One Day in Ireland, I Slept Here…
Discover boutique luxury in Kenmare at Brook Lane Hotel
The Ring of Kerry is likely to be one of the most beautiful drives you’ll ever do. With rugged, rocky coastline and a tangle of trees spotted by old farmhouses, the Ring of Kerry is day of scenic bliss. To make that day even better, you’ll want to start it and end it somewhere that also exudes backcountry charm with luxurious prestige. That place is Brook Lane Hotel in Kenmare.
Kenmare is a small town on the edge of the Kerry peninsula, which is an ideal jumping off point for the Ring of Kerry drive. The downtown area of Kenmare is a cluster of colorful rows of buildings jutting off from a small square. Restaurants, shops, and pubs fill the buildings and it is a great little town to explore.
A few minutes walk away from this central area of Kenmare, down a peaceful trail, is the modern Brook Lane Hotel — the only where you can relax in comfort, but still be close to the historic parts of Kenmare.
Luxurious Rooms in Kenmare
Brook Lane Hotel has a simple lobby, but its appeal lies in its rooms. They feature cool, calming colors with chic accents and decor. I immediately felt at home and at ease.
The focal point of my room was the big, cushy bed with a soft duvet on top. I was traveling on my own for my trip to Kenmare and the Ring of Kerry, and I unfortunately don’t always sleep well when traveling by myself, but I slept great at Brook Lane Hotel. The hotel felt safe and secure and seriously, that bed was so comfortable.
The bathroom in my room was also spacious and well-appointed.
Brook Lane Hotel’s Decadent Breakfast
A day driving the Ring of Kerry is best started with a huge breakfast. Ok, any day for me is best started with a huge breakfast, but if you’re going to be driving all day it’s even more important.
I loved the breakfast at Brook Lane Hotel, which included a buffet-style spread plus hearty a la carte options, and my meal definitely provided me with enough sustenance for my (sometimes white-knuckled) drive around the narrow roads of Kerry.
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Brook Lane Hotel having a 4-star rating (and is the only 4-star hotel in Kenmare) certainly isn’t by accident.
I had a chance to meet with the amiable hotel owner, Dermot Brennan, while there and it was quickly apparent how much care and dedication he puts into running the hotel and making sure guests are satisfied with their stay.
It’s a great place to stay as a starting point for the many amazing things to do in this part of Ireland and beyond.
Casey’s Bar and Restaurant at Brook Lane Hotel
In addition to comfortable rooms, friendly service, and an excellent breakfast, Brook Lane Hotel has an onsite restaurant, Casey’s Bar and Restaurant, that focuses on farm to table cuisine from local ranches and farms.
The cuisine is delicious and far exceeds normal expectations for a hotel-based restaurant. I even got a demonstration of how the meat is cured from Dermot — done the traditional way for the region in salt.
Brook Lane Hotel rooms start from €75 a night plus includes free parking and Internet access. Click here to book your stay through Booking.com (disclosure: this is an affiliate link, which costs you nothing, but helps me with the upkeep of this site so I can keep providing travel tips on making the most of a destination when time is short!).
I received complimentary accommodation to stay at Brook Lane Hotel during my time in Kenmare, but — as always – all opinions on the hotel are my own, including that I hope to stay there again someday!
