The 2014 Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards has named The Kildare Hotel, Club & Spa in Kildare, Ireland as one of the Top Five Resorts in Europe.

Ireland leads the way this year, as record number four Irish properties share the spotlight with The K Club in the magazine’s Top 10 Resorts in Europe, including Sheen Falls Lodge as well as Ashford Castle Hotel and Adare Manor.

A grand Irish country retreat that boasts 69 rooms, The Kildare Hotel is set amid 550-acres of pristine parkland on a mile long private stretch of the River Liffey. The elegantly restored 19th Century Georgian mansion estate resides on the original site of Straffan House, which was modeled after a French chateau built in 1832. Converted into a luxury hotel and country club in 1991, the opening of The K Club created new standards in Irish hospitality, décor and service.

“Receiving this top accolade is a genuine reflection of The K Club’s commitment to exceptional personalized service, dedication to the guest experience, and the entire staff’s authentic passion to share our Irish hospitality with our guests, or as we say, céad míle fáilte!” said Chief Executive Officer and General Manager, Michael Davern.

The K Club includes plenty of activities for every age, such as clay pigeon shooting, fly fishing on the River Liffey, falconry and horseback riding. In addition to the wide range of outdoor activities, The K Club also boasts the 20,000 square-foot world-class K Spa, which features organic Irish products, and includes a fully equipped gym, weight room and Pilate’s center.

Hotel guests are granted exclusive access to its award-winning wine cellar, originally build by Hugh Barton, heir of the Bordeaux Dynasty B&G.

Home to two championship golf courses, The Palmer Course, venue for the 2006 Ryder Cup and one of the best courses in Europe, as well as The Smurfit Course, The K Club is an international golfing Mecca.

The K Club’s founder, Sir Michael Smurfit, built Straffan House in 2005 as his private residence. The 34,000-sq-ft French Chateau-inspired home adjacent to the K Club Hotel is newly available for private use. Spread over three stories, Straffan House abounds in sumptuousness and lavish amenities including a dedicated service team, concierge and private chef. There are 10 bedrooms in total, all en-suite, an indoor swimming pool replete with ‘swim up bar’, spa, gym, game room and a cinema.

The K Club, www.kclub.ie