Our Stay at the Mount Juliet Estate, Autograph Collection

I initially hadn’t planned on writing about our stay at the Mount Juliet Estate, but our experience there was so remarkable that I had to share it. We spent two nights at this stunning property during a quick, four-day trip to Ireland, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our entire three-week European journey.

After spending most of our vacation in rentals, Mount Juliet was a welcome indulgence at the end of our trip. From the moment we arrived, we were pampered with impeccable service and serene surroundings. I even joked with my husband that it felt like we had stepped into an episode of Bridgerton or Downton Abbey. We spent hours strolling the estate, soaking in the beauty of the Irish countryside.

The Mount Juliet Estate is a luxurious five-star hotel located in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It’s approximately 90 minutes south of Dublin and just 15 minutes from the city of Kilkenny, making it an ideal stop on any Irish itinerary.

Pulling up, you instantly get a feel for this property’s size.  Set on a vast 500 acres, this 18th-century estate includes The Manor House and Hunter’s Lodge.  Both of these are set on some of the most beautiful landscaping and ancient woodlands.

The Manor House is the original estate, boasting breathtaking views of the River Nore and the paddocks of the Ballylinch Stud. Built in the 1750s by the Earl of Carrick and his wife, Lady Juliet, the Manor House has 32 individually designed rooms, each named after a notable figure connected to the estate. Although we didn’t stay in the Manor House, we often walked along the scenic paths to explore its lavish interiors and surroundings.

Since traveling with our kids, we stayed at Hunter’s Lodge, which offers 93 luxurious double and quadruple rooms. The rooms were spacious, and the grounds provided plenty of space for the kids to explore. Hunter’s Lodge is well-suited for families, offering amenities such as a junior’s club, playground, fitness center, indoor pool, and even ping-pong and pool tables, which kept the kids entertained in the evenings.

We enjoyed several meals at Mount Juliet, with breakfast included in our nightly rate. One evening, we dined at The Hound restaurant in the Hunter’s Yard. The food and service were exceptional, making me regret not booking a dinner at The Lady Helen, the property’s Michelin-starred restaurant.

One of the things that drew us to Mount Juliet was the variety of activities it offers. We spent countless hours hiking and wandering the estate, and one afternoon, we toured the stables and met the resident horses. The estate also offers activities such as cycling, golf, fishing, archery, falconry, swimming, and even a cinema. Unfortunately, the cinema is adults-only, which was a slight disappointment, but there were plenty of other activities to keep the whole family entertained.

Absolutely! We only spent two nights here but could have easily stayed longer. We left feeling relaxed, pampered, and rejuvenated. I wouldn’t hesitate to stay at Mount Juliet again when we return to the Emerald Isle.  If you would like to read more about other places we visited and what we did during our Ireland travels, check out my post, Three Days in Ireland: Making the Most Out of a Short Stay.