Castle Leslie Estate Review – An Equestrian Luxury Escape With Stunning Interiors

With the holiday season upon us, I thought it would be a good time to start sharing some of my favourite hotels and travel stays. Beautiful interiors have always been high on my list when choosing where to stay, but since getting back into horse riding after a very long break, I’ve also found myself seeking out hotels where I can enjoy my favourite hobby. Horse riding has become a bit of an obsession for me. It’s not only great for the body but also wonderful for the soul. There’s nothing quite like hopping on a horse and heading out on a hack (or trail ride, for my American readers!) through beautiful countryside with your four-legged companion.

I’ve been lucky enough to stay at some wonderful equestrian hotels, but my Castle Leslie Estate review has been a long time coming. Not only is it a dream destination for equestrians, but its stunning interiors and beautiful estate make it just as special for anyone who appreciates great design and a luxurious countryside escape.

First Impressions: Castle Leslie Estate

The estate is so beautiful that even Paul McCartney chose to get married here. As soon as you drive through the gates, you feel as though you’ve entered another world. The tranquillity, peacefulness and sense of calm hit you the moment you arrive. We visited in October during the week, so it was wonderfully quiet, allowing us to really soak up the surroundings.  Nestled away in County Monaghan, Castle Leslie Estate is one of the most unique equestrian hotels in Ireland, conveniently located just around an hour from both Belfast and Dublin. The estate itself is just stunning and offers three accommodation options: the Castle, the Lodge and the Old Stable Mews, which are available as self-catering cottages. Everything is within easy walking distance, encouraging you to explore the beautiful grounds at your own pace.

The estate is also home to Glaslough Lake, which makes the surroundings feel even more special. Whether you fancy going fishing, taking a walk around the grounds, or simply enjoying the views, the lake is a lovely addition to the estate.

Where I stayed

Since the main focus of this trip was horse riding, I chose to stay at the Lodge, which overlooks the Equestrian Centre. From a horse lover’s point of view, it was a dream to wake up to views of the stables and the sounds of horses nearby. The Lodge’s interiors embrace the equestrian theme beautifully, from the lamps and artwork to the restaurant decor. I loved that you could walk through the hotel in your riding boots without anyone batting an eye. It genuinely felt like a place designed for horse lovers! They even had a bowl of apples at the reception for guests to feed to the horses. The Lodge also has a lift (which takes you directly to the equestrian centre) and a charming little library, which was a lovely touch. It had the feeling of a private estate where you were a welcome guest rather than just another visitor. The atmosphere was relaxed and unpretentious, which was exactly what we were looking for.

 

The Lodge Classic Twin Room

The Classic Twin Room is perfect for two people (and you can request either twin beds or a double bed). I found it to be spacious, with a charming farmhouse-inspired feel throughout the decor. One of the best things about the Lodge rooms for me was their location. The rooms are close to both the Equestrian Centre and Snaffles Restaurant, where breakfast and dinner are served. I had no complaints about the room; it was absolutely ideal for a short stay and had everything we needed. But if you’re looking for a more luxurious, castle-style experience, I would suggest staying in the main Castle building instead. The rooms there definitely seem more opulent and I would love to return one day to see what they are like.

The Castle Interior

Having spent so much time exploring hotels with beautiful interiors, I’ve become fascinated by the details that make a space feel memorable, from the colour palettes and furniture choices. I’ve shared more thoughts on what I’ve learnt from hotel interior design in this post: 9 Things I’ve Learnt From Hotel Interior Design.

As you can imagine, I absolutely loved the Castle’s interiors. They’re grand and opulent, yet still manage to feel warm, welcoming and wonderfully relaxed. The drawing room was particularly beautiful, filled with impressive artwork and elegant period details. I also fell in love with the Blue Room, with its stunning woodland and bird wallpaper adding so much character. The Castle’s interiors are undoubtedly more formal and luxurious than those of the Lodge, so it ultimately comes down to the atmosphere you prefer. The Lodge has a more relaxed feel and fully embraces its equestrian setting, with horse artwork, stirrup-inspired lamps and thoughtful riding-themed details throughout. If you’re a horse lover like me, you’ll probably be drawn to the Lodge, but for a more luxurious stay, I’d pick the castle.

A lovely piece of history was seeing Sir Winston Churchill’s christening gown displayed in the Castle’s drawing room. In fact, the entire building is steeped in history, with fascinating books, family heirlooms and countless stories around every corner. You could easily spend hours here doing nothing more than soaking up the atmosphere and escaping into another era.

Dining at Snaffles Restaurant

I only dined at Snaffles Restaurant, the estate’s 2 AA Rosette award-winning restaurant, so I can’t comment on the other dining options available. We had both breakfast and dinner there and I was really impressed with the food. In fact, if you’re a foodie, I think you’ll really enjoy dining here. The Lodge also has Conor’s Bar & Lounge, which serves lunch and dinner, but it wasn’t quite the atmosphere we were looking for, so we chose to return to Snaffles on both evenings. For lunch, we wandered into the nearby village of Glaslough, which has a handful of lovely independent shops and cafés. Perfect for a relaxed afternoon exploring!

The Equestrian Experience

I had booked a private horse riding hack on both days, but I only managed to secure a one-hour ride each day as the rides were already fully booked. If horse riding is a priority for your trip, I’d definitely recommend booking as early as possible or visiting during the quieter months. I was told that if you’re planning a dedicated riding holiday, it’s worth booking up to a year in advance. The hacks themselves were absolutely wonderful. Riding through the private estate was incredibly peaceful, with breathtaking scenery at every turn. One of the highlights was taking the horses into the lake, which they clearly loved. It was such a special experience and one I’ll never forget.

Planning Your Visit

Our two-night stay at Castle Leslie Estate was €390 for a bed and breakfast package. This excluded spa treatments, horse riding or any other excursions. Prices will vary depending on the season, room type and availability, so I’d recommend checking rates when planning your visit. As you can imagine, the estate can get very busy during the summer months, so visiting from October onwards may offer a quieter, more relaxed experience.

You will need to prebook the restaurant and spa. The spa is quite small, with the focus mainly on treatment rooms and there is no pool or sauna. There are, however, a few outdoor jacuzzis, which also need to be reserved in advance. We were very lucky with the weather and sitting in the hot tub was the perfect way to unwind after a morning spent horse riding. Evenings at the estate are peaceful rather than lively, which is exactly what we were looking for. However, if you’d prefer to head somewhere, the nearby village of Glaslough is just a 10-minute walk away and has a nice pub with welcoming locals, which you can visit.

Final Verdict

Castle Leslie Estate really is a special place, combining equestrian charm, historic interiors and a wonderfully peaceful countryside setting. As a four-star hotel, you shouldn’t expect the polish of a five-star property or a luxury spa experience. However, the beautiful setting, excellent food and genuinely helpful staff made it feel like a five-star experience. I stayed there in 2024 and it’s worth keeping in mind that my experience was mainly based around The Lodge. If you are staying in the castle itself, your experience may feel slightly different. The estate is particularly well suited to horse riders and anyone looking to enjoy relaxed, friendly Irish hospitality in a beautiful countryside setting.

I hope my review was helpful and if you’re looking for a relaxing, low-key yet luxurious countryside escape in Ireland, Castle Leslie Estate is a wonderful choice. I’m already planning my next trip and can’t wait to return!