Kimkim Trip Reviews for Ireland

Thank you Dean and everyone we worked with. This was a trip that was a long time in the making. It was to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, my 50th and my hubby's 60th birhdays. We had a wonderful time in Ireland. We drove ourselves, well, my husband drove and I navigated, lol. He's braver than me. We went to Dublin, Cork, Kinsale, Kilarney, Dingle, Doolin, Westport, and back to Dublin. The last 3 days in Dublin, we took a tour with Wild Rover to Belfast, Dunluce Castle and Giants Causeway. The "Black Cab" tour in Belfast was really emotionally moving and gave me a more broad view of Northern Ireland. We stayed at a mixture of B&B's and hotels. Cork was interesting learning the history of where my husband's family came from, only 3 generations ago. There is so much more history to everything in Europe than there is here in the states. Especially in Washington state, where we are from. Most everywhere we visited was very clean. Dublin, was the exception. Our hosts at Fernroyd B&B in Cork, Tony & Avril, were so welcoming and were excited to tell us some history about Cork and what would be most important to see during our short stay. There is so much to see and do in Ireland, 2 weeks was barely enough time to scratch the surface. We are already beginning to plan for the next trip.

From start to finish, the KimKim team was amazing. Our first tour took us to Norther Ireland (Dunluce Castle, Giant's Causeway & the Titanic Museum) with Kevin from Wild Rover Tour as our guide. The entire 12 hour tour went off without a single problem! Our train ride to Killarney was smooth and seamless, with a short walk to our hotel. I can't tell you how much my family loved this small little Irish town, as everyone in it was so friendly. We took tours to the Ring of Kerry and Dingle and Inch Bay, both areas you have to see to believe. Something that stuck out to me more than anything was our in country personal contact (Francis) who made sure all my questions were answered in a timely manner. One of our tours had a time and location change last minute, Francis had called, emailed and texted me before I even got up to make sure I knew about the changes. Everything was handled so professionally! Next time I travel anywhere outside of the USA, I will only have one e-mail to send, and that is to KimKim.

Hotel Reviews

Ashling Hotel Dublin

Dublin

Customer service was top notch My wife loved the hotel Our boys couldn't get enough of the breakfast

Authenticity & Character

Location

So close to the train station, along with bus tour stops.

Staff

So nice!!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Fairview Boutique Hotel

Killarney

Front office personal was friendly

Authenticity & Character

Location

in the heart of Killarney

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms could get a little musty smell if air is not circulating very well in the rooms.

Activity Review

Belfast & Giants Causeway Day tour from Dublin

Dublin

Kevin made this trip extra special. You can honestly tell how much he enjoys to travel and talk Irish history with the customers.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bus was clean, and had charging ports.

We had a very nice trip to Ireland on a self-guided tour. Dean and his team handled all of the reservations. We were satisfied with the accommodations and the bookings they arranged. We really enjoyed the fly fishing and golf day in Killarney National Park. We decide not to cycle in Dingle as the roads were very narrow and the weather was rainy and windy on our scheduled days. We would certainly recommend Dean and his team for booking a tour in Ireland.

Hotel Reviews

Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast

Very nice and clean hotel with a good breakfast. I would highly recommend.

Authenticity & Character

Great sitting room with view.

Location

Very nice view up on the hill.

Staff

Friendly and helpful with map and suggestions.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean and comfortable.

Abbey Lodge

Killarney Co Kerry

Very nice and clean hotel with a good breakfast. I would highly recommend.

Authenticity & Character

Nice room and breakfast

Location

Walking distance to the town.

Staff

Helped us with recommendations for dinner

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean and comfortable

Churchfield Bed & Breakfast

Doolin, Co. Clare

Very nice and clean hotel with a good breakfast. I would highly recommend.

Authenticity & Character

Nice room with funky window in the bathroom. It was round!

Location

Very close to a lively pub with good food.

Staff

Very helpful with map and recommendations.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean and comfortable.

St Jude's Galway B&B

Galway

Very nice and clean hotel with a good breakfast. I would highly recommend.

Authenticity & Character

Bigger than it looks. We had a quiet room and good breakfast.

Location

Just a 10 minute walk to the center of town.

Staff

Amazing twin brothers run the place. Good sense of humor and helpful with suggestions.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean and comfortable.

Activity Review

Blasket Island Boat Tour from Dingle

Ireland

This was canceled due to weather.

Quality of Experience

We enjoyed the self-guided tour and having the B&B booked for us. Driving was a little nerve racking with the narrow roads, but we liked the freedom.

Food

For the most part we found nice pubs and restaurants.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We wished we had booked more private tours. We missed hearing stories and histories of the places we visited.

Transport

We had a nice rental car that was automatic. It was a little scary with the narrow roads.

Amazing trip of Ireland using Ireland Walk Hike and Bike and Linda Woods as our guide. From the detailed planning by Maria Hayes organizing our days to Linda being our brilliant guide our experience was fantastic!

We had a wonderful time exploring Ireland. Our accommodations were top notch all around. Especially we would like to say how much we enjoyed the hospitality at our B&B stay in Cork. Our rental car from Hertz workedut inspite of the stress over the age restrictions we learned of only after full payment of our trip was made. Our only complaint was not receiving our driving and points of interest instructions.until we were already in Ireland. Overall your planning made this a very good experience. Thank you.

Our driver (one of us) was excellent. He reports driving in Ireland was intimidating at first but then was ok.

Dean & his team put an amazing itinerary together for us, the B&B’s they booked for us were all so great! We appreciated the detailed itinerary and recommended sights at each location! We especially loved all the stops along the Great Atlantic Way. The boat trip to Blasket Island by far was our favourite excursion! We loved it all!!

