GREAT SOUTHERN KILLARNEY, Killarney – A Smart Stay in the City
About the Hotel
Historic Victorian Elegance
Great Southern Killarney, established in 1854, is a Victorian landmark hotel set on 6 acres of landscaped gardens in the heart of Killarney. The hotel retains original Victorian features, including high ceilings and tall windows. Guests have included Charlie Chaplin, Princess Grace of Monaco, and Jackie Kennedy. Rooms feature The White Company toiletries, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Victorian Suites offer claw baths, separate showers, and sitting areas.
Dining & Whiskey Corner
The Garden Room Restaurant serves breakfast and dinner under a gilded dome, with views of the gardens. Brownes Bar offers a bar food menu from 12:30 PM to 9:00 PM daily and houses The Whiskey Corner, featuring over 100 whiskies from Ireland, Scotland, and beyond. Afternoon Tea is served in Victorian drawing rooms with finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries.
Leisure & Wellness
The Health Club includes a 15m swimming pool, steam room, sauna, and jacuzzi. Outdoor tennis courts and a children's playground are available. The gym has Peloton bikes and Technogym equipment. Guests can explore the hotel's 6-acre gardens or book a whiskey tasting in The Whiskey Corner.
Central Killarney Location
The hotel is steps from Killarney National Park and adjacent to Killarney Bus & Train Stations. Nearby landmarks include Ross Castle (2.5 km), Muckross House, and the Lakes of Killarney. Kerry Airport is 20 minutes away, and Cork Airport is 1 hour 20 minutes by car.
Family & Event Services
Self-catering holiday homes are ideal for families, with access to the Health Club. The hotel offers babysitting, a kids' menu, and interconnecting rooms. The Events Centre hosts weddings and corporate events, with private dining spaces for gatherings. Bike storage is available for cyclists participating in local events like the Ring of Kerry Cycle.
Choose the Room
Check Dates & Room Rates
Getting around
All Transportation Options at a Glance
Amenities
General
- No smoking on site
- Free Wi-Fi
- Free parking
- Safe deposit box
- 24-hour reception
- Express check-in/ -out
- No pets allowed
- Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
- 24-hour security
- Luggage storage
- Locker room
- Lift
- Currency exchange
- Smoke detectors
- Electric vehicle charging station
- Fire extinguishers
- Key card access
Sports & Fitness
- Fitness centre
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Cycling
- Tennis court
- Golf course
- Sports trainer
- Fishing
Guest Parking
- Electric kettle
- Cookware/ Kitchen utensils
Services
- Valet parking
- Room service
- Housekeeping
- Dry cleaning
- Tours/Ticket assistance
- Welcome drink
Dining
- In-room breakfast
- Restaurant
- Bar/ Lounge area
- Picnic area/ Tables
- Packed lunches
- Special diet menus
Business
- Business centre
- Meeting/ Banquet facilities
- Fax/Photocopying
Children
- Cots
- Babysitting/Child services
- Board games
- Children's menu
- Children's pool
- Children's play area
- Kids club
Spa & Leisure
- Indoor swimming pool
- Sun loungers
- Garden area
- Spa & wellness centre
- Sauna
- Steam room
- Jacuzzi
- Pedicure
- Manicure
- Waxing
- Body scrub
- Facial
- Treatment room
- Body wraps
- Massage
- Make up services
Room features
- Wi-Fi in rooms
- Heating
- Mini-bar
- Sitting area
- Dressing area
- Terrace
- Garden furniture
- Tea and coffee facilities
- Dining table
- Ironing facilities
Bathroom
- Washing machine
Self-catering
- Electric kettle
- Cookware/ Kitchen utensils
Room decor
- Parquet floor
Location
Guest Ratings & Reviews
The hotel's location is perfect for strolling into Killarney and enjoying the surrounding parks. The rooms, however, were quite outdated and did not match the website images, feeling lived in and not worth the price paid.
The hotel rooms were spotlessly clean and very comfortable, with a fantastically organized breakfast set-up. However, the room wasn't particularly big and was quite busy. The service, especially from the bar staff, was impeccable and welcoming, advising on room preferences. The location was perfect for exploring Killarney and its parks, but some felt amenities were overpriced. The dining experience was top-notch, with a focus on fresh and local products. Unfortunately, facilities seemed a bit outdated and pricey for what was offered.
I had a wonderful stay at the hotel. However, the organization of the buffet was very basic for the price we paid. The hotel was spacious and comfortable, absolutely perfect, with a lovely view at the window to the breakfast room.
Staying at the hotel was a mixed experience. The room had an unfortunate location with a glass corridor right by the window, making it feel exposed to passersby. The curtains had tears, giving a shabby look. The hotel was busy and lacked availability for dinner, forcing us to find a restaurant in town. On the positive side, the staff was exceptionally friendly and organized, providing excellent service even for the kids. However, the absence of included breakfast was a downside to consider.
Staying on the third floor was perfect, offering a quiet retreat with a lovely garden view. The hotel's ideal location made exploring the area a breeze, although room updates and the absence of air conditioning in summer might be needed.
My stay at the hotel was a mix of highs and lows. The location was fantastic, right in the center of town with everything within walking distance. The rooms, however, really need some improvement to match the hotel's reputation, especially with the lack of air conditioning in the summer. The service was overall good, but the early morning knock on the door was a bit too much for me.