Ballyfin Hotel Recognized as Top Resort in Ireland and the UKBallyfin Hotel Recognized as Top Resort in Ireland and the UK Ballyfin, an opulent Regency mansion situated near Mountrath, Co. Laois, has triumphed as the best resort hotel in Ireland and the UK in the 2024 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. This prestigious recognition underscores the hotel’s exceptional service, stunning surroundings, and unparalleled guest experiences. Established in 2011 after a nine-year restoration, the five-star country house hotel boasts 21 luxurious bedrooms immersed in a serene 600-acre estate at the base of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. Ballyfin has welcomed an elite clientele, including Kim Kardashian and Kanye West for their honeymoon, and George and Amal Clooney. The hotel is now under the guidance of a remarkable team that previously collaborated at Lucknam Park Hotel in the UK. General Manager Peter White, Deputy General Manager Claire Randall, and Executive Head Chef Richard Picard-Edwards are responsible for maintaining the hotel’s excellence. Chef Picard-Edwards harbors aspirations to earn Michelin-star recognition for Ballyfin’s culinary offerings, utilizing produce from the hotel’s three-acre walled kitchen gardens for its ever-changing seasonal menus. “Receiving this fantastic award is a testament to the dedicated team at Ballyfin,” said White. “I am immensely grateful for their hard work and our valued guests for their appreciation.” Ballyfin offers an array of amenities, including fine dining, an indoor pool and spa, and outdoor pursuits such as fishing, horse riding, clay pigeon shooting, archery, and falconry. The Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards are in their 29th year, celebrating the pinnacle of the travel industry. The Oberoi Rajvilas in Jaipur, India, was crowned the World’s Best Hotel, while Florence, Italy, and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, were named Best City in Europe and Best City in the World, respectively.
Ballyfin, the luxury Regency mansion near Mountrath, Co Laois, has been named the best resort hotel in Ireland and the UK in the 2024 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. The annual survey recognises excellence in the travel industry and showcases the world’s best hotels, resorts, destinations and airlines, as ranked by travellers.
The five-star country house hotel, which opened in 2011 after an extensive nine-year restoration project, was recognised for its “dedication to delivering exceptional service, breathtaking surroundings and an unparalleled guest experience”. Set on a picturesque 600-acre estate at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains with just 21 bedrooms in a secluded setting, Ballyfin has attracted A-list guests including Kim Kardashian and Kanye West who honeymooned there, and George and Imal Clooney.
The hotel has recently been run by three key staff members who previously worked together at Lucknam Park Hotel, a five-star country house hotel near Bath in the UK. They include general manager Peter White, deputy general manager Claire Randall and executive head chef Richard Picard-Edwards. It is no secret that Picard-Edwards has Michelin-star ambitions that he hopes to fulfil in the kitchen at Ballyfin. The hotel has three acres of walled kitchen gardens, where produce goes straight into the restaurant kitchen for seasonal and daily-changing menus.
White said of the Travel + Leisure award: “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.”
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.
The 2024 World’s Best Awards are now in their 29th year. The overall winner of the World’s Best Hotel award was The Oberoi Rajvilas in Jaipur, India. Other category winners were Florence, Italy, named Best City in Europe, and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, named Best City in the World.
