Mount Wolseley mid-week break was amazing value

If you are planning a hotel break and do not wish to break the bank then perhaps Mount Wolseley Hotel Spa and Golf Resort is the place to go. GG and I enjoyed a ‘Golden Years’ (I know I am shocked too, but it is GG who is really that old!) mid-week break there a few weeks ago and, with just a few reservations, can recommend it. Escapes.ie offered exactly the same deal..no birth certificates required.

An impressive looking modern hotel, Mount Wolseley is in Tullow, near Carlow, and built on part of what was once the 2,500-acre estate of the Wolseley family dating back to the 18^th century. A descendent, Frederick York Wolseley, perfected the world’s first mechanical sheep shears in Australia in the late 1800s with Herbert Austin and together they later developed the first Wolseley motor car in Birmingham.

An immaculately maintained 1950s’ Wolseley 1500 saloon car is a feature of the hotel today and used for special occasions.

Food

First of all, let us talk about the incredible value. We stayed for two nights and our deal included dinner on both nights. Breakfasts were excellent and there was plenty of choice, with gluten-free options available too.

Dinner was a little disappointing, not in terms of food quality but with the limited menu, and the same menu on both nights; perhaps that was because we were on the special deal but we looked at the table d’hote menu and there was only an additional one or two items added to each course.

There is a large lounge – the Aaron Lounge – which serves snacks and bar food all day (below)

with a lovely snug bar (below) at the back (not open when we were there).

Accommodation

Our room (number 257) was spacious enough, with a comfortable large bed and a bathroom that had a separate bath and shower. All was good until we went to bed that evening! Suddenly, our peace was shattered with what we thought was a washing machine on a very loud spin. Or a helicopter taking off. It did not last long, so we settled down again. But it wasn’t long before it started again. I phoned reception and a lovely lady arrived up, but by then the noise had stopped. She couldn’t explain it, but did offer to move us. We declined as we were already unpacked and ready for bed. It continued for a while but eventually we fell asleep.

The next day we discovered that our room backed on to the lift shaft, which explained the intermittent noise. The moral of the story is to ask that your room is not beside a lift when checking in!

 

Golf

A championship course designed by Christy O’Connor Jnr., it is challenging and long but enjoyable.  We were blessed with wonderful weather on both days so saw it at its best. There is also plenty of wildlife (above) and beautiful scenery to distract from the bad golf or at least give you an excuse. We made the mistake of not booking a buggy in advance, so decided to play nine each day and we were glad we did (GG is only a raw beginner) and even though I started a few years ago, I still find it tiring enough.

Spa

We never got to use the pool (forgot our togs!) or gym (weather too good to be inside) but the prices of treatments in the spa seemed reasonable enough as spas go.

Child-friendly

We went just as schools were re-opening, so there were few children, but there seems to be plenty on offer for them during the holidays with games rooms, a playground and organised activities.

Staff

Obviously Mount Wolseley is a major employer in the area and without exception, all of the staff were welcoming, helpful and chatty, and you all know by now how GG loves a good chat!

Summary

Tullow is less than an hour and a half from Dublin and Mount Wolseley is definitely worth a visit, particularly if you are interested in golf. I can’t argue with the value; we paid €240 for our visit including our two dinners. Golf was €86 extra. Don’t forget that there is a spa and leisure centre, including a swimming pool. All details can be found on their site here.  If you are interested in my previous reviews of our breaks, click here on Harvey’s Point and Monart Spa.

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