Advertising Feature
An advertising feature is created, supplied and paid for by a commercial client and promoted by the Irish Times Content Studio. The Irish Times newsroom or other editorial departments are not involved in the production of advertising features.

Winners of the 2025 Gold Medal Hotel Awards revealed

In its 36th year, the Gold Medal Awards celebrated the very best in hospitality excellence across Ireland

Gold Medal Hotel Awards winners gather on stage at the end of the night to celebrate their achievements. Photograph: Paul Sherwood
Gold Medal Hotel Awards winners gather on stage at the end of the night to celebrate their achievements. Photograph: Paul Sherwood
Thu Feb 12 2026 - 05:00 • 6 MIN READ

The 36th annual Gold Medal Hotel Awards, held on the evening of January 27th, 2026, at the Galmont Hotel & Spa in Galway, represents the most significant independent validation of hospitality excellence in Ireland. Organised by Ashville Media Group and recognised industry-wide as the “Oscars of hospitality”, the event celebrated a year of unprecedented growth and competition within the sector.

Held at The Galmont Hotel & Spa in Galway, more than 700 people came together to celebrate the best of the hotel and hospitality industry at a sold-out event hosted by broadcaster Anton Savage. With more than 1,000 entries submitted this year across 38 categories, the 2025 awards cycle witnessed a record volume of participants, necessitating a judging process described as the most rigorous in the program’s three-and-a-half-decade history.

“The Gold Medal Awards serve as the definitive benchmark for hospitality excellence in Ireland,” said Trish Murphy, sponsorship director at Ashville Media Group. “It is a privilege to celebrate the extraordinary standards of innovation and service that our hotels deliver, setting a world-class example for tourism.”

On the night Murphy thanked the sponsors, without which the event would not be possible. This year’s sponsors include Access Hospitality, Action Recruitment, Bookassist, Brodericks, BWG Food Service, Champagne Taittinger, Classic Drinks, Excel Recruitment, Febvre Wines, Netaffinity, Noel Group, O’Driscoll’s Whiskey, Respa Beds, Sound To Light, Sullivan’s Brewing Company and Virgin Media Business.

READ MORE

From farm to pharmacy: scaling a premium skincare brand

How Europe’s headline housing numbers hide the real crisis

Investing in employees’ futures

‘I’m 65, our drummer is 16’: There’s no rulebook for what comes next in retirement

Among many well-deserved winners, Thelma Slattery of The Station House took home gold for the lifetime achievement award. Other winners on the night included The Merrion Hotel, Co Dublin, awarded gold for Ireland’s five-star hotel; the g Hotel & Spa, Co Galway, for Ireland’s five-star guest experience; and Harvey’s Point Hotel, Co Donegal, who took home the overall supreme winner of the night award.

Gold Medal Awards 2025 winners

The highest honour of the night, the supreme winner award, was bestowed upon Harvey’s Point Hotel, Co Donegal. This designation identifies the property that most consistently demonstrates excellence across multiple facets of hospitality, from culinary offerings to guest experience and facility management.

Ireland’s supreme winner

Harvey’s Point Hotel, supreme winners. Photograph: Paul Sherwood
Harvey’s Point Hotel, supreme winners. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Gold: Harvey’s Point Hotel, Co Donegal

Lifetime achievement

Thelma Slattery, The Station House Hotel, gold winner of the lifetime achievement award. Photograph: Paul Sherwood
Thelma Slattery, The Station House Hotel, gold winner of the lifetime achievement award. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

The lifetime achievement award for 2025 was presented to Thelma Slattery of the Station House Hotel, Co Meath. This award recognises individuals who have made a lasting and transformative impact on the Irish hospitality industry over several decades.

Gold: Thelma Slattery, The Station House Hotel

Ireland’s favourite place to stay

Castle Leslie Estate, overall winner of Ireland’s favourite place to stay. Photograph: Paul Sherwood
Castle Leslie Estate, overall winner of Ireland’s favourite place to stay. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

While the majority of gold medal categories are adjudicated by experts, the Ireland’s favourite place to stay award is decided by a public vote. For 2025 Castle Leslie Estate in Co Monaghan was crowned the overall winner.

