2009 Award Winners BUSINESS HOTEL OF THE YEAR 2009

Kingsley Hotel

While it is not unusual for an establishment to receive more than one award award from us – the cream always floats to the top, after all – this one is unique in that the Kingsley Hotel was selected for exactly the same award, in 2004.

So what have they been doing to attract our attention again, five years on? This is interesting because the bar has been well and truly raised in the meantime – the number of hotels with excellent business and conference facilities has increased dramatically (which bodes well for Ireland), and competition in this sector is seriously hot.

Major investment over the last two years has enlarged and upgraded this hotel and, remarkably, has not only made even more of its lovely riverside location but has also managed to retain the sense of intimacy and homely atmosphere that has always been a special feature. The Business & Conference Centre is a top venue for small and medium sized meetings and is built for purpose – significantly, the hotel does not accept weddings.

Excellent accommodation is planned to make a relaxing home from home (new apartments also now available for short or long stays), service has always been exemplary - the moment guests enter the door friendly, well-trained staff are on hand to guide and assist – the food is good, and health and fitness facilities include a Yauvana holistic lifestyle spa, with exclusive Indian treatments.

A real home from home indeed – and, thanks largely to the success of the spa, now gaining a reputation as a weekend leisure destination as well.