The Europe Hotel & Resort is a luxury five-star property located in Killarney, Co. Kerry, in the southwest of Ireland. The hotel overlooks Lough Léin, Killarney National Park and Ireland’s highest mountain range, the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks. It is the flagship of the Killarney Hotels Collection, which also includes The Dunloe Hotel & Gardens and Ard na Sidhe Country House.
‘Hotel Europe’, owned and operated by the Liebherr family, first opened in 1961. It is also a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Legend Collection.
The hotel is renowned for its blend of natural beauty and refined luxury and was recently ranked #10 in the 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards for the top resorts in Europe.
The Europe Hotel closes each winter, typically from just before Christmas to early February, for renovations, maintenance, and staff rest. In early 2026, the lobby was refreshed with a contemporary design, modernising the arrival experience while retaining its welcoming charm. The renovation included new flooring and bespoke furniture, with a palette and textures inspired by the surrounding Kerry landscape.
Throughout the property the standards of cleanliness and maintenance are exceptional. This leaves the resort feeling impeccably fresh and well-cared for.
On arrival, we were greeted with a warm welcome. The check-in process was quick and efficient. We were offered hand towels which were infused with ESPA oils – a special touch that set the tone for our entire stay. On the way to our room, we were given a quick tour of the hotel.
The hotel has 180 bedrooms and suites, most of which offer private balconies with views of the lake or gardens. An ongoing refurbishment programme recently updated 44 additional guestrooms, bringing the total number of fully renovated rooms to 81.
We stayed in a Premier Lakeview Room, which was part of last year’s refurbishment. The room features a soothing colour palette inspired by the surrounding landscape. Floor-to-ceiling glass opens onto a spacious private balcony which overlooks the hotel gardens, Lough Léin, and the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks. The view is undeniably a highlight of the experience.
Our Super King bed was incredibly comfortable and dressed in high-quality linens. Additional pillows can be provided on request. A motion-sensor light beneath the bed is one of those ‘love it or loathe it’ features, but in terms of innovation, it’s a clever touch for navigating at night.
The bathroom is equally impressive, featuring a rainforest shower, a separate bath, heated towel rails, and luxurious ESPA Bergamot & Jasmine amenities.
Other features in the room include electric curtains, a desk, complimentary WiFi, air conditioning, a minibar, a safe, an iron and an ironing board. A Nespresso coffee machine complete with capsules were provided, along with a kettle, teabags and milk.
The tech offering is equally comprehensive, with a multimedia system, an in-room SuitePad tablet and complimentary access to thousands of international titles via the PressReader app. Complimentary newspapers are also available in the lobby.
There are plug sockets exactly where you need them – and no shortage of them either – beside every mirror and even inside the wardrobe for the iron. Outside the bathroom, a large mirror and dressing ledge are complemented by a perfectly placed plug socket underneath; a thoughtful detail for getting ready. Two hairdryers are provided: one in the wardrobe and another in the bathroom. Ample storage space is available throughout, along with a generous supply of hangers.
The bedrooms are also equipped with US plug sockets and USB ports.
Evening turndown service was excellent: fresh towels, tea, coffee and milk were replenished. Lindt chocolates were left on the nightstands and lens cloths were placed under our sunglasses.
Dining at The Europe Hotel is diverse, ranging from casual to fine dining. The Killarney Hotels Collection operates a 400-acre farm situated between The Europe and The Dunloe Hotels, supplying beef and lamb for the hotel menus.
Breakfast is served from 7AM to 11AM in the award-winning Panorama Restaurant, which offers some of Ireland’s most stunning views. The breakfast buffet includes honey-glazed roast gammon, smoked salmon, and seasonal fruits along with freshly baked breads and pastries. A dedicated station prepares eggs cooked to order, with the chef even remembering our specific preferences from the day before. The à la carte menu features a ‘Full Irish’ with locally sourced meats, as well as gourmet specialties like fillet mignon, grilled fish of the day, and classic Eggs Benedict.
The service and the food were consistently excellent. There was no sense of being rushed, creating a leisurely atmosphere where guests could comfortably linger over the morning papers.
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- Image credit: The Europe Hotel & Resort
Panorama Restaurant also opens for dinner from 6.30PM to 9.30PM, where we enjoyed an exceptional meal. It offers an expansive à la carte menu rather than a restrictive set menu – a welcome choice for high-end dining. Our dinner began with an amuse-bouche of Parmesan crust with blue cheese mousse and pear, followed by a starter of crabmeat salad with coconut, wasabi aioli, and sourdough.
