Some questions about a historic Irish hotel are straightforward—who owns it, where it sits, what guests actually think. This guide traces the story of The Glenview Hotel & Leisure Club through its ownership timeline, verified by the property’s own history page and Irish company records, and layers in what recent guest reviews reveal about the experience today.
Last checked: 2026-07-01
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Property Name: The Glenview Hotel & Leisure Club · Location: Glen of the Downs, County Wicklow, Ireland · Distance from Dublin: Approximately 30 km by road · Known For: Luxury accommodation, weddings, leisure club with indoor pool, sauna, hot tub, fitness centre, and woodland setting · Guest Rating (TripAdvisor): 4 stars (based on multiple reviews) · Facebook Recommendation: 86% recommend
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-07-01.
Sources reviewed: official property website, TripAdvisor reviews, Booking.com listing, Trip.com reviews, Expedia listing, Yelp listing, Irish company registry (SoloCheck), government agency publications (NPWS, Geological Survey Ireland), regional tourism site (Visit Wicklow), Wikipedia.
No on-site visit, no staff interview, no independent price verification. Review data is drawn from platform snapshots and may not reflect the most recent stays.
The Glenview Hotel at a glance
- Opened in 1914 as a five-bedroom cottage and hunting lodge on the Powerscourt Estate (Glenview Hotel)
- Returned to Irish family ownership in 2006 after corporate ownership by Stafford Investment Company (1992–2006) (Glenview Hotel)
- 72 bedrooms set across 30 acres of woodland walks and gardens (Glenview Hotel)
- 86% recommendation rate on Facebook; TripAdvisor average sits at 4 stars (TripAdvisor)
- Distance from Dublin City Centre: 30 km south of Dublin City
- Guest Recommendation Rate: 86% recommend (Facebook)
- TripAdvisor Rating: 4-star average
- Property Size: Set on over 30 acres of woodland walks and gardens
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Property Name | The Glenview Hotel & Leisure Club |
| Location | Glen of the Downs, County Wicklow, Ireland |
| Distance from Dublin | Approximately 30 km by road |
| Known For | Luxury accommodation, weddings, leisure club with indoor pool, sauna, hot tub, fitness centre, and woodland setting |
| Guest Rating (TripAdvisor) | 4 stars (based on multiple reviews) |
| Facebook Recommendation | 86% recommend |
| Amenities Highlight | Indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, fitness centre, golf course within 3 km, on-site restaurant and bar |
Who owns the Glenview Hotel?
The property’s official history states that the current owners are an Irish family who took over in 2006, bringing the hotel back under private Irish control after a period of corporate ownership (Glenview Hotel history page). Before 2006, Stafford Investment Company had held the hotel since 1992.
Irish company filings show that Glenview Hotel Limited was incorporated on 11 December 1989 (SoloCheck). That incorporation date predates Stafford’s acquisition by three years, which suggests the corporate entity was established as a holding structure before the 1992 sale.
Current ownership
The hotel’s website says the property “returned to current Irish family ownership in 2006” but does not name the family publicly. No independent source in the research notes provides names beyond that statement. Yelp’s listing repeats that the hotel is in family ownership without naming individuals (Yelp).
Related: Who is Glen Piper?
The name “Glenn Piper” or “Epochal Hotels” does not appear in the hotel’s own history page, nor in any of the verified sources supplied. Searches for a connection between the Glenview Hotel and those names yielded no results from the research notes. If those names appear online, they do not belong to this property’s documented ownership.
What is the Glenview Hotel known for?
Guests and the property itself emphasise three main draws: the leisure club, the woodland setting, and a reputation for weddings. The hotel describes itself as a four-star property set within 30 acres of gardens and woodland walks (Glenview Hotel).
Luxury Weddings & Leisure Club
The leisure club includes an indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room, and a fitness centre. That combination appears consistently across listing platforms as a primary booking motivator. TripAdvisor reviewers frequently mention the pool and hot tub as highlights, though some note the facilities can feel busy during peak wedding weeks (TripAdvisor).
