Wicklow the Garden County of Ireland
A selection of just some of the gardens to visit when you stay at The Summerhill House Hotel:
Powerscourt House and Gardens
www.powerscourt.ie tel: +353 (0)1 2046000
Powerscourt is one of Europe's great treasures and Ireland's most famous House & Gardens. Gracing the Wicklow mountains, Powerscourt is a heritage property with a surprising difference
Kilruddery House and Gardens
www.kilruddery.com tel: +353 (0)87 4198674
Killruddery Gardens are unique in that they are the oldest in Ireland still surviving in their original 17th century style together with 18th and 19th century additions.
Mount Usher Gardens
www.mountushergardens.ie tel: +353 (0)404 40205
Laid out along the banks of the River Vartry, Mount Usher has been designed in the Robinsonian style. Like all the great gardens of Ireland, Mount Usher offers varying pleasures at different seasons of the year.
Avondale House and Forest Park
www.heritageireland.com tel: +353 (0)404 46111
Avondale House, the birthplace and home of Charles Stuart Parnell. Set in a magnificent forest park of over 500 acres of forest trails and walks.
Kilmacurragh Arboretum
www.visitwicklow.ie tel: +353 (0)404 48844
Around the ruins of a fine Queen Anne style house lie 52 acres of wild Robinsonian gardens. Began in 1712 and further expanded with the advice of the Directors of the Botanic Gardens in Dublin during the 19th Century. Rare trees and shrubs abound.
National Garden Exhibition Centre
www.gardenexhibition.ie tel: +353 (0)1 2819890
Set in the beautiful garden county of Wicklow, the Garden Exhibition Centre has established itself in Ireland as the leading exponent of new and classical trends in garden exhibition.
Altamount Gardens
www.altamountgarden.com tel: +353 (0)59 9159444
KNOWN as the most romantic garden in Ireland, Altamont is an enchanting blend of formal and informal gardens located on a 100 acre estate. Whilst still little known, it ranks in the top ten of Irish gardens and is often referred to as 'the jewel in Ireland's gardening crown'
Japanese Gardens
www.irish-national-stud.ie tel: +353 (0)45 522129
The significance of the Japanese Gardens is not only artistic and horticultural but also philosophical, religious and historical. Now of international renown and acclaimed as the finest Japanese Gardens in Europe, they are a living monument to the meeting of Eastern and Western cultures in a Western setting.
GUEST REVIEWS
- November 2011 Just back from an overnight spa package with my Mother, and had an AMAZING time! could not fault the hotel in any way! Food was lovely, dinner in the restaurant was so tasty and fresh!! Breakfast was plentiful....eggs of every sort...including pancakes!!! The barman/waiter (Tom I think) was so helpful and nothing was to much to ask for. same for the receptionist and manager. The Rainforest Spa was also fab, so helpful and well worth the money!! We'll defiantly be back soon! and I'll be recommending my friends to do the same!!!
- October 2011 I am shocked at some of the reviews on tripadvisor. I had my wedding at this hotel and it was wonderful, so wonderful I came back a year later with my husband for his birthday and had some treatments down at the Spa which was lovely. We had a meal and a few drinks at the bar, there was a wedding on and it was lovely to see the guests all dressed up and it reminded us of our own wedding. I was at a wedding there this weekend and as always I was proud to say I had my own there. My husband and I stayed in the courtyard and the room was small but clean and lovely. The breakfast I had the next morning (my husband didnt make it) was up to standard and overall I had another wonderful stay. I would definitely recommend this hotel to a friend and would love to stay there again...this time my husband has to treat me!
Margaret Massey - Bray - September 2011 We stayed for two nights in the middle of September. The staff were very helpful and made us feel at home. Our room on the top floor was clean and quiet throughout our stay with wonderful views of the Wicklow mountains. Afternoon tea was included and was very welcome and tasty after a long drive. Breakfast was excellent with a good variety of self service dishes. The hot food was continually replenished so was always fresh. We appreciated the opportunity of having a lie-in and a late breakfast. It made our stay leisurely and relaxing.
