Top Laois hotels up for Gold awards at the hospitality Oscars
Businesses in Portlaoise, Killenard and Ballyfin shortlisted for Gold Medal Hotel Awards
Laois hotels are among the finalists for the 36th Gold Medal Hotel Awards for excellence in the Irish hospitality industry. Over 1000 entries were received this year.
Organisers Ashville Media say the Awards are recognised as the leading independent awards programme for the Irish hospitality industry.
In a statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live they say that after consideration and evaluation by a panel of judges, a group of "outstanding" organisations who have shown exemplary dedication and excellence in the hospitality industry.
''We are absolutely thrilled to be announcing the finalists for the 2025 Gold Medal Hotel Awards — the Oscars of the hospitality industry. These incredible nominees represent the very best in excellence, innovation, and unforgettable guest experiences.” Jill Thornton, head of events, Gold Medal Hotel Awards.
The Laois nominees are: The Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise, The Heritage in Killenard and Ballyfin Demense.
Richard Picard-Edwards, chef at Ballyfin Demense, has been individually shortlisted.
Winners will be announced on January 27, 2026, at The Galmont Hotel & Spa in Galway. The Awards Ceremony will feature nominees across 32 categories
The Gold Medal Hotel Awards 2025 Finalists are as follows:
Ireland’s Afternoon Tea Hotel
Cabra Castle , Co. Cavan
Celtic Ross Hotel , Co. Cork
County Arms Birr , Co. Offaly
Killeavy Castle Estate , Co. Armagh
Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa , Co. Roscommon
Kinnitty Castle , Co Offaly
Kinsale Hotel & Spa , Co. Cork
Langtons Hotel, Kilkenny , Co. Kilkenny
Lough Rynn Castle Estate & Gardens , Co. Leitrim
Markree Castle , Co. Sligo
The Connacht Hotel , Co. Galway
The Heritage , Co. Laois
The Kingsley Hotel , Co. Cork
The Station House Hotel , Co. Meath
The Walter Raleigh , Co. Cork
The West Cork Hotel , Co. Cork
Ireland’s Best Hotel Group
Choice Hotel Group
Hayfield Family Collection
Hodson Bay Group
Killarney Hotels Collection
Louis Fitzgerald Hotels
Mayrange Hospitality Group
O'Donoghue Ring Collection
The Address Collective
The Johnstown Estate Hotel & Spa
Ireland’s Five Star Hotel
Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa , Co. Kerry
Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel , Co. Dublin
Cashel Palace Hotel , Co. Tipperary
Cliff House Hotel , Co. Waterford
Dylan Hotel , Co. Dublin
Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate , Co. Galway
Hayfield Manor , Co. Cork
InterContinental Dublin , Co. Dublin
Park Hotel Kenmare , Co. Kerry
The College Green Hotel Dublin , Co. Dublin
The Dunloe Hotel & Gardens , Co. Kerry
The Europe Hotel & Resort , Co. Kerry
The Fitzwilliam Hotel Dublin , Co. Dublin
The g Hotel & Spa , Co. Galway
The Killarney Park , Co. Kerry
The Merrion Hotel , Co. Dublin
Ireland’s Five Star Resort
Ashford Castle , Co. Mayo
Ballyfin Demesne , Co. Laois
Dromoland Castle Resort , Co. Clare
Fota Island Resort , Co. Cork
Luttrellstown Castle Resort , Co. Dublin
Mount Juliet Estate , Co. Kilkenny
Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa , Co. Wicklow
Sheen Falls Lodge , Co. Kerry
The K Club , Co. Dublin
Ireland’s Four Star Hotel
Armada Hotel , Co. Clare
Brook Lane Hotel , Co. Kerry
Faithlegg , Co. Waterford
Hodson Bay Hotel , Co. Roscommon
Midlands Park Hotel , Co. Laois
Radisson RED Galway , Co. Galway
Sheraton Athlone Hotel , Co. Westmeath
The Address Connolly , Co. Dublin
The Ashe Hotel , Co. Kerry
The Chancery Hotel , Co. Dublin
The Galmont Hotel & Spa , Co. Galway
The Horse and Jockey Hotel , Co. Tipperary
The Trinity City Hotel , Co. Dublin
The Victoria, Killarney , Co. Kerry
Ireland’s Country / Guest House Experience
Ard na Sidhe Country House , Co. Kerry
Ballyseede Castle , Co. Kerry
Castlewood House Dingle , Co. Kerry
Cork's Vienna Woods Hotel , Co. Cork
Dunbrody Country House , Co. Wexford
Fernhill House , Co. Cork
Killarney Avenue Hotel , Co. Kerry
Marlfield House Hotel , Co. Wexford