Overall winner: Castle Leslie Estate, Co Monaghan

Leinster: Woodenbridge Hotel & Lodge, Co Wicklow

Munster: Gleneagle, Killarney, Co Kerry

Connacht: Galway Bay Hotel, Co Galway

Ulster: Castle Leslie Estate, Co Monaghan

Ireland’s five-star hotel (Sponsored by Access Hospitality)

The Merrion Hotel, winners of Ireland's five-star hotel (Sponsored by Access Hospitality). Photograph: Paul Sherwood
The Merrion Hotel, winners of Ireland's five-star hotel (Sponsored by Access Hospitality). Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Gold: The Merrion Hotel, Co. Dublin

Silver: Cashel Palace Hotel, Co. Tipperary

Bronze: The Killarney Park, Co. Kerry

Ireland’s five-star Resort (Sponsored by Virgin Media Business)

Ashford Castle, winners of Ireland's five-star resort (Sponsored by Virgin Media Business). Photograph: Paul Sherwood
Ashford Castle, winners of Ireland's five-star resort (Sponsored by Virgin Media Business). Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Gold: Ashford Castle, Co Mayo

Silver: Sheen Falls Lodge, Co Kerry

Bronze: Ballyfin Demesne, Co Laois

Ireland’s five-star chef of the year (Sponsored by BWG Food Service)

John Kelly, Mount Juliet Estate, winner of five-star chef of the year (Sponsored by BWG FoodService). Photograph: Paul Sherwood
John Kelly, Mount Juliet Estate, winner of five-star chef of the year (Sponsored by BWG FoodService). Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Gold: John Kelly, Mount Juliet Estate

Silver: Mark Treacy, Sheen Falls Lodge

Bronze: Richard Picard-Edwards, Ballyfin Demesne

Ireland’s five-star afternoon tea (Sponsored by Champagne Taittinger)

The College Green Hotel Dublin, winners of five-star afternoon tea (Sponsored by Champagne). Photograph: Paul Sherwood
The College Green Hotel Dublin, winners of five-star afternoon tea (Sponsored by Champagne). Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Gold: The College Green Hotel Dublin, Co Dublin

Silver: Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa, Co Wicklow

Bronze: Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel, Co Dublin

Ireland’s afternoon tea hotel

Gold: The Kingsley Hotel, Co Cork

Silver: The Walter Raleigh, Co Cork

Bronze: The Connacht Hotel, Co Galway

Ireland’s wine experience (Sponsored by Classic Drinks)

Ashford Castle, winners of Ireland's wine experience -(Sponsored by Classic Drinks). Photograph: Paul Sherwood
Ashford Castle, winners of Ireland's wine experience -(Sponsored by Classic Drinks). Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Gold: Ashford Castle, Co Mayo

Silver: Harvey’s Point Hotel, Co Donegal

Bronze: Hodson Bay Hotel, Co Roscommon

Ireland’s four-star hotel (Sponsored by O’Driscoll’s Whiskey)

Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa, winners of Ireland's four-star hotel (Sponsored by O'Driscoll's Whiskey). Photograph: Paul Sherwood
Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa, winners of Ireland's four-star hotel (Sponsored by O'Driscoll's Whiskey). Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Gold: Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa, Co Roscommon

Silver: Radisson RED Galway, Co Galway

Bronze: Brook Lane Hotel, Co Kerry

Ireland’s four-star resort (Sponsored by Sound to Light)

Harvey’s Point Hotel, winners of Ireland's four-star resort (Sponsored by Sound to Light). Photograph: Paul Sherwood
Harvey’s Point Hotel, winners of Ireland's four-star resort (Sponsored by Sound to Light). Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Gold: Harvey’s Point Hotel, Co Donegal

Silver: Ballynahinch Castle, Co Galway

Bronze: Castle Leslie Estate, Co Monaghan

Ireland’s chef of the year (Sponsored by BWG Foodservice)

