Kelly`s Resort Hotel Kelly`s Resort Hotel

5
Kell y’s Resort Hotel
T
HE KEY to the continuing success of Kelly’s
Resort Hotel in Rosslare lies in its history and
individuality.
There is no hotel quite like it in Ireland for continuity, location, service and uniqueness.
Established in the early 1890’s , Kelly’s has survived
and thrived through 120 years of changing social
trends.
It is a family-run jewel with a proud history of excellence - proprietor Bill Kelly is the fourth generation to
carry on that tradition.
Likewise, generations of other families have
returned to this special seaside place for holidays
decade after decade.
They come back again and again for another serving of the Kelly’s Hotel magic.
The hotel is still turning heads and winning awards
- last year it was named Hotel of the Year.
So what’s the secret? The answer is a combination
of things that makes Kelly’s stand out from the crowd.
The hotel is rooted in history but has its feet firmly
planted in the 21st century.
It offers real hospitality and personal service with a
confidence borne of experience.
Its standards are consistently high and its character
different than anywhere else.
‘It’s very much the same ethos while keeping up
with changing demands,’ said Bill Kelly whose greatgrandfather William Joseph established the business.
‘We have 1,800 man years of experience across the
staff,’ he said.
‘There is a continuity of service and friendliness that
I think is essential.’
‘You can build a palace but it’s only people who will
bring people back again.’
It all started when William Joseph and his wife Mary
opened a tea rooms in a timber structure on the site,
to cater for 19th century visitors arriving on the train to
go to the beach.
Within a few years, they expanded and began offering accommodation.
Bill’s grandfather Nicholas and his father William J.
followed on, making their own contributions to the
development of the hotel. His mother Breda is still
involved.
Today Kelly’s employs 190 people, has three
restaurants, two bars, 118 bedrooms, two indoor
swimming pools, a fitness centre, steam room,
sauna, outdoor Canadian hot tub and indoor and outdoor tennis courts.
Development and re-investment never stops.
Kelly’s has just completed a €1 million renovation of
bedrooms and public areas which will be publicly
unveiled when the hotel re-opens after its annual winter break on February 10.
Among the new features are woven murals in the
bedrooms which were made by Ceadogan Rugs.
Design is important to Kelly’s which has an impres-
sive collection of Irish
contemporary art.
The
long-estab lished hotel which
enjoyed 90% occupancy last year, has
lived
through
tougher times than
the current econom ic downturn.
But rather than
cutting corners or
reducing staff, Bill
Kelly and his wife
Isabelle are taking a
different approach.
‘I
believe
it’s
important to keep up
the quality during a period of
distress like this,’ he said.
‘We want to look after the customer better than
we looked after them prior to the recession.’
‘’At times like this, it’s crucial to give more for
less,’ said Bill whose daughter Laura may well
become the fifth generation of the family
involved in the hotel.
She is currently studying Hotel Management in her parents’ alma mater in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Proprietor Bill Kelly