Summerhill House Hotel - Bray, Ireland     

We booked this place on a whim because our travel plans changed slightly. I have family that live in Oughterard, Co. Galway and they suggested we stay at the Summerhill House. We drove there hoping they had a room for two nights and to our surprise they did! Since it was November we weren't too worried, but one never knows. It was a little hard to know where to turn for the House because the sign did not have a light on it. The hotel was pretty full with the workers who were doing the Ritz across the road, but the place was still quiet for the most part. Our room was big, a little dark and more of a hotel than an inn, as we had anticipated (the name is a little misleading). The bathroom was mostly clean and the whole room could use a renovation, but it was alright. Since it was November, the grounds were not as beautiful as I imagine they can be and it was impossible to see the view of the Wicklow Mts. due to fog. It gave the place a romantic, eerie feeling though! I guess there was a restaurant or something, but no one really told us about it and there was a bar that claimed to be open, but there was never a bartender. When we did want a beer we had to tell the front desk person, who then called the bartender, who then met us in the bar. A little werid if you ask me. The bartender told us that this was quiet season for them and that when its nice out and they have weddings going on, the place is crazy busy. We definitely did not experience that. However there was a roaring fire in the hearth that made everything better! We stayed two nights and the first night we walked into Enniskerry, which is only a 10 min. walk, because we were told it was a cute town and that they had good pubs and restaurants. I guess my expectations were too high because when I saw 2 pubs and 2 restaurants I was surprised! We ate at Peggy Murphy's right off the main circle and had a great dinner and an even better pint of Guinness! However, the place was in the process of being renovated and there was dust all over, so bad that we had to wipe off the seats and table before we sat down. It looks like it will be really nice when its finished, but we just had bad timing once again. We were also told Enniskerry had "lots of little shops", which the next day we learned to also not be true. We got great directions from the hotel staff the next night for dinner at Barracuda in Bray. The food was amazing and the location of the restaurant was even better, right on the beach! I highly recommend that restaurant to anyone who travels to Bray. In the summer, you definitely need reservations as it is really busy then. Our overall assessment of the hotel and town was that we just came at the wrong time of year. I would love to go back when its summer or spring time and the area is in full swing. All in all, I recommend the Summerhill House. I have nothing bad to say about it, other than know what to expect with Ireland's dreary fall weather!

I went to the Summerhillhouse with my Fiance to check it out as a wedding venue. After looking at their website, I was Apalled at the hotel as it seemed nice on the web. The bar was dirty and the seats threadbare. The couple in front of me were given their drinks in dirty glasses. It took 15 minutes for me to get a cup of coffee. bar staff-RUDE Additionally, there were flies in the bar, and a disgusting odour that was either vomit or a severe case of damp. Trays outside the hotel on seats that had not been cleared away and dead flowers in the bar. I can only say that under no circumstances would I use this hotel for my wedding. It needs a major overhaul and some basic hygiene.