Gold: Daniel Willimont, Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa

Silver: Bernard McGuane, Glenroyal Hotel

Bronze: Andrew O’Gorman, Ashdown Park Hotel

Ireland’s castle & heritage wedding excellence (Sponsored by Excel Recruitment)

Ballyseede Castle, winners of Ireland's castle & heritage wedding excellence (sponsored by Excel Recruitment). Photograph: Paul Sherwood
Ballyseede Castle, winners of Ireland's castle & heritage wedding excellence (sponsored by Excel Recruitment). Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Gold: Ballyseede Castle, Co Kerry

Silver: Markree Castle, Co Sligo

Bronze: Kilkea Castle, Co Kildare

Ireland’s grand wedding hotel (101+ people) (Sponsored by Excel Recruitment)

Gold: Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa, Co Kerry

Silver: Diamond Coast Hotel, Co Sligo

Bronze: Fernhill House, Co Cork

Ireland’s small wedding hotel (100 people or less)

Gold: The Station House Hotel, Co Meath

Silver: County Arms Birr, Co Offaly

Bronze: Luttrellstown Castle Resort, Co Dublin

Ireland’s city hotel (Sponsored by Excel Recruitment)

Gold: Hayfield Manor, Co Cork

Silver: NYX Christchurch Dublin, Co Dublin

Bronze: The Dean Cork, Co Cork

Ireland’s boutique hotel of the year (Sponsored by Respa Beds)

The Victoria, Killarney, winners of Ireland's boutique hotel of the year (Sponsored by Respa Beds). Photograph: Paul Sherwood
The Victoria, Killarney, winners of Ireland's boutique hotel of the year (Sponsored by Respa Beds). Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Gold: The Victoria, Killarney, Co Kerry

Silver: HYDE Hotel Galway, Co Galway

Bronze: The Mercantile Hotel, Co Dublin

Ireland’s guest experience (Sponsored by Net Affinity)

Faithlegg, winners of Ireland's guest experience (Sponsored by Net Affinity). Photograph: Paul Sherwood
Faithlegg, winners of Ireland's guest experience (Sponsored by Net Affinity). Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Gold: Faithlegg, Co Waterford

Silver: The Blue Haven Hotel, Co Cork

Bronze: Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, Co Cork

Ireland’s business & conference hotel (Sponsored by Bookassist)

Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin, winners of Ireland's business & conference hotel (Sponsored by Bookassist). Photograph: Paul Sherwood
Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin, winners of Ireland's business & conference hotel (Sponsored by Bookassist). Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Gold: Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin, Co Dublin

Silver: The Johnstown Estate Hotel & Spa, Co Meath

Bronze: Midlands Park Hotel, Co Laois

Ireland’s best hotel group (Sponsored by Action Recruitment)

O’Donoghue Ring Collection, winners of Ireland's best hotel group (Sponsored by Action Recruitment). Photograph: Paul Sherwood
O’Donoghue Ring Collection, winners of Ireland's best hotel group (Sponsored by Action Recruitment). Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Gold: O’Donoghue Ring Collection

Ireland’s best family run hotel group

Gold: The Address Collective

Ireland’s country house / guest house experience (Sponsored by Sullivan’s Brewing Company)

Marlfield House Hotel, winner of Ireland’s country house / guest house experience (Sponsored by Sullivan’s Brewing Company). Photograph: Paul Sherwood
Marlfield House Hotel, winner of Ireland’s country house / guest house experience (Sponsored by Sullivan’s Brewing Company). Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Gold: Marlfield House Hotel, Co Wexford

Silver: Renvyle House Hotel and Resort, Co Galway

Bronze: Ard na Sidhe Country House, Co Kerry

Ireland’s five-star hotel spa experience

Gold: The Europe Hotel & Resort, Co Kerry

Silver: Dromoland Castle Resort, Co Clare

Bronze: Fota Island Resort Co Cork

Ireland’s four-star hotel spa experience

Gold: Galgorm, Co Antrim

Silver: The Brehon Hotel & Spa, Co Kerry

Bronze: The Imperial Hotel Cork, Co Cork

Ireland’s fine dining hotel restaurant

Gold: The Leinster, Co Dublin

Silver: Tankardstown House, Co Meath

Bronze: The Twelve Hotel, Co Galway

Ireland’s five-star hotel casual dining (Sponsored by Brodericks)

