Having just read the mixed reviews of this hotel, I feel compelled to give my own account of a recent stay.
My husband and I stayed in Mucross Park for a weekend in December and loved it so much we are returning to celebrate our anniversary next month.
The only minor flaw with our stay was when dining in GB Shaws restaurant we were the only people there and it was quite cold. The restaurant is in the old part of the building and the sash windows are a bit drafty. However our experience in the Blue Pool restaurant was second to none.
The spa was wonderful, I especially loved the hot tub. We really enjoyed the atmosphere in the hotel bar and found service everywhere to be excellent.
I would have no hesitation in recommending this hotel to anyone and am very much looking forward to our next visit.

My husband treated me to a romantic weekend break minus the baby and we had an fantastic stay in this very special hotel.

We enjoyed dinner in the Restaurant which was top class, food was lovely. Lunch in the pub (part of the hotel), again great pub food, completely different experience to dinner the previous night in the restaurant but equally as good. Service, rooms, spa all incredible especially the spa. Probably one of the best spa experiences I have every had. We so enjoyed walking and driving in the stunning surrounding countryside and enjoying the area in general.

They often do off season breaks which are very good value. Highly recommended.

I have stayed in this hotel four times and I have to say it is by far one of the nicest hotels in Ireland. I have stayed in other hotels with Spa's and this is one of a kind. The Cloisters spa is remarkable, it is never packed and the staff are fantastic.I had stayed in Inchydoney a few months before this and it was crowed with hen parties and kids 'swimming' in the hydrotherapy pool. I felt more stressed coming out of the place!! You truly would feel relaxed and pampered. the first time I stayed there it was pouring rain and it was great to look out at the rain while relaxing in the spa.
The views of the hotel might not be picturesque but the facilities make up for this. I stayed in the Lake Hotel down the road and left after 1 night and that had a fantastic view but lacked in good serviceThe Muckross Park Offers a quality service that I have not experienced in any other hotel.
I stayed there for Valentine's night and when I came back from dinner there was rose petals scattered all over the bed. I couldn't fault the hotel. I cannot understand how anyone could say the hotel was dirty, it is impeccable. Overall, i would give this hotel 10 out of 10 and I can't wait for my next visit there.

My family, a group of 13 in total ranging in age from 4 to 80, spent the weekend in this glorious hotel. The location is perfect and the hotel and the staff are definitely something to write home about. We lunched and dined in the bar beside the hotel on Friday - Molly Darcy's - and had a full-blown 5 star meal in the Blue Pool Restaurant in the hotel. We booked a total of 5 rooms in the hotel including a suite (for Mom and Dad, specially for their anniversary). Each room was beautifully decorated and the suite was to die for. The Cloisters Spa is wonderful, my father had never been to a Spa before and hasn' stopped talking about it since. It must be one of the most peaceful places on earth. The Monk's bar (the residents bar) is a little bit of heaven on earch. My husband said to me as we were leaving on Sunday "we are definitely booking a couple of days here just for the two of us". Am making arrangements already, just got to get the baby-sitter organised. I would highly recommend this hotel and their wonderful tstaff.