Review: Carton House, a Fairmont Managed Hotel

On my European vacation, I had the opportunity to stay at a very unique property in rural Ireland, just outside of Dublin, called the Carton House. This property is a Fairmont-managed hotel and is located on a massive estate that used to belong to the Irish aristocracy, with visits from esteemed royal guests such as Queen Victoria. It even has its own Wikipedia page!

Read on to see if the Carton House lived up to my lofty expectations.

Booking & Check-in

I booked a Double Double room at the Carton House for a cash rate of €325 per night. While this wasn’t a spectacular deal by any means, I was content to pay a premium to experience a luxurious property just outside of Dublin, Ireland. I also subsidized the cost heavily with Fairmont Gift Cards I acquired for free by redeeming a chunk of my RBC Avion points.

As an Accor Live Gold Member (acquired via Ibis Business Card), I requested an improved room or suite upgrade, by emailing the hotel concierge and manager a few weeks before my stay. They replied to me a few days later and let me know I’d been upgraded to a room with a garden terrace view, which is apparently the best view for that room type.

As we approached the property, not one but two hotel staff members came out to assist us with our luggage. They were both extremely pleasant and welcoming, giving us a few interesting facts about the property. They directed us to the check-in area, which was just two girls at two different desks in the middle of the main lobby.

Check-in went smoothly. I was invited to book breakfast and dinner reservations (not required, but encouraged). I did have to bring up my entitled two complimentary welcome drinks as an Accor Gold member. It did not seem we were going to be offered these until I said something.

Note the fine print: “not for use with fine wines, champagne, or spirits”. More on that later…

Location 

Carton House is a historic country house and hotel located in Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland. The house is situated on a large estate of 1,100 acres (445 hectares) of parkland and gardens. The address of the property is Carton Demesne, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, W23 TD98, Ireland.

Maynooth is a charming university town located about 20 miles (32 km) west of Dublin City Centre. The Carton House estate is located just off the R148 road, also known as the Maynooth to Kilcock Road. It was about a 25-minute drive from Dublin airport.

The estate is surrounded by lush green countryside, offering a peaceful and picturesque setting for visitors. The hotel is conveniently located near several popular attractions, including the Maynooth Castle, the Royal Canal, and the Irish National Stud.

Parking

The hotel has a large parking lot with ample space. I parked myself and wasn’t required to provide anything to the front reception in terms of license or registration. Convenient, but not surprising given the size of this massive property. 

Valet parking is also available upon request.

Room – Fairmont Garden Terrace Double Double

We were located in a ground-level room, 043. The walk to our room was quite long but gave us a glimpse of some of the unique gardens and amenities the property had to offer.

Upon entering the suite, the spaciousness was apparent, with a long hallway containing a large two-walled closet on the right and a bathroom entrance on the left.

The bedroom with two double beds was also spacious, with plenty of natural lighting from the large windows on two sides of the room.  

As implied in the room name, there was a nice garden terrace with a table and two chairs. Although there wasn’t a lot to look at, this was a nice feature and I enjoyed a coffee or three while sitting out on the patio.

A few welcome items were waiting for us, including some Irish shortbread, a box of chocolates and other sweets, Irish Stillwater,  and a nice handwritten welcome card.

The decor in the room was pleasant and left a royal (but not dated) vibe. Even the door hangers were unique, including one for “Fire – Assistance Required”, which I may or may not have taken as a souvenir…

There was a K-FEE capsule coffee machine located at the mini-bar, which made some decent coffee.

Last but not least – the bathroom was spacious and modern, with a black quartz and white tiled theme. 

There was a nice waterfall shower, ample toilet space, a single vanity, and a decent-sized bathtub to enjoy. 

Facilities & Resort Activities

Carton House Spa & Wellness

The Carton House has a solid fitness and relaxation facility, which includes an award-winning spa, indoor pool, and gym all in the same facility.

The gym was very adequate, having two levels with an upper level for cardio equipment and a lower level with resistance training machines, free weights, and a bench press. 

You have a nice view of the pool from both levels.

The Boathouse

The Boathouse at Carton House is a must-see, a historic and picturesque building rumored to have been built at Queen Victoria’s request.

I woke up at sunset to try to photograph the boathouse twice (and I wasn’t the only one), but alas didn’t quite get the conditions I was hoping for.

The Boathouse is not just for show. You can book boat trips where an experienced boatman will take you on a 45-minute ride along the Rye Water to enjoy the scenery and local wildlife. 

Golf Courses

Carton House boasts two championship golf courses, both renowned for their quality and design.

1. The Montgomerie Course: Designed by golf legend Colin Montgomerie, this is a parkland course and offers a challenging and strategic layout. It covers a diverse landscape with rolling hills, natural water features, and mature woodlands. The Montgomerie Course demands accurate shot placement and rewards thoughtful course management. It’s known for its risk-and-reward opportunities, making it a favorite among golfers looking for an exciting challenge.

