Nestled in the charming village of Crawfordsburn, The Old Inn is the perfect escape for a romantic rural retreat. The hotel is bursting with character, from cosy corners and elegant interiors to stunning views over the beautiful country park. From petite guestrooms, Junior Suites with a stand-alone copper bathtub and a rustic cottage, there is something for everyone.
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The Hotel
What a pleasure to have had the opportunity to spend some time at the delightful Old Inn, Crawfordsburn. Nestled in the pretty Co Down village, The Old Inn is right on the doorstep of castles, beaches, a forest park and the world’s top links golf course, and is the perfect escape for a restful rural retreat.
The hotel is full of charm, character, and period features, from cosy nooks in which to sip a relaxing whiskey, to an elegant dining room where guests can enjoy an excellent meal.
There’s a variety of accommodation from petite guestrooms, to a rustic cottage, so there is something to suit everyone.
In 2025, The Old Inn was listed in The Irish Independent’s Top 100 hotels in Ireland and in 2024 was awarded Atmospheric Destination of the Year in the Georgina Campbell Awards, within the Special Irish Hospitality category.
The Restaurant
The Old Inn’s AA Rosette award-winning restaurant, overseen by executive head chef Andy Turner, offers an exceptional dining experience in elegant surroundings.
We were seated at a spacious booth at the stained glass windows, where we perused the impressive menu. The Old Inn prides itself in showcasing quality seasonal ingredients in its dishes, and we decided to go for a couple of light, fresh, summery starters; melt-in-the-mouth Yellow Fin Tuna with Green Beans and an Anchovy & Shallot Salad, and a luxuriously creamy North Coast Lobster Caesar Salad, with generous chunks of sweet lobster meat.
For our main courses we had perfectly pink, crispy-skinned Sea Trout with New Potatoes, Summer Cabbage, & Truffle, and a moist Cornfed Chicken with White Pudding, Caramelised Garlic, & Sweetcorn Cream, all accompanied by Roasted Courgettes in Pesto & Chilli, Fried New Potatoes with Roasted Garlic, and golden, crunchy Beer Battered Onion Rings.
And to finish, we indulged ourselves with a sundae glass filled with rich Dark Chocolate Mousse on a base of deliciously bitter Orange & Campari Gel and Caramel Ice Cream, and a Black Cherry & Almond Eclair with Aged Balsamic and a silky smooth Milk Ice Cream.
For relaxed lunches, sophisticated afternoon teas, fine evening dining, and traditional Sunday lunches, with attentive, friendly service, and fantastic food and drink, The Old Inn Restaurant ticks all the boxes.
The Room
We spent the evening in the beautiful ‘Honeysuckle’ Junior Suite, with its nostalgic dark wood furniture, half-panelled walls, fabulously floral wallpaper and fabrics in luxurious greens and golds, a spacious marbled shower room, and a stunning stand-alone copper bathtub.
The Spa
And The Old Inn’s Treetop Spa offers guests unrivalled forest views, whilst outdoor bathing in the pool or hot tub, or why not relax on heated marble loungers while you unwind indoors in The Conservatory, with its woodfire stove.
In 2026, The Treetop Spa expanded its wellness offering with the introduction of luxury ELEMIS treatments, enhancing the guest experience with premium skincare therapies. This innovative, personalised concept allows guests to collaborate with their expert therapist to collaboratively design a bespoke 60, 90 or 120 minute treatment tailored to their individual needs and wellness goals, whether for deep relaxation, rejuvenation, or restorative skincare.
Hotel website HERE
Breakfast
Delicious Breakfast at the Old Inn, Crawfordsburn.
A wonderful continental selection followed by two à la carte dishes;
Grilled Tomatoes on Toast with Crushed Green Pea Hummus, Toonsbridge Ricotta, and Toasted Sourdough.
Smashed Hass Avocado with Tahini and Chilli Yoghurt, Black Sesame Seeds, and Pea Shoots, on Toasted Sourdough, with Two Poached Eggs.
