Ashford Castle is a luxury hotel in western Ireland, set on 350 acres in County Mayo, on the shores of Lough Corrib and the River Cong, with a spectacular backdrop of woodlands, lake, river, and mountains. It features 83 guestrooms, suites and a Lakeside Cottage, and is renowned for a range of country sports including an equestrian centre, fly fishing, an exclusive nine-hole golf course and Ireland’s first school of falconry. Several dining rooms and bars, along with a gracious afternoon tea service are among the amenities. It is a member of Leading Hotels of the World.
Ashford Castle – Your Royal Journey Begins
Through the grand stone gates, a royal adventure begins. This remarkable 800-year-old castle, widely recognised as Ireland’s top castle destination and once home to the Guinness family, is exceptional in every sense. Set in 350acres of woodland on the shores of Lough Corrib in County Mayo, the multi-award-winning property, lovingly restored and steeped in history, has been voted ‘Best Hotel in the World’. Warm smiles will greet guests at every turn from the extraordinary characters of the castle, who passionately care about guest experiences and take pride in each and every detail.
Since 1228, Ashford has been an exemplary Irish castle of the epic tradition of High Kings and fabled legends. Nestled on the shore of Lough Corrib, this heralded estate has only grown in repute over the passing eight centuries, passing through the hands of esteemed lords and ladies, as well as several generations of the Guinness family, who eventually passed the property to the Irish government.
Hosting visitors over the years ranging from King George V and Prince Rainier III of Monaco to Oscar Wilde and John Lennon, the castle even provided a setting for the Hollywood production of The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne. The castle has been renovated to feature modern amenities such as a cinema, a spa, and suites named after American Presidents Reagan and Kennedy, both former guests, is a celebration of Ireland’s castles as repositories of the country’s history and legend.
Ashford Castle – Activities & Experiences
Discover exquisite interiors with unique artwork, Waterford crystal chandeliers, panelled oak walls and hand-carved fireplaces, and sumptuous fabrics adorning each of the 83 individually designed rooms. 
Watch hawks soar at Ireland’s first School of Falconry, enjoy a round of golf on a course designed by Eddie Hackett
and restore inner peace and harmony at the state-of-the-art spa.
You can take a lake cruise to explore the stunning scenery and surrounding islands or try their hand at the ancient pastimes of archery and clay shooting.
Ashford Castle – Wine & Dine Like A Royalty
Extraordinary dining experiences await in the Dungeon,
the George V Dining Room and in the wine cellar beneath the castle, with fine Irish cuisine made from fresh seasonal produce, homegrown ingredients from the estate and sourced locally from artisan suppliers.
In the evening retreat to the Billiards Room,
watch a movie in the 32 seater cinema, 
or try one of the 60 Irish whiskies inThe Prince of Wales Bar. Families are exceptionally well catered for; there is even a LEGO room service menu for children. 
Ashford Castle – Meet Locals At The Forefront Of Irish Artisanal Cuisine
At the 800-year-old Ashford Castle, you can immerse yourself in some of Ireland’s best-loved culinary traditions with a hands-on Taste of the West experience. They will learn how to make traditional Irish soda bread in a farmhouse kitchen close to the estate, enjoy the freshest shellfish on the shores of Killary fjord under the shadow of the highest mountain in the west of Ireland, and be welcomed into a local forager’s home on the breathtaking Aughris Beg peninsula. Find more information about the food experiences with Ashford Castle here. 
The castle is also the epitome of fairytale romance, and couples looking for a secluded retreat should stay in the lakeside Hideaway Cottage within the castle’s grounds. Formerly the castle’s boathouse, the cottage has been lovingly restored and offers breathtaking 180-degree lake views. You have access to the same thoughtful service and amenities of the five-star Castle hotel or can opt for room service. 
Ashford Castle – Five-Star Hotel In Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards
Ashford Castle was awarded the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide (“FTG”) Five-Star rating in the annual Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards for 2020. In addition to being the only Irish hotel awarded with the five-star rating this year, Ashford Castle is the only hotel in Ireland to ever earn such a rating from FTG.
Forbes’ team of inspectors travels the world to assess hotels, restaurants and spas based on 900 objective standards that determine its coveted annual Star Ratings, paying particular attention to the provision of exceptional service. The top award from Forbes is given only to properties that meet more than 500 service and physical criteria during anonymous inspections, showing “an impeccable standard of excellence in hospitality.”
Niall Rochford, General Manager of Ashford Castle, remarked, “We’re over the moon at Ashford Castle to be the first and only hotel in Ireland to ever achieve a Five-Star rating in the Forbes Travel Guide annual awards. It’s probably the most meticulous and internationally recognized hotel rating system in the world, so it’s highly sought after and I’m immensely proud of our loyal and long-serving team for delivering such consistently warm and polished service and generous hospitality. This accolade is a huge testament to their dedication, hard work and attention to detail, and, of course, to the passion and values instilled by our President and Founder Mrs. Beatrice Tollman. We couldn’t be more delighted.”
The Forbes Travel Guide team visits every property that it rates, anonymously as a paying guest. Every Star Rating is earned through an objective, independent process and no one can buy or solicit a rating under any circumstance. For more information on Ashford Castle, please visit www.ashfordcastle.com. 
