Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Resort, Ballinakill (Galway) ∞ Discover spa retreats, reviews & deals for 2025

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About Resort

The Island, Ballinakill (Galway), Ireland

“Staying on an island right in the middle of the city offered a unique charm and easy access to both the river and urban exploration.”view full review

Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Resort, a 4-star property rated 9.4/10 on Booking.com, offers a unique experience on a private 125.5 hectare island with golf and various recreational activities. This destination features 19 luxury rooms and 45 self-catering lodges, accessible via a ferry across the River Suir. The resort is renowned for its award-winning dining and outdoor adventures.

Rooms & Amenities

The hotel features 19 elegantly designed rooms within the 16th-century castle, each equipped with modern amenities such as Nespresso machines and complimentary Wi-Fi. Accommodations include double and twin Classic Rooms, Deluxe Rooms, and a Presidential Suite, with self-catering options available in the lodges.

Dining Options

Dining options at Waterford Castle include the award-winning Munster Room Restaurant, known for its fine Irish cuisine, and the King's Channel Clubhouse offering casual meals. The Fitzgerald Room Bar features an extensive whiskey selection, providing a relaxing setting for guests.

Leisure Activities

Recreational pursuits at the resort include access to the 18-hole Championship golf course, clay pigeon shooting, outdoor tennis courts, and nature trails totaling over 7.5 kilometers. Family-friendly amenities include a playground and various seasonal outdoor activities.

Location & Local Attractions

Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Resort is a short ferry ride from Waterford city center, making it easily accessible for visitors. Nearby attractions include the House of Waterford Crystal and the historic Kilkenny town, renowned for its medieval architecture and cultural experiences.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Standard Room

Max:

2 persons

28 m²

Bed options:

1 Double bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Deluxe Room

Max:

2 persons

84 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Deluxe Suite

Max:

2 persons

84 m²

Shower

Heating

room details

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Price and Room Availability Calendar

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Getting around

Explore a range of transportation options for your spa getaway

City Centre

Ballinakill (Galway)500 m

Airports

Waterford (WAT) 5.6 km

Shannon (SNN) 158.5 km

What our guests says about facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Really good Dining

The dining experience was truly amazing, boasting a variety of exquisite dishes. Each course was beautifully presented and made with fresh local ingredients, particularly the steak I had for dinner that was cooked to perfection. The live piano music added an elegant touch to our meal making it feel extra special.

Emma Thompson. United Kingdom, 2024-02-15Read full review on

Perfect for Groups

Our stay in the self-catering lodge was just what we needed for our family getaway. The open-plan living area was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate our whole group, and the kitchen was equipped with all the utensils we needed for cooking family meals together. It truly felt like a home away from home.

Chris Martin. Australia, 2024-08-04Read full review on

Luxurious Bathroom

The bathroom in our suite was simply stunning! It featured a vintage freestanding bath that offered a touch of luxury, and the shower had strong water pressure. Enjoying a leisurely soak after a long day was the perfect way to unwind and recharge.

Sarah O'Connor. Ireland, 2024-01-28Read full review on

Charming Room

Our room was beautifully decorated with charming, rustic elements that enhanced the castle experience. The large bay window provided plenty of natural light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. It was an absolute joy to relax and soak in the ambiance during our stay.

Mike Johnson. Canada, 2024-05-22Read full review on

What’s included

General

No smoking on site
Free Wi-Fi
Parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
No pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Security
Luggage storage
Lift
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key access

Sports & Fitness

Hiking
Tennis court
Golf course

Services

Room service
Housekeeping
Laundry
Welcome drink

Dining

In-room breakfast
Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Picnic area/ Tables
Special diet menus

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots
Babysitting/Child services
Children's menu
Children's play area
Kids club

Spa & Leisure

Garden area

Room features

Heating
Sitting area
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Location

