Róisín
Google
AFTERNOON TEA REVIEW
My mum and I travelled to Kenmare for afternoon tea and sadly left very disappointed.
The grounds and hotel itself are stunning, but the service and overall experience did not match the 5 star standard or the €65 per person price.
On arrival, (who I assume was the manager), while on the phone, greeted us with “what are you here for?” in a rude and dismissive tone. It immediately set the wrong impression, and he never returned to follow up. After a few minutes, a polite waiter eventually seated us.
The dining room was beautifully set, and the teas were enjoyable, but once the food arrived, service disappeared completely. No one came to check on us, and we had to wait far too long for simple things like extra butter and more tea. The sandwiches, while tasty, looked carelessly presented, nothing close to the refined experience one expects. The scones were the highlight, but even they could not outweigh the poor service.
The atmosphere was extremely uncomfortable, no background music, and guests were seated so closely that it felt awkward to even have a conversation.
For a hotel of this calibre, this was unacceptable. We felt forgotten and let down. Afternoon tea should be a memorable experience, but instead it left us with the impression that the standards here are slipping badly. Definitely not worth the price paid.