Never let me hear about kerry hospitality services again

John_Rambo · 01-07-2021 3:50pm

sheesh wrote: »

wow people really hate kerry.

No. People love Kerry, it's truly stunning. This thread isn't about Kerry. It's about hospitality services in Kerry.

dobman88 wrote: »

Yet they all go there for a break away and complain like there are no other choices in the country :rolleyes:

There isn't a Carrauntoohill in every county, there isn't a Skellig Michael in every county. They're all unique offering different things. People choose to go to Kerry, not for the hospitality, but for the other unique experiences it has to offer.

dobman88 · 01-07-2021 3:57pm

John_Rambo wrote: »

No. People love Kerry, it's truly stunning. This thread isn't about Kerry. It's about hospitality services in Kerry.

There isn't a Carrauntoohill in every county, there isn't a Skellig Michael in every county. They're all unique offering different things. People choose to go to Kerry, not for the hospitality, but for the other unique experiences it has to offer.

All fair points but in a thread where people are complaining that the hospitality service they received was below the expected standards, there are loads more options to choose from throughout the country where they may get the level of service expected.

John_Rambo · 01-07-2021 5:14pm

dobman88 wrote: »

All fair points but in a thread where people are complaining that the hospitality service they received was below the expected standards, there are loads more options to choose from throughout the country where they may get the level of service expected.

Absolutely, most of the rest of the country does it better. But there's a unique attraction to the landscape and seascape of Kerry that keeps people coming.

Stihl waters · 01-07-2021 5:19pm

dobman88 wrote: »

Yet they all go there for a break away and complain like there are no other choices in the country :rolleyes:

Yes, we all do that, all 5 million of us :rolleyes:

lalababa · 01-07-2021 5:23pm

Kerry has had the golden goose since Victoria visited in 1861. I'm amazed ball's they haven't killed it yet....but give them time.

dobman88 · 01-07-2021 5:27pm

Stihl waters wrote: »

Yes, we all do that, all 5 million of us :rolleyes:

Lol. All the people complaining in this thread, not the entire population obviously because that would be completely absurd. I didnt think it needed explaining but here we are.

dobman88 · 01-07-2021 5:30pm

John_Rambo wrote: »

Absolutely, most of the rest of the country does it better. But there's a unique attraction to the landscape and seascape of Kerry that keeps people coming.

So if people keep returning and know the service is below what they expect they've only got themselves to blame really. Add in the fact that the OP didnt tell whatever place he visited that he wasnt happy with the service so they dont have that feedback to improve on.

If I went somewhere with poor service, id mention it to staff. I'd visit again and if it was still bad, I'd not return.

Repeatedly going somewhere that is providing a poor service to you seems mental, despite what the landscape has to offer. There are comparable landscapes all along the west coast also tbf.

FromADistance · 01-07-2021 5:38pm

I was in Killarney / Kerry recently and the place is dead.... there's at least 2 or 3 hotels on the main street closed. I haven't been in Killarney in years; I couldn't get over the amount of accommodation about the place.... There must have been a fierce amount of American tourists about in recent years to justify all the room space. I can't see how some businesses down there will ever reopen. I also spent 4 days in West Cork. A completely different offering... and whilst not overly busy either, the locality doesn't appear to be as dependent on tourists. I'd go back to West Cork in a heartbeat.

SouthWesterly · 01-07-2021 7:14pm

dobman88 wrote: »

So if people keep returning and know the service is below what they expect they've only got themselves to blame really. Add in the fact that the OP didnt tell whatever place he visited that he wasnt happy with the service so they dont have that feedback to improve on.

If I went somewhere with poor service, id mention it to staff. I'd visit again and if it was still bad, I'd not return.

Repeatedly going somewhere that is providing a poor service to you seems mental, despite what the landscape has to offer. There are comparable landscapes all along the west coast also tbf.

I never mentioned who it was because its against forum rules.
I said it at the time and they didn't care. I left it with TripAdvisor and the fsai in the case of cone selling establishment.

Dont hate kerry. I chose to live here having relocated.

dobman88 · 01-07-2021 7:40pm

SouthWesterly wrote: »

I never mentioned who it was because its against forum rules.
I said it at the time and they didn't care. I left it with TripAdvisor and the fsai in the case of cone selling establishment.

Dont hate kerry. I chose to live here having relocated.

It's not against forum rules. We've already mentioned that The Shire and Cronins would be known for being a bit shìte. It's a review. Not an attack.

