Hotel review: This four-star offers a touch of luxury and old world charm

9/10

Style and decor

Built as The Johnstown House, the manor was originally the country residence of Colonel Francis Forde. And these dignified origins remain. Outside there are the immaculately manicured grounds, restored walled gardens and an elegant ornamental pond, reflecting the handsome building at the entrance. Inside, elevated ceilings, elaborate cornicing and chandeliers point to its ancestry.

Yet the hotel is never imposing or austere. There’s not one, but two open fires in the reception rooms, and this old world warmth is married with modern luxury — eight years ago, the hotel was completely re-imagined with a €10m refurbishment, and it is still showcasing the effects.

9/10

Service

This is where The Johnstown Estate Hotel & Spa excels. Check in was warm and seamless, but it was our departure that really made an impact — the same staff member recalled our room number as we left, no mean feat in a hotel with 128 bedrooms, and on a weekend with full occupancy. It’s the little touches that shine here.

Most impressive of all was the early morning Americano. Requested en route to the gym before breakfast was even served, it was delivered with a smile, and without a fee.

A real test of any hotel is its popularity with locals, and with service like this, day visitors were enjoying Sunday lunch and afternoon tea as we departed. The hotel absorbed the numbers with ease.

9/10

Guest rooms

Spacious period-style rooms are comfy and restful, decorated in muted greys with hues of blue. There is every touch here expected of a four-star, with flatscreen TVs and Nespresso machines.

The Voya products in the bathrooms add a welcome touch of luxury. As well as the 128 bedrooms, there are also 40 self-catering lodges.

8/10

In-room perks

Cookies and strawberries were waiting on arrival, with fresh milk also provided. Dressing gowns hang in the wardrobe, hinting at the luxury spa offering that Johnstown has become synonymous with.

7/10

On the menu

Fire & Salt, a contemporary dining space with a mix of booths and table seating, is intimate and cosy. The bar is the centrepiece here, constructed from blocks of shimmering Himalayan rock salt. From the three-course dinner option, signature dishes include hand-selected beef, dry-aged for up to 36 days in Himalayan sea-salt – the restaurant name is derived from this dramatic salt feature and flame grill where this premium meat is cooked.

Lighter fare is available at the Coach House Brasserie, with drinks and live music also an option there on the Saturday we visited. Breakfast was busy but the crowds are managed with a spacious and generous buffet offering. A la carte options include black pudding Hollandaise and smoked salmon benedict.

8.5/10

Activities & Amenities

For families there’s the fairy walk and playground on site. Nearby there’s Emerald Park and a little further afield there’s Newgrange. But it’s the spa that is the real gamechanger. The rooftop experience has an outdoor Jacuzzi. Inside there are Finnish steam rooms, a caldarium, and the water beds in the relaxation room will have you literally floating. The treatment – a firm full body massage – was the icing on the cake. It’s even got it’s own high spec cafe. This is up there with the very best spa offerings in the country.

9.5/10

The bill

The Spring Treat package, includes overnight accommodation in a deluxe room, a full Irish breakfast, a two-course dinner in The Coach House Bar and access to the Leisure Club, €250 for two sharing (available from March to May from Sunday to Thursday).

The Hotel Examiner was a guest of Johnstown Estate Hotel & Spa

Our verdict: 8.5/10

Room to improve?

The refurbishments were completed in 2017 and new plans are already in place with plans submitted for a major extension with 90 guest rooms. Watch this space.

Accessibility?

Wheelchair accessible rooms and lifts are available in the hotel. Much of the spa is accessible too.

EV chargers?

Yes. The Johnstown Estate has 6 Tesla Supercharge points and two additional EV charging points.

Family-friendly?

The hotel offers family rooms as well as 40 self-catering lodges. There’s also a kids pool, an outdoor children’s play area, a fairy trail and a kids club during school holidays.

Dogs welcome? 

Service dogs only.

• The Johnstown Estate, Enfield, Co Meath
• thejohnstownestate.com