Ballyfin Demesne

Hotel · Laois

Ballyfin Demesne

Hotel · Laois

4

Ballyfin Demesne, Co. Laois, R32 X5X8, Ireland

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Ballyfin Demesne by Courtesy of Ballyfin
Ballyfin Demesne by Courtesy Ballyfin Demesne
Ballyfin Demesne by Courtesy Ballyfin Demesne
Ballyfin Demesne by Courtesy Ballyfin Demesne/Photo by James Fennell
Ballyfin Demesne by Courtesy Ballyfin Demesne
Ballyfin Demesne by Courtesy Ballyfin Demesne
Ballyfin Demesne by Courtesy Ballyfin Demesne
Ballyfin Demesne by Courtesy Ballyfin Demesne
Ballyfin Demesne by Courtesy Ballyfin Demesne/Photo by James Fennell
Ballyfin Demesne by Courtesy Ballyfin Demesne
Ballyfin Demesne by Courtesy Ballyfin Demesne/Photo by James Fennell
Ballyfin Demesne by Courtesy Ballyfin Demesne
Ballyfin Demesne by Courtesy Ballyfin Demesne
Ballyfin Demesne by Courtesy Ballyfin Demesne
Ballyfin Demesne by Courtesy Ballyfin Demesne/Photo by James Fennell
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null
Ballyfin Demesne by null

Highlights

Nestled at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, this opulent 1820s manor offers elegant rooms, exceptional dining, and a stunning array of activities.  

Featured in Conde Nast Traveler
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Ballyfin Demesne, Co. Laois, R32 X5X8, Ireland Get directions

ballyfin.com
@ballyfindemesne

$$$$

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Ballyfin Demesne, Co. Laois, R32 X5X8, Ireland Get directions

+353 57 875 5866
ballyfin.com
@ballyfindemesne
𝕏
@BallyfinDemesne

$$$$

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Jul 25, 2025

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@cntraveler

Ballyfin Demesne

"So, can you tell us a little about this place? For unabashed, gilt-framed grandeur, nowhere in Ireland can beat Ballyfin. Aside from being the country’s top hotel, this Regency pile is also one of the finest and most intricate historical restorations this century. Uniformed valets will appear to unload your car while you are greeted like a much-anticipated house guest. Can you tell us a little more about its history? The political upheaval that followed World War I brought the Anglo-Irish idyll to an abrupt end and Ballyfin’s owner, the 13th Baronet Coote, sold the property to a Catholic teaching order, who established a boys’ school here. Unable to keep up with relentless maintenance costs, the Brothers sold Ballyfin in 2001 to American billionaire Fred Krehbiel and his Irish wife, Kay. The restoration process was immense, involving the finest talents from both sides of the Irish Sea, not least London-based designer Colin Orchard, who co-ordinated the hotel’s exceptional interiors. Got it. What can we expect from the bedrooms? Any favorites among the bunch? The Westmeath Room has fabulous yellow and gold Mauny wallpaper and an opulent 18th-century French bed right in the middle. The newly opened Gardener’s Cottage (a five-minute walk from the main house) has a country-style kitchen and a drawing room with fat sofas, heavy curtains and open log fires, with a bedroom decorated in spring-like pale greens and creams. No techy gimmicks. Perfect; sounds very elegant. How about the food and drink—what's the deal? Formal but not black tie. Chef Sam Moody, who trained under Michael Caines at Gidleigh Park and won a Michelin star at the Bath Priory hotel, uses ingredients grown in the eight-acre walled garden. Breakfast is a triumph: organic steel-cut Irish oats with honey from the estate bees, fresh eggs, and Irish sour dough toast with homemade fruit jam. Our mouths are watering. Anything to say about the service? Super-discreet and seamless. Staff are never overbearing; and several of them are fully versed in the property’s history and lead guided tours of the house. Nothing is too much bother—whether you want to picnic in the grounds, tour other local houses and gardens, or head to the hills for a strapping hike. Excellent. Well then, what type of person stays here? House guests are predominantly American, with some Europeans and home-grown Irish. Discerning types who enjoy the full immersion into Anglo-Irish history and pedigree. Alright. Is it close to anything? Tell us a little about the environs. Slap bang in the middle of a 614-acre country estate with the Slieve Bloom mountains rolling behind in a wash of purple heather. Gorgeous. Anything we missed? This really isn’t a child-appropriate kind of a place. Get outside and make the most of that soft Irish air whether it’s ambling, riding or cycling through the grounds or rowing on that beautiful lake. Alright, we'll book a sitter. And anything you’d change? Ban all sight and sound of golf buggies. Fair! Is it worth it—why? The place to indulge in the unbridled opulence of an early 20th-century aristocrat. Plenty of people hire the whole place and throw the ultimate decadent house party. Ballyfin has 40 dressing-up costumes for guests to borrow." - Pamela Goodman

https://www.cntraveler.com/hotels/ireland/ireland/ireland/ballyfin
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@cntraveler

