Christmas Family Break in Kildare: Killashee House Hotel & Santa’s House Express

There’s something so lovely about a Christmas family break, that mix of twinkling lights, good food, and time to slow down together. This year, we headed to Kildare for a festive weekend, staying at the beautiful Killashee House Hotel and visiting Santa’s House Express at Palmerstown House Estate. It was exactly the reset we needed before the Christmas rush and the perfect way to start the festive season.

From the moment we arrived, Killashee House Hotel had that magical festive feeling. The grand old house looked stunning, draped in garlands and glowing with warm light. Santa himself was sitting just inside the front door, waving and chatting to excited children as they arrived.

Although only 15 minutes from both Santa’s House Express and Kildare Village, the hotel feels blissfully peaceful and secluded. The gardens are beautiful and there’s a playground tucked under the tree canopy that’s ideal for little ones to explore while adults take in the surroundings. It’s the kind of place where everyone can relax in their own way, a perfect setting for a Christmas family break in Ireland.

Early Saturday morning, Lonán and I wandered through the hotel to admire the Christmas decorations before stopping to write and post our Santa letter in the hotel’s special post box, a small moment that made the early morning wake up call worth it!

Our family room was perfect for our stay, spacious, cosy, and well thought out, with plenty of room to lounge around in the evenings. We all piled onto the comfy sofa to watch I’m a Celebrity together, which worked brilliantly for families with older children who like a bit of downtime after a busy day.

Food is a big part of any Christmas family break, and Killashee did not disappoint. The gluten-free breakfast station was by far the best I’ve ever come across, complete with homemade granola, fresh scones, and plenty of choice. The cheese and meat platters were another highlight, perfect for a slow, relaxed start to the morning.

Our evening meal in The Pippin Restaurant was outstanding, one of those meals where you keep picking even though you’re full because everything tastes too good to leave behind. We also ate in the bar for lunch, and it was every bit as delicious, with that cosy, relaxed atmosphere that makes you want to linger a little longer.

We also ate in the bar for lunch, and it carried that same lazy lunch feeling , hearty food, cosy surroundings, and a relaxed pace that makes you want to stay just a little longer.

For something more casual, there’s also the option to grab a coffee from the coffee station or enjoy light lunch bites, perfect for a quick pick-me-up between a walk in the gardens or a dip in the pool.

we spent ages exploring, wandering through the formal gardens, the butterfly garden, and following the little trails that wind through the trees. The playground under the forest canopy was a big hit with the kids, beautifully designed so adults can enjoy the surroundings while little ones play freely.

We also loved the interactive nature trail, where you can scan QR codes on your phone to learn about the creatures that live around the gardens, a clever touch that turned our walk into a mini adventure.

We spent Saturday at Santa’s House Express, which was every bit as magical as expected, from the train ride and hilarious elves to meeting Santa himself. And since it was Black Friday weekend, we couldn’t resist a quick stop at Kildare Village for some festive shopping and fairy-lit strolling before heading back to the hotel.