Barberstown Castle , Straffan, County Kildare W23 CX40

"Four of us went for lunch recently, but although the staff were very nice, I was not impressed. The chowder seemed very nice (€12.50) and the burger (€20.00!) was fine too. But two of us had chicken sandwiches (€15.00 each) and to say the least they were less than great. The meat appeared to be the pickings of previously cooked chickens finely chopped. I've given more substantial chicken to toddlers! The flavour was bland and instead of being toasted, the sandwich was fried leaving both customers with heartburn for the afternoon. The price of tea varied - €4.00 for the first one and €3.50 for the second! Each coffee was €4.00. The total price for a less than substantial lunch for four was €95.00. So nice staff, but the food was not of the same standard as the waiting staff. And prices were expensive for what we got."

"Recently popped in for lunch with my wife as we live close and had never been in for food before. Rang the receptionist who put us through to the restaurant to book a table and said we were on our way. The grounds were very nice and the entrance to the hotel was very nice and very festive looking with all the Christmas decorations there. Inside the lobby had some beautiful chairs and a reception area. We went into the restaurant and it was very nice and well laid out. We were greeted by the woman who had taken our booking and she was a bit frosty with us. The restaurant manager came over to our table with the menus as I think that lady may have felt we were beneath her position of power, in a slightly aloof demeanour. We ordered a seafood chowder and a vegetable soup, which were both absolutely delicious. We both went for the burger after that and it too was delicious. When we were presented with the bill there was no facility on the card machine to leave a tip, and neither of us had cash on us. The girl who had brought the card machine to us was the same very nice girl who had served us our food and she said it wasn’t a problem, but we did say we would be back again soon and we would make sure we gave her a tip. Upon leaving the restaurant my wife wanted to use the rest room in the lobby so I waited for her. As we went to leave that area I was thanking the staff who were nearby and the lady who had taken our booking completely ignored us and didn’t respond in any way. I was actually standing there right beside her. Lovely food, great service from most staff and lovely surroundings. Sometimes the hired help forgets that it doesn’t matter who comes in to your premises, they are coming out of their own choice and paying their hard earned money to pay your wages."

"We went for afternoon tea here for my Nieces birthday. The hotel was fab. Beautiful and the furniture and design is outstanding. Reception staff were lovely but the afternoon tea experience was underwhelming and not what I'd be used to for afternoon tea. It seemed a bit slap wallop bam. Trays clearly made in the morning and left waiting to serve. Cheap leg meat with grizzle and bone included in the chicken. Butter jam and cream already applied to scones. Had to look very very very hard to find staff let alone get their attention. For such a luxury hotel and surrounding and at 35 euro per head I would expect better service and better food. We asked for our treats to take away and when we got them home their was two missing. Clearly fell on the ground or something and weren't replaced. Lunch would probably be a better option at this location"

"What a wonderful place. The staff were incredible,all so very well trained and considerate. Heather in reception helped immensely with an issue not relating to the hotel for us.very kind. The ambience,quality of rooms and amazing fine ding was impeccable. Go,you won't regret it."