"The lovely town of Killarney marks the start and end point of the Ring of Kerry, and this cheerful yellow, family-owned property is a fantastic spot to celebrate a drive well done—or to catch some restful sleep before heading out on the 111-mile journey. Right outside on the hotel’s doorstep is the 25,000-acre Killarney National Park, home to the island’s highest mountain and its largest swath of ancient oak forests, and the concierge will be happy (this is Ireland after all!) to direct you to the best spots for trout fishing, rock climbing, and hiking among the bogs or alongside waterfalls. Back inside, rooms are done up in either a sleek contemporary palette of cool grays and blues or a more traditional style, complete with timeless plaids, fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, and tufted headboards. This year, the hotel unveiled a complete redesign of its signature restaurant, The Peregrine, which now features a marble and brass Champagne bar and horseshoe-shaped, mossy green banquettes that mimic the verdant park outside; also drawing inspiration from the Irish countryside and coast is the eclectic menu, which includes dishes like seaweed-cured halibut, aged Thornhill duck, and loin of wild sika deer." - CNT Editors, Nicholas DeRenzo