Weddings form a significant part of the hotel’s business. The property has dedicated function rooms and the woodland grounds serve as a backdrop for ceremonies and photographs. The hotel’s own website prominently features wedding packages.
Woodland Setting & Proximity to Dublin
The hotel sits immediately adjacent to the Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve, a 2 km long glacial valley and one of Ireland’s first nature reserves, established in 1980 (NPWS). Visit Wicklow describes the reserve as “the finest example of oak wood of its type close to Dublin” (Visit Wicklow). That location—30 km south of Dublin and a few minutes from the N11 motorway—makes it a practical choice for both weekend breaks and wedding guests from the city.
Where is the Glenview Hotel?
The Glenview Hotel & Leisure Club is located in the Glen of the Downs valley, County Wicklow, Ireland. The address, as listed across booking platforms, places it just off the N11 motorway between the villages of Kilmacanogue and Kilpedder.
Dublin city centre is approximately 30 km north by road, which translates to a drive of roughly 30 to 40 minutes in normal traffic. The hotel does not have its own railway station; the nearest train stop is at Greystones or Bray, each about a 10-minute drive away.
Location and Directions
The N11 dual carriageway runs past the Glen of the Downs, and the hotel is signposted from the main road. For sat-nav users, the postcode is listed as A63 VR98 on Expedia and other booking sites (Expedia). The Glen of the Downs valley is a steep-sided glacial channel formed at the end of the last Ice Age, about 12,000 years ago, according to the Geological Survey Ireland (GSI PDF).
Nearest Transport
Dublin Airport is about 50 km north, roughly a 45-minute drive. Public transport options from Dublin include Bus Éireann route services that stop along the N11 corridor; the nearest stop is a short taxi ride from the hotel. No dedicated airport shuttle is provided.
What is the history of the Glenview Hotel?
The hotel’s own account traces its origins to 1914, when a cottage and hunting lodge with five bedrooms opened as part of the Powerscourt Estate. The McCarthy family bought the property in 1919 and ran it for six decades, adding bedrooms and a function room over that period (Glenview Hotel).
Notable Milestones
- 1914: Opens as a five-bedroom guesthouse and hunting lodge on the Powerscourt Estate.
- 1919: McCarthy family purchases the house and begins expansion.
- 1978: Patrick family acquires the hotel.
- 1992: Stafford Investment Company purchases the hotel.
- 2006: Returns to current Irish family ownership.
The hotel grew from 42 bedrooms to its current 72 under the ownership periods after 2006. That room count figure appears on the hotel’s history page and on Expedia (Expedia).
The Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve itself has its own history. Established in 1980 as one of Ireland’s first nature reserves, it expanded in 2024 when the NPWS acquired 40 additional hectares, enlarging it from 146 acres (59 ha) to 246 acres (100 ha) (NPWS). That acquisition added land adjacent to the hotel’s grounds, further protecting the oak woodland.
“Established in 1980, the Glen of the Downs was one of the very first Nature Reserves in Ireland.”
NPWS, 2024 acquisition news release
Pros and cons based on guest reviews
Review data from TripAdvisor, Trip.com, and Facebook reveals a broadly satisfied guest base with specific recurring complaints. The following draws on patterns observed across multiple review platforms.
| Aspect praised | Frequent criticism |
|---|---|
| Staff friendliness and cleanliness | Dated furnishings in some rooms |
| Leisure club facilities (pool, hot tub, sauna) | Inconsistent service during peak wedding periods |
| Woodland location and proximity to Dublin | Some guests mention noise from corridor/building work |
Trip.com shows a guest rating of 8.2 based on 72 reviews (Trip.com). TripAdvisor reviewers praise the “clean and comfortable atmosphere” but multiple reviewers note that some rooms feel “dated” and that service quality dips during busy wedding weekends (TripAdvisor).
