The Europe Hotel & Resort

We visited the europe Hotel from the 14th to the 16th of February. This hotel has been a dream of ours for years and we finally decided to treat ourselves for our babymoon. When we arrived we went to the lounge which serves a smaller menu than the brasserie bar. I ordered a Mediterranean chicken ciabatta which was probably one of the worst sandwiches I've ever had. It consisted of a whole dry chicken breast, lettuce and some tomato puree. I ordered another option in the end which was 6 chicken nuggets which came to a cost of €13. You'd imagine a 5 star hotel would have a chef with more imagination than this but no this is all normal at the europe. On the first night we were were woken up out of our sleep due to building works that were going on above us. We could hear hammering and carpets being ripped up. Not what you want after paying so much for a stay! I made a complaint and was told I'd receive a phonecall. After 30 minutes passed I went down to find the manager myself and he gave us a room upgrade which was gorgeous and we had a perfect sleep on night 2 but still a major inconvenience that we had to pack all of our stuff to move to another room. We went to the riva Italian restaurant and I ordered the gambas con pan. It didn't state in the menu that there was chorizo in the dish which you can't eat when pregnant. This is a serious error in my opinion and it shows the lack of care from the chef. We waited 20 minutes to receive a dessert menu after asking for one but in the end they gave us dessert complimentary as the experience was so bad! Some good points were the hotel sent up some chocolate covered strawberries and chocolates for our babymoon, the spa and spa treatments were gorgeous and the brasserie restaurant at night was very good. In my opinion the hotel isn't worth the price point because the food and service isn't up to standard.

Overall it was a lovely experience. The grounds and view are beautiful. The food mostly perfect. Lots of areas to relax in. The pool and spa area is gorgeous. The room was comfortable. The bar staff were very friendly. Some elements however definitely diminished the experience. The check in at reception was less than welcoming. The receptionist was rude and abrupt, didn't smile once, put the welcome cloths out of reach and didn’t refer to them. Felt very uncomfortable. I asked about needing to book for dinner and she just said that it was walk in only, no need to book. Not mentioning that the Panaroma restaraunt was closed. It does mention this on the website dining section, that it does not open Sundays, but did not come across this information when booking. Later that evening around 7pm the Brasserie had an hour and a half waiting list and the Riva had a half hour waitlist. - just a bit odd not to mention this potential wait or have some kind of booking system. Rooms are quiet basic for a five star but the view is exceptional.

Stayed here with my business partner mid-week. I had stayed here some years ago, so knew the property. Whilst the hotel is a 5 star experience, the check in we experienced left a lot to desire. We were asked our names and handed our room key cards and that was it. We stood there waiting for the usual directions on restaurants, spa, breakfast etc. I can honestly say I’ve had better check ins in a 3 star hotel. It wasn’t my only interaction with reception and I have to say, this side of the hotel needs urgent attention.

This was our second time visiting the hotel, such a beautiful setting, the perfect location for a relaxing weekend away...well, that's what we had hoped! We stayed over the Easter weekend, big mistake. The hotel was pretty much over run with unsupervised children. Running the corridors at 7am screaming. But it was the pool area which really was overrun by kids, again, no supervision. When you pay for a relaxing treatment and want to go and relax in the outdoor heated pool, only for it to be filled with children, playing ball games, canon balling in from the side of the pool, running through the grass to retrieve their ball, then bringing the dirt back into the pool with them. It didn't make for a relaxing experience. There were no lifeguards in the pool area, or anyone to monitor the children. The lobby area was scattered in toys. Just not what we expected. But onto the positives. The staff, every single staff member we met were amazing. So friendly, helpful, always stopped for a chat. The staff absolutely make this hotel. Food was fabulous. From breakfast to dinner. Couldn't complain about a single thing, service was outstanding. We stayed in a classic lake view room. Room was spotless clean, cleaned twice a day. Bed was so comfortable. The little chocolate bunnies left each evening were also a lovely touch. Overall, we are looking forward to returning. Just not when the school holidays are on.

Beautiful hotel with breathtaking views of a huge lake and mountains. Good food and drinks service. Also good for events and conferences. Plenty of car parking and good wifi. Hotel rates in the area are high and this is one of the highest per night.

Great hotel with beautiful room,excellent housekeeping and terrific staff. Hotel was very busy but staff most helpful .Had dinner in Bistro and excellent food and service. Great choices on breakfast menu and had lovely kippers! Look forward to return visit and as suggestion we took boat trip on lakes which is based in National Park and very enjoyable. Thank you!

From the minute you drive in the gates, you just get that holiday vibe. As always greeting by stunning scenery & gorgeous staff. Great buzz around hotel for Easter. Check in quick, gorgeous lake view room. Could be anywhere The hotel was very busy with adults & children but did not feel uncomfortable in any way We ate in the bistro 3 nights and were looked after by Emmanuel & Bart who run a super efficient service with help of great staff. Food excellent, great choice. Like wise, breakfast excellent & lovely they served until 11.00 Kids ate in Riva & really enjoyed. Pool area fab, so clean. Had a masssge & lovely facial from Michelle, it was our first visit & only regret we didn’t book earlier & make more use of spa Thanks to Conor for looking after us in bar, always a smile & Debbie at breakfast. Keep doing guys what you are doing, great job

Absolutely Stunning hotel, staff, views and food. 4 of us stayed for 1 night. We had a ball. The staff are incredible,very friendly, helpful and accomodating. Especially Gearoid, Rachel, fabio and Padraig. They added to our amazing experience. We checked in earlier than our 3 o clock appointment and our room was ready. We had drinks at reception with outstanding views of the lake and kerry mountains. We had a 3 course meal at the restaurant, the food was delicious, and very tasty. We were also complimented a beautiful bottle of wine with our meal as we were celebrating big birthdays. It is an experience we will never forget and we are eternally grateful. Thank you, we will certainly be back.

Some hotels just get it right from the moment you step inside the foyer, with a fine big welcome from Padraig "welcome back, lovely to see you all again" unlike that annoying phrase one gets in so many 5 star hotels these days..."have you stayed with us before"? (and we have!). We stayed here for for St Patrick's weekend en famille and it was wonderful from start to finish. As long as we can, we hope to make it an annual family trip as the Europe just go that extra mile, some lovely birthday gifts awaited two of my sons in our suite, it's the little things that mean so much and it did to them. A word for Natasha who was incredibly helpful allowing us an early check in as two of the party were flying into Kerry airport early, this was very much appreciated. So lovely to see the same staff here year after year, especially Miriam who always has a word and a chat. The cead mile failte is an integral part of the Irish hospitality industry and is not forgotten at The Europe. Dining at the Bistro was superb, as was the service by a most pleasant gentleman, we were a hungry lot and he played a blinder. The only downside was our trip wasn't long enough! Carole Anne Kendellen