For the main course, I had the fillet of Sean Moriarty’s Irish Angus beef with pulled feather blade, celeriac, and bone marrow jus, accompanied by potato gratin. There is something incredibly satisfying about the synchronised “silver lid” reveal as your food is unveiled.
We finished with sticky ale pudding with honeycomb and roasted barley ice cream, followed by petit fours of elderflower bonbons and strawberry and cream chocolates.
The Brasserie is the hotel’s more relaxed eatery, open daily from 11AM to 11PM. It offers a diverse menu, ranging from light snacks to flame-grilled steaks prepared on an open grill. It operates on a walk-in basis. Despite being consistently busy, the service remains excellent and efficient. The Guinness brown bread is a must-try, and the prawn tagliatelle was particularly delicious. The Brasserie also offers seasonal al fresco dining on the terrace.
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- Image credit: The Europe Hotel & Resort
Beyond the main restaurants, Riva serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes for both lunch and dinner, while The Lounge offers light meals and drinks by the fireside. For beverages, the Brasserie Bar specialises in cocktails, beer, and wine, and The Europe Bar features an excellent selection of whiskeys.
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- Image credit: The Europe Hotel & Resort
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- Image credit: The Europe Hotel & Resort
ESPA at The Europe is an award winning 50,000sq ft spa and is a destination in its own right. It is open daily from 7AM to 9PM. The facilities are exceptional, offering a comprehensive wellness experience.
The ESPA Spa Level is a dedicated space for treatments, featuring 16 treatment rooms, two express beauty suites, and a private spa suite for two. There are dedicated manicure and pedicure thrones along with separate male and female areas. Each of these has access to an outdoor vitality pool and a full thermal suite, which includes a sauna, steam room, ice fountain, and heated loungers. Changing rooms are equipped with GHD hair straighteners, Dyson hair dryers, and dental and shaving kits.
I enjoyed an Inner Beauty Facial using premium ESPA products, which was delivered by a highly skilled therapist. The treatment was enhanced by soothing music and ambient water sounds. After the facial, I was escorted to a relaxation room with floor-to-ceiling lake views. Raspberry and elderflower sorbet and infused water were served to me. Energy balls, nuts and fruit teas were also available. Overall, it was a wonderfully relaxing experience.
The ESPA Active Level offers a 20 metre indoor pool, indoor and outdoor vitality pools, a saltwater pool, and a variety of thermal heat experiences. There is also a fully equipped fitness studio with TechnoGym equipment and a schedule of complimentary fitness classes.
Leisure facilities are extensive, including complimentary horse riding on Austrian Haflinger ponies and access to two indoor tennis courts. Fishing, kayaking, and boating can also be arranged from the hotel’s private pier, though these activities incur an additional charge.
Bicycle rentals are available with 24 hours’ notice, for a fee. Guests also receive discounted green fees at two nearby championship golf courses. The grounds provide access to numerous walking trails and mountain hikes.
The hotel features six on-site electric vehicle charging points, including two Tesla chargers powered by solar panels.
The Gift Shop offers a selection of The Europe Hotel-branded merchandise and ESPA products.
For families, babysitting services can be arranged through the concierge.
The Europe Hotel is just a ten-minute drive from Killarney town centre, and Kerry Airport is only 20 minutes away. For those travelling from further afield, Shannon is under two hours by car, while Dublin is approximately 3.5 hours away. For the ultimate arrival, the estate also features two private helipads.
Situated on the Ring of Kerry, the hotel is ideally located for exploring some of Ireland’s most iconic landscapes. Killarney National Park is right on the doorstep, while the Dingle Peninsula and the Wild Atlantic Way are easily reached on day trips.
The service throughout our stay was impeccable – intuitive, warm, and polished. The staff’s genuine pride in the hotel’s heritage is evident, ensuring every request is met with hospitality that is both personal and of the highest standard. Guest comfort is clearly considered from every angle, from the smallest “unseen” details to the grandest gestures.
While the amenities are exceptional, the views remain the undisputed highlight of the experience. The hotel is masterfully designed to frame the cinematic vistas of Lough Léin and the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, making the surrounding landscape an integral part of the stay.
The Europe Hotel enjoys a remarkably high rate of returning guests, many of whom have made an annual pilgrimage to Killarney for generations. It remains a premier resort that is authentically Irish – luxurious and genuinely very special.
For more information, visit https://www.theeurope.com/.
Cliona was a guest of The Europe Hotel & Resort; however, all opinions expressed are her own.
