The Crystal Springs Bed and Breakfast is located in Killarney, Ireland. It has a total of 14 rooms that people can reserve, each of which has a unique style. Every room features a mini-fridge, private bathrooms, and wireless internet access. One of the most popular rooms, according to the owners, features a balcony overlooking the River Flesk. Breakfast is served each morning between 8:00 and 10:00 AM with options including smoked salmon, oatmeal porridge with Bailey’s Cream Liquor, and eggs with bacon. Several things to do can be found in proximity to the bed and breakfast. According to Eileen, one of the owners, Killarney is the tourist capital of Ireland due to a significant number of attractions in the area. For those who wish to be outdoors, Killarney National Park offers biking and hiking trails to different natural formations, and the Ring of Kerry provides an additional biking or driving route to observe the region’s nature.
Situated on the banks of the River Flesk near the town of Killarney, Ireland is the Crystal Springs Bed and Breakfast. There are a total of 14 rooms available for guest reservation, each having its own unique style while still retaining the general aesthetic theme of the inn. Some of the suites offered include the Single Room, the Superior King Double Room, and the Family Room with Garden View. According to Eileen, one of the owners of the property, the most popular room among patrons is the suite which offers a balcony with views of the River Flesk and a super king-size bed. There are a number of amenities that are available in every room, such as refrigerators, flat-screen TVs, wireless internet access, mini-fridges, and private bathrooms, among others.
With regards to the rest of the bed and breakfast, Eileen describes it as a “luxurious and spacious guest house” that is “like a four-star hotel.” Other areas that patrons can access on the property include the dining room and foyer inside of the building, the summerhouse in the garden outside, and the banks of the river. The Summerhouse also has a balcony that people can access to observe the river. Tables and chairs are provided both in the Summerhouse and throughout the garden so people have the opportunity to enjoy the ambiance of the area. One of the most unique aspects of the Crystal Springs Bed and Breakfast is that guests who wish to fish in the river, and have a license to do so, can fish for free during their stay because the garden area has river access.
Breakfast is served each morning between 8:00 and 10:00 AM in the dining room. Guests can order breakfast from a menu of different options, including bacon or sausage and eggs, smoked salmon, crepes, oatmeal porridge with Bailey’s Cream Liquor, and pancakes. Some breakfast items are also served buffet style, namely fruit, cheese, cereal, cakes, scones, brown soda bread, and yoghurt. For those with dietary restrictions, accommodations can be made to many of the dishes on the menu upon request.
There are a number of popular attractions that visitors can participate in while staying at the Crystal Springs Bed and Breakfast. According to Eileen, Killarney is the tourist capital of Ireland due to the large number of activities that are available. For those interested in the history and architecture of the region, Ross Castle offers tours of the ancient tower that also educate people on what life around the castle might have been like in different periods of time. Those seeking more Victorian-era architecture can visit the Muckross House and Gardens. With regards to outdoor attractions, Killarney National Park has a number of different hiking and biking trails on 10,000 hectares of land. Both in the national park and also along the Ring of Kerry, a 176-kilometer drive, people have the opportunity of observing many of the region’s wildlife.
When asked how she wants her guests to feel during their stay at the property, Eileen, the owner of the Crystal Springs Bed and Breakfast, says that she hopes to see her patrons "leaving smiling and happy with their stay." To achieve this, the hosts strive to interact with guests often as they go about their day. They also try to make themselves available to assist patrons should any needs arise. Being able to meet with and interact with a variety of different people is one of Eileen’s favorite parts about running the bed and breakfast. She also works with guests prior to their stay to develop an itinerary for their trip, recommending what they should do based on their interests and how much time they will be spending in the area, including scheduling transportation by bus for some activities.
A number of positive reviews have been left about the property, with a number of them making a specific mention of how helpful the hosts were. Said one guest, “Eileen made us feel completely pampered and right at home. From the beginning, she greeted us with lots of information about the Killarney area, along with maps and restaurant recommendations.” Other reviews talk about the quality of the breakfast, saying that “the breakfast service was wonderful each morning.” This person went on to say that they appreciated the “daily menu to pick from in addition to a buffet with yoghurt, bread, cereal, etc.” Many of the patrons who stay at the inn are couples; however, the property is open to all ages. The bed and breakfast is open from March 1st to the middle of November, with the busiest season usually occurring from May to October.
In order to help each guest feel satisfied with their stay at the Crystal Springs Bed and Breakfast, there are some policies that Eileen asks patrons to observe during their time there. The most important of these policies is that there is no smoking allowed inside of the house. Those who wish to do so must smoke in a designated area of the property’s car park. Pets are also not allowed to stay with guests. Additionally, a quiet time is enforced from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
Tim and Eileen Brosnan established the Crystal Springs Bed and Breakfast in 1997 when they first built the inn. Eileen had worked in the hospitality industry prior to the inn’s establishment, but she was driven to open her own bed and breakfast because she wanted to run one herself. She continues to run the bed and breakfast today with the help of her husband, Tim, and her daughter, Amanda. Since opening the inn, some updates and changes have been made to the property. Most notably, the Brosnans work on updating and renovating each suite every few years. In recent years, all of the beds have been replaced, and all of the bathrooms have been updated. The last project that was completed was the addition of the summerhouse in the garden.
Bed and Breakfast
Eileen & Tim Brosnan
