In western Ireland, Ashford Castle and Sheen Falls Lodge have been recommended for decades, but they were both overdue for proper incognito editorial visits. As part of our reviews, we took video in and around the resorts to give you a better sense of the spaces (and ideally, a truer sense than what promotional videos or influencers provide).

Ashford Castle, a romantic 13th-century fortification with rambling later additions, stands on a lake about 45 minutes north of Galway, and it remains one of Ireland’s great hotels. It’s wonderful to visit on its own, and it’s a convenient base for day trips. Beside Kenmare Bay, Sheen Falls Lodge is less historic, but it’s equally well positioned for excursions, set near the Ring of Kerry.

Like my hotel reviews, these videos that I took during my stays are unfiltered by marketing or PR. What you see is what you get!