Set in the stunning Vale of Avoca and dating back to 1608, The Woodenbridge Hotel has welcomed guests from near and far over the centuries, offering the perfect setting for family occasions and a base to explore the lush and peaceful Wicklow landscape, play a few rounds at Woodenbridge Golf Club or enjoy award-winning homemade food and the best in local entertainment.
The Woodenbridge Hotel’s award – their ninth in a row – represents a huge mark of recognition in the hospitality industry, with Tripadvisor operating in 40 countries and featuring approximately one billion reviews and opinions on roughly eight million establishments.
Noting that Tripadvisor honours travellers’ favourite global destinations, hotels, restaurants and attractions based on reviews and ratings collected over the previous 12 months, Julie-Ann Harper from the Woodenbridge Hotel said that the award is a reflection on the dedication of the hotel’s all-star team of staff.
“It’s a great achievement to have, and if you popped on Tripadvisor and looked for a hotel in Wicklow, we’d be ranked number three, which says a lot when you consider how many fantastic hotels there are in the county, and it’s something we’re all very proud of,” she said.
“What pushed those great reviews is the fantastic team at the hotel, and without their hard work and the inviting atmosphere they create, we wouldn’t be getting them.
“We’ve been on Tripadvisor for over 10 years now, so it is very much an evaluation and review of our progress over that time and what guests think of us.
“We are the oldest hotel in Ireland, and it might not look it now, but the bones of the hotel go back as far as 1608,” she continued.
“The hotel has changed and expanded over the years, but we’ve always tried to maintain its original charm and features as much as possible.
“We renovated the hotel last year, which has been huge for us, but we don’t just get reviews for our bedrooms or accommodation. We get reviews of our food as well, whether it be guests dining in or people stopping off for their lunch or dinner.”
Adding to the hotel’s culinary offering, The Woodenbridge Hotel recently re-opened their seasonal outdoor/indoor Smokehouse BBQ restaurant and bar, which boasts hand-minced burgers, deliciously smoked meats and seafood fresh off the barbecue rig, and a new pizza menu.
As Julie-Ann explained, the opening of The Smokehouse on May 3 has coincided nicely with the recent upturn in weather, with hungry diners flocking to the stunning venue to enjoy good BBQ and cocktails in the sunshine.
“We re-opened The Smokehouse down in the Lodge building recently, and with the good weather, it has been so busy, and it is really thriving at the moment,” she said.
“Initially, the thinking was that we were going to do outdoor weddings, but we needed somewhere to host them in case of rain. Then Covid happened, and we had the plans already in place, so it basically changed from what was going to be an outdoor ceremony area into a seasonal restaurant.
“We opened it two years ago, and it’s been a huge help coming into the summertime. We have expanded it now to include an indoor area, while the outdoor area is covered and has heating for when it is a bit chillier.
“The opening weekend was fantastic, and we had some great feedback – it really is a lovely spot for food and drink by the river on a nice sunny day.
“Of course, it’s golf season, so the golfers are keeping us very busy at the moment,” she joked.
“Then there are the communions and confirmations, which we are out the door with. Oh, it’s all go at the Woodenbridge Hotel & Lodge!”
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