we are just back from a wonderful weekend in the bunratty castle hotel.we stayed on the 4th floor in the executive rooms and they were lovely , dinner in the resturant was beautiful and the the stay very very attentive. breakfast was busy but beautiful and pleanty for vegetarians..i have no complaints about this hotel and am already planning a weekend away with kids next time....

Hotel is located just next to the Bunratty Castle… and nothing more there (except restaurants). But castle is enough for me, I spent there almost three afternoons.
I spent in hotel one week and enjoyed that pleasant place a lot. Well appointed clean rooms are very quiet due to the fact that the hotel is …..
Kettle with good amount of tea in my room was a good idea when didn't want go out just to drink something. Breakfast buffet is extensive and good but sometimes it's difficult to find a table for breakfast, specially around 9 o'clock.
Disadvantage could be rather small parking in front of main entrance, and if you have room in the far left side, that's a long way…
Would definitely stay there again.

My husband booked this stay with the Banquet included, as a surprise for my birthday.
First impressions were good, we checked in easily, staff friendly etc. My husband was annoyed that the receptionist blew his surprise by asking about what time we wanted to go to the Banquet (as he had said on booking it was a surprise!). Our room was nice, clean and functional, but nothing special. We had an upgraded room, so I cant comment on the standard rooms.

We got ready for the banquet, collected our ticket at reception and walked down to the castle. It was shut!! We phoned back to the hotel who advised us to try different entrances which we did but no joy. We were back and forth on the phone to the hotel and were eventually informed that the banquet had been cancelled for the weekend. Fuming we returned to the hotel, to the receptionist leaning over the counter talking to her friend/boyfriend with little interest in us. It was 9.45pm at this stage and we were starving. The receptionist apologised and advised us we could eat in the hotel restaurant if we wished. My husband said we presumed this would be complimentary and were told it was. The meal in the restaurant was very nice, and the staff very attentive. However it was another 30 mins before we were seated, so we were very late eating. We were also charged for the half bottle of wine we had with our meal which irked us!! Receptionist was still talking to her friend/boyfriend when we came out of the restaurant which looked very unprofessional.

The following day we spoke to the duty manager who apologised and offered us another dinner in the hotel that night, we declined as we had other plans. We emphasised how this had spoiled our whole weekend. He stated that they had no control over the scheduling of the banquet and normally they get prior notice of a cancellation. I wonder if they did get this just we were never told..... In any event it was unacceptable. Staff appeared unfazed by it making us this the cancellation of the banquet was't all that rare an occurance. As we had already paid for a room upgrade, he agreed to charge us just the standard room rate. This was appreciated.

I used the spa which was lovely, as were the staff. The rest of our stay was fine. Staff could have been much better in their approach to customers. The bar had zero atmosphere, but there are nice pubs close by.

I wouldn't stay in this hotel again, nor would I recommend it. If you are planning on going to the banquet I would advise to reconfirm directly with them prior to travelling.

Our family spent two nights at Bunratty, including New Year's Eve. The hotel is very nice - large, clean rooms, excellent amenities, etc. My daughter and I enjoyed an afternoon in at the spa and our whole family loved touring the castle grounds and eating and drinking at Durty Nelly's and the Creamery.