Hotel Reviews

Bambury Guesthouse

Co Kerry

Our room was luxurious! So comfortable and well appointed! The host and staff were all so friendly and breakfast was delicious

Authenticity & Character

Location

Perfect location! Just a 5 min walk to Dingle town centre!

Staff

Friendly & helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

So clean and the most comfortable bed!

Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport

Clonshaugh

What a lovely hotel, the rooms were comfortable, clean and quiet! We had dinner in the pub and it was really good. Breakfast was delicious

Authenticity & Character

Location

So close to the airport worked out perfectly

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Blasket Island Boat Tour from Dingle

Ireland

This trip was our favourite! We loved Billy & Alice, they were friendly, professional and so knowledgeable on the area. They really treated us to the best day!

Quality of Experience

No

Guides, Drivers and Staff

So much info provided, we loved it

Transport

The boat was fun

Lots of fun thanks! Maybe explain how wait times and parking availability impact sight-seeing spots.

Great trip in the beautiful Irish countryside. And the hotel in Dublin (Merrion) was one of the best we ever stayed in!

Dean organised an awesome 10 day adventure through Ireland for us. Communication and payment in lead up to the trip was easy, and support during travel over whats app or online was speedy. Any little hiccups were resolved instantly and we had an absolute blast. Highlight of our trip was a day bike riding around Aran Islands and buying locally hand made woolen sweaters. The weather was freezing and we had a windy ferry ride (rug up!) but that didn't stop us having a fantastic time. Had the best fish and chips of my life in Ireland. Would recommend organizing your travel through Dean and his team.

Our flight to Ireland was delayed by a day. Rachel rearranged everything for us so that although of course we were more rushed, we didn’t miss a thing. She was always available in country. Excellent service

Hotel Reviews

The Fleet

Dublin

very nice staff, good room, very pretty atmosphere! Breakfast was great. Good location

Authenticity & Character

Very pretty lobby and exterior

Location

Staff

Gave great recommendations and were very accomodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bayview Hotel

Bushmills

Beautiful views. Nicely appointed rooms

Authenticity & Character

Location

This is for people who want to be away with nice views. Fairly close to giants causeway

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ballyseede Castle

Tralee

I think this is a great place for a wedding or if you want to get away and do nothing and sit on the lawn but not in the best shape

Authenticity & Character

It is a castle

Location

Staff

They weren’t very visible. Food staff was nice

Cleanliness & Comfort

Monks Inn & Famous Restaurant

Beautiful room with lovely room. Even had a washing machine which we took advantage of

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Just a bit of confusion at check

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Imperial Hotel

Cork

Great location. Nice rooms staff couldn’t have been more helpful

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Room was nice but I hate separate hot and cold water taps

Activity Reviews

Black Cab Tour

Belfast

Joe was friendly, charming and extremely knowledgeable. A must do

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dublin Walking Tour

Dublin

Sam was a great guide. Highly recommend him

Owen planned an amazing trip for us. Every little detail was taken care of. We will definitely use a kimkim again!

Austin created the trip that we had no idea we wanted. We basically said to him "we want to visit Ireland" and he delivered the BEST of the country. I cannot stress how easy and pleasant it was to work with Austin. And once we landed in Ireland, it was like he was with us. We followed his guide and had the most amazing trip.

Austin did a nice job helping us plan our trip. His suggestion were good. We really enjoyed Leap Castle and had the pleasure of meeting the owner. He even played a song for us.

Rachel took the time to talk with me several times in last minute plans and accommodate several child friendly activity requests. She gave helpful advice about each location and didn’t overschedule us. We had a fantastic trip!

Hotel Review

Bushmills Inn

Bushmills

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Watch a Sheep Dog Demonstration at Glenshane Country Park

Ireland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

National Trust Causeway Coast Visitor Experience

Ireland

Quality of Experience

Austin made great suggestions for hotels, places to eat and sights to see! He was attentive to details and responded in a timely matter to our comments and questions. He made our trip most enjoyable and memorable. Great job Austin and thank you!
Valerie and Patrick

We had an amazing trip in Ireland. Austin Rock is very kind & knowledgable and took us on a tour of Dublin on our first day. He did great with picking places to stay and visit based on our desire to see as much of Ireland and its beautiful landscapes we could in a span on 7 days. Quaint countrysides, endless Guinness, and Irish hospitality. Memories for a lifetime!

Hotel Reviews

Cassidy's Hotel City Centre

Dublin

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Old Bank Townhouse Kinsale

Kinsale

Great hotel. Their Irish breakfast was the best we had!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Randles Hotel Killarney

Co. Kerry

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Harbour Hotel

Galway

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Monks Inn & Famous Restaurant

The best place we stayed by far. Has a lot of character and charm.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Dublin Walking Tour, Trinity Book of Kells & Christchurch Cathedral

Dublin

Austin was a great tour guide of Ireland. Great start to the trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

An amazing experience from beginning to end. Rachel put together a perfect itinerary adapted to our needs in a very short period of time.

We are so thrilled with the trip Austin planned and organized for us! We were struggling to plan on our own logistically and he put together an itinerary that made perfect sense. He booked wonderful places to stay and booked our car too. When we got to Dublin he met us and gave us a 2 hour walking tour of the city. I plan to hopefully use him again when my family takes a trip to Ireland!

I can't say enough good things about kimkim and Dean, our local specialist. We had such a wonderful time. Our accommodations were all lovely and run by helpful, wonderful staff and/or hosts. The suggested lunch stops along the way were always hits. Every suggested stop - Blarney Castle, several spots around Cork, and the rope bridge on the way to Giant's Causeway - was fantastic. I would be thrilled to get to travel with kimkim again. Thank you for all your hard work!