Fair play for saying it at the time. Many people dont and just complain (in vain) on sites like this. You've given the feedback so it's up to them to take it on board. As you say they didnt care, I'd just never go back there again.

You've literally got 100s of places to choose from so wouldn't let 1 place ruin your experience of an entire county.

SouthWesterly · 01-07-2021 10:19pm

dobman88 wrote: »

It's not against forum rules. We've already mentioned that The Shire and Cronins would be known for being a bit shìte. It's a review. Not an attack.

Fair play for saying it at the time. Many people dont and just complain (in vain) on sites like this. You've given the feedback so it's up to them to take it on board. As you say they didnt care, I'd just never go back there again.

You've literally got 100s of places to choose from so wouldn't let 1 place ruin your experience of an entire county.

As I said, I'm living here now. I'm stuck with all you inbreds and you're stuck with me

.

Frankly it's a grand place to live, even if I can't understand half of whats been said to me.

Was walking in the square not long after moving down and an old man stopped and asked me how I was. I was stunned to say the least and pleasantly surprised. The day before as I went to work in Dublin everyone was running around, heads down and avoiding eye contact. Glad to be able to see the sky without having to look vertically up.

John_Rambo · 01-07-2021 10:27pm

dobman88 wrote: »

So if people keep returning and know the service is below what they expect they've only got themselves to blame really. Add in the fact that the OP didnt tell whatever place he visited that he wasnt happy with the service so they dont have that feedback to improve on.

A lot of people don't go back to the places with bad service, they go back to Kerry! There's enough once off, non-return customers to fill the seats. Anyway, I don't like bashing areas, it's a fantastic county with unbelievable landscape, wildlife and adventures.

Anyone interested in chocolate should buy Mint Brittle Skellig Chocolate. This isn't any old chocolate jumping on the Skellig bandwagon, it's really really good.

01-07-2021 10:39pm

Just back from a spin back to Derrynane for a run along the Kerry Way.

Pompeii Pizza at Wave Crest. Perfect pizza, weather, scenery, evening.

Tony H · 01-07-2021 11:03pm

just pre covid I booked an overnight stay for my wifes 60th birthday in a famous Dingle hotel , 4 of us went and it cost the guts of 650 euro for bed and breakfast , crazy expensive but she didn't want fuss with a party and I thought it would be worth it , IT WAS'NT ,
This was on a wild november night and first of all no heating in the rooms , broken window catch that led to a corridor , laundry room opposite our room and we got the cead mile failte in eastern european staff shouting and roaring getting supplies at 6 am , the breakfast was dire , mass cooked scrambled eggs and deep fried sausage just to name a few ,
the rooms were like something from the 70's with cheap carpet , bathroom had a broken extractor vent and poor shower , toilet seat was loose ,
apart from that had a great night in Dingle itself despite the monsoon rain ,

I have to say I love Kerry and the Kerry people and have stayed in some great bed and breakfasts there , and will again .
The wife wouldn't let me complain but I gave them a lovely review on tripadvisor ,

Guess the Hotel ?

01-07-2021 11:14pm

Tony H wrote: »

just pre covid I booked an overnight stay for my wifes 60th birthday in a famous Dingle hotel , 4 of us went and it cost the guts of 650 euro for bed and breakfast , crazy expensive but she didn't want fuss with a party and I thought it would be worth it , IT WAS'NT ,
....
Guess the Hotel ?

On cost alone I'm guessing the Dingle Skellig Hotel, which has been a byword for "eye wateringly expensive" for as long as I can remember...

dobman88 · 02-07-2021 11:16am

John_Rambo wrote: »

A lot of people don't go back to the places with bad service, they go back to Kerry! There's enough once off, non-return customers to fill the seats. .

Exactly. Which has been my point about 1 persons bad experience tainting their view of an entire county. "Never let me hear about Kerry hospitality service". OP has since said they live in Kerry and find it agreeable most of the time.

A good barometer to judge if a place is decent or not is to see does it open during winter or just for the silly season. I can think of a handful of places off the top of my head in Killarney alone that I'd never dream of going to but they are packed out all summer. The common theme being that they all close for winter. Just in it to make their few pound and not pushed about providing any kind of service.

