heen Falls Lodge is a 5-star hotel located in Kenmare, Co. Kerry. The hotel is set on a 300-acre estate, just a five minute drive from Kenmare town. It first opened as a hotel in 1991. It is a member of the Relais & Chateaux luxury hotel group.
Sheen Falls Lodge is a unique and special place. The traditional decor adds to the character of the hotel, which is very homely and cosy. The view of the Sheen Waterfall from several rooms in the hotel is beautiful. The meticulously manicured grounds help to complement the stunning panoramic views of Kenmare Bay and the mountains of the McGillicuddy Reeks.
On arrival, we received a very warm welcome from the friendly doormen. We later learnt that they had over 60 years’ combined service in the hotel between the three of them. This is a sign of a great establishment!
The personal touch the hotel provides is very special. All the staff were both professional and welcoming. They were dedicated to ensuring that each guests needs were always met. The service we experienced throughout our stay was excellent.
The check-in process was quick and very efficient. When we were being shown to our room, we were given a quick tour of the hotel.
In all, the hotel has 77 guest rooms. Our room was a Falls View Suite. This was a stunning room, very spacious, bright and comfortable. We had a beautiful view of the Falls from our large bay windows.
The Suite has a separate sitting room. The bedroom was spacious, with a very comfortable bed. The marble bathroom was luxurious, with Elemis toiletries, double sinks, a large bath and a walk-in shower. The sitting room has a sofa, two armchairs, a coffee table and a second flat screen television. I really enjoyed sitting in the armchair by the window in the bedroom, looking out at the Falls. Listening to the sound of falling water was so peaceful and relaxing.
All amenities required for our stay were provided, a Nespresso coffee machine, a teapot, fresh milk (in the fridge!) and apple juice. These small details were a lovely touch.
There are a few different dining options available within the hotel. If fine dining is your preference, the elegant Falls Restaurant boasts two AA rosettes. For a more casual dining experience, head to The Stables Brasserie & Bar. The Sun Lounge is open all day for light snacks and afternoon tea. The Nua Vista Restaurant, in the Ring of Kerry Golf Club, is a sister property of Sheen Falls Lodge.
Breakfast, daily, is served in The Falls Restaurant. There are lovely views from the tables by the windows, so try and request one of them if you can! The food and service were very good. There was a range of hot food options available, along with a continental buffet including cereals, pastries and a variety of hams and cheeses.
I chose the hot option of avocado and poached eggs, and although it didn’t look particularly appetising, it tasted delicious. My husband opted for the Full Irish Breakfast, which he said was one of the best he’s ever had!
For dinner, we ate in The Stables Brasserie. This is the hotel’s casual and contemporary restaurant. It has a very relaxed atmosphere. I chose the burger, and my husband had the wood-fired pizza, both of which were very good. The service was excellent – the chef even made the time to whip up some homemade garlic mayonnaise especially for us. We enjoyed a post-dinner drink in the Stables Bar, where the PGA golf was being shown on the big screen.
Sheen Falls Lodge has been recognised as a premier destination worldwide for wine enthusiasts, by The Wine Spectator, a leading wine publication. The hotel was recently awarded with “Best of Award of Excellence” by the publication. The wine cellar has a collection of over 450 labels from 23 countries.
I had a treatment at the hotels award-winning spa, ‘Easanna’. It’s name is derived from the Irish word for ‘waterfall’. I had a combination of the Sheen Falls Facial and the Elemis Facial. My therapist, Analiza, was amazing – she was very informative and professional throughout. She used a combination of Elemis, Seabody and Ground products. Towards the end of the treatment, she used a Ground Gua Sha stone. This is designed to improve energy flow, support circulation and lymphatic drainage. Currently they seem to be very popular!
The treatment from start to finish was incredibly relaxing. I find it very hard to fully relax at the best of times, and I often get restless after a relatively short time… but not this time though! I was so surprised at how quickly the hour passed. After my treatment, Analiza brought me to the relaxation room where I was provided with peppermint tea and fresh fruit.
The Easanna spa was beautiful and tranquil. I did, however, find the pool area a bit disappointing. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but I was definitely underwhelmed. It felt more like a pool at a leisure centre rather than a luxury hotel.
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- Easanna Spa
The hotel provides a variety of activities for guests to enjoy including falconry, archery, horse riding, clay pigeon shooting, kayaking, paddle boarding, wine/whiskey/gin tastings, chocolate making, private day trips and guided walking tours etc!! All of these must be booked in advance. Complimentary bikes and tennis rackets are available.
There is a golf course at the hotel’s sister property, The Ring of Kerry Golf Course, a 15 minute drive from Sheen Falls Lodge. The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle service to and from the Golf Club.
There are several scenic walks and trails in and around the lodge for guests to enjoy. Deer and other wildlife roam freely within the estate.
The hotel also offers a fishing experience for guests – any fish caught can be brought back to the lodge where the Executive Chef will cook or smoke the fish in the lodge’s smoke house!
We were lucky enough to see the impressive grilse run. Atlantic salmon were returning to the river after just one season. The grilse run typically starts at the end of May and continues through until the end of August, peak season being June and July. The salmon were leaping out of the water up the waterfall towards the river. Unfortunately, that day, they were intercepted by two hungry seals.
There are plenty of areas to sit and relax in the hotel, including the bar, the Sun Lounge, the terrace, the library and the drawing room. There are complimentary newspapers available throughout the hotel every day.
A complimentary shuttle service is also provided to and from Kenmare. Kenmare is a beautiful town with plenty to see and do, with several pubs, restaurants and cafes, as well as shops selling antiques, gifts, art and clothing.
For those driving, there is ample parking available in the hotel’s car park. They also have a couple of electric vehicle charging points available for guests.
Sheen Falls Lodge has dog-friendly bedrooms and suite options in the hotel, as well as luxury self-catering cottages on the estate grounds.
Every aspect of our stay at Sheen Falls Lodge was excellent – the service, the staff, and the food. We are already looking forward to our next visit – perhaps in the Winter for a different experience!
For more information, visit https://www.sheenfallslodge.ie/.
