Time travel is easily achieved at Ireland’s stunning 5-star Ashford Castle. Within an easy five-minute stroll, visitors traverse 800 years of history, from the 13th century to the 21st, from authentic medieval castle accommodation to ultra-modern, two-story condominiums.

Such wide choice is the crowning achievement of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, a group of 17 boutique hotels in the U.K., Ireland, South Africa and the U.S., which purchased the castle and neighboring Lisloughrey Lodge four years ago for around €20 million and has already invested more than €50 million in comprehensive renovation, before reopening the property in 2015.

Sean Hillen

During an international media career spanning several decades in Europe and the US, Sean Hillen has worked for many leading publications including The Wall Street Journal, The Times London, The Daily Telegraph, Time magazine and The Irish Times Dublin, as well as at the United Nations Media Center in New York. Sean's travel writing for JustLuxe.com and worlditineraries.co has taken him across A...(Read More)