Roganstown Hotel and Country Club

The Roganstown Hotel & Country Club is tucked away in the countryside on a large estate with two golf courses, a leisure center, and 52 rooms in a beige Georgian home dating back to the 1900s. Owned and operated by a local family, the hotel was built in 2004 and expanded upon the original building. The property offers traditional decor with a relaxing country club vibe. They lobby has checkered marble floors, a rich wood reception desk, and a large staircase finished with red carpeting. Throughout the hotel guests will find cup-shaped leathery armchairs, classic Persian rugs, cozy fireplaces, and dark wood furniture and accents. The decor can occasionally feel dated -- the red and green carpeted gym comes to mind -- but the property is well-maintained, and decor certainly isn't aiming to be modern. This property attracts lots of leisure travelers, especially golfers, as well as wedding parties, and, due to proximity to the airport, even some business guests. On the weekends, locals sometimes join in the fun at the bar and restaurant. 

Tucked in the countryside and surrounded by its own golf courses, the hotel correctly markets itself as an oasis outside of the hustle-and-bustle of the city. There are few other businesses nearby, but with dining and wellness facilities on-site, the hotel makes it easy to "stay in." Dublin Airport is just a 15-minute drive, and the hotel offers reasonably priced airport shuttle service. For guests who want to venture off the property, a car is almost necessary; parking is free on-site. Swords Village, which has restaurants and bars, is a 10-minute drive. Fairyhouse Racecourse is about a 25-minute drive, and Dublin is about a half-hour. 

Roomy and homey with simple, traditional decor, guest accommodations generally feature beige wall-to-wall carpeting, neutral walls, and light wood furniture. Gentle purple accents, like the bed runner and velvety armchairs, add a little character. But rooms can feel dated in style, and not always in a good way -- the puffy drapes, for example, smack of another decade -- but, as of our 2016 visit, the property had refurbished three rooms with plans to rehab the other rooms in the next year and a half. Beige tiled bathrooms are a bit bland, but they are contemporary and include shower/tub combos. The Suite adds serious style with an original fireplace and traditional, rich wood furniture like an elegant carved four-poster bed and a charming vanity.

Amenities include flat-screen TVs, laptop safes, and free Wi-Fi. There's also in-room coffee and tea making facilities and mini-fridges -- there's no minibar, but room service is available (limited hours). Rooms also have hairdryers, iron and ironing boards, and individual toiletries. Upgraded rooms add robes and slippers. There's no AC, though this is fairly typical for the area. Rooms either have views of the golf course, front lawn, or interior courtyard, which is setup like a small Japanese garden. 

This hotel has the amenities guests need to enjoy their stays without leaving the property. A major draw here are the golfing facilities, which include two championship golf courses, one designed by the late Irish golfer Christy O'Conner Junior, as well as a Golf Shop offering everything from clothes to shoes and bags. The remaining fitness facilities can feel a tad dated and charmless, though they're clean, roomy, and functional. There's a 55 feet (17 meter) indoor pool and whirlpool in addition to a sauna and steam room. The gym has a wide range of equipment, including treadmills, ellipticals, weight machines, exercise balls, etc, and personal training sessions and gym classes are available. Leisure facilities are free for all guests staying at the hotel. There's also an on-site hair salon and a spa with six private treatment rooms. The spa offers a range of services from manicures and pedicures to facials, massages, and other beauty treatments. 

The hotel is also host to McLoughlin's Restaurant and O'Callaghan's Bar and lounge. The restaurant offers breakfast and seasonal dishes for dinner and the bar has drinks and casual fare in the afternoons and evenings. A decent breakfast buffet features a range of hot and cold options and is served daily, but it is not necessarily included in the room rate. Basic outdoor terrace seating is available in nice weather and room service is offered during limited hours.

The hotel has free on-site parking, and a reasonably priced airport shuttle. There are also conference, meeting, and event facilities, and the hotel is well-versed in handling weddings and other private parties. The property is family-friendly, offering high-chairs, kids' menus, tubs in rooms, and babysitting services (extra fee). The front desk is staffed 24 hours and the hotel offers concierge services and laundry and dry-cleaning service.