Fifth Forbes five-star ranking for Ashford Castle

Ashford Castle has been awarded Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating for the fifth year in a row.

Winning this prestigious award is a milestone moment for any hotel, but retaining it can be the challenge, according to Niall Rochford, Managing Director at Ashford Castle.

“There’s a nervous excitement that permeates the castle in the weeks leading into the annual Forbes Travel Guide rating announcement,” said Mr Rochford.  

The annual Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) Star Awards is the world’s only independent rating system and rates the world’s most luxurious properties. 

Ashford Castle was Ireland’s first hotel to achieve the Five-Star ranking in the annual honours list, the top rating possible and the ultimate gold standard in hospitality. 

Mr Rochford said the team at Ashford strive to fly the ‘flag for five-star hospitality in Ireland’.

Additionally, the Spa at Ashford Castle was the first, and remains the only hotel spa in the country, to receive a Five-Star ranking. 

The Managing Director said that each year they ‘raise the bar that little bit higher’, and these recognitions certainly represent this.

The celebrations were doubled at Ashford when it was announced that The Spa had retained the highest ranking possible from 2024 FTG awards.

“Today I, along with our owners at Red Carnation, want to congratulate the team at Ashford Castle on this award, for this is an acknowledgement of their wonderful efforts” said Mr Rochford.

Forbes described the team at Ashford Castle as ‘exceptional’, as well as saying the service was warm and welcoming, with no request too large and no detail too small.

The individually designed rooms and suites were said to have exuded regal grandeur, and Forbes called the hotel’s grounds nothing short of epic.

The Spa was described by the business magazine as a ‘modern oasis’ designed to pamper you like royalty. 

Both service and facilities are inspected, Forbes’ rating system places an emphasis on service, which staff at Ashford Castle are widely recognised. Reviewers noted the level of care staff offer each guest. 

Restaurant and Wine Programme Manager, Robert Bowe’s engaging conversation with guests, received a special mention from Forbes’.