Ireland’s newest castle hotel is set to open during the first quarter of 2018 in lovely, green County Kildare. About an hour from Dublin and originally constructed in 1180, Kilkea Castle and its surrounding 180-acre estate were treated to a $30 million makeover that took five years to implement. Along with 11 sumptuously appointed rooms in the castle, the 5-star property includes a grand function hall, a spa, restaurants, bars and a golf club with 33 self-catering lodge suites. Accommodations extend to a converted carriage house and stable area in the courtyard, where many of the 24 bedrooms and suites still feature beautiful original elements such as exposed wooden beams and handcrafted wrought iron.

Guests can relax in the Drawing Room with afternoon tea, or settle in beside the fire in the Castle Lounge. There’s even The Keep, an authentic Irish pub serving up Irish whiskies and Guinness. For fine dining, Hermione’s Restaurant includes beloved national favorites and haute cuisine, while the Dining Room overlooking the rose garden offers a sophisticated menu of international fare.

The grounds feature gardens, natural woodlands and a river. The new 18-hole, par-70 parkway course includes the river as a natural hazard. The course also features two lakes, a driving range, a practice putting green, a clubhouse overlooking the ninth hole and a well-stocked golf shop. Skeet shooting, horseback riding, hiking, swimming, cycling, archery, tennis, falconry and fishing are among the other activities provided for the enjoyment of guests. For relaxation, yoga and Pilates are offered, along with bird watching forays, meandering walking paths and a menu of curated spa treatments. Just in case you’re on the lookout for an executive getaway, the castle also contains meeting and conference facilities.