Tralee thread

DayInTheBog

Brandon was closed by FSAI due to cockroach infestation

https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/lidl-store-in-dublin-and-a-kerry-hotel-restaurant-closed-by-fsai-in-july-after-rodent-droppings-and-cockroach-infestation-found/a405965619.html

https://www.radiokerry.ie/news/closure-order-issued-on-tralee-hotel-after-evidence-of-significant-cockroach-infestation-found-446859

Ciarrai76

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123717765#Comment_123717765

I heard about the Brandon a few days ago! That hotel is really gone downhill in recent years. Not like the hotel it once was many years ago. I don't know if any locals even go there to eat or drink?

xxyyzz

Good to see a business coming back into the town.

DayInTheBog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123718992#Comment_123718992

Where? O look another vape shop🤷🏻‍♂️

wackokid

Anybody know where Bobby's car wash has relocated to?

Used to be opposite Utsch in Monavalley Ind. Estate.

dominatinMC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123718650#Comment_123718650

The decline has been steady but unsurprising. I never hear of, or see, anyone staying there - which begs the question how is it still surviving?

phormium

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123719754#Comment_123719754

Actually I was at a family party few months ago, lot of relations from all over but they had mainly stayed in the Brandon, like that I was surprised as I never hear of anyone staying there.

Pirates Ale

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123719742#Comment_123719742

Blennerville I was told.

SpaceTrucker

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123718650#Comment_123718650

Stayed there for a weekend about 12 years ago, the decor and building were very dated and in parts shabby, but the overall experience was still very positive as the staff were very professional and welcoming and the breakfast/dinner were very good. Makes me sad to see that it has declined this much, I hope they can turn it around but I don't know how they can reconfigure the building to make it suitable as a modern 4 Star hotel, with larger bedrooms etc. Hopefully they resolve their current issues and turn things around as it would be a huge loss to the town.

Igotadose

Funny about perceptions. We're as picky as any when it comes to hotels, last year November during the mega snowstorm we got stuck on the way home to Dingle in Tralee and on short notice took a room at the Brandon.

Thought it was excellent, the food just fine and very good service, too. So, I guess, "YMMV." It was much nicer than the Shannon airport hotel.

cms88

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123718650#Comment_123718650

I would have met people there for work a lot before Covid but haven't been in there since.

For what was once the main hotel in town and it's sad to see.

xxyyzz

Slatterys

Ciarrai76

That new 'vape' shop in Russel st. has the tackiest signage on the shopfront. Looks like it will sell luggage/bags and accessories as well as vapes!

Ciarrai76

I remember many years ago the Brandon were refurbishing their rooms and selling off all their curtains and bedding covers! I remember my mom and her friends buying some stuff. All very good quality. That would have been at least 30 years ago!

dominatinMC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123721031#Comment_123721031

To be fair, it probably seemed like the metaphorical 'oasis in the desert' if you are stuck in a snowstorm!

I'd imagine it's perfectly decent/adequate/average, but consumer habits and tastes have changed a lot in the last 10-15 years, and from the outside at least, it seems as if The Brandon has not evolved. Looks bland and dreary compared to the other hotels in Tralee, not to mention those in Killarney. I'm in Tralee quite frequently and hardly ever see any activity there. Which is a shame.

Ciarrai76

Their gym is meant to be decent enough. I don't know if their pool is still open?

Igotadose

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123721417#Comment_123721417

Interesting viewpoint. We're not sure we'll go back - it's very convenient to spend the night there before a flight out from Dublin the next day, just get on the train and go rather than drive. Cockroaches are a deal killer though, I'm not particularly squeamish but I just loathe those damn things.

So, which hotel would be recommended for overnights on short notice? One that serves a good breakfast, too.

If you want a hotel that's actually very dated, stay at the Dingle Skellig. The rooms are poor. The rates are high. They've added a few fancy suite-type rooms in the last year or so for that beautiful view of the parking lot. Place is a kip.

Ciarrai76

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123721467#Comment_123721467

The Rose Hotel is lovely. I actually stayed there once even though I am from Tralee! I won a night stay there so we used it! They do good food too. The Skellig hotel in Dingle is so overpriced. I can never understand why their prices are so high, apart from the fact its Dingle! But I stayed in a lovely B&B in the town a good few years ago when I was at a wedding and it had a fantastic breakfast. I can't think of the name of the place.

Igotadose

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123721476#Comment_123721476

Thanks. Have passed it many times, herself loves roses so that's a plus in their favor. Once the festival is good and over we plan to amble through the big garden across from the Brandon - once one of the gardeners gave us some cuttings as we'd arrived on 'pruning day' and we still have one of those roses growing in the front yard.

xxyyzz

There's feck all accommodation in Dingle and massive demand. The Skellig can name it's price and the Americans will pay it. I stayed there 3 years ago and I'd agree, it is very dilapidated. Having said that, a lot of hotels in Killarney are the same. A Killarney 4 star is a 3 star anywhere else.

dominatinMC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123721467#Comment_123721467

Ballygarry is the best in Tralee imo. A 5 star in everything but name. Haven't stayed there in while, but I'd imagine it's gotten expensive (like everywhere and everything else!)

Edit - agree completely on The Skellig. Tried to book a room there recently, and they were looking for €380. A complete rip-off, even in this current climate.

dominatinMC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123721476#Comment_123721476

Is it Castlewood B&B? They're renowned for their breakfast there, top class.

wackokid

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123720026#Comment_123720026

Found him but not as far back as Blennerville.

Now at the left of Poff motors on the Dingle Road opposite the Marina.

Thanks for your help. You pointed me in the right direction.

DayInTheBog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123722499#Comment_123722499

Sounds like what is now an IPAS centre

kerrylad12

before the IPAS Centre, there is a little "retail park". Think there is a vet & charity shop and maybe few offices

Ciarrai76

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123722113#Comment_123722113

I think it was! It was about 12 years ago now! I still remember the breakfast 😂

lordleitrim

Other hotels that have arrived like Ashe, Rose, James etc as well as revamped Benners and Ballygarry have evolved to meet modern guests expectations and trends. I just checked the Brandon's Facebook and Instagram pages...barely a couple of posts in the last 12 months. Modern hotels should be all over social media to remain relevant and attract new business. Such a hospitality business becomes a dinosaur if it doesn't. Unfortunately it is all over the media this past week...for all the wrong reasons...

My extended family and circle eat out quite often and we're probably bored of going too often to some of the hotels around town...however the Brandon would simply never be on our radar anymore. I think it must be 15 years since I ate there. It was a focal point for so many weddings, get together as well as the packed bar and legendary Spirals disco. It was always buzzing. It simply did not move with the times or at least that's the perception. They really need to hire a good public relations/marketing manager as i think its failing badly from an image perception...even before last week's infestation issue.

xxyyzz

I think the Brandon was one of the last unionised hotels in the country, possible still is. I would imagine that makes it hard to stay in touch. (not that I have anything against them unionising, hospitality staff are treated like crap the world over).

ejmaztec

The Brandon seems to be getting a lot of stick on Trip Advisor. They did point out to an unimpressed guest in Sept 2024 that they were refurbishing rooms but didn't say how many or when. They'll have to spend big bucks to tart up the place or sell it to a hotel group that's got the finance available.

BRANDON HOTEL CONFERENCE AND LEISURE CENTRE | UPDATED 2025 Reviews & Price Comparison (Tralee, Ireland) - Tripadvisor

DayInTheBog

Does anyone know if Denny St will be open to traffic during the day tomorrow?