The Brehon Hotel With Spa in Killarney, Ireland

The town of Killarney is a popular spot in Ireland, being a jumping-off point to the Ring of Kerry and the Wild Atlantic Way. Since The Brehon is also just across the parking lot from the INEC convention and concert center and is a 20-minute walk from downtown, it’s a popular large hotel with a range of guests. It has plenty of space for big tour buses to pull in, so it often manages to fill its 125 rooms.

Being such a large hotel, The Brehon has lots of public areas for gathering with groups or finding a quiet place to talk with one other person. There are lots of sitting areas in the lobby and one level up on the mezzanine there are multiple sofas and comfy chairs spread across two large rooms.

A sizable pub feels Irish enough with its local whiskies and the exact same beers on tap as every other pub in every other pub in town. (No room for dissent in the Guinness-distributor monopoly.) It has cozy booths and enough wood to make it feel like it has some history.

A large buffet breakfast is included in the rates and has an ample spread of Irish favorites and some healthier items. Waiters get a lot of Americans in here, so they’re quick to bring a pot of coffee or hot water so they don’t keep getting flagged down all morning. The ground level room gets lots of natural light even when it’s a typical cloudy day and gets fancier at night for dinner.

There’s a full spa on site at The Brehon hotel. Angsana Spa has a range of treatment rooms for massages and you know you’ll get skilled hands working you over: spa therapists have trained at the Banyan Tree Spa Academy in Thailand. There’s an indoor swimming pool, full fitness center, and whirlpool tubs available to adults as part of “The Vitality Suite.” Those with kids can use the pool at the Gleneagle Hotel a short walk away. There are also tennis courts and a pitch and putt golf course behind the property.

Rooms at The Brehon are surprisingly stylish for a large hotel catering to tour groups and business travelers. Accent walls and padded headboards are at the head of the beds, which are adorned with colorful accent pillows and spreads. Comfortable mattresses, quality linens, soundproofing, and blackout curtains assure a good night’s sleep and there are separately controlled reading lights on each side of the bed.

Robes and slippers are in the ample closets, which also have safes, and there’s a small fridge in the room. Marble baths have an array of toiletries and good towels. There’s a separate tub and shower. Tea kettles are at the ready with an array of tea and instant coffee. (There’s regular coffee available in the lobby each morning.)

Each step up in the level of room comes with more space and furniture. The corner rooms with windows on each side have the most light coming through and these also have a small living room set for lounging. Most rooms have a good view, with the higher ones facing the mountains having the most greenery to look at.

Ample parking and fast WiFi are both complimentary.

Rooms start at a reasonable $125 including breakfast and upgrades don’t require a big outlay. Book direct with the hotel or check rates at Hotels.com and Booking.com.

Tim Leffel was hosted at The Brehon while speaking at a conference in Killarney as a guest of Failte Ireland.