Ime the majority of places that operate year round would be quite good because they have to be if they want to be supported by locals when the tourists arent around.

sheesh · 02-07-2021 12:49pm

FromADistance wrote: »

I was in Killarney / Kerry recently and the place is dead.... there's at least 2 or 3 hotels on the main street closed. I haven't been in Killarney in years; I couldn't get over the amount of accommodation about the place.... There must have been a fierce amount of American tourists about in recent years to justify all the room space. I can't see how some businesses down there will ever reopen. I also spent 4 days in West Cork. A completely different offering... and whilst not overly busy either, the locality doesn't appear to be as dependent on tourists. I'd go back to West Cork in a heartbeat.

in fairness to Killarney (and I'm from Tralee so I hate them!

) A lot of their business is weekend breaks by Irish people and that would be all year round bar maybe January even if it is raining the visitors will be out walking during the day and come back for a meal in the hotel at night. The Americans are still there but not as much as they used to be.

Ciarrai76 · 02-07-2021 1:40pm

SouthWesterly wrote: »

As I said, I'm living here now. I'm stuck with all you inbreds and you're stuck with me .

Frankly it's a grand place to live, even if I can't understand half of whats been said to me.

Was walking in the square not long after moving down and an old man stopped and asked me how I was. I was stunned to say the least and pleasantly surprised. The day before as I went to work in Dublin everyone was running around, heads down and avoiding eye contact. Glad to be able to see the sky without having to look vertically up.

The ‘inbreds’ Comment isn’t called for, even if it’s a joke. No need for it. Mod

Lia_lia · 02-07-2021 1:51pm

Tilikum17 wrote: »

Just spent the last two days in Killarney. I’ve never seen anything like the bar staff/waitressing. Absolutely horrendous. I thought London was ****e.

The bars are so bad that when they’d eventually come to take your order I’d get two pints at a time. It wasn’t for lack of staff either. Even trying to pay a bill. I had to ask in one place 3 times for the bill.

We had breakfast yesterday morning in “the shire” lovely looking place tbf. 50 minutes after sitting down our breakfast arrived. The place was half empty at that stage. The lady says “so sorry the wait, you won’t be charged for your coffees, would you like another? Herself says “yes please” The coffee never arrived. Surely to God you make sure that customer is sorted after all that - no.

I genuinely never complain anywhere. I just put up with it but I had to let people know just how bad the service is.

Killarney is beautiful though. We had dinner in “Rob’s Ranch” the 2nd night. That was excellent but every other bar/restaurant was shocking.

I grew up in Killarney in most of my family members work in the hospitality sector/tourism sector there. They are finding it extremely hard to find staff in hotels, bars and restaurants so I’m not surprised at this. A lot of the staff are probably new with no experience.

I worked in a large hotel in Killarney during the recession and back then it was even difficult to find staff. I’d say at the moment a large amount of people don’t want to come off PUP.

That’s just my 2 cents anyway.

Shaka Hislop · 02-07-2021 2:25pm

Lia_lia wrote: »

I grew up in Killarney in most of my family members work in the hospitality sector/tourism sector there. They are finding it extremely hard to find staff in hotels, bars and restaurants so I’m not surprised at this. A lot of the staff are probably new with no experience.

I worked in a large hotel in Killarney during the recession and back then it was even difficult to find staff. I’d say at the moment a large amount of people don’t want to come off PUP.

That’s just my 2 cents anyway.

The government has to start putting pressure on businesses to being in a living wage, else it's going to get worse

Boom__Boom · 02-07-2021 5:11pm

Lia_lia wrote: »

I grew up in Killarney in most of my family members work in the hospitality sector/tourism sector there. They are finding it extremely hard to find staff in hotels, bars and restaurants so I’m not surprised at this. A lot of the staff are probably new with no experience.

I worked in a large hotel in Killarney during the recession and back then it was even difficult to find staff. I’d say at the moment a large amount of people don’t want to come off PUP.

That’s just my 2 cents anyway.

Talking to people around town there's a definite shortage of experienced chefs about. Anyone with any sort of cheffing experience is in serious demand.

What you said about staff being new and inexperienced is spot on too.

Was talking to a manager of a hotel in town and he was saying a lot of experienced people moved into other jobs/industries.

I was reading the Advertiser this morning and I don't think I've ever seen more job openings advertised.

Lia_lia · 02-07-2021 9:24pm

Boom__Boom wrote: »

Talking to people around town there's a definite shortage of experienced chefs about. Anyone with any sort of cheffing experience is in serious demand.

What you said about staff being new and inexperienced is spot on too.

Was talking to a manager of a hotel in town and he was saying a lot of experienced people moved into other jobs/industries.