The Island, Ballinakill (Galway), Ireland

Map view

The Island, Ballinakill (Galway), Ireland

City landmarks

Museum

Waterford Treasures Medieval Museum

3.4 km

Island

Little Island

980 m

Museum

Reginald's Tower

3.2 km

Museum

Bishop's Palace

3.4 km

Church

Christ Church Cathedral

3.4 km

Landmark

Springfield House

970 m

Landmark

Ballymaloe Gardens

2.4 km

Landmark

Ballinakill Church of Ireland Graveyard

1.5 km

Golf Course

Faithlegg Golf Club

2.5 km

Golf Course

Faithlegg

2.6 km

Landmark

King of the Vikings VR

3.3 km

Landmark

The Viking Triangle

3.4 km

Landmark

Waterford Municipal Golf Course

2.5 km

Church

Saint Mary's Church

2.5 km

Landmark

Christendom House

2.2 km

Landmark

Lost at Sea Memorial

3.2 km

Landmark

Thomas Francis Meagher statue

3.2 km

Landmark

Williamstown Golf Club

2.5 km

Landmark

Agricultural Museum

2.5 km

Landmark

John Condon Memorial

3.4 km

Church

Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity

3.7 km

Landmark

Kilmurry Graveyard

2.6 km

Park

People's Park

3.1 km

Landmark

Tobermurry

2.7 km

Church

St Joseph and St Benildus Roman Catholic Church

2.8 km

Church

Church of the Sacred Heart

3.2 km

Landmark

French Church

3.3 km

Landmark

Friends Burial Ground

2.9 km

Landmark

Clock Tower

3.7 km

Mall

Ferrybank Shopping Centre

3.0 km

Nearby

Island

Little Island

990 m

Restaurants

Pisces Restaurant

20 m

Kirwans bar Kill

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

William

United Kingdom, March 2025

8.2/10

We had a wonderful stay at Waterford Castle, enjoying the beautiful grounds and the unique ferry ride to the island. The lodges were spacious and clean, though some amenities like tea and coffee could have been better stocked. Our dining experience was memorable, with exceptional food, but a few service hiccups during breakfast reminded us that there's still room for improvement.

Rooms

8.0

The lodges were spacious and clean, equipped with modern conveniences. However, the towels were a bit basic and there could have been more complimentary tea and coffee.

Service

7.0

Service was generally friendly, especially from the restaurant staff. Though we encountered a slight issue with breakfast service, it was quickly corrected.

Location

9.0

The location is fantastic, set on an island accessed via a charming ferry, providing a serene escape from the everyday bustle.

Dining

8.0

We experienced a fine dining meal that was both well-presented and delicious, but breakfast had a few issues with the temperature of the hot foods.

Facilities

9.0

The facilities on the property were impressive, with lovely walking trails and a picturesque playground for the kids, enhancing the overall experience.

Oscar

United Kingdom, December 2024

8.4/10

Our stay at Waterford Castle was quite enchanting, combining breathtaking views and beautifully curated grounds. The dining experiences were exceptional, especially the breakfast and dinner. However, our experience was marred by noisy neighbors that disrupted our sleep throughout our stay, which the hotel seemed to overlook. Overall, the charm of the castle and the delightful food more than made up for the sleep disturbances.

Rooms

8.0

Our room featured antique furniture and provided a lovely view, making it quite a comfortable space for our stay.

Service

6.0

While the staff was attentive, the management's approach to addressing nighttime disturbances left much to be desired.

Location

9.0

Sitting on an island in the River Suir estuary, the location provided a unique ferry experience and serene surroundings for leisurely walks.

Dining

10.0

Dining options were outstanding, with both casual and fine dining menus that impressed us every time.

Facilities

9.0

The facilities were excellent, featuring expansive grounds perfect for strolls and engaging activities like golf.

Cameron

United Kingdom, December 2024

5.0/10

Our stay at Waterford Castle Lodges was quite disappointing despite the beautiful surroundings and the allure of a castle experience. While the setting was stunning, the condition of the lodges and lack of basic amenities were significant downsides. We had hoped for a memorable family getaway, but the issues we encountered along the way made it far from ideal.

Rooms

The lodges were in a rough state, with dirty carpets and poorly maintained furnishings. It felt more like a neglected townhouse than a charming castle lodge. Rating: 3

Service

We found the service to be lacking, especially with the absence of daily housekeeping in self-catering units. For the price we paid, we expected more. Rating: 5

Location

The location on the private island is unique and adds charm, but the slow ferry ride can be inconvenient. Rating: 7

Dining

Dining options were limited, especially with the restaurant closure, forcing us to venture into town for meals. Rating: 4

Facilities

The facilities were lacking in quality, and basic utilities came with unexpected extra charges. Rating: 3

Luna

United Kingdom, October 2024

9.4/10

Staying at Waterford Castle was a truly enchanting experience. The castle's stunning architecture and serene island setting made for a perfect escape. The service was exceptional; every detail was attended to by the attentive staff. However, while the dining experiences were delightful, we did encounter a minor inconvenience with the restaurant being closed for a wedding. Overall, it's a fantastic place for a unique getaway, and I can't wait to return.

Rooms

10.0

Our room was beautifully decorated, featuring antique furnishings and a comfortable four-poster bed that added to the castle's charm.

Service

10.0

The service was impeccable, with staff going above and beyond to ensure our comfort and satisfaction throughout our stay.

Location

10.0

Set on an island in the River Suir estuary, the location was truly idyllic and provided a peaceful retreat from everyday life.

Dining

8.0

Dinner in the castle restaurant was a highlight, featuring exquisite gourmet dishes made from freshly sourced ingredients, although we were disappointed when the restaurant was closed due to a wedding.

Facilities

9.0

The property offered a lovely array of facilities including walking trails and tennis courts to enjoy amidst the beautiful surroundings.