Overview
Hunter’s Hotel occupies a quiet stretch of the River Vartry in the village of Rathnew, serving as one of County Wicklow’s most enduring coaching inns. The property has been operated by the same family since 1825, maintaining a distinct old-world character that appeals to visitors seeking history, horticulture and unhurried hospitality. Located roughly 45 minutes from Dublin City, the hotel balances preserved architectural details with modern comforts, and its grounds have consistently earned recognition in Irish hotel guides.
History & Heritage
The building dates to the early 18th century, originally catering to stagecoaches travelling the Dublin-Wicklow route. When the Gelletlie family acquired the licence in 1825, they began a lineage of stewardship that continues into the fifth generation today. Rather than modernising the structure beyond recognition, successive owners have carefully maintained original features: biscuit-brown floor tiles, hand-crafted wooden beams, antique chintz furnishings and a collection of period prints that line the corridors. The Department of Environment’s Architectural Heritage of County Wicklow (2004) notes the building as a rare, largely intact example of an early-century commercial middle-class inn.
Distinguished guests have passed through over the years, including the King and Queen of Sweden during a visit to Ireland. Visitors who appreciate preserved Irish architecture will notice how the layout still follows traditional coaching-inn patterns, with the main reception and dining areas positioned to welcome guests arriving by road, while guest rooms are arranged along quiet internal passages to minimise noise.
The Gardens
Two acres of cultivated land stretch along the riverbank, functioning as both a public horticultural display and a working kitchen garden. The layout shifts with the seasons, but visitors can generally expect:
- Oriental poppies and heritage roses dominating the spring and early summer borders
- Mature specimen trees including magnolias, rhododendrons, liriodendron, ginkgo, paulownia, nothofagus and eucryphia
- A walled herb garden that supplies the restaurant with fresh basil, thyme and rosemary
- Ornamental ponds and a riverside promenade that draw swallows, kingfishers and other local birdlife
The kitchen garden grows seasonal vegetables, soft fruit and edible flowers like nasturtiums, which frequently appear as garnishes in the dining room. Gravel and paved paths loop around the flower beds and lead down to the riverbank, where a small footbridge crosses the Vartry. The Vartry is historically significant as the source of Dublin’s fresh water supply, and its gentle flow provides a constant backdrop to any stroll through the grounds. Gardening staff maintain the beds year-round, so the grounds remain presentable even during the quieter winter months.
Dining
The hotel’s restaurant operates in a half-panelled, half-papered dining room that retains its 19th-century layout. Small-paned sash windows look out over the garden, and the atmosphere leans towards traditional Irish hospitality rather than contemporary fine dining.
Service hours
- Lunch: Daily from 12:30 pm; Sunday lunch in two sittings at 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm
- Dinner: Every evening from 7:00 pm–8:30 pm
- Afternoon tea: Daily from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm (seasonal)
The menu focuses on classic Irish dishes prepared with local ingredients. Expect Wicklow leg of lamb with buttery mash and thyme-infused treacle gravy, chicken liver pâté with melba toast, and seasonal salads featuring garden-grown produce. À la carte dinner runs from approximately €39.50 (2 courses) to €49.50 (3 courses), with Saturday dinner at €47.50/€59.50. Sunday lunch is €48.50. Afternoon tea is €35 per person. The hotel also handles private functions and corporate events, with a small conference room available for meetings and bespoke catering arrangements. Reservations are recommended for meals, particularly during peak season and for weekend afternoon tea. Dietary requirements can usually be accommodated with advance notice.
Accommodation & Practical Information
The hotel offers 16 individually decorated bedrooms, each fitted with a private bathroom, flat-screen TV and direct-dial phone. Several rooms overlook the gardens, providing quiet views of the river and flower beds. Check-in begins at 15:00 and check-out is by 11:00.
Rates are structured around bed & breakfast (from approximately €110 per person sharing; check the website for current offers) and combined bed, breakfast & dinner packages. Prices vary by season and room type, and the hotel occasionally runs special offers that include extended stays or dining credits. Free on-site parking is available in a courtyard bordered by a small flock of hens, and wheelchair-accessible routes connect the parking area, reception, restaurant and garden paths.
Getting there
- By car: Take the M11 to the Newrath Bridge exit and follow local signs to Rathnew. The hotel is approximately 2 km from the junction.
- By bus: Regular Bus Éireann services run from Dublin to Wicklow town. A short taxi ride completes the journey to Rathnew.
- By air: Dublin Airport is roughly a 45-minute drive via the M11.
Exploring Rathnew & Wicklow
Hunter’s Hotel sits in a strategic position for exploring the Garden of Ireland. The village of Rathnew itself offers a quiet main street, local pubs and easy access to the River Vartry. Within a short drive, visitors can reach:
- Mount Usher Gardens and Avondale Forest Park, both well worth a visit for their landscapes and heritage buildings
- The Wicklow Way long-distance trail, with several accessible starting points in the surrounding hills
- Historic estates including Powerscourt, Russborough and Killruddery
- Brittas Bay, a long sandy beach backed by dunes, ideal for walking or watching migratory birds
- Coastal towns like Bray and Arklow, reachable via the N11
- Golf courses such as Druid’s Glen and The European, both within a 30-minute drive
The hotel’s reception team can arrange local taxi transfers, recommend walking routes suited to different fitness levels and provide up-to-date information on seasonal events in the county.
To secure a room or book a table, contact the hotel directly at +353 (0)404 40106 or visit hunters.ie. Early booking is advisable for summer weekends and autumn foliage season, when the garden beds and dining room fill quickly.