Our Online Reviews

Step back in time to a tranquil place My wife and I always look for somewhere different, which, to us, must be both appealing and tranquil. Roundwood house was just that. An 18th-century Irish manor house, eloquently brought back to life over the years, which gave us the peace and relaxation we were looking for. Hannah and Paddy are wonderful hosts who go out of their way to make you feel at home. Hannah provided us with plenty of local knowledge in regards places to visit, including great walks in the nearby Slieve Bloom mountains and, in particular, Glenbarrow. Paddy is not only an amazing cook but a talented musician too. On our second night to celebrate my wife's birthday, he serenaded her with a happy birthday rendition followed by a tune or two from well-known 80s bands. It truly made our experience very bespoke and special. The food is divine, our meal was succulent duck to start with, followed by an amazing lamb dish. There is an extensive wine list, and please try the local Ballykillcavan IPA ale, which is brewed locally. Credit also goes to our two servers, Lucy and Martyna, who were very attentive and kept the fire lite beside us. Each morning, you are served a delicious breakfast. The rooms are a throwback to yesteryear steeped in history with plenty of reading material. Speaking of books, visit their library too, well worth a visit with an eclectic mix of history, fact, and fiction. There is plenty to see on the grounds off the estate, too. Roundwood also serves as a great base if you want to explore around County Portlaosie. I recommend the heritage town of Abbeyleix, which is only around a 15 min drive away. We were made feel so welcome by Hannah, Paddy, and all the staff, and we can not wait to return. If you want to relax, read a book, enjoy a delicious meal by a glowing fire, and retire with a gin or whatever takes your fancy, we couldn't recommend Roundwood house enough. It truly is one of Ireland's hidden gems and it is even more inviting with the warmth of the Manor's hosts, Hannah and Paddy, along with the staff, dogs, and the ducks. We so look forward to returning. Regards Richard and Fiona (Killiney, Dublin)

Hidden gem Irish cottage This was a 3 night stay for my wife & I with our dog. The grounds are abundant in trees, bushes, plants & wild life, birds sing from dawn to dusk. Walks through the grounds are a must. We stayed in Writers Cottage. Pictures do not do this little Cottage justice. There is no vehicle access, you carry your belongings there with staff help - walking shoes are advised, they will get muddy. It's a 2 minute walk from the car park. This hidden gem in the woods is packed with atmosphere & character. It's warm, comfortable, fully equipped has a fully functional kitchenette There's a wood burnig stove with fire wood available, no TV (Yay) but there is strong free wifi. The bedroom has a double bed & wardrobe with a small clean shower room & wc. Towels & bedding are supplied. The Roundwood House estate has a rich history is located in the Slieve Bloom Mountains. The house library must be seen. Checking out we handed the key to our delightful host Hannah. I highly recommend this accommodation

Perfect place to stay Round wood House is the perfect antidote to modern hotels, with their clean bright tiles and open spaces. It’s the essence of a perfect location, beautiful setting,excellent hosts and wonderful elegance. A group of 12 enjoyed a perfect overnight stay here with ducks, hens and dogs in the grounds to greet us. The wonderful bedrooms were filled with interesting pieces of furniture. The sitting room was ideal for our group.. big, comfy couches, plenty of tables for afternoon tea and big fires glowing all day. A reading room, with toys and jig saws available also. Hannah was a perfect host, warm, welcoming, available but never intrusive. Paddy the chef produces the best meal I ever tasted. The grounds are lovely to explore and DON’T miss the library.

Look no further- you will not be disappointed! WOW! If you have a chance to stay at this magnificent property do it! The hosts Paddy and Hannah and so lovely and all of their staff is kind, respectful, and polite. We found the house magical and the hospitality extended to us above and beyond. We had the 4 course dinner prepared by Paddy both nights of our stay and it was phenomenal. Paddy and Hannah took special care to prepare all the food with my special dietary restrictions. We were there around Christmas and the house was beautifully decorated with an enormous Christmas tree. The library was so inviting, and meeting Hannah's dad, Frank, was a treat! In the summer months, Paddy and Hannah organize plays to be put on in the library and/or outside. Roundwood House is not far from Dublin and I am certain to return!

A wonderful & unique experience! What a delightful place to stay in this area of Ireland🫶. The historic home itself is a treat to experience and so many lovely gems to enjoy on the property! The location is great for exploring Slieve Bloom & surrounding areas. Paddy, Hannah, their lovely staff, and their sweet dogs we’re warm, welcoming, & fantastic hosts. It was a cozy stay with tea & conversation by the fire every night. It was great to chat with both our hosts and other guests. The dinner was delicious and I definitely recommend adding that to your stay! Make sure to give time to enjoy the property & spend evenings by the fire just taking in the ambiance of this special place! Don’t miss out on the unique Library! That was a definite favorite of ours & we wish we had stayed longer. The breakfast was also a treat. Hannah gave us such great itinerary suggestions for the area🫶 We would absolutely stay again!

You must stay at this lovely and well kept House/hotel. This beautiful House was a pleasure to stay at. Exceptional food, beautiful rooms and spotlessly clean. The dinner was gourmet with several courses and absolutely locally sourced. The owners Paddy and Hannah were so helpful, friendly and the entire experience was a memorable and lovely experience.

