County Arms Birr

Such a dissapointing stay. The outside of this hotel is spectacular. The gardens are fabulous. The main areas of the hotel are fantastically appointed, whoever designed the decor has immaculate taste and the staff are all lovely and friendly. The breakfast was also absolutely scrumptious, one of nicest I have had in a hotel in this country. However my room, although beautifully decorated was very grimy and not clean, also the bathroom in need of renovation. Found dirty black mark on my bed sheets and what looked like pencil marks on sheets but when I inspected further it was hairs that were between the top sheet and the mattress protector. Also black marks on the shower curtain and the bathroom was not in very good condition, broken tiles, limescale, stained bath snd surfaces and shower was barely warm. Bin in bathroom lid didn't work. Beautiful tolietreies in bathroom, Rituals, which are a favourite of mine but felt out of place in the run down bathroom. The carpet was terribly, terribly stained, hair and balck marks all over, the room really didn't feel clean at all. The noise proofing in our particular room was dreadful, I have never encountered anything like it, I could hear coughing, talking, banging, we could even hear our next door neighbour snoring. The bedroom has fabulous mod cons, TV with netflix ect and fancy kettles however the nesspresso machine wasn't fit to make a hot cup the water could only just reach tepid, would be better with basic items that worked better. We were so excited for our dinner, it was a massive let down, obviously frozen and processed meats, I couldn't eat my main and that is really saying something. Signs up on doors listing charges if items were taken from hotel just added to the dreadful feeling I had in this room. I was thinking what sort of clientell do they have that they need to do this. I came for a relaxing stay and I really wanted to just leave. I didn't go to the spa, I felt so disappointed with my stay i wasnt going to chance it at all, but I decided to give it a go to see if it could redeem the stay and found the four changing rooms were full of people's clothes that they seem to just leave there so I just gave up and left was pretty much the icing of a pretty dismal cake. I think I really had just given up on the Birr Country Arms before this anyway. I sat last night, unable to sleep reading all the 5 star reviews and I have cone to the conclusion myself and my husband must have been put into the worst room in the hotel and experienced a series of unfortunate events as others had fabulous stays, which makes me feel very let down but also management should realise that a hotel is only as good as their worst room.

Two of us have just returned from the County Arms, on arrival at the hotel, there was a large wedding party, the staff coped admirably, the service was outstanding. The evening meal was delicious, cooked to perfection. Every member of staff deserves a special mention, they were super friendly and extremely professional, we can't wait to go back.

This was our first time staying in the County Arms Hotel & we will definitely return. We had a very comfortable room overlooking the incredibly beautiful gardens. The staff were very friendly especially Alison on reception , Santa in the restaurant & the ever cheerful Brigid at breakfast. The food was excellent & the menu had plenty of choices. The highlight of our stay , had to be the amazing gardens with wonderful planting , gazebos & a little summer house . This has to be the best hotel garden we’ve ever visited & a dream for photographers. Please convey our thanks & congratulations to your gardener.