I was reading the Advertiser this morning and I don't think I've ever seen more job openings advertised.

Yeah my Mother is chef and there’s been a shortage of chefs in the town for years. It’s a problem in the whole country tbh. But Killarney especially bad as there’s so many hotels. Plus there’s a huge lack of rental accommodation in the area and chef wages/work conditions aren’t always the best. Many of the hotels get student chefs over from various European counties. Not sure if that is happening now with covid.

siblers · 02-07-2021 9:33pm

Calahonda52 wrote: »

Had two nights for two in Ballygarry House outside Tralee on the B/H weekend.
We dined well, bottle of wine each for dinner, c 30 euro a pop
availed of the spa treatments for a fee,
got free charging for our EV
free bike hire
all for euro 990.19 and 100% supporting an Irish business with Irish suppliers of food, so none of your asparagus from Peru

great staff,
great service
great food
great wines
great room
great parking
great gardens

bonus: TK max down the road

That's absolutely insane. I can't comprehend spending that much for 2 nights. It's bonkers

You could go to a 4 star resorts with flights in a whole hape of countries for a week for that.

I love Kerry and my family ran a holiday home but this whole thing of justifying ridiculous prices because you're supporting Irish is only an excuse for thecIrish hospitality to bump their prices

dobman88 · 02-07-2021 9:56pm

siblers wrote: »

That's absolutely insane. I can't comprehend spending that much for 2 nights. It's bonkers

You could go to a 4 star resorts with flights in a whole hape of countries for a week for that.

I love Kerry and my family ran a holiday home but this whole thing of justifying ridiculous prices because you're supporting Irish is only an excuse for thecIrish hospitality to bump their prices

You may have missed this follow up post which provides quite a bit of context. At the end of the day, each to their own.

Calahonda52 wrote: »

Just reposting this as a foil to some of the negative, disparaging remarks posted in response thereto.

To those of you who gave it a thanks, much appreciated, I think its a personal record for a post of mine:D

1: You can't take it with you, certainly not if a bake and shake.
2: If you look at my profile you should find a link to a 5 year long thread about prostate cancer.
3: I am no longer in remission so facing an uncertain future.
4: Enjoying life and making a contribution to Irish run companies post Covid/Brexit when I spend my mula is where I am at right now.

So in conclusion, before pi$$ing in on a post, maybe consider what else is out there, show some empathy and don't dismiss people like me as fools.

Have a great day:D

byhookorbycrook · 02-07-2021 10:08pm

sheesh wrote: »

in fairness to Killarney (and I'm from Tralee so I hate them! ) A lot of their business is weekend breaks by Irish people and that would be all year round bar maybe January even if it is raining the visitors will be out walking during the day and come back for a meal in the hotel at night. The Americans are still there but not as much as they used to be.

Killarney is all-year round. As well as Irish people on weekend breaks, there are conferences nearly every off peak week. Then there are the various "events" like "Killarney at Christmas" etc. Kenmare would be much more seasonal, as would Dingle.

Degag · 02-07-2021 10:21pm

Lads, i checked a few weeks ago and there were plenty, plenty of hotels in KIllarney at about the 100e a night rate. Which is pretty good all things considered.

There are also options there for people who want to spend 1000e on a weekend or 4000e etc. There wouldn't be if people were not prepared to spend it and were happy to spend it.

Annoys me ever so slightly this talk of price gouging in Kerry. There are plenty of "deals" out there if people look.

Fils · 02-07-2021 10:22pm

Are swimming pools and leisure centre open in the hotels?

dobman88 · 02-07-2021 10:25pm

Fils wrote: »

Are swimming pools and leisure centre open in the hotels?

Yes, we booked a slot with reception when we checked in but they're open.

embraer170 · 20-07-2021 4:12pm

I was really happy to see the new self drive boats (https://dingleboattours.com/self-drive-boats.html) on offer in Dingle until I checked the prices. €90 for 1 hour, for a boat with what looks like a 10hp engine limited to the inner harbour. I can accept the price and restrictions price but for just one hour?

In Greece, I just rented a 5 seater with 30hp engine: €100 for half a day from a legitimate business. No limitations as long you get the boat back (same story with no license required). Probably the highlight of my recent holiday.

HBC08 · 20-07-2021 10:34pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117638120#Comment_117638120

Not sure what your point is here?

Ireland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe,Greece is not.

