Cashel Palace Hotel

A mixed review. My mum (70) and I treated ourselves to a night in Cashel Palace a couple of weeks ago. While the hotel has some really good points, we felt that a couple of members of staff really let the standard down. We arrived just before lunch – one downside to the hotel is that the check in time is 4pm, which is the latest check in time I have experienced. However, when we checked in, the staff said it should be ready before that. We had a nice lunch (lovely staff in the Queen Anne room) and then I politely checked the situation about 1.30. The lady there said that it wasn’t ready yet but checked her system and said that the cleaners were currently in there and it would be done in 30 minutes time. I thanked her and we relaxed in the drawing room. 40 minutes later, my mum went to check and came back quite shocked as she said the two ladies at the front desk had been quite rude and patronising and said that the room wasn’t ready and said check in was 4pm. I went over myself and enquired. The two ladies were very rude to me, patronising as well and said it wouldn’t be ready until 4. I said I understood their policy but I had been told at 1.30 that the cleaners were in there and it would be done in 30 minutes. The lady responded saying that she had never said they were there, they were in the “general vicinity” and started hiding her screen so I couldn’t see. She was passive aggressive and just a really rude tone. However, the spa was lovely (staff lovely) and dinner at the Bishop’s Buttery was lovely too, as was breakfast. I have stayed in many 5* hotels before though and found this one to be a bit “stuffy”. Apparently the locals do not feel welcome there which I didn’t like. It didn’t feel very “relaxed”. The rooms were nice but nothing special. In summary, spa and restaurants lovely, but staff at front desk not good – only those two though – there was a lovely dark haired lady (Julie maybe?) who was friendly and sweet but the other two who I dealt with rude and passive aggressive. I would like to go back to try it all again as it did have some lovely points but staff ruined it for me.

The most amazing experience. The hotel is beautiful, the staff are hepful, warm and professional. And the whole stay was a pleasure.