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The Malton (formerly Great Southern Hotel Killarney)

The pillared entrance and ivy-clad facade of this classic Victorian railway hotel still convey a sense of occasion but guests who remember it of old are in for a shock. A change of ownership has brought more than a change of name and, although the building itself is protected, the interior has had a modern makeover.

The fine old inner doors have gone (hopefully resting somewhere safe until there is a change of heart) but the welcoming open fire at the entrance remains and still draws guests through to the spacious grandly-pillared foyer, which has had all of its comfortable furnishings removed and now perhaps intentionally feels very like a railway station.

However, it is still convenient to Killarney town (and, of course, the station), the gardens remain intact and it was very much a work in progress at the time of the Guide's summer 2007 visit. The bar had been modernised, but with a lighter hand (Malton prints feature), and other areas had so far remained unchanged.

Accommodation in the newer section of the hotel was undergoing updating appropriate to its age and, in the original building, the bedroom corridors (built wide enough 'to allow two ladies in hooped dresses to pass comfortably'), still set the tone for generously-proportioned suites and executive rooms, furnished to individual designs; refurbishment in these areas had not been completed at the time of our visit.

There are two restaurants: the great gilt-domed Garden Room Restaurant is a prime example of Victorian opulence - contrasting with the smaller contemporary restaurant, Peppers.

Extensive facilities include a leisure centre, spa and tennis - and, belying its central position, the hotel is famously set in 20 acres of landscaped gardens.

Conferences/Banqueting (900/750); broadband wi/fi; business Centre, secretarial services.

Rooms 172 (2 suites, 34 junior suites, 69 superior rooms, family 10, 4 disabled). Lift. 24 hour room service. B&B €140 pps; no SC. Open all year.

Peppers:

While the newly restored Garden Room Restaurant is very grand, Peppers is the hotel's newer bistro-style restaurant - and very much in demand.

Situated quietly in a corner position behind the bar and overlooking the gardens, it is dashingly decorated in contemporary style, with high-back chairs, an elegant black, brown and beige/gold colour scheme and (in common with other areas of the hotel) fine paintings.

The ambience, professional service, imaginative Mediterranean menus and consistently sound cooking make an appealing combination and - unusually for an hotel restaurant - it is well established as one of Killarney's leading eating places.


Seats 150. Children welcome. D Tue-Sat, 6.30-8.30pm; reservations recommended; house wine €24. Amex, Diners, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

In the heart of Killarney town beside Railway Station.