Setanta House Hotel - Celbridge, Ireland     

I have just come back from a weekend staying at Setanta House and felt compelled to write a review so that other travelers may avoid this hotel. It really is dreadful! The decor and furnishings are cheap, worn, badly chosen and a complete mis-match. In our room we had a single head-board attached to the wall with a bedside table - but no single bed, mis-matched chairs, ripped, cheap towels, a torn blanket on the bed, 1 pillow each, no duvet, 1 saucer / 2 cups, the kettle was filthy, we had no closet but a student-style hanging rail in the corner, the light bulbs were mis-matched and mostly broken, the TV channels didn't work properly, the shower sprayed water all over the bathroom and pumped out hot and cold water intermittently, there was a safe in the room that was not working and we were told that there were no safes anywhere in the hotel that were working and there was nowhere we could store valuables. Although individually, these are relatively inconsequential things, it shows complete lack of attention to detail. I felt that the hotel is just a money maker for whoever owns it. The reception staff, while seemingly efficient, gave off an air of apathy and boredom. The one saving grace was the breakfast, which was very good and the restaurant staff were lovely. Such a shame! The building is beautiful and has so much potential. Were it to be stylishly refurbished and well run, it could be lovely. I also object to wording on the hotel website, claiming that Celbridge "is steeped with charm and character" Celbridge is full of intimidating pubs with bouncers on the doors and groups of drunk teenagers. I would not recommend this hotel to anyone.

On checking in to the hotel we were greeted by a friendly receptionist who quickly & effeciently checked us in, the room on the first floor that we were given was massive, unfortunatly the bedding was torn & stained. We had a meal in the bar that night, we were served by another very cheerful & helpful member of staff with long blonde hair. My husband had a steak which was very much to his liking but i had a kiev which came out cold in the middle, when the young barmaid came over to see if everything was ok i explained about the kiev which she offered to get a manager which she did. The manager was very sympathetic & apologised, she insisted we were not charged for the kiev and offered for me to try something different on the menu to which i declined. The next day on check out we asked the same receptionist who was on the night before for suggestions on where to go and what to do in the area and she & the manager on duty were very helpful with suggestions, directions & maps for where to go! Overall i must say the hotel staff were very friendly and welcoming apart from the bedding & the incident with my dinner we were very happy with our stay and will return!