Liss Ard Estate

It's not easy planning a driving tour of Ireland for 14, when you know a good location, a great meal and secure parking is required. The Liss Ard Estate was a great find and from our welcome on arrival to that on our departure we were made to feel most welcome. We all had excellent rooms in the main house and had plenty of time to wander around the large estate before getting ready for dinner. Lovely large lounges to relax in with an honesty bar and then a great dinner with very good wines. Oh and another great Full Irish the next morning!

Everything about our visit was beautiful. The grounds are stunning. We stayed in the Lakehouse which was very pretty and slept like a log. The lake was perfect for a swim during the day and for watching a starry sky without light pollution at night. The smell from the wood fire sauna was divine, the pods near the lake a great addition. The Sky Garden lived up to the hype - the best description is that it was like being in a Studio Ghibli film! The restaurant was excellent with lots of options, each unexpected but delicious and the food locally sourced. The bar and roaring fire a perfect way to end the day. The staff were all very welcoming and professional. We explored Skibbereen, the coast, Lough Hyne etc. We are hoping to come back soon maybe in the winter to enjoy the beauty of the Big House in a cosy setting.

We were in Skibbereen to go night kayaking (which was canceled due to weather) and found ourself enjoying the Liss Ard Estate more than planned. We stayed at the Lake House, walked the large acre estate, experienced the Irish Sky Garden, sipped at the bar, had a delicious locally sourced dinner and breakfast at their restaurant. Indulged in their lake side hot sauna and plunged into the lake afterwards. Very refreshing.

So many things went wrong here. Chaotic from the initial call, multiple calls from different staff regarding a straight forward booking. I asked for a twin room, got a casual attitude that we should all just jump into the same bed as they are big, not professional. Checked in at 4.30pm, room had clearly not been cleaned from previous occupants and promised fold out bed, not there, had to go to reception again. Terrible smell of BO when I came back after a walk. Misinformed regarding "short walk" to treatment room's, luckily I drove my Mother down, neither of us would have been able for this wet path. The most disappointing thing was the dinner, it was an absolute disgrace, misleading sample menu online and then our bill was wrong. While the staff we encountered were well meaning, this is not the level I expected for Relais and Chateaux

Had a one night stay at the fabulous Liss Ard. Welcomed so warmly and offered a glass of cremant on arrival. We wandered the gardens and sky garden, rowed on the lake and discovered all the stepping stones and ponds. The hotel is beautifully designed inside with a soft sophistication and unlike so many English country house hotels not a whiff of snobbery. Dinner was out of this world. A selection of small sharing plates. The grilled hispi cabbage with gubbeen cheese and the sticky marigold pudding are worth the journey in themselves. Beautiful home made granola breakfast perfectly ended our stay. If you’re travelling to West Cork stay here. If you’re not planning West Cork - make a detour!

We had such a relaxing time in this hidden oasis.We were blown away by the friendliness of the staff from the gardener to the owner. If you want to relax and chill and get away from.it all this is definitely the place for you .You will be spoiled from the second you come in the gate until you leave .

Thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Liss Ard Estate. Bedroom was very comfortable with a gorgeous bathroom. Shower was divine. Grounds were so peaceful and great for strolling around. Breakfast was tasty with a refined menu. A little slice of serenity in a fabulous location.

Overall a lovely place but the staff lacked finesse. The alcove room off the restaurant is so dark and dreary with no lighting - we had to use our phones to read the menu. Also tables not dusted on all 3 occasions we ate there. I would suggest some soft lighting throughout this room. Menu was so short (choice of 1 meat, 1 fish and a hummus dish which was very small so we had to cancel dinner for night 2. Beautiful weather (August) yet no outdoor seating set up and we had to ask 3 times for this! Staff were pleasant but definitely seem inexperienced. Main bathroom near reception had not been cleaned by 11:30am and no hand towels. We were a big group and they moved one of our party to the lake house (saying rooms were bigger) which was obviously to suit the hotel and not the guest. The lake house is a drive away! Saunas and lake are the best part (although no towels for us when we got there for our 4pm booking). Asked for an oat milk coffee and the server said they were too busy 😂 It did arrive eventually! Also they ran out of toast and said they hadn't taken enough out of freezer (yet it was a full house)! I think the staff were trying their best but there's just an overall feeling of chaos in the place. It's a pity because it's a beautiful place to visit 🙏

Stunning setting and beautiful hotel but very disappointing from a culinary point of view. Food was delicious but very limited menu and lunch/ dinner menu remained unchanged for days in a row.