This is not a modern hotel, which is why we chose it in the first place and it is in a lovely quiet situation well away from traffic noise. If you are looking for quiet old-world accommodation with a friendly welcoming atmosphere this is the place for you. - September 2011 I stayed here with my mother for two nights. I was expecting things to be very basic, but was pleasantly surprised as some early reviews I read were less than complimentary! Our room was lovely - though the bed covers were too heavy? Tea & coffee making facilities available. Afternoon tea was included in our deal which was very welcome after our journey.Cleaning up to standard. Staff absolutely lovely! We ate in the restaurant one of the nights and while my mother's meal was ok, mine was beautiful - and everything perfectly cooked and nicely presented. Yes, the building may be a little old and shabby - but that's what old country houses are - we expect it! The reception carpet had just been replaced so I believe that a real effort is being made to smarten the place up. Don't expect D4 grandeur, but if you ike a place that's full of charm, and on the doorstep of Wicklow's most beautiful visitor attractions (don't miss Powerscourt, the waterfall, Enniskerry village square, the various garden centres especially Kilquiad off the N11 and you are wthin an easy drive of dundrum Shopping Centre if that's what you're interested in) this hotel is a good choice.
- February 2011 We stayed in the Summerhill Hotel for my husband's birthday. On walking into the hotel, there was a marvellous ambiance, a cosy open fire in the drawing room, candles lighting throughout the very traditional and beautifully decorated hotel. A hotel with wonderful old world charm. As part of our package, we had a glass of champagne with chocolates on arrival in the very welcoming reception area with very professional and friendly staff. Our bedroom was very tastefully decorated and so spacious and comfortable. We had dinner that evening in the restaurant - top class food, service second to none and a wonderful atmosphere. If you like a country house hotel, you really won't get better than this and amazing value for money. We look forward to staying there again.
- February 2011 We thought the hotel was lovely very quaint & old fashioned but it is a old country house and this is what we expected. The staff were very nice & helpful, we stayed in the courtyard and our room was clean and modern if a little bit small, breakfast and dinner were lovely and service was good. We had a good massage and use of the thermal suite which was great.
- February 2011 We visited Summerhill house last weekend after hearing about the Prudence offer.
It's only 40 minutes from Dublin, which appealed to us on this occasion. It was very quiet when we arrived and we were given our room there and then. The room was nice, with a four poster bed. We'd booked in for massages that evening in the Rainforest Day Spa, which were lovely, and then we headed in for our dinner. We had a lovely three course meal over a bottle of wine. The food was delicious and staff were really nice. The bar was quiet, but I suppose thats just the time of year. We stayed for an extra night for just 50 Euro each, which was well worth it, it included breakfast and dinner. We will return to Summerhill House soon, and I will be back with the girls, its a great place for a nice girly weekend. - December 2010 My friend and I booked a mid-week break at the Summerhill Hotel. We arrived for breakfast on day one, then went over to the spa on the grounds of the hotel for some pampering. There is an outdoor hot tub with stunning views over the Wicklow hillsides. Later on we had a delicious afternoon tea served by a roaring fire. The staff were all very attentive and friendly during our stay. The hotel is really well located as it is only a short drive from Dublin city yet the rural setting means you feel like you're really getting away. The Powerscourt waterfall and charming Enniskerry village are both within walking distance. Dinner was delicious and the rooms were really comfortable and spacious. We slept like logs in the soft beds. The breakfast buffet was full of fresh fruit, cereals and cheeses, etc., and we also ordered pancakes and french toast which were delicious and plentiful. The hotel is charming and welcoming, with open fireplaces and is traditionally decorated. I would highly recommend the hotel to anyone looking for a relaxing getaway, we were very well looked after throughout our stay and I am already planning a return trip! The package we booked from the hotel website was also excellent value.
- December 2010 My friend and I booked a mid-week break at the Summerhill Hotel. We arrived for breakfast on day one, then went over to the spa on the grounds of the hotel for some pampering. There is an outdoor hot tub with stunning views over the Wicklow hillsides. Later on we had a delicious afternoon tea served by a roaring fire. The staff were all very attentive and friendly during our stay. The hotel is really well located as it is only a short drive from Dublin city yet the rural setting means you feel like you're really getting away. The Powerscourt waterfall and charming Enniskerry village are both within walking distance. Dinner was delicious and the rooms were really comfortable and spacious. We slept like logs in the soft beds. The breakfast buffet was full of fresh fruit, cereals and cheeses, etc., and we also ordered pancakes and french toast which were delicious and plentiful. The hotel is charming and welcoming, with open fireplaces and is traditionally decorated. I would highly recommend the hotel to anyone looking for a relaxing getaway, we were very well looked after throughout our stay and I am already planning a return trip! The package we booked from the hotel website was also excellent value.
- November 2010 My wife and I stayed in this beautiful hotel during a snowy weekend in November. The roads were pretty icy so we decided to stay in on Sat night. My wife used the Spa and she was very happy with the treatments. We were delighted with the friendliness of the staff and extremely satisfied with the overall service. Highly recommended.
