Gougane Barra Hotel

We stayed there at the weekend to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We got married in the hotel previously and everyone still says it was the “ best wedding ever”. Neil and Katy run a great operation and it didn’t disappoint. Staff were exceptional and couldn’t do enough for us. Room 6 is recommended. The food is Michelin star quality and excellent wine, whiskey and cocktail selection. The location is magical, serene and peaceful and otherworldly. Looking forward to a return visit already. Many thanks

Wow, what a serene, magical birthday treat! This Hotel has a thousandfold authentic 5-star location overlooking the Lake, Mountains, St Finbarr's Oratory, and the spellbinding Forest Park Walk. Be sure to visit the Oratory and light a few candles—a truly sacred experience. We spent hours trekking in the Forest Park, there are paths and trails to suit all endurance levels in Nature's Retreat.||Neil and Katy run their small family Hotel, in a manner that depicts what Irish Hospitality is all about. Neil is hands-on front of house ensuring everything runs like clockwork, a welcoming non-intrusive presence at all times. Katy delicately prepares the most amazing food, full of natural flavour, all from the finest locally sourced produce with pretty little edible touches of decoration from the Herb Garden. To say, we thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience, dinner and breakfast is so much of an understatement. This is no ordinary food, this is Gougane Barra's Hotel Katy's prepared food. The owners are ably assisted by the most amazing staff. Amélíe, in particular, enhanced our evening meal with her warm attentiveness and humour. ||The Hotel has a most tranquil endearing ambience full of old-world charm throughout which is befitting of the natural beauty of its surroundings. Quaint bar, tasteful modern bedrooms with breathtaking views already described but I do not have the words to do it justice, calming dining room also overlooking the lake and mountains. Hygiene was to the highest standard, as my wife commented, spotless.|Our visit certainly provided food for the soul and body, enjoying the beauty of a seemingly remote location whilst being pampered with modern comforts.||My wife booked this visit for my birthday. On the evening of our return home, I immediately booked a return trip for her birthday in June.||Thank you, Neil, Katy and the team.|Féach thú i Meitheamh

My sister and I had the great fortune of staying at Gougane Barra Hotel with our tour group. What a magical place! The location is absolutely stunning and peaceful. The owners take care to create a memorable experience for the guests from reception to the grounds and the pub. And the food - WOW - the food, some of the best we had in Ireland. Every detail is lovingly considered. Highly recommend!

Nestled on the edge of a lake and surrounded by mountains, this family-run gem offers a tranquil retreat that feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle.||The welcome was warm and genuine—the whole team made us feel more like friends than guests. Our lake-view room was spotless, cosy, with lovely views over the lake.||Our dinner was simply outstanding. The menu features locally sourced ingredients and traditional Irish dishes with a gourmet interpretation, matched with a nice selection of wines from the cellar. There was a separate children's menu (with entertaining riddles thrown in for good measure). All came with great service and amazingly good value. We discovered the staff are pretty good singers when they arrived with special desserts for two of our group who were celebrating birthdays. ||We enjoyed exploring the nearby Gougane Barra Forest Park (approx 2km walk from the hotel on a quiet unmetalled road), and visiting the small chapel on the lake’s little island, about 300m from the hotel. ||What really sets Gougane Barra Hotel apart is the personal touch. Every detail reflects the teams’ passion for hospitality and the natural beauty of West Cork. On top of everything, when our child accidentally left behind a special toy, the staff and owner went above and beyond—carefully packaging the precious cargo and sending it back to us by registered post. It meant the world to our family and was just another example of their extraordinary care.||We left feeling refreshed and determined to return. If you’re seeking hospitality, and unforgettable scenery, look no further. Gougane Barra Hotel is a rare find—highly recommended!

Really nice stay at the Gougane Barra Hotel during a recent trip through Ireland. Service was wonderful, as was the on site pub. Rooms were clean and comfortable, which is nice considering the age and long history of this hotel. Staff were very friendly and provided an excellent breakfast service on site.

My partner and I stayed here the weekend just gone. It exceeded all expectations from start to finish! Clean spacious room! My only critique is that the room was ground floor so during the day people outside were on your level and could peek in. But I'd take that for the lake view room that we had , the views were insane and so peaceful! The food and service was the best! Genuinely lovely people and the food was the best quality and freshness! The attention to detail was amazing! I left Gougane feeling extremely relaxed and recharged ! I can't wait to return!

We ate at the hotel yesterday evening as part of a post wedding dinner and it was a fantastic experience. From arrival to leaving we were so welcomed and the service was exceptional. The food was faultless, choice, presentation and taste all excellent. If you are in the area, a call here is a must to experience a beautiful meal with locally sourced ingredients. Highly recommend.

I can’t say enough things about how charming this little hotel on the water is. The hosts were so hospitable and kind. We did a three course dinner at the hotel and the food was amazing and for the price was a fantastic deal. Rooms were clean and cozy, and I had no trouble with any of the amenities or getting to sleep. You can tell the owners care a lot about representing Cork food and hospitality by sourcing local suppliers. The views outside are picturesque and you really feel like you are tucked away in a special private area of Ireland. We came here on a small group tour and am so pleased we got the chance to stay here and would certainly come back at the next opportunity. I’m already craving the food again!