BPKS · 21-07-2021 8:28am

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117638120#Comment_117638120

Giving out about the price of a service you havnt availed of in Dingle is a strange way to boast that you were recently on a holiday in Greece.

embraer170 · 21-07-2021 8:31am

I was actually looking for something to do for a planned trip to Dingle in the next few weeks... just found it to be a good example of Irish prices.

I can see that something might be double or triple the price, but €90 for one hour?!

whisky_galore · 21-07-2021 8:20pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117639271#Comment_117639271

Not to mention outdoor activities esp water based ones are rode bareback by insurance companies and thanks to those lovely people who break a nail and sue for the resulting anguish caused.

Seems a bit shyte you cant go beyond the harbour, but tbf I wouldn't trust many who walk in off the street with a cream bun, let alone a boat.

HBC08 · 22-07-2021 1:09am

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117643717#Comment_117643717

Totally agree.I run a small activity based business in the summer in the West of Ireland.Our insurance goes up every year without fail ( never had a claim and if we did we'd have to close down the same day) This is the reality of running such as business in Ireland.Similar to pubs,restaraunts,cars,booze,activities,hotels and everything else here the cost is passed onto the customer.

I really struggle to see how people don't understand this,it really shows a lack of understanding and a lack of awareness in general.

embraer170 · 22-07-2021 9:33am

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117644771#Comment_117644771

Fair enough. I fully agree that the insurance situation in Ireland is outrageous.

whisky_galore · 23-07-2021 9:45am

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117644771#Comment_117644771

We can't have nice things, thanks to peoples' greed.

embraer170 · 07-08-2021 10:51pm

A few more Kerry rip offs (sorry).

Murphys Ice Cream in Dingle is now €5 for a small serving (up from €4.50 last year). That's more than what one pays for a an ice cream along the lakeside in Zurich in Switzerland (where you get a huge scoop of Movenpick ice cream, albeit industrial stuff). Murphys is well worth the money for people who like ice cream, but probably less so for parents buying for 3-4 kids.

Kool Scoops across the street is a slightly more reasonable €3.80 for a small serving (but I assume factory stuff), but charge €0.20 for a second plastic spoon.😂

Dingle restaurants seems packed and difficult to to get in anywhere decent without a reservation. The Charthouse booked out until the end of the month. At the simpler end of the scale, got quite good pizza from the Forge (kitchen in converted shipping container with a few covered outside tables). They seem to use a proper wood stove and produce good Italian style pizza.

No chance to do any boat trips with the recent weather unfortunately.

We also enjoyed the Hake Hatch in Ballinskelligs (not far from the Skelligs Chocolate Factory). I am not a fish eater but my partner commented the pan fried hake was some of the best she ever had.

newman10 · 08-08-2021 10:39am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117721855#Comment_117721855

Murphys was always expensive but like many brands they have pitched themselves as a premium product, thus a premium price. Not sure many locals would go there !!

whisky_galore · 09-08-2021 12:03pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117721855#Comment_117721855

Horses for courses, they're kids. Buy them ice creams from Lidl. They won't know which.

5 sounds a bit saucy for 1(presumably?) scoop alright.

It's all 'industrial' albeit, mini industrial. It's not like it's made by a Gaelgoir granny living in a thatched cottage.

10-08-2021 10:33am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117727485#Comment_117727485

ARGH.

It's a bugbear. I walk around a town near me and see the "homemade" signs outside one cafe and I know the industrial unit where the cakes and meals are made...

black & white · 19-04-2022 11:06am

Flew out of Kerry airport over the weekend, do they specialise in only hiring rude people there (except for security who were nice) I don't think I've ever met ruder people outside of Paris.

Allinall · 19-04-2022 11:09am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118945664#Comment_118945664

What were you demanding they do for you that lead to them being rude?

black & white · 19-04-2022 11:44am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118945673#Comment_118945673

I would never demand anything from anyone, just general attitude and the way they spoke to people as well as me.

Radio5 · 30-05-2022 10:13am

I will go against the grain of this thread and give credit where it's due. A group of us had lunch at Kate Browne's, Ardfert over the weekend. Good, reasonably priced food (E30 for starter, main & dessert) and excellent service.

embraer170 · 30-05-2022 12:37pm

A small serving of Murphy’s is €5.50 this year (up from €5 last year and €4.50 the year before).

—

I’ve never had problems with Kerry airport staff. Maybe a bad day?

Never let me hear about kerry hospitality services again

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