Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Limerick

Situated on 23 landscaped acres next to farmland and greenery, the Radisson Blu is not overly exciting or luxurious but does offer a pleasing and bright contemporary atmosphere. Renovated in 2015, the hotel is in excellent condition. The low-rise building has an open-plan feel in its public spaces, allowing for natural light and conveying relaxation. Guests will enter a lobby with a muted color scheme of beige, brown, olive green, and aqua blue. Another special feature is the courtyard, with tables, chairs, and attractive landscaping.

An efficient, well-run property, the Radisson Blu has a friendly staff and attracts families with its outdoor playground and the pool's special children's hours. Business travelers appreciate the meeting rooms while tourists like the wealth of recreational facilities, affordable rates, convenience to the M7, and serene location not too far from Limerick. The hotel also draws locals to its popular bars and wedding venue.

The Radisson Blu offers a pleasant location on 23 acres of landscaped grounds and gardens on the borders of County Clare and Limerick, surrounded by green fields and farmland. The hotel is off the M7/E20 motorway, a 10-minute drive northwest of shopping, bars, restaurants, King's Island, and the Limerick historic center with its attractions like King John's Castle, built in 1200. Also in the historic center is Saint Mary's Cathedral, built in 1168 and the oldest building in Limerick. Gaelic Grounds sports stadium is a five-minute drive southeast while Thomond Park rugby stadium and concert venue is a bit further southeast. Bunratty Castle & Folk Park is a seven-minute drive west. Located a 12-minute drive southeast, the Quays area features the Frank McCourt Museum, Limerick City Gallery of Art, The Milk Market, and The Hunt Museum. Shannon Airport is a 15- to 20-minute drive northwest of the hotel.

Housed on four floors, the Radisson Blu's 154 guest units come in Standard, Business Class, Ladies Level, Family, and Executive Suite configurations. Rooms were renovated in 2015 with updated beds, furniture, and wallpaper. Spaces here are not luxurious, but they're clean and bright with a moderately upscale feel. Made in Ireland, plush Respa beds feature thick mattresses and cotton-rich sheets. Family rooms have kids’ activity packs, travel cots, and DVD players. Business rooms have free breakfast, bathrobes and slippers, turndown service, and newspaper delivery, while suites have sitting and dining areas.

Rooms offer hues of slate blue, light blue, white, beige, and chocolate brown, with light wood furnishings and trim. The hotel's countryside location means noise is not an issue and some rooms have views of the Woodcock Mountains or surrounding landscaped parkland. Smoking rooms are available as well. Units all come with climate control, in-room safes, minibars or mini-fridges, coffee/tea makers, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. Bathrooms are clean and well lighted, with significant counter space, makeup mirrors, and bathroom phones. Water pressure is strong in showers as well. (Some bathrooms are shower only.) 

The Radisson Blu offers guests an excellent set of property facilities. The indoor pool is a little small for doing laps, but it's a refreshing spot to splash around in and offers dedicated children's hours. Other leisure facilities include a steam room, men's and women's saunas, an outdoor hot tub, and cold fog and tropical rain showers. The full-service spa offers a wide range of treatments (for a fee) and the fitness center includes free weights, weight machines, cardio machines, plyometric balls, yoga mats, and flat-screen TVs. Guests can step outside for some serving and volleying on the carpeted tennis courts, weather permitting. Kids can also enjoy the outdoor playground.

The restaurant serves thoughtfully prepared traditional Irish and international cuisine, specializing in locally sourced meat and North Atlantic seafood. Menu selections include rump of Irish beef, pan-fried lamb sausages, and breast of Barbary duck. Breakfast offers a wide selection of hot and cold items (for a fee). 24-hour room service is available as well. The hotel also has a lobby bar, a sports bar, concierge and bell service, free parking, a hair salon, a business center, and more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space.