Overview

Parknasilla Resort & Spa is a 4-star resort hotel on the Ring of Kerry near Sneem, majestically situated on 500 acres of subtropical grounds overlooking Kenmare Bay and backed by the Kerry mountains. The hotel was built in 1897 by the Great Southern and Western Railway and originally boasted Turkish hot and cold seawater baths and reading and games rooms.

Since then it has hosted royalty, celebrities, French leader Charles de Gaulle, Princess Grace of Monaco, and inspired writers including George Bernard Shaw, who stayed many times in the early 1900s and called the property a "dream world." The restaurant Pygmalion and the Doolittle Bar are named for Shaw's most famous play.

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What You'll See

The resort has 83 rooms across several accommodation styles - lodge rooms from cosy Loft Rooms to sea-facing Balcony Suites, two-bedroom self-catering Courtyard Lodges, and three-bedroom self-catering Woodland Villas. The spa has one of the most enviable settings of any spa in Ireland, with an outdoor infinity pool overlooking the turquoise bay, 12 treatment rooms offering Elemis and Sothys treatments, indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and thermal suites.

Dining centers on the elegant Pygmalion Restaurant with panoramic Kenmare Bay views, and the more relaxed Doolittle Bar and dining room. The 500-acre estate includes ten walking trails, a 12-hole golf course, tennis, petanque, kayaking, archery, falconry displays, and guided historical walks.

Visitor Essentials

The resort operates as a residents-only property, reserving its attention and hospitality for staying guests rather than day visitors. Families are well provided for with a kids club, fairy-themed walking trails, and a babysitting service. Sneem village is a three-mile or five-minute drive away, with its own cafés, pubs, and shops. The resort is marketed as the closest luxury hotel to the Skellig Islands.

Tips

Book a room with a sea view when possible - the rooms facing Kenmare Bay offer the signature Parknasilla experience, though forest-view rooms are also genuinely appealing for those who prefer quieter surroundings. Allocate enough time to actually use the 500-acre estate rather than just sleep on it - guests consistently regret not staying longer.

The free guided eco-discovery tour and the historical walks are both included with your stay and offer significantly more depth than you'd find at most resorts. For Ring of Kerry exploration, Parknasilla is ideally located mid-route between Killarney and Cahersiveen, allowing easier access to the quieter western stretches of the Iveragh Peninsula. The 12-hole golf course on property is casual enough to be enjoyable even for occasional golfers, and hotel guests get complimentary access.