Lough Eske Castle named Ireland’s Best Five Star Hotel, Carlisle Bay secures a Condé Nast Traveller top 10 ranking
Harcourt Developments is celebrating three major hospitality awards for The Harcourt Collection, recognising outstanding guest experiences at Lough Eske Castle in County Donegal and Carlisle Bay Antigua.
The recent honours comprise the Georgina Campbell Award for Best Five Star Hotel of the Year for Lough Eske Castle; a #7 Resort in the Caribbean & Atlantic ranking for Carlisle Bay Antigua in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards; and a MICHELIN Key for Carlisle Bay Antigua in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide.
The accolades come as Lough Eske Castle and Carlisle Bay forecast combined turnover of more than €37 million in 2026, an increase of approximately 6% on the previous year. Combined spa and leisure revenues are expected to rise by around 20%, adding a positive commercial backdrop to the recognition of their accommodation, service and wellness experiences.
The wins were celebrated at Harcourt’s Annual Hospitality Conference, held at Lough Eske Castle on 7–8 October 2026 under the theme “Agility through adaptability, Impact through Immersion.” The event brought together colleagues and leading industry voices to recognise excellence, exchange ideas and examine the forces shaping hospitality’s future.
“These three awards are a powerful endorsement of our people and the distinctive experiences they create every day,” said Clement Gaffney, Group Chief Operating Officer of The Harcourt Collection. “From the warmth, food and sense of place at Lough Eske Castle to the thoughtful service, wellness and relaxed sophistication of Carlisle Bay, each property is proudly individual yet united by a shared commitment to authentic hospitality, which flows through all Harcourt Hotels. Celebrating these achievements together at our annual conference made the occasion particularly special.”
Pat Power, Managing Director of Harcourt Developments, said: “This awards hat-trick reflects sustained investment in exceptional properties, but above all it recognises the talent, care and ambition of our teams. Accolades of this calibre strengthen the international standing of Lough Eske Castle and Carlisle Bay Antigua and affirm our long-term approach: to protect what makes each destination special, invest with purpose and empower our people to deliver remarkable stays. We are immensely proud of everyone behind these achievements.”
The Harcourt Hospitality conference was hosted by MC Pádraic Gilligan, Co-Founder of SoolNua and Head of Research & Consultancy. The speaker line-up featured Sarah Duignan, Director – Client Relationships, STR Global; Fergal O’Brien, Executive Director, Policy, Lobbying & Global Affairs, Ibec; Janice Gault, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Hotels Federation; Barbara Nestor, Director, Culture Transformation & Enterprise Leadership, Bank of Ireland; Aymen Fetouak MIH. Head of Professional Development, Institute of Hospitality; Dan O’Brien, Chief Economist, Institute of International and European Affairs; and Packie Bonner, former international goalkeeper, leadership speaker and Ambassador for Donegal.
Lough Eske Castle: Ireland’s Best Five Star Hotel
Set amid woodland and formal gardens near Donegal Town, the five-star castle hotel and spa blends historic character with contemporary luxury across its accommodation, dining, spa, weddings and meetings offering. The Georgina Campbell Awardrecognises the exceptional standards of food, service and guest experience delivered by the team, including at Cedars Restaurant. Established in 1997, the independent Irish Food & Hospitality Awards are determined through anonymous assessments conducted throughout the year, with businesses unable to enter or nominate themselves. The 2026 awards were hosted by hotelier Francis Brennan and presented by Georgina Campbell in Dublin on 22 September. Simon Petka, Director of Sales and Marketing at Lough Eske Castle, accepted the award on the hotel’s behalf. General Manager Lough Eske Castle Hotel, Dónal Cox said, “The recognition belongs to colleagues across the kitchen, restaurant, housekeeping, spa, front office and events teams, whose professionalism creates memorable stays and showcases the warmth, produce and hospitality of Donegal.” The award follows Lough Eske Castle’s inclusion among the top 10 hotels in the UK and Ireland in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, further reinforcing its standing as a leading luxury destination.
Carlisle Bay Antigua: two global honours
Carlisle Bay Antigua was voted the #7 Resort in the Caribbean & Atlantic in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. More than 296,356 UK readers rated travel experiences around the world, providing a compelling snapshot of the places they most want to revisit. The accolade reflects the breadth of Carlisle Bay’s offering, from 87 all-suite accommodations, curated dining and CARA Spa to activities connecting guests with Antigua’s landscape and culture. The five-star resort, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, also made its MICHELIN Guide debut with One MICHELIN Key, a distinction reserved for hotels offering “a very special stay.” Announced on 18 September, the award places Carlisle Bay among 2,020 One-Key hotels selected worldwide in 2026. The two honours come as Carlisle Bay prepares to unveil Phase 2 of its multi-million-dollar renovation, further elevating the guest experience while celebrating the spirit and character of Antigua. Matthew Poole, General Manager of Carlisle Bay Antigua, said “The accolades were a testament to the team’s dedication, care and expertise, adding that the resort’s setting and service give guests the space to slow down, immerse themselves in Antigua and leave with lasting impressions.”
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