Knightsbrook Hotel & Golf Resort

The four-pearl Knightsbrook Hotel & Golf Resort is a busy resort with plenty of activities for avid golfers and their families. This property receives a great deal of local traffic, and is a prime spot for weddings, which means the hotel does feel bustling and occasionally crowded. The lobby is huge, with high ceilings, grand pillars, lots of marble, a chandelier in the center, and a variety of seating areas with comfortable couches in aristocratic fabrics. The spa draws on Thai traditions, and the decor is distinctly Buddhist, with dark and atmospheric providing a peaceful vibe. The restaurants and bars are beautifully painted, with rich upholstery, and elaborate millwork; the common areas can be a little stiff and stuffy, but kids are welcome, and they have their own brightly painted playrooms and programmed activities. The game room walls are hung with anime and "Harry Potter" drawings, and there are scheduled X-Box and Nintendo Wii tournaments. The hotel does draw couples on spa weekends as well, and the hectic atmosphere, preponderance of families, and groups staying here for golf tournaments and weekend getaways means it won't necessarily be the most quiet and romantic retreat. 

The Knightsbrook Hotel & Golf Resort is located in the Irish heritage town of Trim, in County Meath. There are plenty of activities in the area, including horseback riding, fishing, hiking, and several horseracing venues. The hotel is two hours from Belfast in one direction, and 45 minutes from Dublin in the other (home to the closest major airport). Tayto Theme Park and Funtasia Water Park are 30 to 45 minutes away by car, while Bettystown Beach will take about 50 minutes to reach. Trim Castle, featured in "Braveheart," is two miles from the property (a 10-minute drive), while Bective Abbey and the Hill of Tara, also "Braveheart" locations, are 10 and 20 minutes away by car, respectively. The Royal Tara Golf Club is a 20-minute drive from the hotel.

Rooms at the Knightsbrook Hotel & Golf Resort are spacious and clean, with a traditional homey comforts. The rooms are perfectly nice, and suited for the park-like location of the hotel, but they are a bit stuffy overall. Mid-tone wood furniture sits alongside standard upholstered armchairs, and all rooms are carpeted with either cream or burgundy carpets. Wall art is expectedly bucolic, while bed runners, throw pillows, and drapes come in a shimmery crimson satin (Executive Rooms switch this up with black and gray replacing the warmer shades). The Knightsbrook offers a variety of individual rooms, as well as suites and three-bedroom, self-catering apartments. All rooms have private balconies or patios, some with golf course views. Additional features include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with cable channels, safes, electric kettles, and free Wi-Fi. Apartments have individual garden terraces with mini putting greens, full kitchens, and washer/dryers. Linen and housekeeping services are available in the apartments upon request. They also have large (but plain) bathrooms, with narrow counters, shower/tub combos, and toiletries. Some of these have double whirlpool tubs and separate shower stalls. Rooms above the bar area can be noisy in the evenings. Connecting rooms are available.

The Knightsbrook Hotel & Golf Course features an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Christy O'Connor, Jr., that includes a clubhouse, bar and restaurant, and a pro shop. Guests are advised to make reservations before arrival. The hotel also has an indoor pool and hot tub, and a children’s pool; swimming lessons are offered to both adults and children. The health club features cardio and weight equipment and offers fitness classes that include spinning, boxercise, and strength and conditioning. The River Spa offers Thai spa treatments, using Indian and Thai products. The spa menu is diverse, and includes massage, microdermabrasion, threading, and other beauty treatments. Bridal packages are available. Kids' activities include movie and popcorn nights, arts and crafts, and a fun game room where video game tournaments are staged. 

The Rococo Restaurant serves an Irish and international menu with early bird specials, and a popular Sunday Gourmet Buffet. The elegant Terrace Lounge serves a light menu for lunch and dinner, with scenic views. There is a clubby bar and restaurant, Gulliver’s, at the golf course, while Swift’s Bar (in the main hotel) serves soup, sandwiches, paninis, and cocktails, and offers live music some evenings. Breakfast is only included with some bookings. There is a Sunday night ballroom dancing event that is popular with locals and hotel guests. The hotel stages an annual Winter Wonderland Christmas festival, with a Holiday Market, lots of mulled wine, face painting, and Santa Claus for the kids. The Knightsbrook has a large conference center with 12 meeting and event rooms, and the hotel offers extensive wedding and event services. Wi-Fi and parking are both free.