The Newpark Hotel
The Newpark Hotel is located just outside the medieval city of Kilkenny city and has just undergone a five million euro refurbishment. It is a very popular hotel with groups, families, individuals and locals alike.
Facilities and accommodation
The Newpark Hotel caters for families particularly well with a small playground, a well equipped leisure facility which includes a kids pool, a kids club in the summer months for children aged 3-12 from 4-8pm so mum and dad can have a break and an uninterrupted early dinner and family rooms as well as interconnecting rooms and suites.
Balance is key in getting the family holiday mix right and adults are also well catered for with newly refurbished facilities including a 17 m swimming pool, a shallow children's pool, a fully equipped gymnasium and the Escape health spa as well as a wonderful adult only infinity pool overlooking the gardens. Some things we just need to keep for us elder lemons. The kids spent a good two hours pruning in the pool and had a ball. Mum took the chance to have a wonderful Aveda facial in the Escape spa and spend some time in the darkened relaxation room. Bliss enhanced by a GHD in the changing rooms which was well recieved as I had forgotten mine. A nice touch I had not seen before.
The rooms are spacious with a contemporary finish incorporating light colours and dark woods. We stayed in the stunning Balinamore Suite which has seemingly endless floor to ceiling windows, a sleek open plan dining and living room, an oversize bathroom and a large private terrace. For once the Irish weather rose to the occasion and we wiled away a few hours sitting on the terrace taking in the views of the Slieve Bloom mountains both before and after dinner.
Families have a number of accommodation options to choose from the 129 contemporary deluxe bedrooms including family rooms, interconnecting rooms and suites.
Dining options best for families are probably the early sitting the stylish all la carte Gulliver’s restaurant or more casual dining in Doves bar both of which we tried and enjoyed. We found the staff very receptive to our two kids (aged 4 and 6) and not at all irritated by our two juice spills. Kids’ menus were produced immediately and were cleverly designed to follow the themes of modern cartoon heroes. Our food which was included in the room rate was very good but we cut our losses after the main course as little heads were tired after hours in the pool. The waitress was kind enough to mention that we could order desserts and coffee and bring them upstairs after putting the kids to bed if we liked. She had some children of her own so I suspect that this made the difference. We passed on desert, took the coffee and the approach was appreciated.
What to do with the family in Kilkenny
Kilkenny is a beautiful and historic medieval city packed full of preserved buildings, raft shops and some great dining options. It is also well placed in the South East for families who want to keep the children occupied with many sights and attractions. We had a few fun days out while staying here including the wonderfully restored Kilkenny Castle which has super grounds for a family walk and a great new playground which is somewhat hidden behind some trees so do ask if you are in doubt.
Another day we took a trip to the lakes, walkways, adventure playground and interactive fossil museum of the Castlecomer Discovery Park and while there had lunch in café. The craft shops beckoned but so did the adventure playground which won out. Other day trips worth considering would be Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum, Dunmore Caves the Nore Valley Park and open farm in Bennettsbridge which has an open farm, a 3D maze, a playground and crazy golf as well as the Reptile Village in Goren which has over 50 displays of animals on display.
The downsides
Some of the corridors furthest from reception seemed somewhat dated and may well be due to be upgraded in the near future. If you are booking check that you are getting a newly refurbished room the fit out of which is really very good. If you are very keen on the kids club also check that it is running when you will be there. As with many hotels this is a seasonal club.
The details
This is the year of the special offer and the Newpark Hotel is no different.
They have some great family special offers including midweek savers for €99 pps B and B plus one dinner with kids staying for free and just paying for meals and 5 nights B and B plus 2 dinners with kids staying for free and just paying for meals for 299pps. Details can be found on www.flynnhotels.com or by calling 353 56 7760500.