The Wicklow Escape , Donard, County Wicklow

"Didn't stay overnight, but instead just went for dinner. It's quite a way to drive from Dublin just for dinner so I would suggest staying, especially if you want a drink. The meal was served, for all 16 diners that evening, at one long table which was nice as it became a sort of dinner party for strangers and you ended up chatting to everyone seated next to you. The food was delicious and well cooked and the service was friendly. Recommended."

"Such a wonderful experience at the Wicklow Escape. Beautiful surroundings, lovely modern and cosy decor, and absolutely phenomenal food. The team work so hard on the details and we were so well fed, well watered (with some great cocktails!) and well looked after! The hot tub was a really wonderful treat. Thanks so much Lisa and team, and hope to come back again."

"Had a really enjoyable stay here recently and would highly recommend to anyone. It definitely was a different experience in the sense that you get well acquaintanted with the other guests, which was lovely!! Great food (I mean, incredibly tasty, and all made from locally sourced or in-house ingredients) a very decent wine list, some very extroverted staff and guests made the weekend one that was full of laughs and great conversation. It was only on the last day, while checking out, we both remarked on how we hadn't even noticed there was no TV anywhere. Nobody missed it! A true getaway in a beautiful setting."

"DO NOT PURCHASE GIFT VOUCHERS Very disappointed with treatment from Jeanette and the owner John. Myself and my partner were gifted with a €100 voucher from Friends. We booked our meal and when we booked our meal we emailed a copy of the voucher over to Jeanette as requested. We also brought a hard copy of the voucher with us on the night of the meal. When my partner proceed to pay with the voucher towards the rest of the bill, he was told they were unable to take the voucher at that time but the voucher would be applied retrospectively. Having contacted Jeanette nearly every 2nd day for 3 weeks she finally stated she would pay this money into our bank account (after numerous attempts to do otherwise, including asking us to hang on to the voucher and use it over the next 5 years ) we then get an email telling us there will be a delay in paying back our money as "their accountant is on holidays " Nearly 4 weeks on and we have yet to be reimbursed the value of the voucher (€100). I have never had this experience where payment is looked for upfront and and the voucher would be reimbursed retrospectively. This is something i would never accept again. *** Post Owners response: Hi Lisa many thanks for acknowledging our unpleasant experience at the Wicklow Escape. I feel it's important to note however that the complimentary lunch was given for a totally separate issue that involved turning up to what we were led to believe was an indoor dining meal to it then being outdoors, we asked for the outdoor heating to be turned on, about 30 minutes after our request the waiter tried to do this however the outdoor heating would not work, we were not offered any throws or alternative to keep warm and we all (including an elderly lady) went home with a chill, this was the case for other guests also as we chatted with them about the experience before leaving *** *Post Wicklow Escape response* Hi Lisa, many thanks for acknowledging our unpleasant experience at the Wicklow Escape. I feel it's important to note that the complimentary lunch was for a totally separate issue. We turned up to what was meant to be an indoor dining experience only to be told that because it was a nice night it was changed to outdoors. There was three in our party including an elderly lady and none of us were dressed for the outdoors. We asked for the outdoor heating to be turned on and roughly 30 minutes after our request the waiter tried but could not get the heaters to work. We were not offered any alternative to keep warm such as throws or blankets and all three of us went home with a chill."

"Absolutely beautiful place and as the name would suggest: a perfect escape. The hospitality is amazing, from the welcome drink to the bespoke cocktails and great chats with Bojan, to the very generous breakfasts served by the entertaining John; all the staff are so helpful and friendly. The food is out of this world and I'd definitely recommend the wine pairings. As most reviews have mentioned, the beds are ridiculously comfortable and the rooms are snug and well-equipped. The surroundings are beautiful and you really are taking a break from the world here. Definitely book in for a massage or a hot tub under the stars as well!"