Best Workplaces in Hospitality™ 2025: Inspiring & Shaping the Industry

The Best Workplaces in Hospitality™ 2025 have been revealed, spotlighting 38 exceptional hotels and hotel groups from all corners of Ireland. This vibrant industry, employing over 250,000 people nationwide, is a crucial pillar of our economy and international appeal. But beyond its economic impact, the real differentiator for Irish hospitality is how it treats its people — and these organisations are proving that by investing in their teams, they’re not only delivering standout guest experiences but reshaping what it means to be a truly great place to work.

Retaining talent through genuine care and trust

Retention has long been a challenge in hospitality, yet these standout employers show what’s possible when people feel respected, supported, and part of something bigger.

At The Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney, their strong culture has earned them recognition not only as one of the Best Workplaces in Hospitality™ 2025 but also as a Best Workplace for Women this year. Director of People & Culture Eilis Loughrey noted how being recognised shows that “when people feel respected, supported and part of something bigger, great things happen.” This philosophy runs through their approach to staff engagement — a powerful reminder that when teams thrive, so does every guest experience.

It’s a similar story at The iNUA Collection, which employs over 1,500 people across eleven properties like Muckross Park Hotel & Spa and Radisson Blu hotels in Athlone, Cork and Limerick. iNUA Collection CEO Sean O'Driscoll describes the recognition as more than just a badge: it’s “the strong voice of our teams” that both attracts new talent and retains great people.

Meanwhile at the Talbot Collection, spanning six properties from Wexford to Carlow to Dublin, there’s pride in how they’ve fostered a culture where employees “feel supported, heard, and can excel” according to Group Human Resources Manager Natalie Power — proving that high retention doesn’t come from perks alone, but from a deep sense of belonging.

Employees celebrating earning Great Place to Work Certification at The Talbot Collection

Attracting talent by building exceptional employee experiences

A robust pipeline of applicants doesn’t come from reputation alone. These hotels know that thoughtful, people-focused practices make all the difference.

Carton House, a historic Fairmont-managed resort in Kildare with over 300 employees, has transformed onboarding into a warm welcome that goes far beyond paperwork. New team members are met with local treats, guides to life in Ireland, informal coffee mornings with leadership, and even their first month’s rent waived if living on-site — a tangible way of easing what can otherwise be an overwhelming transition for employees coming from abroad. It’s no surprise they’ve become a magnet for talent, especially internationally. Read more:

Meanwhile, north of the capital at Roganstown Hotel & Country Club, General Manager Ken Battigan shared how through truly actively to their people, they "stay adaptable and responsive to the evolving needs of today’s — and tomorrow’s — hospitality professionals", building a culture where staff feel supported and proud to be part of the team. This practice is essential for learning and development, enabling the hotel to respond to evolving needs and support staff in building new skills. 

For groups like FBD Hotels & Resorts, with hotels from the Castleknock Hotel in Dublin to Naas’s Killashee, recognition as a Best Workplace reinforces to potential applicants that their people feel trusted and proud of what they’re building together. CEO David Kelly put it simply: it’s motivation “to continue listening, improving, and evolving,” sending a clear message that growth and progress are constants, not afterthoughts.

The leadership team at FBD Hotels & Resorts

Building high-performance cultures rooted in teamwork and pride

If retention and attraction are the outcomes, culture is the driver — and across these award-winning workplaces, there’s a striking commitment to teamwork, trust, and mutual pride.

In the heart of Kilkenny city, Pembroke Kilkenny has also shown how a strong culture underpins everything, with General Manager Paul Broderick emphasising that “delivering great hospitality starts with trust, respect, and growth” — a formula that translates directly to memorable guest stays.

At The Johnstown Estate in Meath, General Manager Guy Thompson highlighted how creating exceptional guest experiences truly begins with “a supportive and inspiring workplace,” underscoring that their success is rooted in people feeling valued and empowered.