McGrory's Hotel, Culdaff , Co. Donegal
Renvyle House Hotel and Resort , Co. Galway
The Bedford Townhouse , Co. Limerick
The Castle at Castle Leslie Estate , Co. Monaghan
The Old Bank Townhouse Kinsale , Co. Cork
The Spa at Delphi Resort , Co. Galway
Ireland’s Five Star Hotel Spa Experience
Lough Eske Castle , Co. Donegal
The Well at Cliff House Hotel , Co. Waterford
Ireland’s Hotel Breakfast
Absolute Hotel , Co. Limerick
Ballynahinch Castle , Co. Galway
Cork International Hotel , Co. Cork
Dingle Skellig Hotel , Co. Kerry
Harvey's Point Hotel , Co. Donegal
Pembroke Kilkenny , Co. Kilkenny
The James Hotel , Co. Kerry
The Lake Hotel , Co. Kerry
The Mercantile Hotel , Co. Dublin
Ireland’s City Hotel
Aloft Dublin City Hotel , Co. Dublin
Clayton Hotel Limerick , Co. Limerick
Harbour Hotel Galway , Co. Galway
HYDE Hotel , Co. Galway
Metropole Hotel, Cork , Co. Cork
NYX Christchurch Dublin , Co. Dublin
NYX Dublin Portobello , Co. Dublin
The Address Cork , Co. Cork
The Dean Cork , Co. Cork
The Hardiman , Co. Galway
The Sandymount Hotel , Co. Dublin
Ireland’s Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant
Ashdown Park Hotel , The Steakhouse at Rowan- at Ashdown Park Hotel , Co. Wexford
BrookLodge & Macreddin Village , Co. Wicklow
Kilkea Castle , Co. Kildare
Marlfield House Hotel, Conservatory Restaurant , Co. Wexford
Renvyle House Hotel and Resort, Co. Galway
Tankardstown House, Brabazon Restaurant , Co. Meath
The Bayview Hotel, Ballycotton , Co. Cork
The Johnstown Estate Hotel & Spa , Co. Meath
The Leinster, Jean-Georges at The Leinster , Co. Dublin
The Mustard Seed , Co. Limerick
The Twelve Hotel , Co. Galway
Ireland's Hotel Casual Dining Experience
Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel - Mapas Restaurant , Co. Dublin
Great Southern Killarney , Co. Kerry
Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa - Cafe Du Parc , Co. Kerry
Killarney Towers Hotel - O'Donoghue Public House , Co. Kerry
Schull Harbour Hotel , Co. Cork
The Blue Haven Hotel , Co. Cork
The Old Inn , Co. Down
The Rose Hotel , Co. Kerry
Woodford Dolmen Hotel , Co. Carlow
Ireland’s Menu Provenance Award
Ashdown Park Hotel , Co. Wexford
Delphi Resort , Co. Galway
Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa , Co. Cork
Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa , Co. Kerry
Mulranny Park Hotel , Co. Mayo
Rare at The Blue Haven Hotel , Co. Cork
The Brehon Hotel & Spa , Co. Kerry
Ireland’s Front of House Team/Team Member
Castle Varagh Hotel , Co. Westmeath
Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence , Co. Dublin
Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin , Co. Dublin
Sligo Park Hotel & Leisure Club , Co. Sligo
Ireland’s Guest Experience
Galgorm , Co. Antrim
Louis Fitzgerald Hotel, Dublin , Co. Dublin
Newpark Hotel Kilkenny , Co. Kilkenny
The Croke Park , Co. Dublin
The George Hotel , Co. Limerick
voco The Club , Co. Kildare
Ireland's Castle & Heritage Wedding Excellence
Bellingham Castle , Co. Louth
Castle Leslie Estate , Co. Monaghan
Eccles Hotel & Spa Glengarriff , Co. Cork
Kinnitty Castle , Co. Offaly
St. Helens Hotel , Co. Dublin
Ireland's Five Star Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant
Cashel Palace, The Bishop's Buttery , Co. Tipperary
Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate - Pullman Restaurant , Co. Galway
Sheen Falls Lodge – The Falls Restaurant , Co. Kerry
The Merchant Hotel , Co. Antrim
Ireland's Best Family Run Hotel Group
Castle Hotel Macroom
Castle Varagh Hotel
Celtic Ross Hotel
Cork's Vienna Woods Hotel
Dooley's Hotel Waterford
Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel
Hanly Castle Hotel Group
Hotel Woodstock
Kilmurry Lodge Hotel
McGrory's Hotel, Culdaff
Newpark Hotel Kilkenny
Romantic Castles Of Ireland
The Keadeen Hotel
The Sandymount Hotel
Woodenbridge Hotel & Lodge
Ireland's Grand Wedding Hotel - 101 People Or More
Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa , Co. Kerry
Connemara Coast Hotel , Co. Galway
Diamond Coast Hotel , Co. Sligo
Garryvoe hotel , Co. Cork
Lawlor's of Naas , Co. Kildare
Mount Wolseley Hotel Spa & Golf Resort , Co. Carlow
