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Arbutus Lodge Apartments – reviews, photos

| Aghadoe, Killarney, Ireland
Hotel amenities
Arbutus Lodge Apartments
3.5 of 5 stars 5 Reviews
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5 reviews from our community

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Hampshire, UK
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Great View, Tired Accommodation”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 31 August 2011
1
person found this review helpful

I absolutely agree with the other reviewer, Maloak. In summary, the good is that the view is great and the people accommodating. The bad is that the apartment is pretty awful. We stayed in one of the one-bed apartments overlooking the lake.

We found the apartment to be clean but very tired - if I were selling it, it would be described as "in need of modernisation". The decor and furniture is rather old, carpets need replacing and whilst it was clean you were left wondering how many years the mattress had people sleeping on it, for example. In addition it was poorly equipped with just about enough to get by in the kitchen (no peeler, only one sharp but serrated knife) but I was glad I took a Swiss army knife with me as it came in super handy. If you're intending to self-cater here then take a few bits and pieces with you.

To continue the bad notes, the walls are very thin, easy to hear voices through next door and we had a few small children next to us that were running around well past midnight. I was surprised to be told on arrival electricity was an additional cost to be taken out of the deposit at the end of our week, reminded me of the old 50p coin meters you once had to feed back in the eighties when I was a kid on holiday with my parents! The hot water tank has an immersion heater (everything is electric) but it has no thermostat and no timer so you're responsible for switching on/off manually, so there's waiting around in the morning for a shower for example. The immersion heater and lack of automatic control along with the paper thin walls also meant we were woken up in the middle of the night when various of the neighbouring apartments tanks started to boil, not only making a lot of noise but rather dangerous too.

To end on a positive, the chap running the place (didn't get his name as I only dealt with his wife on the phone who we didn't see all week) was very approachable and fixed our hot tap in the kitchen very quickly as it wasn't working when we arrived. The taps are another thing to bear in mind illustrating the make-to-and-mend attitude of the owners, the hot tap is marked in blue, cold taps are red! The view as everyone has said though is second to none!

Would I book here again...? No!

  • Stayed August 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 2 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Dublin, Ireland
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
“Beautiful scenery”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 August 2011 via mobile
1
person found this review helpful

Stayed here for two nights with my wife, it was very good value and you get for what you pay for. The place was clean and we were able to cook using the facilities provided, this is the second time that we have stayed here and if we were visiting Killarney we would definitely stay here once again, it is a bit outside the town but the price reflects that. If you are looking for humble accommodation with a price to match your wallet then this is the place for you. Car is needed to stay here.

  • Stayed August 2011
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Maldon, United Kingdom
1 review
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Lovely location, shame about the apartment!”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 July 2011
4
people found this review helpful

What a view! Overlooking the lake and mountains of the Killarny National Park you couldn't ask for a better outlook. Also it's in an excellent location for touring the south west coast of Ireland.
We had a one bedroom apartment which was a good size but poorly equipped and could have been cleaner. There obviously was no sound insulation between the apartments as we heard voices, the TV and miscellaneous other crashes and bangs!
The general conditon of the apartment was very tired and compared to self catering accommodation we have used in recent years (in the UK) disappointing, such a shame because there is so much potential there. The owners were pleasant and welcoming.

  • Stayed July 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 2 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Maloak about Arbutus Lodge Apartments
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Buckinghamshire
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
“Magnificent views!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 September 2009

We have been staying at Arbutus Lodge Apartments almost every year for the past 10 years and we love the area, the views, the apartments and the owners are friendly and make sure you have everything you need. We have a favourite apartment but have tried a couple of others and would not dream of staying anywhere else in Killarney. If you don't feel like driving and it's a nice day, you can just walk across the road to the viewing area and sit and look at the lakes and mountains.
There are lots of places to go within an hour's drive of Aghadoe with some beautiful beaches down at Inch and further on to the Dingle Peninsula. If you want to see a taste of tradition, then you must not miss a visit to the Siamsa Tire Folk Theatre in Tralee. This is traditional Irish singing, dancing and storytelling and we have seen some of the productions so moving that they have reduced grown men to tears!
A boat trip on the lakes or a drive through the mountains gives spectacular scenery so have your camera at the ready. The lakes, Torc waterfall, Muckross House and park where there are some wonderful walks, tea at Moll's Gap and then on to Kenmare to Davitts for an evening meal - best lamb in County Kerry - who could ask for more!
We are off to Arbutus Lodge Apartments for our annual visit in two weeks time and can't wait to get there, kick off our shoes, and just relax. The apartments are comfortable, spotlessly clean, good value for the money (300 euro per week in September for living room, kitchen/diner and bedroom with one double and one single bed) and highly recommended. See you there!

  • Stayed October 2008, travelled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask J0anna63 about Arbutus Lodge Apartments
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Northern Ireland
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
“Brilliant apartment, fantastic view”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 September 2007
1
person found this review helpful

We booked this apartment because of the great value for money. For three adults staying seven nights we paid 375 euro! Most other places were charging 500+ euro. We had a fantastic view over the Lakes of killarney and minutes away frtom a brilliant pub which serves fantastic meals at a reasonable price. We were type 1A, one double bedroom and a twin bedroom in the attic. The bathroom was spottless, with shower, no bath. Kitchen was very good, fridge, microwave, toaster, kettle, cooker, cooking utensils, iron, ironing board. Large living room and tv. Private car parking in a quiet peaceful area. There were also one bedroom and studio apartments available. Highlt recommened.

  • Liked — Great views of Killarney and lakes
  • Stayed September 2007, travelled with family
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Check-in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask Bajp23 about Arbutus Lodge Apartments
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

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