areas.

Accommodation is very pleasing, with many thoughtful details adding to the comfort of a stay - rooms overlooking the gardens at the back are particularly attractive and should be quieter.

This is an appealing hotel, with exceptionally friendly and helpful staff, and it is moderately priced for the high standard offered.

It is understandably popular for weddings

Conferences/Banqueting (600/400); free broadband wi/fi. Children welcome (under 4s free in parents' room; cot available without charge, baby sitting arranged). Spa (jacuzzi, steam room, beauty salon, hairdressing, massage, treatments). Walking, garden. Golf & fishing (sea angling, coarse) nearby.

Rooms 64 (2 suites, 9 junior suites, 11 family, 12 ground floor, 2 disabled, all no smoking) Lift. 24 hour room service. Turndown service. B&B €75-95pps, ss€30, no sc. No pets. Heli-pad. Closed 23-27 Dec.

Brooks:

This well appointed restaurant is pleasingly set up overlooking the gardens at the back of the hotel and the modern classical food is appealing. Quite an extensive à la carte menu is offered, and its strength is in the presentation of traditional dishes with a successful modern twist.

Cooking is sound, presentation attractive - and, best of all, staff are attentive and hospitable.

Brooks : This well appointed restaurant pleasingly set up towards the back of the hotel and head chef Padraig Kerrins’ modern classical food has great appeal. He offers quite an extensive a la carte menu, based largely on local produce, and its strength is in the presentation of traditional dishes with a successful modern twist. Cooking is very sound, presentation attractive - and, best of all, staff are attentive and hospitable. Seats 80; children welcome (high chair, childrens menu, baby changing facilities). L & D daily, 12.30-2.30pm & 6.30-9.30pm. D á la carte; set L €27.50. House wine from €24. SC discretionary. Bar meals also available 11am-10pm daily). MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

1 mile fromTralee, on the Killarney road.