The Best Hotels in Ireland: 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards

"Coûte que coûte" goes the punning family motto of Sir Charles Coote, for whom the opulent Ballyfin estate was conceived in the early 19th century. "No matter the cost" is how this loosely translates, proving as apt an adage in the 21st century as it was then. Many millions of euros may have been lavished on this stately pile in Ireland's County Laois, both in its original construction and, more recently, its painstaking restoration. For the architectural historian, the house is a head turner—the culmination of Regency craftsmanship brought together in lusciously modeled plasterwork, scagliola in varying colors, stained glass, and staggeringly intricate parquetry. For the sybarite, the house is a place of comfort and grandeur, not least in the Gold Drawing Room where walls are hung with lustrous silk and vast windows frame views of the 28-acre lake. The grounds are made for strolling in the complimentary wellies, with grottoes and rockeries, a folly and a fernery, a rose garden, and an aviary. There is no finer Irish-country house experience." - CNT Editors, Nicholas DeRenzo

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-hotels-ireland
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@travelleisure

18 Stunning Castles Where You Can Live Like Royalty

"Ballyfin is modeled on a traditional Irish country house with 20 rooms, offering activities like wine tastings and period costume experiences." - Kelsey Fowler Kelsey Fowler Kelsey Fowler is a New York City-based journalist who specializes in covering travel, business, and news. She is a frequent contributor to Travel + Leisure and currently works at The New York Times as a coordina

https://www.travelandleisure.com/hotels-resorts/luxury-hotels/castles-you-can-rent
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@gq

"The most important aspect of Ballyfin is that it has been restored “to period” and the current owners went around to auctions and bought up furniture, silverware, and anything else they could find that was owned by the family that originally built the house back in the 1820s. So if you are the kind of person who dreams of researching Chinese Chippendale furniture on 1stdibs, or talks about your great-great-great-grandparents, this is the place for you. They’ve even got falconry. And with 614 acres of gardens, you should try to get out of the room at least once and have yourself a stroll. With a falcon." (Starting $1,833/night)

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The Best High-End Hotel Rooms on the Planet
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Tara

Google
We had the most wonderful stay at Ballyfin. The staff were fantastic, the food was exceptional, and the rooms were absolutely stunning. The activities are well worth doing, we loved the wine tasting, clay pigeon shooting, archery, and the carriage ride. The falconry experience was a real highlight and a must for animal lovers. Overall, Ballyfin is a truly special place that we can’t wait to return to.

Mick Scully

Google
Me and my wife went to Ballyfin for our first wedding anniversary dinner. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal. It was world class. The service was impeccable, and every need was catered too. I would highly recommend coming here to experience what the hotel has to offer. It's amazing, what we have on our doorstep in Laois and as a local in the area, this place would make you proud.

Pmggo

Google
Outstanding stay. I enjoyed two nights at this amazing country retreat. The suite was stunning with views over the parklands. Staff were helpful and friendly. The dinners in the restaurant both nights was lovely with a great wine list including my favourite Chateau Musar.

578aislingc

Google
Absolutely breathtaking from start to finish! From driving in the avenue, to being met by staff at the door. They treated us like the lord and lady of the house. It was an absolutely amazing experience! Warm hand towls to freshen up when we arrived, followed by a complementary glass of champagne while we took in the stunning views of the lake and the impeccable detail of the house itself. The hotel is more than a hotel, a hidden gem of pure relaxation and beyond 5 star treatment. It's absolutely my favourite place i have ever visited!! ||Golf buggies are available to all guests as a means of exploring the huge grounds. Adventure and beauty lie in the grounds and the beautiful chefs garden. ||Bernadette on arrival, made us feel so welcome and at home the second we arrived. ||Natalia who served us our fine dining experience went above and beyond with her food knowledge and friendliness. |||Millie who served us lunch and breakfast, the staff are just amazing! ||I can't explain the experience in so many words, it's something one must explore and enjoy themselves but it's truly breathtaking!||Ballyfin, thank you for everything! I can't wait to come back very soon!