Good food and wine We had a fantastic meal this evening at Roundwood House. We sat a a shared table ( our choice) with seven other guests. The food was beautifully presented and tasted wonderful and our fellow guests each had their own story to tell. Wonderful company and food. Would. Definitely recommend

Best place in Ireland. A phenomenal place to stay! You can feel the history. The hosts are the best, as is the food. Our dinner was as fine and elegant as can be had anywhere, including Paris, Rome, and Milan. For fishermen/women, you are very close to Irish Fly Craft. Jimmy is a true artist, and an excellent guide. The whole experience was exceptional, and a tremendous bargain! We had a party of eight, and will be booking every time we return to Ireland.

evening meal visited for an evening meal. The hotel is set in lovely grounds and is very rustic both inside out out. Met by staff who were very friendly
had drinks in lounge in front of the fire before moving to dining room were we sat with another couple. food was good

Lovely place to stay We spent two nights at the Roundwood House and enjoyed everything. Hannah , Paddy and team were so nice and eager to make our stay lovely. The home offered a glimpse into the past, with antique furnishings, art and the surrounding grounds and the home itself embracing what one would expect of a 280 year old home.
Hannah is a wealth of knowledge about the area and always happy to help with directions, activities and history of all that Roundwood and the area has to offer.
Paddy’s chef skills are fabulous, from the presentation to the flavours he deserves 5 stars. The four course meal was spectacular and the breakfasts delicious.
The grounds offer lots of area to roam and explore and the library on the grounds is impressive.
The main sitting area was a lovely place to have a drink and chat with other guests. The fire in the fireplace made such a homey feel. The team was always checking in to ensure we had what we needed. I would have loved to spend more time roaming the area and would certainly recommend anyone looking for a relaxed stay with great service and food to stay at Roundwood.
Janice and Alan from Canada

Hidden gem, unique wonderful experience. Wife and I treated my sister to a couple of nights here as a big birthday present. Roundwood House has a wonderful ambience and if you are unable to relax here then . There is a wonderful informality about the place and you feel as though you were at home. The owners and staff are totally committed to ensuring your every need is attended to. The food is exceptional. We have eaten in the finest restaurants in Dublin but none can compare with dinners that were served to us both nights. Superb experience.

Roundwood House: Magical This place is special. We had a really emotional connection with fellow guests just minutes after arriving. It was a genuinely special moment, aligned by chance and giving me goosebumps whilst I am writing.

We were shown to the Green Room, Georgian grandeur at its finest, and then to the drawing room for a pre dinner drink. The food is magnificent, served to all the guests at the same time. You can chose a private table, but the shared experience was a really great moment.

The attention to detail, the attentivness of the staff, the timing of courses, the intuition of knowing when to step in was like a choreography. The staff were brilliant, friendly and most important looked happy with their work.

Then, drinks in the drawing room and the treat of a Bowie classic from Paddy. How unfair is it that a pure artist in the kitchen gets to be this good on guitar and singing?!
The following morning we looked around the library, the woodshed. Strange description, woodshed .its more like an art installation.

Paddy and Hannah are great hosts. They are friendly, welcoming and they manage a brilliant experience for their guests. I defy anyone to not fall in love with the place. We will be back.

Great time in Roundwood A lovely place to rest and recharge, with a very welcoming staff. Our room was very comfortable and we loved the relaxed atmosphere of the house. Gorgeous drawing room and sitting room with loads of fascinating historical items all over the property. Grounds are gorgeous and the hens, geese etc. give it a very original and inviting feel. Particularly fascinated by the robotic lawnmower, very impressive. The staff work incredibly hard and the whole experience is very special and unlike anywhere we have stayed previously. We'll absolutely be back very soon.

Perfect - Great value Searched pet friendly accommodation and found this gem.
Met Hannah (&Clyde) on arrival for our stay in The Forge which is just perfect for us with our 2 dogs. The library is a must. Perfect location for exploring all the area has to offer or as in our case to visit relatives. We will be back ASAP for a longer stay.

Charming country hotel Roundwood House is a hidden gem. A beautiful historic Georgian manor house set in woodlands in county Laois in close proximity to the Slieve Bloom mountains. A friendly, family run hotel. Hannah is a delightful host. The food is fabulous. The evening meals created by Patrick are exceptional. We are always made to feel most welcome and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.

A Yearly, Perfect, Adventure There is no where like this house in all of Ireland. It's a stop for us ever year. Half-way between the two major airports makes it perfect for a last evening stay. Don't miss the walk around the grounds or a dinner prepared by Paddy. Make sure you enjoy the breakfast and arrive in time to spend your moments with all.

Fantastic athmosphere and experience. Fantastic atmosphere and experience. Great venue, Hannah and Paddy are great hosts. All staff very helpful and friendly. Food superb, must be close to Michelin star standard . Caters very well for food allergies.
Would highly recommend.

Ladies leisurely break Just back from the most amazing stay at beautiful Roundwood House. We're 4 ladies who like to escape every so often and this has to be the most enjoyable breakaway we've ever had. Everything about Roundwood is so special and unique - Hannah and Paddy are the perfect hosts and their staff are all so lovely and couldn't do enough for us. The food was delicious, preceded by equally delicious drinks in the beautiful drawing room beside a lovely fire. We walked around the grounds the following morning and it is all so peaceful - I was particularly taken with the 'wood shed' which is more of an Art Installation to be honest, I could happily spend the day in it! We then visited the Library, a most beautiful space - I could see myself ensconced in a book there for the day. I've booked one of the lovely cottages for next Easter but I've a feeling I (or any/all of my friends) will be back before then. Treat yourself - it's good for the soul