The Merrion Hotel, winner of Ireland’s five-star hotel casual dining (Sponsored by Brodericks). Photograph: Paul Sherwood
The Merrion Hotel, winner of Ireland’s five-star hotel casual dining (Sponsored by Brodericks). Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Gold: The Merrion Hotel, Co Dublin

Silver: The Europe Hotel & Resort, Co Kerry

Bronze: The K Club, Co Dublin

Ireland’s hotel casual dining experience

Gold: The Horse and Jockey Hotel, Co Tipperary

Silver: Great Southern Killarney, Co Kerry

Bronze: The Address Connolly, Co Dublin

Ireland’s menu provenance award (Sponsored by Febvre Wines)

Ballyfin Demesne, winner of Ireland’s menu provenance award (Sponsored by Febvre Wines). Photograph: Paul Sherwood
Ballyfin Demesne, winner of Ireland’s menu provenance award (Sponsored by Febvre Wines). Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Gold: Ballyfin Demesne, Co Laois

Silver: BrookLodge & Macreddin Village, Co Wicklow

Bronze: Killeavy Castle Estate, Co Armagh

Ireland’s five-star fine dining restaurant (Sponsored by Noel Group)

Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate, winner of Ireland’s five-star fine dining restaurant (Sponsored by Noel Group). Photograph: Paul Sherwood
Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate, winner of Ireland’s five-star fine dining restaurant (Sponsored by Noel Group). Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Gold: Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate, Co Galway

Silver: Cashel Palace, Co Tipperary

Bronze: Ballyfin Demesne, Co Laois

Ireland’s five-star guest experience

Gold: the g Hotel & Spa, Co Galway

Silver: Mount Juliet Estate, Co Kilkenny

Bronze: Park Hotel Kenmare, Co Kerry

Ireland’s five-star hotel breakfast

Gold: Cashel Palace, Sadler’s Restaurant, Co Tipperary

Silver: Ashford Castle, Co Mayo

Bronze: The Savoy Hotel, Co Limerick

Ireland’s hotel breakfast

Gold: Cork International Hotel, Co Cork

Silver: Absolute Hotel, Co Limerick

Bronze: Celtic Ross Hotel, Co Cork

Ireland’s sustainability / leading green hotel

Gold: Armada Hotel, Co Clare

Silver: The Chancery Hotel, Co Dublin

Bronze: Killeavy Castle Estate, Co Armagh

Ireland’s family friendly hotel

Gold: Newpark Hotel Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny

Silver: Sligo Park Hotel & Leisure Club, Co Sligo

Bronze: Breaffy House Resort, Co Mayo

Ireland’s three-star hotel

Gold: Hotel Isaacs Cork, Co Cork

Silver: Woodenbridge Hotel & Lodge, Co Wicklow

Bronze: Kilmurry Lodge Hotel, Co Limerick

Tourist hotel of the year

Gold: Eccles Hotel & Spa Glengarriff, Co Cork

Silver: Dingle Skellig Hotel, Co Kerry

Bronze: Dooley’s Hotel Waterford, Co Waterford

Outstanding customer service

InterContinental Dublin, winner of outstanding customer service. Photograph: Paul Sherwood
InterContinental Dublin, winner of outstanding customer service. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Gold: InterContinental Dublin, Co Dublin

Ireland’s front of house team / team member

Gold: Killarney Avenue Hotel, Co Kerry

Silver: Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence, Co Dublin

Bronze: Cork’s Vienna Woods Hotel, Co Cork

Ready for the next win? Showcase your culinary excellence by entering the Gold Medal Catering Awards, entries open until April 3rd, 2026