Muckross Park Hotel & Cloisters Spa

Lakes of Killarney, Killarney,
Kerry
Muckross Park Hotel enquiries
www.muckrosspark.com

• Superb spa with unique treatments
• Delicious Dining
• Large and luxurious bedrooms

It was one of those wet days in Killarney, when you wonder what visitors can do in this most scenic of places when it is lashing rain. I soon experienced the solution; spend time in a luxury hotel with excellent food and a world-class spa! There is something irresistible about following a pampering treatment with relaxation in a glass bubble surrounded by forest and teeming rain outside! Ireland has taken to spas like the proverbial duck to water (!) and Cloisters Spa at Muckross Park Hotel is among the best. I visited first three years ago, and again recently having experienced many other spas since, and once again had a thoroughly positive experience.

ACCOMMODATION AT MUCKROSS PARK HOTEL

My room was overlooking the picturesque Blue Pool, after which the restaurant is named. I had a large private balcony which allowed me enjoy the sunshine and let lots of fresh air into the bedroom. I hate rooms with no access to fresh air! The bed was king size and quite regal, the furniture tastefully antique and the bathroom had all the luxuries we like, separate bath and power shower, Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, magnified mirror, towels and robes. The hotel has just a little over 60 rooms, and all are of the same size and standard, except for a couple of suites which are exceptional. It was a very comfortable room, and I had access to free high-speed internet access, which is always appreciated as so many hotels charge extra for this service. I also had a turndown service with chocolates and extra towels. Full marks there.

CLOISTERS SPA

This tastefully appointed large spa is the business when it comes to treatments. I am always interested in trying something a little different when I visit a new spa, and when I heard that the Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage was one of their signature treatments, I decided to opt for that. Working on my back with her arms and elbows, the therapist gave me a both relaxing and reviving treatment. It was as good a massage as I have ever enjoyed, and I would highly recommend it. The thermal area is very comprehensive and between the various saunas, whirlpools, salt grotto, showers, Jacuzzi and the fabulous outdoor hot-tub, you could easily pass away an hour here in pleasant self-pampering. The perfect prelude to a massage.
This is a spacious spa with plenty of treatment rooms and a very wide range of therapies. They specialize in anti-aging facials and non-surgical face lifts – which have to be worth a try. Next time!

THE BLUE POOL RESTAURANT

Our dinner was a real highlight of the stay at Muckross Park Hotel. We went first to The Monk’s Bar for a cocktail while we perused the menus. We were shown to a lovely table and enjoyed a top dining experience, the service and food were both very good. Our starter menu choices included Grilled Scallops on a Pineapple Fondant with a Lobster Bisque, I had to have that and it was a lovely taste balance with the sweet pineapple and rich Bisque. My friend opted for Duck Rillette which she described as “an accomplished blending of flavours”. This normally critical critic was again full of praise for her main course of Guinea Fowl which came with pink pepper embedded in the flesh of the meat, it imparted a fragrant flavour and with the crispy Potato Gnocchi was a fabulous dish. Very generous portion it was too. I chose fish again, with the delicious Thai flavoured Sea Bass and whole Dingle Bay Prawns. Very good cooking here, our dishes were perfectly executed with a real culinary flair. Other choices on this Table d’Hote menu included Organic Salmon, Kerry lamb, Beef and vegetarian choices. We were actually passed on dessert as we had eaten well and just had a coffee. The wine list was carefully chosen, mainly French and well priced. We enjoyed a truly delicious Domaine de Genets, Pinot Noir ,Vacaueryas, 2003, which complimented both fowl and fish perfectly.

Other options for food include the popular Moly Darcys bar, which carries a wide range of quality bar-food. A very popular lunch stop for those en route between Kenmare and Killarney.

Next morning I spent some time in the Vitality Pool before breakfast, and was delighted to find that I had it to myself! Such indulgence at the start of the day. It was still raining, “a soft day” as they say locally, so a walk was out. Yet such is the magic of Kerry weather, that by the time I had finished my breakfast, packed and was ready to leave, the sun was shining again. The mountains glistened, the lakes shone, and the birds were in fine voice as I reluctantly left the magic of Muckross.