Finnstown Castle Hotel

This hotel, a castle only in name, is set in a secluded manor house on a 17th-century estate. Past the modern entrance and wrought-iron gates, and at the end of a long tree-lined driveway, the main building’s stone-pillared entrance is certainly impressive. It sits among expansive landscaped gardens with trellis pavilions and stone fountains, home to llamas, peacocks, and ostriches. Though old, it's a well-maintained property, with a friendly and laid-back yet lively atmosphere and an Old World ambience. Interiors are dominated by elaborate period decor that can be an assault on the senses; high, intricately decorated ceilings vie for attention with grand chandeliers, brightly patterned carpets, peach-colored stone fireplaces, and imposing whitewashed wooden arches leading between rooms. Off-white walls are adorned with large mirrors and framed prints, grand staircases are carpeted throughout, and there are antiques dotted around. Some of these decorative details feel a little out of place, and parts of the decor are a tad dated, but the cozy atmosphere makes the Finnstown a popular spot for weddings.

The Finnstown’s large estate is set back from the main road by a long driveway, giving it a secluded feel. The hotel is located in the residential Dublin suburb of Lucan, surrounded by housing estates and farms. It's a 20-minute drive to central Dublin. Buses stop at the front of the property and make the journey to the city center in 52 minutes. Alternatively, it’s around a four-minute drive or 17-minute walk to Adamstown railway station, from where services to Dublin’s Heuston station take around 20 minutes. There’s little to do in the hotel’s immediate vicinity, though, and it can feel a little isolated; bus connections in particular aren’t great. It’s a 15-minute drive or one-hour bus ride to Dublin Zoo, and a 20-minute drive to the National Botanic Gardens, or 75 minutes by bus. The Irish National Stud farm and Japanese Gardens are about an hour away by car, while Tayto Park can be reached in about a half-hour. For shopping, Dundrum town center is about a 25-minute drive, while Kildare Village outlet center is an hour away. The O2 Dublin arena is a 10-minute drive or 35-minute bus ride away, and the Croke Park athletics stadium is a 25-minute drive or 75-minute bus ride away. Nearby golf courses include Grange Castle Golf Course and Hermitage Golf Club, both about a 10-minute drive away or 35 minutes by bus. Grange Castle Business Park and CityWest Business Campus can be reached in 10 to 15 minutes by car, or 30 minutes to over an hour by bus. It’s a 20-minute drive to Dublin Airport, or around 75 minutes by bus.

Rooms at the Finnstown are all misleadingly marketed as suites, but in reality they’re standard rooms without a separate living area. Only a few are actually in the atmospheric main building; many more are in contemporary, single-story, unattractive outbuildings. The quality of rooms in the extensions varies; guests complain of poor furnishings and bright lights right outside.

The traditional Bridal Suite has intimate decor, with a large dark wood four-poster bed on somewhat dated beige carpet. There’s a spotted pink lounge chair and old-fashioned dark wood bedside tables with large, outdated lamps as well as a table and chairs, separate desk with mirror, and plentiful closet space. The spacious if somewhat dreary bathroom has cream floor and wall tiling, a shower/tub combo with power showerhead, and an old-fashioned pull-chain toilet alongside a standalone white ceramic sink. Individual toiletries by Essential Elements are a nice touch, but there’s no vanity and little shelf space. The room has a poor view of a dirty rooftop area.

Garden Suites, Courtyard Suites, and Golf Lodges are more modern and spacious; some can sleep up to two adults and three children. Some Garden Suites have either private balconies or patio doors onto the garden, while airy Golf Lodges are the most pleasant of all, with attractive hardwood floors. All rooms have flat-screen interactive TVs, free Wi-Fi, phones, safes, hairdryers, irons and ironing boards, and coffee- and tea- making facilities, but there are no minibars or fridges. Some rooms are dark, and guests report maintenance and housekeeping issues.

Finnstown Castle offers a good range of facilities, and its restaurant and bars are popular with locals. All guests have access to the intimate Residents Lounge and Drawing Room, both with pleasant period decor. Breakfast, afternoon tea, and a basic selection of evening cocktails are served in the Drawing Room and the relaxed and more modern Woodquay Bar, with its long traditional dark-wood-fronted bar, Chesterfield sofas, and grand piano. Basement-level Jim’s Bar has a livelier atmosphere than elsewhere; there’s great live music here on a regular basis, plus a pool table, dart board, and slot machines. The Peacock Restaurant -- open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner -- has large chandeliers and white tablecloths. Food here gets mixed reviews, and the menu is an uninspiring selection of standard hotel fare; room service is also available. The buffet breakfast is much better, though it’s not included in all rates. 

Leisure-wise, there’s a decent but dated heated indoor pool, a well-equipped gym with cardio machines, weight-lifting machines, and free weights, and a steam room. Fitness classes are available for an extra fee, and there’s a well-maintained outdoor tennis court. Meeting rooms sport ornate traditional decor, with plenty of natural light through French doors and sash windows. There’s free parking out front and free Wi-Fi throughout, but some guests complain front-desk service can be a bit haphazard and that the staff lacks local knowledge.