Osprey Hotel & Spa

Naas
Co. Kildare
Osprey Hotel Enquiries
Osprey Hotel & Spa, Kildare

• Exceptionally stylish and contemporary development.
• Home to the delicious MASH restaurant.
• Friendly, professional and quite luxurious.

We were very impressed when we visited Osprey recently, it really did exceed all expectations. We found it very easily as we came off the N7 coming from Limerick, and as soon as we arrived we were “wowed” by the quirky design, delighted with the friendly and efficient service and enthralled with our wonderful room! And that was all before we had a super meal in Mash and a visit to Osprey Spa. It is a very unique development, taking in the hotel, spa, entertainment venue and a stunning outdoor courtyard area. It is perfect for themed events, corporate business, romantic get-a-ways, relaxing holidays and in fact any excuse you can think of for a visit! Although it has been around for a few years now, it was our first visit and it will certainly not be our last.

ACCOMMODATION AT OSPREY HOTEL

There appears to be a wide variety of room styles at Osprey, which makes for a very interesting environment. Many have balconies or small garden areas. Our room was nothing short of fabulous, with modern funky décor, plenty of space, purple walls, a super comfortable bed, and a huge balcony which looked out over the courtyard area. We could see the Spa to one side, people enjoying drinks and snacks in the sunshine beneath us, and a very stylish wedding party having their photographs taken by the water feature to the right. It was quite other-worldly, and certainly very different from most of our hotel visits.

Our bathroom was very Mediterranean with orange and red mosaic floor and wall tiles. The bath was free-standing and kidney shaped, and the shower was in a walk-in area up a couple of steps, almost like a separate room. Unusual, we kept saying, and very different. But comfortable and luxurious with all amenities for work and leisure and plenty of space besides made this a really great room to stay in. We liked it, we liked it very much.

DINNER AT MASH RESTAURANT

We were shown to our window table beside the water and overlooking the odd-shaped glass building on the other side. We immediately enquired what that was and were told it was the Kildare County Council offices! We began to feel that the whole of this area was inspired by Antoni Gaudi while on holiday from Barcelona! But back to dinner, the A La Carte menu offered too many great temptations to try them all, and the Starters menu really stood out. Deep Fried Langoustines; Homemade Angus Beef Sausage; pan Seared Wild Seabass; Crispy Duck Shank; Flash Fried Monkfish Medallions – and these were among the starters! We opted for a delicious pan Seared Wild Seabass and the Monkfish Medallions which were really tasty and very substantial starters. Before that, we enjoyed an Amuse Bouche of fresh salmon on a little bed of mashed potato, and following that a taster of seasonal lamb cutlet. How were be going to manage our mains? Well we resisted the homemade breads (almost) and went on to enjoy the Angus Fillet Steak and the Fresh Whole Dover Sole Meuniere. Other menu choices had included Loin of Wild Venison, Rack of Lamb, Fillet of Pork and Duck and Chicken and Cod dishes. This was a wonderful menu, and it was a difficult process of elimination to make our decisions. With a bottle of Marlborough Pinot Noir from Montana, the meal was complete. We had to send our compliments to chef Kevin Curran, as this was as good a meal as we have enjoyed in a long time. Beautifully balanced and imaginative menu, creatively presented and deliciously paired – we did like it a lot and would highly recommend this restaurant. Incidentally for dessert we had to try the Study of Chocolate, it consisted of a fondant, a cone, a brownie and chocolate chip ice-cream. A chocoholic’s heaven.

THE SPA AT OSPREY

The Spa is key part of Osprey and is described as a “spoil yourself labyrinth providing nourishment for the body and soul”. We had booked a half hour back and shoulder massage each and first spent some time in the thermal suite enjoying a foot bath, a stint in the heated Quiet Room (with wonderful sunflower painted walls). There was a relaxation room with magazines and coffee and juices and an outside area for when the weather is good, which is was for our visit. The spa was busy as it was a Saturday, and there were as many men there as women, which we thought was interesting. Our therapist was excellent, a fantastic massage, and I would certainly go back for another one. Other treatments include a Rasul Bath, various massages and facials, body treatments including wraps, anti-aging, tanning and specific treatments for men and pregnant women. The facilities there include a Salt Grotto, Sauna and Steam Room, and there are also a few very good value spa packages on offer. It is a first class spa, nothing overlooked.
The next morning before breakfast we went down to enjoy the swimming pool – which we had to ourselves, and again enjoy the thermal suite area. It is something we always like to do to work up an appetite for breakfast, and it worked!
Breakfast was also served in Mash Restaurant, and service was very friendly, food cooked to order if requested, ample hot and cold buffet and again we enjoyed a window-side table.

Our visit was very positive and while we stayed on a Saturday night it was busy without being obtrusively noisy. If you want to stay somewhere friendly with under-stated luxury, great food, plenty of character and utterly different from the bland hotel scene, Osprey Hotel & Spa is definitely for you!