Salthill Hotel , Co. Galway
The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat , Co. Antrim
Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort , Co. Wicklow
Ireland's Small Wedding Hotel - 100 People Or Less
Clontarf Castle Hotel , Co. Dublin
Conyngham Arms Hotel , Co. Meath
HYDE Hotel Galway , Co. Galway
Langtons Hotel, Kilkenny , Co. Kildare
Portmarnock Resort & Jameson Golf Links , Co. Dublin
The Dean Galway , Co. Galway
The Keadeen Hotel , Co. Kildare
The Westgrove Hotel , Co. Kildare
Ireland’s Four Star Resort
Ireland’s Three Star Hotel
Abbey Court Hotel & Leisure Centre , Co. Tipperary
Arlington Hotel & Bar Dublin , Co. Dublin
Dooley's Hotel Waterford , Co. Waterford
Hamlet Court Hotel , Co. Meath
Hotel Isaacs Cork , Co. Cork
Kilmurry Lodge Hotel , Co. Limerick
Shoreline Hotel , Co. Dublin
Woodenbridge Hotel & Lodge , Co. Wicklow
Ireland’s Four Star Hotel Spa Experience
Breaffy House Resort , Co. Mayo
Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa , Co. Meath
Ice House Hotel , Co. Mayo
The Address Sligo , Co. Sligo
The Imperial Hotel Cork , Co. Cork
Ireland’s Family Friendly Hotel
Carlton Hotel Blanchardstown , Co. Dublin
Carrigaline Court Hotel , Co. Cork
Clonakilty Park Hotel , Co. Cork
Galway Bay Hotel , Co. Galway
Gleneagle, Killarney , Co. Kerry
Glenroyal Hotel , Co. Kildare
Riverside Park Hotel , Co. Wexford
The Ocean Sands Hotel & Spa , Co. Sligo
Ireland’s Business & Conference Hotel
Clayton Hotel Burlington Road , Co. Dublin
Clayton Hotel Galway , Co. Galway
Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport , Co. Dublin
Killashee Hotel , Co. Kildare
Limerick Strand Hotel , Co. Limerick
Radisson Blu Hotel, Dublin Airport , Co. Dublin
Tourist Hotel of the Year
Brooks Hotel , Co. Dublin
Hyatt Centric Hotel Dublin , Co. Dublin
Monks, Ballyvaughan , Co. Clare
Ocean Sands Hotel & Spa , Co. Sligo
Shannon Springs Hotel , Co. Clare
The Grafton Hotel , Co. Dublin
Ireland’s Sustainability / Leading Green Hotel
Randles Hotel Killarney , Co. Kerry
The Address Citywest , Co. Dublin
Ireland’s Chef of the Year
Ashdown Park Hotel, Andrew O Gorman , Co. Wexford
Ballynahinch Castle, Danni Barry , Co. Galway
Castle Leslie Estate, Aaron Duffy , Co. Monaghan
Cork International Hotel, Alex Petit , Co. Cork
Cork's Vienna Woods Hotel, Hugh Bailey , Co. Cork
Faithlegg, Jenny Flynn , Co. Waterford
Glenroyal Hotel, Bernard McGuane , Co. Kildare
Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa, Daniel Willimont , Co. Roscommon
Kinsale Hotel & Spa, Jimmy Bermingham , Co. Cork
Lough Rynn Castle Estate & Gardens, Clare O'Leary , Co. Leitrim
Markree Castle, Lee Mastin , Co. Sligo
The Johnstown Estate Hotel & Spa, Tommy Butler , Co. Meath
The Lake Hotel, Daniel Glavin , Co. Kerry
The Mercantile Hotel, Cian Noctor , Co. Dublin
The Mustard Seed, Angel Pirev , Co. Limerick
The Twelve Hotel, Nathan Hindmarsh , Co. Galway
Ireland’s Wine Experience
The Savoy Hotel , Co. Limerick
Ireland’s Favourite Place to Stay
All Finalists are entered into the Ireland’s Favourite Place to Stay category to battle it out in a public vote!
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Ireland's Five Star Chef of the Year
Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel, Gareth Mullins , Co. Dublin
Ashford Castle, Liam Finnegan , Co. Mayo
Ballyfin Demesne, Richard Picard-Edwards, Co. Laois
Fota Island Resort, Satish Jothi , Co. Cork
Hayfield Manor, Mark Staples , Co. Cork
Mount Juliet Estate, John Kelly , Co. Kilkenny
Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa, Cormac McCreary , Co. Wicklow
Sheen Falls Lodge, Mark Treacy , Co. Kerry
The Killarney Park, Noel Enright , Co. Kerry
Ireland's Five Star Hotel Casual Dining Experience
Conrad Dublin , Co. Dublin
Ireland's Boutique Hotel of the Year
Castle Hotel Macroom , Co. Cork
Dingle Benners Hotel , Co. Kerry
House 15 Kenmare , Co. Kerry
The House Hotel , Co. Galway
Ireland's Five Star Afternoon Tea Hotel
Ireland’s Five Star Guest Experience
Ireland’s Five Star Hotel Breakfast
Cashel Palace, Sadler's Restaurant , Co. Tipperary
Supreme Winner
The winner of this category will be announced on the night!