Similarly, at the Slieve Russell Hotel — recipients of this year’s Great Place to Work Team Award — the focus on nurturing a people-first environment has been key. With dedicated People & Culture Ambassadors driving initiatives that range from service recognition to enhanced supports around bereavement, gender expression, fertility, and menopause, they’ve built a culture where employees feel genuinely heard and cared for. It’s an approach that not only strengthens their team but ensures every guest experience is delivered with pride and purpose.

Slieve Russell Hotel employees celebrate their Award alongside The Menopause Hub Founder Loretta Dignam

Organisational and leadership development to help employees thrive

Sustaining high-performing environments requires leadership that goes beyond direction to genuinely listening and investing in people’s development. PREM Group, a well-established hotel operator with properties across Ireland and the UK, was also recognised this year as a Best Workplace for Women and a Best Workplace for Health & Wellbeing. Their commitment to culture is reflected in innovative practices like replacing traditional performance reviews with their Check In Process — regular, open conversations covering highlights, challenges, wellbeing, and even reverse feedback. This approach has become a cultural cornerstone, deepening trust and keeping teams aligned on what matters most.

Many of these organisations also recognise that their impact doesn’t end at their own front doors. The Doyle Collection, whose portfolio includes The Westbury in Dublin and The River Lee in Cork, sees huge value in sharing insights across industries. As Alan Smullen, Head of People, described, learning from peers elevates their expertise and contributes to advancing the People profession itself — strengthening hospitality far beyond their own hotels.

Mount Juliet Estate in Kilkenny thrives on the “pride, care, and commitment” of its people — qualities General Manager Mark Dunne says are elevating the very standards of hospitality in Ireland.

The proud team at Mount Juliet Estate

Castle Leslie Estate in Monaghan, whose strong focus on employee support and development also earned them a spot on the Best Workplaces for Health & Wellbeing list this year, exemplifies a deep commitment to staff growth at every level. From housekeeping to management, employees receive tailored training aligned with their career paths. In the kitchens, the Executive Head Chef mentors emerging culinary talent to support career progression. Inclusivity is also a priority, with a partnership with EmployAbility Monaghan Cavan creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities and long-term health challenges — reinforcing the estate’s values of equity and compassion. Great Place to Work were delighted to follow their journey in an exclusive case study earlier this year, identifying the key areas which increased their Trust Index score to earn them a spot on the Best Workplaces list since 2023.

Check out Castle Leslie's journey in our case study below:

Raising standards for the whole industry

Together, these 38 hotels and groups set a powerful example of what it means to be a Best Workplace in Hospitality. They are leading the way by demonstrating that prioritising people is fundamental to building thriving, resilient businesses. From innovative onboarding and fostering cultures of trust, to leadership that listens and supports growth, these organisations don’t just excel at retaining talent or attracting applicants — they cultivate passionate, high-performing teams dedicated to delivering exceptional guest experiences.

In doing so, they are raising the bar not only within their own organisations but across the entire Irish hospitality sector, helping to shape a stronger, more sustainable future for the industry as a whole.

Want to see the full list of Ireland's Best Workplaces in Hospitality™ 2025? Find out below!

Read our resources on building a great culture for your employees:

• How Every Organisation Can Develop A Great Culture
• How to Support & Engage Hourly Workers
• Managers: Are You Building A Culture Of Trust?
  
  
  

How can your hotel be recognised as one of Ireland's Best Workplaces in Hospitality™ in 2026?

To be considered for Ireland's Best Workplaces™ in Hospitality in 2026, participating organisations are required to be Certified™ as a Great Place to Work first. Certification™ is the first step towards any Great Place to Work recognition. The great news? You can become Great Place to Work-Certified in 6 weeks! 

Want to know how to be Certified™ as a Great Place to Work? Check out our webinar and get all your questions answered!

About Great Place to Work®

Great Place to Work® is the global authority on workplace culture. We help organisations quantify their culture and produce better business results by creating a high-trust work experience for all employees. We recognise Great Place to Work-Certified™ companies and the Best Workplaces™ in more than 60 countries.

To join the thousands of companies that have committed to building high-trust company cultures that help them attract, retain and take care of their people, contact us about getting Certified today.