Powerscourt hotel is a luxury estate in County Wicklow, surrounded by the Wicklow mountains. It is the perfect location for a relaxing getaway. Well known among us Irish, it is a popular wedding venue for Irish celebrities and has even hosted some very famous international guests, including Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber.
Built in 2003 during the Celtic Tiger era, this neo Palladian-style hotel boasts 200 bedrooms, an award-winning spa, a Swarovski-adorned diamond pool, a gym, and two 18-hole golf courses. As of 2019, Powerscourt is a part of the extensive portfolio of the MHL Collection, a hotel group owned by US billionaire John Malone.
I stayed in Powerscourt hotel for four nights here is my honest review of my stay.
Powerscourt Hotel Review
Arrival
I assumed Powerscourt would be one of those hotels you could see from afar for ages while driving towards it, but I was surprised when the car turned down a winding country road with a few horses; suddenly, we were here!
From the moment we arrived, we were treated amazingly. The staff warmly greeted us and took our bags. While we waited to check in, we were served complimentary fresh punch in the lobby. It was THE most delicious summery drink and was much needed after the journey.
The Room
We stayed in the Superior King Room, which is a spacious accommodation offering 66sqm of space. It features a large walk-in closet, a sofa, a table, a TV, a coffee machine, a king-size bed, a business desk, a large balcony, and a capacious ensuite marble bathroom with double sinks, a bath, and a rainforest shower.
Although large, the room felt homely, almost like staying in a rich relative’s house. The bed was very comfortable, and I truly enjoyed having a walk-in closet to prepare in. The only downside of the room was the balcony. The view wasn’t pleasant, as it overlooked the back of Powerscourt Hotel rather than the front. While it was nice to have the option to sit outside, it was a disappointment that a higher-priced room had such a poor view. This isn’t a major issue, but having a view of the mountains would have been wonderful.
Dining
Powerscourt Hotel offers excellent food options; there’s really no need to leave. The variety here ensures you won’t tire of the menus. You’ll have four options to choose from.
Sika Restaurant: On the 3rd floor overlooking Wicklow mountains. Serves contemporary Irish meals.
This was one of the nicest meals I had during my stay. Portions are small, but that seems to be the case in any upmarket restaurant. Prices are steep, but in my opinion, they are worth it because the food and cocktails are delicious!
Sugar Loaf Lounge: This is located in the lobby, they serve afternoon tea and cocktails here. I did not get a chance to try afternoon tea but I had a few cocktails, however with an average price tag of €16 it is an expensive drink.
The Sally Gap: Formally called McGills, this casual spot serves up a more laid back and affordable menu than the Sika restaurant with burgers, salmon, steak and salad on the menu.
The Douglas: On the 5th floor the Douglas offers a bit of everything such as steak, risotto and roast chicken, similar to the Sally Gap it is a casual restaurant.
Room Service: I do enjoy room service, especially in a fancy hotel. You pay a lot for a room so it is nice to completely enjoy it. The room service menu included burgers, wings and pizza, basically comfort food.
Other facilities
Powerscourt Hotel also offers a wide range of award winning spa treatments using high end ESPA products. I recommend the “inner calm” aromatherapy massage for the ultimate afternoon of relaxation.
There is a stunning large Swarovski crystal indoor swimming pool, great for swimming but also just relaxing with a book. The gym is big, well equipped with weights and cardio machines.
The hotel even provides complimentary bicycles to explore their grounds. I really enjoyed the extra large chess pieces and swings on the lawn.
Overall Powerscourt Hotel Review
Powerscourt Hotel is undeniably a stunning property, offering 5-star service with clean, spacious, and comfortable rooms. I can’t find fault in its aesthetic; it truly stands as one of the most luxurious hotels I’ve encountered in Ireland. However, the absence of discounted or complimentary tickets to Powerscourt Gardens (scroll down to read more about this) felt a bit greedy to me. This is certainly not an inexpensive hotel, with rates starting at approximately €400 per night. However, there’s often a discount available if you book for a few nights.
I would certainly choose to stay here again, despite a few minor setbacks involving the balcony and the lack of tickets for Powerscourt grounds. The experience was nonetheless lovely. The location was perfect for hiking the Sugarloaf, the food was exceptional, and the staff went above and beyond.
If you’ve already made a reservation for your stay here, you might be curious about nearby activities around Powerscourt Hotel. Keep reading to discover my top 3 recommendations for things to do in the area.
Things to do during your stay at Powerscourt Hotel
1. Climb The Great Sugar Loaf
Standing at 1,644 ft, The Great Sugar Loaf overlooks the villages of Kilmacanogue and Delgany. It gets its name due to its conical shape, resembling a pile of sugar.
The ascent is relatively easy, but you’ll need to use your hands and feet to reach the summit. It’s a lot of fun! From the top, you can enjoy views of the Wicklow Mountains, Dublin Bay, and Howth. The round trip takes approximately 90 minutes. We extended the hike a bit and walked to Avoca in Kilmacanogue. Along the way, we passed stone walls, donkeys, and sheep – it was truly a great experience!
2. Powerscourt Waterfall
Powerscourt Waterfall is Ireland’s highest waterfall, measuring 121m in height. A picturesque 30-minute walk in the park leads to it, and during the summer, a kiosk offers food and drinks. I suggest bringing a picnic or having a barbecue, and just unwinding beside the waterfall.
3. Powerscourt Gardens
Encompassing 47 acres, Powerscourt Gardens are with out a doubt stunning. They earned the prestigious place of number 3 in the World’s Top 10 Gardens by National Geographic. They feature the renowned Japanese Gardens, Pet Cemetery, and the Walled Gardens.
Admission to the gardens is €12.50 per person. Personally, I believe that if you’re staying at Powerscourt Hotel, the entrance should either be complimentary or offered at a discount, considering their proximity to each other and the high cost of staying at Powerscourt Hotel.
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