Ballyfin in County Laois, Ireland, has received the prestigious title of Best Resort Hotel in Ireland and the UK by the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2024. The award is based on the votes of more than 186,000 readers who completed the magazine’s survey. Ballyfin came out on top of the list of five UK and Ireland resorts, surpassing such notable establishments as Dromoland Castle in Ireland and Gleneagles in Scotland.Ballyfin in County Laois, Ireland, has received the prestigious title of Best Resort Hotel in Ireland and the UK by the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2024. The award is based on the votes of more than 186,000 readers who completed the magazine’s survey. Ballyfin came out on top of the list of five UK and Ireland resorts, surpassing such notable establishments as Dromoland Castle in Ireland and Gleneagles in Scotland. Ballyfin is a historic five-star hotel located in the Slieve Bloom Mountains of Ireland. It offers 20 bedrooms and a private one-bedroom cottage, set amidst 614 acres of immaculately maintained grounds. The hotel is known for its privacy, its highly personalized service, and its exceptional amenities, which include fine dining, an indoor pool and spa, and various outdoor activities such as fishing, horse riding, and falconry. Ballyfin has been welcoming guests since 2011, and it has consistently received top ratings from travel publications and organizations. In the past two surveys conducted by Travel + Leisure, Ballyfin placed second in the category of Best Resort Hotel in Ireland and the UK. This year, it finally took the top spot, a testament to the dedication and hard work of the Ballyfin team. The hotel’s Managing Director, Peter White, expressed his gratitude for the award, stating that it is a reflection of the team’s efforts and the appreciation shown by the hotel’s guests. He also acknowledged the rich history of Ballyfin, which has been home to aristocratic families and a Catholic order of teachers before being restored to its former glory as a world-class resort. Ballyfin’s success is not only a recognition of its own excellence but also a reflection of the growing popularity of Ireland as a tourist destination. The country’s stunning natural beauty, rich history, and welcoming people have made it a favorite among travelers from around the world. Ballyfin’s award-winning status further solidifies Ireland’s position as a top destination for luxury travel and unforgettable experiences.
Ballyfin in Co Laois has been awarded the prestigious title of Best Resort Hotel in Ireland and the UK by the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2024.
Each year, Travel + Leisure asks its readers for their opinions on their travel experiences around the world for the World’s Best Awards survey. They want to share their thoughts on the best hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines and more.
More than 186,000 readers completed the 2024 survey and over 700,000 votes were cast on over 8,700 properties.
READ MORE: Ireland’s Best Hotels Named in Tripadvisor 2024 Traveler’s Choice Awards
READ MORE: Dromoland Castle named one of the world’s 50 most romantic hotels
Topping the list of readers’ favourite top five UK and Ireland resorts for 2024 was the historic five-star Ballyfin Hotel in Laois, considered one of the country’s most exclusive hotels.
The Georgian mansion in Ireland’s Slieve Bloom Mountains came second in the magazine’s last two surveys, but only came out on top in 2024.
Spread across 614 acres of immaculately maintained grounds and comprising just 20 bedrooms and a private one-bedroom cottage, the hotel offers privacy and a highly personalised service.
Readers were full of praise for the resort, with one satisfied guest noting: “This was truly the most exceptional stay of my life – this takes 5 stars to the next level.”
Commenting on the award, Managing Director Peter White said: “Ballyfin has been welcoming guests since 2011 and the recognition from Travel and Leisure readers since then has been exceptional.
“Receiving this fantastic award is testament to the dedicated team at Ballyfin. I would like to thank them for their hard work and our wonderful guests for sharing their appreciation of the experience we provide.”
Once the residence of numerous aristocratic families, Ballyfin’s owner, the 13th Baronet Coote, sold the property to a Catholic order of teachers, who established a boys’ school there.
Unable to afford the sky-high maintenance costs, the brothers sold Ballyfin to an American billionaire in the early 2000s. Together with his Irish wife, he bought the estate and invested millions in its restoration to return it to its original state.
No expense was spared, including the introduction of amenities such as air conditioning and an indoor pool, which were previously absent. The five-star country hotel reopened in 2011 after a nine-year restoration project.
Now considered one of the world’s top resorts, the 21-room hotel has previously welcomed George and Amal Clooney, as well as Kim Kardashian and Kanye West during their honeymoon in Ireland in 2014.
A member of Relais & Chateaux, Ballyfin offers fine dining, an indoor pool and spa, and outdoor activities including fishing, horse riding, clay pigeon shooting, archery and falconry.
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