Kildare, Ireland (Dublin), February 2013 … The Five Star Kildare Hotel, Spa & Country Club, known as The K Club, located near Dublin City Centre and Dublin International Airport, has announced it has been voted by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the “best hotels in the world for 2013.” 

“It is truly an honor for us here at The K Club to receive this award,” said Michael Davern, Chief Executive & General Manager.  “To be singled out by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the world’s best resorts is such an important endorsement of what our hospitality team strives to do each day here at our resort ~ to provide a five star experience to all our guests.”

The former Irish manor house, which dates to the early 1800’s, is today one of Ireland’s most treasured resorts.  The exquisite K Club is surrounded by stunning gardens, including a 19th Century Walled Garden, 550 acres of mature grounds, formal gardens and river walkways.  Private walkways lead guests to secluded areas while two stately white wrought iron bridges, dating to the 19th century, provide safe passage to what is known as 'The Island of Inis Mor' -- an island “folly” situated in the middle of two watery arms of the River Liffey, which flows through the estate en route to Dublin.

A plethora of activities are available at The K Club, including outdoor pursuits such as horse riding, fishing, falconry and world-class golf on two championship Arnold Palmer courses.  Guests can also enjoy complimentary art and history tours of the stunning original manor house, which houses an impressive collection of Irish and international art. One of the rooms in the manor house, The Yeat's Room, is home to the largest private collection of Jack B. Yeat's paintings in the country and is a wonderful place to sit and enjoy Morning Coffee or Afternoon Tea. 
 
Located on the banks of the picturesque River Liffey near the quaint village of Straffan, The K Club provides five star accommodations, dining and recreational opportunities within an estate-like setting.  The historic Straffan House, along with the former manor house’s beautifully-blended extensions, offers sumptuous interiors and exquisite antique appointments.  Superb service complements the majestic interiors and a priceless art collection, including a replica of The Book of Kells and an intimate collection of artistic masterpieces by Jack B. Yeats.  The K Club’s cuisine is the very best, as would be expected of a resort that regularly hosts European Royalty.  Just 30 minutes away is one of the world’s great destination cities, Dublin.
 
Ireland is just 5 hours by air from the US northeast ~ closer than a flight to Los Angeles or San Francisco. 
 
For further or for leisure packages available at The K Club and for reservations, call 011-353-6017200 or visit www.kclub.ie. 
 
For high resolution photography of The K Club, visit:  http://www.dropbox.com/gallery/29118362/1/K%20Club?h=73460e

About Travel + Leisure’s Top 500 Hotels in the World Award
For the past 17 years, the 1,000,000+ subscribers of Travel + Leisure magazine have cast their votes for the world's top hotels, resorts, and destinations in the United States and internationally.  For the complete Travel + Leisure Top 500 Hotels and Resort, visit http://www.travelandleisure.com/tl500/2013

About The K Club
The K Club is a multifaceted resort set on 550 acres and on the banks of the River Liffey in Straffan, Co. Kildare, Ireland.  Just 30 minutes from Dublin International Airport and Dublin City Centre, the resort includes a 69-bedroom hotel which is this year’s AA Hotel of the Year; two Arnold Palmer-designed championship golf courses – The Palmer Ryder Cup Course and The Smurfit Course, The K Spa and several restaurants and bars.  The resort has staged 13 European Opens and The Ryder Cup 2006.
 
Winner of several accolades for both its hotel and golf offerings, The K Club is renowned as one of the world’s premier golfing destinations.  Other facilities and activities offered on site include conferencing, fishing, horse riding, archery, wine cellar and art & history tours. There is a dedicated Health and Fitness Club, the extraordinary K Spa, and a Kids Club.
 
The magical setting of the resort, the magnificent grounds and stringent attention to detail and service has made the property a firm favorite with golfers, families, business travelers, spa goers and wedding couples.  The K Club offers excellent value-added packages for the corporate, leisure and incentive markets.  For more information on packages, services or for best available rates offered log on to www.kclub.ie   The K Club is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts.
 
About The Gathering, Ireland, 2013  
The Gathering Ireland 2013 will be a spectacular, year-long celebration of all things Irish.   Throughout 2013, Ireland will open its arms to hundreds of thousands of friends and family from all over the world, calling them home to gatherings in villages, towns and cities.  There will be clan gatherings, festivals, special sporting events, music and concerts taking place all across the country, all year long.  Communities throughout Ireland will showcase and share the very best of Irish culture, tradition, business, sport, fighting spirit and the uniquely Irish sense of fun.
 
Over 70 million people worldwide claim Irish ancestry. The Gathering Ireland 2013 provides the perfect excuse to reach out to those who have moved away, their relatives, friends and descendants, and invite them home.
 
The Gathering is the people’s party. It will kick off in spectacular style at the New Year’s Eve Festival in Dublin and will be celebrated through gatherings of the people and Ireland’s major festivals during 2013. After that it is over to you. It is in your hands. Be part of it.