Donegal’s only 5 star hotel has been named among the top ten hotels in Ireland.

Lough Eske Castle, a Solis Hotel & Spa

Lough Eske Castle, a Solis Hotel & Spa has been recognized as No. 3 in the Top Hotels in Ireland category of the Condé Nast Traveler 30th annual Readers’ Choice Awards

Lough Eske Castle a Solis Hotel and Spa, is Donegal’s only 5 star hotel. Located outside Donegal Town on the shores of Lough Eske, this stylish hotel is set in a historic castle dating to the 15th century.

The lavish interiors, friendly staff, large cozy rooms and the atmospheric Gallery Bar are among the hotel’s highlights referenced by Condé Nast Traveler.

Lough Eske Castle, a Solis Hotel & Spa

The celebrations are set to continue at Lough Eske Castle as it will be celebrating its 10th anniversary this November.

Managing Director of Lough Eske Castle, Mr Seán Carney commented: “It is a great honour in this our tenth year of operating for Solís Lough Eske Castle to be recognised with such a prestigious industry leading award as this.

“It is a true testament to the daily hard work and dedication by our team of exceptional employees delivering reliable, genuinely caring and timely service superior to our competition.”

Lough Eske Castle, a Solis Hotel & Spa Managing Director Sean Carney.

“There has been incredible resilience and fortitude over the years by such a magnificent cadre of staff to weather the economic times that have passed but we look forward to a great and exciting 2018. This recognition just goes to reinforce our beliefs and service excellence model – to be truly a Global Leader in the service business,” Mr Carney said.

Over 300,000 readers submitted millions of ratings and tens of thousands of comments, voting on a record-breaking 7,320 hotels and resorts, 610 cities, 225 islands, 468 cruise ships, 158 airlines, and 195 airports The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry and are commonly known as “the best of the best of travel.”

Spa Solis

One Irish hotel made it to the Top 10 list in Europe – Luxury Country House Ballyfin in Co. Laois was number 6 on the continent.

The full Top 10 list of Ireland’s Top Hotels is as follows:

1. Ballyfin, Co. Laois
2. The Lodge at Ashford Castle, Co. Mayo
3. Lough Eske Castle, Donegal
4. The Shelbourne, Dublin
5. Waterford Castle, Co. Waterford
6. The Killarney Park Hotel, Co. Kerry
7. The Merrion, Dublin
8. Clontarf Castle Hotel, Dublin
9. The Westbury, Dublin
10. InterContinental Dublin

Under Editor in Chief Pilar Guzmán, the Readers’ Choice Awards have become more selective and specific to the passions that inspire today’s travellers.

The Readers’ Choice Awards are announced in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveler, on newsstands nationwide on October 24, 2017.

Lough Eske Castle, a Solis Hotel & Spa

It has been an exciting year for Lough Eske Castle and it is honoured to be accepting this prestigious award just in time for its birthday celebrations.

Despite opening at the beginning of the financial downturn, Lough Eske Castle has seen revenues double, operating at €9.5m today and has recently benefited from a €500k investment into the property.

Since 2007 occupancy has grown by 38% and the average room rate by 43%, with international guest stays increasing by 15%. Opened 365, the castle is one of the largest employers in county Donegal and over 70% of staff are from Donegal.