2. The O’Meara Course: Designed by another golf icon, Mark O’Meara, this links course complements the Montgomerie Course with its distinct character. The O’Meara Course showcases stunning views of the countryside and incorporates the natural surroundings seamlessly into its design. It offers a more forgiving experience compared to the Montgomerie Course, with wider fairways and less demanding rough. This course provides an enjoyable yet still challenging round of golf, suitable for players of varying skill levels.

In essence, Carton House’s two championship golf courses, the Montgomerie Course and the O’Meara Course, offer golfers a well-rounded experience that caters to both challenging gameplay and a more relaxed round, all within a picturesque and serene setting.

Firing Range

Carton House has its own modern local shooting range (clays). This exciting experience caters to individuals with varying levels of shooting experience and is closely overseen by a team of proficient professionals.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced shooter, everyone is encouraged to participate. A comprehensive competitive format is available to accommodate all skill levels, with a strong emphasis on ensuring your safety. 

There is a selection of shooting options including 25, 40, or 50 clay bird shoots.

This activity must be booked in advance.

Walking Paths

The Carton House is a massive estate with some excellent walking trails to enjoy the surroundings, local wildlife, the Boat House, golf course grounds, Tyrconnell Tower, and more. 

There is even a detailed map of all the walking trails available.

We went on the Red Walk and enjoyed the extremely relaxing atmosphere throughout the grounds. 

Other Activities

There are endless other activities available at this massive luxury resort including falconry, tennis, archery, pickleball, horse riding, whiskey tasting, wine tasting, and more. See the Carton House website for a complete listing.

Restaurants & Bars

Carton House has several restaurants and dining options available for guests and visitors:

• Kathleen’s Kitchen: This is the hotel’s main restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu features contemporary Irish cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients.

• The Carriage House: Located in the courtyard of the hotel, this gastropub offers a more casual dining experience with a menu of classic pub fare, including burgers, fish and chips, and sandwiches.

• The Courtyard Bar: This is a cozy lobby bar located within the main house of Carton House, offering a range of drinks and light snacks.

• The Morrison Room: This elegant private dining room is available for special events and functions, and can accommodate up to 20 guests. Breakfast is also served here.

Overall, Carton House offers a range of dining options to suit different tastes and occasions.

Dinner at the Carriage House

The Carriage House is the resort’s gastropub, located in the golf courtyard. They serve pub food and drinks in a more casual (but still very posh) setting. 

The Carriage House serves both lunch and dinner. We opted to eat here on the evening of our stay as it was a bit more our vibe than the fancier Kathleen’s Kitchen.

I opted for a Rockshore Irish Lager with classic fish and chips, while my travel partner opted for a beef burger with prosecco. 

The fries were some of the fattest I’ve ever experienced, and very tasty. The fish was good as well, although the batter was a little soft. Overall, a good and predictable pub meal.

Drinks at the Courtyard Bar

We visited the hotel’s lobby bar, called the Courtyard Bar, around 10:00 PM the evening of our stay. The bar was quite lively for the time and given that it was a Wednesday.

We ordered a round of drinks from the cocktail menu, which had a variety of unique cocktails with local Irish liquors, beers, champagnes, and even sorbets from Dingle.

I ordered the Ogilvy which was very good, with several distinct tastes that complemented each other well.

While I think the Carriage House is the place to be after a round of golf, this lobby bar is a nice addition to the hotel for sure.

A little note – be careful with Fairmont/Accor drink vouchers. They can be a bit hit or miss as to what they’ll cover. I’ve had my last few Fairmonts provide vouchers which were good for any cocktail or drink. Meanwhile at Carton House they were only good for basic beer, wine, or non-alcoholic beverages.   

Breakfast in The Morrison Room

Breakfast at the Morrison Room was included in our Fairmont hotel booking. As we were guided to the seating area, we passed through various regal-looking rooms with high ceilings and old paintings. The Morrison Room itself is a gorgeous high-ceiling room that oozes history. Notably, there was a dress requirement (‘smart dress’). 

We started breakfast off with a juice shot. Then a cart of cold foods was delivered to our table, including porridge, yogurt, breads and croissants, and fruit.

We selected our main course from an a la carte menu. I had Brioche French toast caramel and apple sauce. With coffee of course.

The breakfast was phenomenal, easily one of the best I had on my entire Europe trip. I would probably even rank it above what I had at Hotel Verte.

Conclusion

The Carton House, a Fairmont-managed hotel in Kildare, Ireland, exceeded my expectations with its luxurious accommodations, rich history, and top-notch service. The spacious Fairmont Garden Terrace Double Double room provided comfort and elegance, while the resort’s amenities were diverse. 

The dining experiences, especially at Breakfast in the Morrison Room, were exceptional. Whether exploring the estate’s history, enjoying outdoor activities, or indulging in fine dining, Carton House is a beautiful hotel that offers an unforgettable escape in a unique blend of heritage and modern luxury.