We (my husband and I) spent two nights in Killarney at the Arbutus Hotel and they were wonderful!!! The staff at check in was very friendly and helpful. The gentlemen at the front desk took the time to show us a map of the town (and surrounding areas) and advise us of the best places to visit in our short time there. The hotel was nice and quiet giving us two great nights of sleep! The atmosphere was comfortable and welcoming; each time we entered the hotel we felt at home. We had breakfast both mornings and were greeted by Betty who is very kind and accommodating. She puts a smile on your face which is a great way to start any day, especially when it is raining. We highly recommend this hotel to anyone traveling to Killarney, Ireland.

Thanks a million for a great stay in Killarney. My four sisters and I headed to Killarney for a 40th birthday in Oct. The staff in the Arbutus Hotel were excellent. They even sang happy birthday to my sister at breakfast. Location is great. Staff are wonderful. Ambiance and character top marks.

The Arbutus makes great play on its long history and the initial impression as you enter the reception area is positive - warm antique furnishings and aura of old-fashioned welcome. Thereafter it goes rapidly downhill - Fawlty Towers style! The bedrooms are furnished with dated 50's & 60's pieces in a flowery but drab style and the bathroom only lacked an avocado hue to prevent a full 60's revival.

The hotel's car park is some 300 metres distant - the forecourt outside the staff lodgings, I'd guess - which isn't great when it rains. The adjacent public car park charges from 0800hrs everyday (including Sunday) and Killarney has some fierce parking wardens, so don't take the risk. Finally, as the hotel is right on the street on a mini-roundabout, simply loading / unloading cases becomes a logistical nightmare.

But the icing on the Cake of Shame has to be the restaurant - the hotel's website omits to say that the restaurant rarely opens for dinner so if you arrive late at night seeking a quick meal without having to venture out again, you are sorely (and rudely) disappointed. Then breakfast - if this is a "Great Irish Breakfast" then I'm a Great Dane - the bacon was tasteless, salty and overcooked, the scrambled eggs were like rubber and the 'sausage' was an indescribable pink tube of gloop whilst the coffee was bitter and muddy and the 'freshly squeezed orange juice' was neither fresh nor had any distant relationship with oranges.

Horrible. Avoid like the Bubonic Plague

We stayed for one night (mid-November), and had a great double room with beautiful antique furniture and lovely tub for taking hot baths. The location is amazing, right next to all the restaurants and pubs. For the price, we chose not to do breakfast, and had a delicious meal at Cronin's across the street instead. The wifi signal could have been better (no signal from 1st floor rooms), so we had to sit in the common areas for internet- although beautiful sitting areas with cozy fireplaces. The hourly parking in the back of the hotel was also convenient, since it was free overnight. Despite being late autumn, the streets were lively but with a small-town feel, and the best city-stay of our trip. My only issue was that it was freezing in our room throughout the night, since we we weren't sure how to turn the heat up- but we should have mentioned this to the staff.