THE KILDARE HOTEL, SPA & COUNTRY CLUB

Straffan,
Co. Kildare
The Kildare Hotel enquiries
The K Club

• luxury, History, Exclusivity.
• Sumptuous elegance and attention to detail.
• 500 acres of stunning grounds.

Of the many luxury hotels and resorts we have visited in Ireland, we particularly loved the countryside setting that surrounds the The K Club with its mature trees and beautifully restored 18th century house. While the resort is famous for hosting the Ryder Cup in 2006, it is also home to an excellent Hotel Spa, some tasteful restaurant choices and sumptuous individually appointed accommodation.

AFTERNOON TEA AT THE K CLUB

We arrived early in the afternoon, and had missed lunch as we had been driving since late morning. Afternoon Tea in the lounge was suggested, and what a great treat that turned out to be. Sitting beside a big roaring fire, looking out at the beautifully landscaped grounds we enjoyed delightful sandwiches, tarts, scones and pastries. It was delicious and indulgent. I had forgotten just how wonderful a good afternoon tea could be. It has to be the ultimate way to relax on a winter’s afternoon with the newspapers and good company.

GOLF AT THE K CLUB

The Palmer Course was designed with major tournament play in mind and the course hosted the 2006 Ryder Cup. Presenting quite a challenge to the golfer, the course also gives great satisfaction in the knowledge that some of the world’s greatest golfers have played at this very course.
The Smurfit Course is the K Club’s second Arnold Palmer designed 18 hole Championship Course. Measuring 7,300 yards from the back tees, The Smurfit Course plays host to The Smurfit European Open.
Two serious golf courses for serious golfers. While we did not play ourselves, we could see the great attraction for hotel guests and the preferential green fee rates make a stay at this fine hotel all the more attractive.

THE VINTAGE CROP BAR

The cocktail bar is named after Dr. Michael Smurfit's' great Irish gelding, 'Vintage Crop', winner of the 1993 Melbourne Gold Cup, 1993 and 1994 Jefferson Smurfit Memorial Irish St Leger. This was the first Irish horse to surpass one million pounds in winnings. We decided to check out the cocktail menu before dinner. It is a beautifully appointed and very comfortable cocktail bar, and the perfect spot for a Martini, a Belini and some olives while we contemplated what we would have for dinner!

THE RIVER ROOM RESTAURANT

Despite having the delicious Afternoon Tea, we did find ourselves getting hungry later on and were delighted to get a window table in the lovely River Room Restaurant. There was both a Table d’Hote and A La Carte Menu, and both contained extensive choices. From the starters we chose a Warm Rillette of Confit Barbary Duck, and some Atlantic Prawn Tails. They were delicious starters chosen from eight on the A La Carte Menu that included such temptations as Scallops, Terrine of Foie Gras and Smoked Salmon Blinis. Main courses offered a Lamb Shank, Organic Beef Burger, Traditional Fish & Chips, Penne Arrabbiata and Fillet of Beef. We opted for a very good Medallions of Monkfish in rich red wine sauce for me and my companion chose the Free Range Chicken Chasseur.
The wine list from the fine dining restaurant, The Byerley Turk, is available at The River Room. We opted for a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape, La Bernardine. The fruit flavours opened up beautifully as the meal progressed, and we finished it off with some continental cheeses. A fine dinner indeed.

HOTEL SPA & GYM

K Spa is a more recent addition to the K Club, and we went over to check it out but unfortunately time did not allow for us to book a treatment. A full range of therapies are available though and I would be interested in trying the Carita product range that they carry. The Aromatherapy products are also used in many of their treatments which you can enjoy in one of their 14 treatment rooms, a private suite or as part of a special package or experience.

ART AT STRAFFAN HOUSE

The K Club art collection is a beautiful compliment to this elegantly restored Irish country house. The inclusion of paintings by key Irish artists and 16th century antiques are displayed along with many international pieces. The most striking is the Yeats Room which contains a collection of paintings by Ireland’s best-known artist Jack B.Yeats (1871-1957)
So what did we remember most as we drove away after our recent visit? It was the view, the wonderful grounds, the birds singing, that traditional elegance and most of all, that wonderful Afternoon Tea!