Review: The K Club, Ireland

On a recent trip to Ireland, I temporarily found myself back in time, in a life of 18^th-century grandeur at the world-renowned K Club in County Kildare. This luxury, 5-star hotel is situated in the heart of the idyllic countryside on the banks of the River Liffey, only 30 minutes outside Dublin.

Built in 1832, the original house was modeled on a French chateau and still retains much of its original architecture, artwork and antique collection. It opened as a luxury hotel in 1991.

The sprawling estate encompasses 550 acres and features a stunning Victorian walled garden and impeccably manicured lawns. Several outdoor activities are available to guests throughout the property, including fly fishing on the River Liffey, horseback riding, clay pigeon shooting and cycling around the beautiful property.

A post shared by Sara Breit (@sara_trucraft) on May 8, 2017 at 2:43pm PDT

The K Club is widely known as home to two world-famous Arnold Palmer-design championship golf courses, The Ryder Cup Course, which my fiancé had the opportunity to play, and The Smurfit Course.

We walked into the lobby of the hotel, really more of a grand estate featuring remnants and treasures of the past. The walls are adorned with original paintings and elaborate furnishings, and chandeliers covered the thick embroidered carpet.

Our guestrooms presented a level of opulence unmatched by anything I’ve ever seen in a hotel. Each room is individually designed, featuring more original paintings and antiques passed down over centuries. The spacious bathroom was flush with marble, gold-plated features and the highest quality amenities.

As a literary and history lover, I felt the most at home in the The Yeats Room, dedicated to Irish Expressionist painter J.B. Yeats, housing important Irish literary and art works. I spent more than hour with a glass of wine exploring the collections, completely lost in the rich history and lavish décor.

The K Spa offers a wide array of treatments for men and women, and though I didn’t have the opportunity to experience the spa on my short visit, I was told it features a secluded outdoor hot tub, an aromatic herb garden, seven luxurious treatment rooms, private suites, a Hammam, hydrobath, Vichy Shower and more.

A post shared by Sean Montague (@seanmontague) on Apr 24, 2017 at 11:56pm PDT

While we didn’t have enough to time to enjoy all the K Club has to offer, we did take advantage of the beyond impressive dining scene.

I enjoyed lunch in the Chinese Drawing Room, a comfortable room with large windows overlooking the golf course, with large, plush armchairs, sofas and a huge fireplace. The hotel serves an amazing afternoon tea in this room complete with light bites and sweet treats.

The first night, we got dressed up and headed to the The River Room Restaurant, a vibrantly decorated room with bold colors and materials, a beautiful backdrop for our unforgettable meal. The menu featured local artisan produce, inspired by traditional Irish cuisine with a modern touch. I took advantage of the whole black sole, native only to Ireland, and it was delicious.

One of my favorite meals though was at The K Thai, which, as the name implies, boasts authentic Thai food and Southeast Asian cuisine. We shared several traditional curry dishes, each one more flavorful than the last.

Throughout the stay, we experienced extremely personal and attentive service. The morning of our departure required a 4:45 a.m. check-out, and the hotel knocked on our door at 4:30 with a cart overflowing with both hot and cold breakfast options, and we seriously considered bailing on our flight to hide away in luxury forever.

The K Club

Straffan Demesne

Kildare, Ireland

353 1 601 7200