Cultivating a sense of home is one of the top priorities of Adare Manor, the mystical Neo-gothic property sitting on 840 acres of sprawling grounds in Southwest Ireland. With decadent rooms and suites, a golf course, award-wining dining, and activities for the whole family to enjoy, it’s no wonder that Adare was named the number one Resort in the World by Condé Nast Traveller in 2022.
“The hotel’s authentic homely feel, history, and heritage are rather special,” says Brendan O’Connor, the hotel’s general manager. He adds: “Between the 1830s and 1980s Adare Manor was a family home. It then became a luxury hotel in 1980. Preserving that sense of being in a home and the heritage behind it has been at the heart of all decisions relating to interiors and restoration of the many magnificent spaces. One can’t escape Adare’s history, nor do we want to.”
O’Connor is no stranger to luxury hospitality, having held senior managerial positions at properties such as the Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman and the famed Waldorf Astoria in New York. He shares that his journey into hospitality started at a young age and was initially fuelled by his love for food. Growing up in a family of bakers, O’Connor set his sights on becoming a chef before he eventually took up hotel management, and the rest, as they say, is history.
He was also able to flex his logistical planning muscles even further by supporting hospitality programmes for the Rio Summer Olympics and Sochi Winter Olympics. “My experience of the Olympic Games was fast-paced and adrenaline-fueled. The logistics around Olympic hospitality are complex, and there are no second chances,” O’Connor explains. “Curve balls are a constant in an Olympic Games too. Unforeseen circumstances are ever-present, and having to think on your feet and find solutions before anyone notices are all part of the experience. In hospitality, quick thinking and a solutions-driven mindset are very useful skills,” he added.
For nearly a decade, O’Connor has been back in his homeland and has revelled in his role to deliver true Irish hospitality to guests from all over the world. “Ireland has the most amazing people,” he proudly says. “Storytelling is a gift the Irish have, and that is present in so much of what Ireland offers as a destination. There is a story behind everything – be that our stunning landscape, our rich history, our music and dance, the country is constantly offering up experiences that are rich and authentic.”
LLM writer Ina Yulo Stuve chats with O’Connor about how he’s attracted a best-in-class hospitality team and what makes Ireland the perfect luxury holiday destination.
What is one of the biggest misconceptions people have about working in luxury hotels?
I feel that some people are apprehensive about getting involved in luxury hospitality as they don’t feel they have the skills to enter the luxury end of the business and they perhaps consider luxury too complex to get involved in. I want people to know that it is a people business first and foremost. At Adare Manor we hire for attitude, and then train for skill. Some of the most amazing professionals on our team joined us after having careers in other industries and had no hospitality experience at all!
You started as GM in 2020 – no doubt a complicated year – were there any strategic changes you implemented during that time that positively impacted how your team tackled the pandemic?
Maintaining the Adare Manor bubble – a place to take a break from the world, to recharge and rejuvenate – was key in 2020. As a team, we worked hard to implement all social distancing measures and covid regulations in a luxurious, non-obvious way. We wanted the hotel to continue to be an escape.
We took the harsh edge off of lots of protocols and we made them our own. One example was in our Michelin-starred Oak Room where we curated a hand sanitisation ritual: Our team developed a gin-infused hand sanitiser in a gel form served in an oyster shell. It was sensory, it was unique, and it showed we had the guest welfare at the forefront of what we did.
In your opinion, what makes Ireland an ideal destination for the luxury traveller?
Ireland to a luxury traveller can see you staying in magnificent historical buildings that have become world-leading hotels. The amazing produce from Ireland has met with a surge in culinary talent these past decades, and has given us a wonderful dining scene. The development of some amazing driving routes have opened up some real hidden gems around Ireland and along the wild Atlantic way. Ireland is its authentic self, with something for everyone and people who are warm and welcoming.
Is there a particular business skill you’re currently trying to master?
I am always looking to improve my leadership skills. Hospitality and economic conditions are constantly changing, as are my team’s goals and the resources they require, so the way I lead the team must constantly change. This is a people business and I am pivotal in making sure my team are happy. This requires strong leadership goals.
Could you share some of your strategies for hiring and retaining talent?
The employer value proposition is constantly evolving in our business. To keep up, we constantly review and amend employee pay and benefits. Our current employee benefits are comprehensive and increase with length of service. Examples include team events and socials in the local area and across the country – our international team members especially enjoy visiting other parts of the Emerald Isle! We also organise weekly sports events, wellness and mental health seminars, and extend experiences such as overnight stays to team members’ families.
If you were to plan a whole-day itinerary for a guest staying at the hotel, what would you have on the agenda?
I would suggest a short early morning walk before breakfast. Being almost the only person outside at 7am and seeing the resort in the morning light with all of the quiet and calm is really special.
Return and take breakfast in the Gallery – our stunning breakfast room dates back to the 1830s and is the most grand dining room. Breakfast should be leisurely, and I would suggest taking one’s time, and not make any plans until 11am.
Falconry is one of the signature activities for our guests to partake in and is perfect in the late morning. It is a short stroll from the hotel and one gets to hold and study owls and a number of birds of prey up close, all the while getting wonderful insights into the life and anatomy of the birds.
After falconry, a leisurely cycle through the estate with one of our picnics is very enjoyable! A late afternoon swim at our leisure facility, The Padel Club, is a great way to unwind after a cycle. The vitality pool there overlooks our woodland and is a great way to recharge.
Dinner in one of our two amazing restaurants, the Oak Room, is my suggestion. The tasting menu leaves you in the hands of our culinary team and you can simply relax and enjoy the multi-course dining experience.
Before bed, a visit to our Tack Room is a must. Cocktails and Irish whiskey are the key attractions – we have the largest collection of Irish whiskeys, perfect for a nightcap before turning in for the night.
What are your favourite cities for dining, history and adventure?
Dining: Cork. Cork is where local Irish produce meets chefs from all cultures – the dining scene is just vibrant!
History: Dublin.
Adventure: Killarney. Killarney is the gateway to one of our largest national parks where there are thousands of acres to explore by foot or bike. Exploring stunning natural scenery is one of my favourite things to do when not at Adare!
Factbox
Address: Adare, Co. Limerick, V94 W8WR, Ireland
Phone: +353 61 605 200
Website: adaremanor.com