AS131994

Google
We had an exceptionally pleasant stay at Ballyfin. The attention to detail is second to none. The staff are so welcoming and hospitable. The food and drinks were amazing - clearly very deserving of its Michelin star. The entire stay and experience is a proper luxury without any stuffiness. It’s a bucket list experience that I would highly recommend!

Pat O'Connell

Google
Didn't stay but we had the carriage ride through the grounds followed by dinner and drinks. Lionel, who did the carriage ride, was a great guide and the grounds are spectacular. We opted for the a la carte dinner. Yes, all the food was high quality but I honestly think portion size on main course could be a bit bigger. Overall, a fabulous experience.

shs111

Google
A stay at Ballyfin is an extraordinary experience. The property itself, the grounds, the food, the staff, the variety of things to do during your stay or the option to just do nothing and unwind. We had a wonderful room and were pleased with everything about it. I cannot say enough about Ballyfin and absolutely will find a way for us to return again.

John Narvell

Google
Magical. We have stayed 5 times at this exclusive property. Like stepping back in time to a country house party. Or living in a beautiful museum. Worth the expense. Overnight here is a memorable experience that exceeds all others.
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PC S.

Yelp
I cannot wait to come back! This is the most luxurious and beautiful hotel I have ever been too! We stayed here for my husband's birthday. The attention to detail by the staff was phenomenal! From the pictures on the wall, flowers, decorations, I could go on.... Staff very helpful & always there to offer you, tea, water or coffee. Golf carts great way to get around!
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David M.

Yelp
Wow. Where do I start? My wife and I decided to seriously indulge ourselves so we went with a two night package (via Relais et Chateaux) in Ballyfin Demesne, a grandiose 18th century house on 600 acres in the leafy Laois countryside. We arrived at the main electronic gates (you need to dial reception for entry) and made our way along the winding 3km road to the main house. It was a bit disconcerting to have all of the staff lined up outside the hotel to greet us, but it certainly made us feel very welcome. Our luggage was taken, my car driven off to be hidden away out of sight and we were given a short introduction about what we could expect from our stay. Our deluxe room was incredible. It was very well presented, looking very much like what it would have looked like two hundred years ago (I'm sure) and the mini bar was filled with complimentary (non alcoholic) drinks and nuts. The quality of the products (soaps, shower gels etc) were of the highest order. We relaxed for a while then went down for a guided tour of the house hosted by the extremely pleasant & imitable Lionel. The house has been lovingly restored to its former glory in the finest detail by its owners. I could talk for hours about what a beautiful hotel it is. The main points to note are that: yes you do pay a lot to stay/eat there, but it is worth it for the relaxation, the excellent food, the incredibly friendly, attentive (and not in any way overbearing) staff. There are many activities on offer (we took a spin in one of the golf buggies and explored the estate and all of its follies, grottoes and forests), including clay pigeon shooting, fishing, archery etc...I enjoyed not having to worry about running up huge bills, as most teas, soft drinks, newspapers and a pre dinner champagne etc were complimentary. The team were accommodating in every way - they had no issue with us bringing a bottle of our own wine (for nostalgic reasons - our wedding wine) and just charged corkage. The food, including the breakfasts, was incredible. I recommend to anyone looking to seriously indulge themselves in truly opulent surroundings to treat themselves to a night in Ballyfin. I would personally prefer the Cliff House for a foodie break, but for the whole end to end package it is hard to beat the luxury on offer at Ballyfin.
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Lisa F.

Yelp
This place is AMAZING. If you're in Ireland just start thinking of an excuse to visit. Gorgeous grounds, beautiful house restored to perfection, attentive, unobtrusive and friendly staff and - best bit - they have golf buggies that you can joyride on round the 600 acres of land.
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Ed M.

Yelp
Checked in today and the staff and property were above reproach. Breakfast was great, skipped lunch, grabbed an afternoon tea and scones and then dinner at 7:45p. Everything was top shelf! The risotto appetizer was to die for and the steak was perfection. Great atmosphere and friendly service in the main dining room.