The Rose Hotel: A Magical Place to Celebrate!

Continuing my tour of County Kerry (Ireland’s premier wedding destination) venues where I would love to create a ceremony, I find myself pulling up outside four-star Rose Hotel in Tralee. So named because of its connection to The Rose of Tralee (more about that later), this hotel has been completely renovated in recent years to make it a magical place to celebrate.

Located within walking distance of Tralee town centre, beside a stream, with a view of the mountains, The Rose Hotel has become a popular wedding venue. It has many function rooms in a variety of sizes, the main suite holding up to 250 guests. Balcony, garden terrace and outdoor areas make wonderful additional spaces for your guests. Best of all, the wedding suite is big enough for you and your wedding party to get ready together, and even do a ‘Here come the girls/boys’ dance around the couch.

Not good enough? Well how about use of the hotel’s Rolls Royce for the day? Just gorgeous!

The big wow factor for most people about this hotel is its stunning decor. Corridors with overhead star lights, the Rós Buí glasshouse room full of orchids and the beautiful leather couched bar with open fire.

I challenge you not to love how you look in the ladies' oversize ornate framed mirrors, against the embossed silver wall paper, as you sit in the boudoir beauty chairs. Gentlemen, I understand your bathrooms are as fancy!

The Rose Hotel is so called because its owners, Dick & Eibhlinn Henggeler, had a daughter Dorothy (Dott), the 2011 Washington D.C. Rose. I had the privilege of meeting Dott in 2011 when she came to Tralee for the Festival, appeared live on the RTÉ Rose of Tralee TV show, and hung out with the other Roses.

Sadly, we also had the privilege of attending Dott's funeral just a few years later after she died of a brain tumour. Mr and Mrs Henggeler acquired the hotel, named it Rose, and the hotel bar 'Dott’s Bar' in their daughter’s memory. The hotel’s brand colour of purple is Dott’s favourite colour.

If, like me, you’re feeling emotional right now! you’ll also want to know that The Rose Hotel is an extremely happy place. It’s where the lucky Roses get to stay every year when they come to Tralee for the Rose of Tralee International Festival, and where the Rose Dome is located (the one you get to see the inside of on TV).

I have worked at many Festivals held at the Rose Hotel, in addition to attending lots of functions. It’s a busy, warm and friendly hotel, where the memory of Dott and other Roses who have crossed its threshold is never far away. Listen, and you can hear their laughter echoing down the corridors.

Be a Rose for the day here, and join this celebrated canon of much admired Irish women.

The Rose Hotel

• Has a main function room suitable for large weddings, The Lee Suite, holding up to 250 guests.
• Can hold smaller weddings in a variety of other function rooms in the hotel, including the beautiful conservatory-style Rós Buí.
• Is licensed for civil ceremonies and marriages - remember you don’t have to get a Celebrant to approve this venue like you do a Registrar!
• Will give wedding couples use of their Rolls Royce for the day.

My Why or UWP (Unique Wedding Point)

• The hotel’s connection and love of the Rose of Tralee International Festival. Be a Rose for the day — who could resist?