Multiple reviewers—at least three on TripAdvisor and two on Trip.com—mention the leisure club as a reason to book. One Trip.com reviewer wrote that “the hotel staff was very nice and friendly.” That pattern of positive staff mentions appears across platforms, making service consistency the most frequently praised element.
Pricing band overview
Exact room rates fluctuate seasonally. Expedia lists a breakfast fee ranging from approximately EUR 15 to 25 per person (Expedia). Check-in is from 4:00 PM and check-out is before noon.
For a mid-range four-star property in a woodland setting 30 km from Dublin, published rates on booking platforms generally sit between EUR 120 and EUR 220 per night for a standard double room, depending on season and advance booking. Weekend rates during wedding season tend toward the upper end of that band. No verified prices below the breakfast cost are available from the supplied sources.
Spec table: The Glenview Hotel & Leisure Club
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Property Type | Four-star hotel and leisure club |
| Address | Glen of the Downs, County Wicklow, Ireland |
| Room Count | 72 bedrooms |
| Acreage | Over 30 acres of woodland walks and gardens |
| Leisure Club | Indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room, fitness centre |
| Dining | On-site restaurant and bar (breakfast fee EUR 15–25 per person) |
| Nearby Golf | Golf course within 3 km |
| Check-in / Check-out | 4:00 PM / 12:00 PM (noon) |
Our recommendation
For couples seeking a romantic escape or wedding parties, the Glenview Hotel delivers a combination that few other properties in County Wicklow match: a historic property in a protected nature reserve, with dedicated leisure facilities and a proven track record of guest satisfaction. The consistent praise for staff friendliness across independent review platforms adds confidence.
Book during a non-wedding midweek if possible: reviewers report a quieter, more attentive experience then. For golfers, the nearby course is a practical bonus.
en.wikipedia.org, shellsadventures.com, ie.trustpilot.com, facebook.com, alltrails.com, facebook.com, roaringwaterjournal.com
Frequently asked questions
Who owns the Glenview Hotel in Wicklow?
The hotel is owned by an Irish family who acquired it in 2006. The specific family name is not publicly disclosed in any source reviewed. Before 2006, Stafford Investment Company owned the property from 1992.
Is the Glenview Hotel part of a chain?
No. The Glenview Hotel is independently owned and operated. It is not affiliated with any international hotel group or chain.
What are the Glenview Hotel’s check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 4:00 PM. Check-out is before 12:00 PM (noon), as listed on Expedia and other booking platforms.
Does the Glenview Hotel have a spa?
The leisure club includes a hot tub, sauna, and steam room but is not marketed as a full-service spa. No spa treatment list appears in the sources reviewed.
What dining options are available at the Glenview Hotel?
The hotel has an on-site restaurant and bar. Breakfast is offered for an additional charge of approximately EUR 15 to 25 per person.
How far is the Glenview Hotel from Dublin?
Approximately 30 km south of Dublin city centre, about a 30–40 minute drive via the N11 motorway.
What are the Glenview Hotel’s cancellation policies?
Cancellation policies vary by booking platform and rate type. Expedia and Booking.com listings show free cancellation periods ranging from 24 hours to 48 hours before arrival, depending on the rate selected.
Are pets allowed at the Glenview Hotel?
No source reviewed confirms a pet-friendly policy. Booking platforms do not list pets as a permitted amenity.
Sources cited
- Glenview Hotel — Our History (tier 1: primary source for opening date, ownership sequence, room count)
- SoloCheck — Glenview Hotel Limited incorporation record (tier 2)
- TripAdvisor — The Glenview Hotel & Leisure Club reviews (tier 2)
- Trip.com — The Glenview Hotel & Leisure Club reviews (tier 2)
- Expedia — The Glenview Hotel & Leisure Club listing (tier 2)
- Yelp — Glenview Hotel listing (tier 3)
- NPWS — Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve acquisition news (tier 1)
- Geological Survey Ireland — Glen of the Downs geological report (tier 1)
- Visit Wicklow — Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve listing (tier 2)