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Overview
As you arrive at the K Club the sense of arrival is dramatic. The estate wall leads you up to the gate lodge entrance and onto the tree lined avenue which takes you up to the main hotel and reveals the K Club entrance which does not disappoint.
This is a unique 5-star golf resort, located in Straffan Co. Kildare, 30km from Dublin city centre and 38km from Dublin International Airport. The 5-star K Club is set on 550 acres in the lush countryside of Co Kildare with a 1.6km private stretch of the meandering river Liffey passing through the hotel gardens and the Arnold Palmer designed golf courses on site.
‘Straffan House’ was originally built in the 6th century by local noblemen. It passed through the hands of the Fitzgerald’s during the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland. In the early 1830’s the property and land were purchased by Hugh Barton a very successful wine importer, providing inspiration for naming the hotel’s fine dining restaurant. Barton decided to make Straffan House his family home. He designed and modelled his Kildare residence on a magnificent Chateau just outside Paris.
In the late 1980’s Dr Michael Smurfit of the Jefferson Smurfit Group purchased Straffan House and surrounding lands. Among the renovations that the organisation undertook was the development of the K Club resort and the two Arnold Palmer designed championship-calibre golf courses. The Palmer course at the K Club became the chosen venue for the incredibly exciting 2006 Ryder Cup the first and only course in Ireland to host this world-famous golf tournament.
The current owner Michael Fetherston has built on the K Club legacy. Adding new investment to bring this 130 bedroom 5-star property to an elevated experience and a destination of choice for exceptional hospitality, a warm welcome and an offering that includes some great on-site activities and experiences.
The resort has been updated with the addition of facilities for conferences, events and weddings. The facilities include the newly developed Legacy Suite styled to complement the main hotel and the newly renovated Palmer Suite.
Read MoreDining
Visitors to the K Club can expect a wide and varied choice of dining options both formal and in-formal all delivered with creativity and passion. The ethos at the K Club is a dining experience that delivers superb taste, Irish produce led dishes and service with quality and attention to detail.
The Barton Restaurant is named after Hugh Barton wine merchant and one of the former owners of Straffan House. The Barton Restaurant is the K Club’s elegant and luxurious fine dining restaurant. Executive Chef de Cuisine Philip Brazil leads a large on-site culinary team operating from 5 state-of-the-art kitchen facilities. Visitors to The Barton can expect to find dishes carefully chosen to showcase the very best of Irish ingredients, combined with a décor that evokes old-school luxury and classic Irish hospitality.
The atmosphere at The Barton is classical, warm and inviting. The space expertly takes advantage of the spectacular views across the K Club gardens with a centre point view of the River Liffey gently meandering through the estate.
The day we visited, chef prepared a Barton tasting experience. For starter, Atlantic Hand Dived King Scallops. The pan seared scallops were presented with Jerusalem Artichoke Puree, Crispy Parma Ham and paired with Jack McCarthy’sBlack Pudding Bon Bon and Hazelnut Dressing & Parsley Oil.
For the main course, Philip recommended Black Sole Meuniere served with Tomato, Mussels & Tarragon Beurre Blanc. The choice of Black Sole showcased Irish provenance at its best matched with classical knowledgeable service skills. The Black Sole is caught off the Wild Atlantic Way and was cooked whole on the bone and presented with seared cross marks on the top. The fish dish was brought to the table and presented. The classical professional food service skills on show at The Barton Restaurant was demonstrated by the manager’s filleting of the Black Sole on the table side Gueridon Trolley, perfectly cooked fish expertly filleted and presented. This was classic teamwork on display by The Barton team. The dessert selection in The Barton Restaurant kitchen did not disappoint. The pastry team prepared and presented a SHOWSTOPPER dessert called An Edible Garden. A combination of edible flowers and leaf tuille are all presented on the plate and look like a garden scene.
The wine list at The Barton Restaurant is carefully curated by master sommelier Lisa O’Doherty who pairs a world class selection of wines to match the amazing food experience. If you want to meet and talk to somebody who loves their job then talk to Lisa, she has been Chief Sommelier at the K Club for nearly 20 years, she is bursting with pride about wine and helping guests with their selection. The K Club still maintain a strong connection with the Barton wine family. Every year, Lisa goes to France to the Barton & Guestier Vineyard in Bordeaux to taste, manage and select the blend for the K Club’s house wine.
The Drawing Room
Is located in the main house and serves afternoon tea on a daily basis from 1.30 pm – 4.30 pm. This is a real special occasion treat. The classical Afternoon Tea service is matched in style and atmosphere by the comfortable, elegant and authentic K Club Drawing Room. Visitors can expect a roaring fire in the winter and beautiful views onto the garden. A perfect foodie present experience.
The Henry Lounge
The Henry Lounge is the casual all day dining option located in the main house. Food service is daily from 12 noon – 5 pm and a full bar service continues until 11 pm.
The Henry exudes a clubby and cosy atmosphere, a perfect choice for a snack lunch or a pre/post dinner drink. The Henry has fabulous views of the sweeping lawns and woodland areas.
Rooms & Facilities
The K Club offers a wide choice of accommodation facilities and room types in all 130 guest rooms. The common theme is lavishly appointed rooms, and spacious and luxurious appointed facilities guaranteeing guests staying at the K Club a good night’s rest.
The K Club has an unrivaled collection of Rooms and suites:
- Standard rooms
- Deluxe Rooms
- Deluxe Rooms Woodland views.
- Deluxe Rooms River views
- Liffey, Kildare and Barton Suites.
- Presidential Suite East.
- Presidential Suite West.
- The Viceroy Suite.
- The Imperial Suite.
The luxurious rooms and suites are decorated and finished to a very high period-appropriate standard including all the modern convenience one would expect. All of the rooms include 24-hour valet assistance, TV, capsule espresso machine, Natura Bissé toiletries and a host of other comforting extras.
Included in the accommodation options at the K Club are two private multi-roomed gate lodges.
The Palmer Lodge is a perfectly picturesque property and one of the original gate lodges of the estate. The property has been sensitively restored and renovated and features four bedrooms, an elegant lounge and dining area, and complete self-catering facilities.
Straffan Gate Lodge provides three king-sized bedrooms making it ideal for families or smaller parties seeking an exclusive bolthole while still enjoying all the amenities The K Club has to offer.
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