Tucked away in the Irish countryside, Kilkenny is about an hour’s drive from Dublin. It’s a great stopping point to visit Jerpoint Abbey and, of course, Kilkenny Castle. Located on the edge of Kilkenny City, the Newpark Hotel offers the perfect place to call home while exploring the area. The hotel rests on 40 acres of beautiful parkland and there are endless things for families to do together.
Where do you fly in?
The best place to fly in is Dublin Airport (DUB)
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Take a peek at our room
Our room was a Classic Family Room which included two queen beds and one twin bed. There was lots of room for everyone to spread out and the girls loved having their own beds. A simple game of Rocks, Paper, Scissors decided who got the bigger bed. Classic Rooms include a flat screen TV, tea/coffee maker, complimentary WI-FI, hair dryer, and 110/220 volt adapters. An iron & ironing board is available upon request. Our bathroom was huge and came with fluffy towels and lots of bath amenities. The bathroom had a large tub (great for families with young children) and a separate shower.
The lobby is inviting and comfortable and the staff immediately make you feel like you are at home.
There are several lovely spots to relax at the hotel.
When you’re traveling, there are days when you want to spend the majority of your time at the hotel. There are so many things families can do at the hotel on the Newpark Adventure Trail!
Wildlife Farm
There are many friendly farm animals you can see at the Wildlife Farm, including guinea pigs, rabbits, peacocks, Shetland ponies and llamas. I’ve never seen a hotel with its own little zoo on it’s grounds. It was the perfect way to spend some time after breakfast.
Little Rascal’s Go Karting
The girls had so much fun at the Little Rascal’s Go Karting track. It is suitable for children of any age and is a fun way for kids to burn off some energy at the end of the day!
Adventure Playground
This fun playground contains slides, swings, and a sandpit with diggers. The kids loved taking turns on the zip line.
The Fairy Trail
This shaded area would be a wonderful spot on a sunny day. Stroll through the path and see if you can spot fairy doors, elf houses, a fairy letter box, worry stone, and wishing chair.
Nature Fen Trail
The 2km Nature Fen Trail is the perfect choice for a morning stroll or bike ride. It showcases the flora & fauna of this diverse habitat with open water and a rich variety of wild plants.
The hotel also offers complimentary bicycle rentals.
Pool
There is a lovely indoor pool that families can enjoy together. Be aware that you must wear a swimming cap in the pool. I believe they sell some at the hotel but you may want to bring your own just in case.
Escape Health Spa
There are times when adults need a little relaxation or pampering. The Relaxation Suite section of the Escape Spa is for adults and offers a deck area with an outdoor infinity pool. There is also a sauna and steam room. There is a gym that offers state of the art equipment and their treadmills have personalized televisions.
Family Room
A great perk for families is the Family Room. This cozy room has lots of necessities you may need when traveling with babies and toddlers including a kettle, microwave, sterilizer, and fridge.
Zone Game Room
This room is perfect for older kids, tweens, and teens. It has a foosball table, an air hockey table, and two televisions hooked up to Xbox system. My girls played in here for a bit while my husband and I worked for a bit in the afternoon.
Where should we eat?
There are several dining options at the hotel.
Scott’s Bar & Brasserie
Scott’s Bar & Brasserie is an elegant, yet family-friendly place to have dinner after a long day of exploring the area. The restaurant is traditionally decorated, featuring dark wood booths and rich red furnishings. The bar offers a large selection of drinks that will leave you confused about which one to try first! We had a great meal here.
Gulliver’s Restaurant
Gulliver’s Restaurant: This restaurant is set back from the hustle and bustle of the main foyer since it is located in the original house, and it is decorated with cool, neutral tones. Lots of sunlight fills the space. Their menu features dishes created with fresh, seasonal ingredients and any of these are selected from local suppliers by their expert chefs. We had a lovely breakfast here in the morning.
Want a spot of tea?
Afternoon Tea: The Newpark Hotel honors their Irish heritage by following time honored traditions which includes an afternoon tea, which they serve daily. We saw some people having it and it looked so good! I wish we had more time at the hotel so we could have experienced it.
What else can you do in the area?
Click on the tours below to discover some amazing activities!
Walking tour of Kilkenny with a certified tour guide
Kilkenny, Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough, Sheep Dog Trials, Day Trip from Dublin
Waterford Crystal and Kilkenny Rail Tour from Dublin
The Medieval Mile Museum All Day Tour
The Kilkenny Way: Ultimate Hurling Experience
Magic Christmas tour in Kilkenni
Tips for planning your stay
Check-in: 3:00 Check-out: 12:00
Room choice: I would recommend getting a Family Room if you are traveling with two or more kids.
The Adventure Playground closes at 6:00.
Breakfast is served Monday-Friday 7:00- 10:30
Saturday & Sunday 7:30- 11:00
If you’re going to explore for the day the hotel can prepare a picnic basket for your family. You must pre-order your basket before 10 am on the day you wish to have it.
The hotel is about a half hour walk to Kilkenny Castle.
Castlecomer Road, Newpark Lower, Kilkenny.
Phone Number: 353 (556) 776 05 00
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Thank you to the Newpark Hotel for the warm welcome and for making us feel at home while we were in Kilkenny. As always, all experiences and opinions are of MyTravelingKids.com
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