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Ashford Castle

County Mayo, Ireland

Ashford castle Spa background pattern

Discover the magic of the Ashford Estate

As Ireland's first and only Forbes Five Star Hotel and the former home of the Guinness family, Ashford Castle is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The hotel has reopened, we very much look forward to welcoming you back to the Ashford Estate.

This story began in 1952...

When a beautiful young woman called Bea caught the eye of a distinguished young hotelier named Stanley, who was known for wearing a red carnation in his lapel. They shared their first dinner together at the famous Oyster Box Hotel, where Bea tried an oyster for the first time, and spat it out at the table. This must have left a lasting impression on Stanley, as they married in 1954 and later started Red Carnation Hotels. In 2006, Bea and Stanley purchased The Oyster Box and together they continued to build on the generous hospitality, service and values for which the Oyster Box was renowned for, and today the hotel is recognised as the very best hotel in Africa.

Tollman family in Xigera
Oyster Box Lighthouse illustation

An ever-growing collection

That love story is still at the very heart of our ever-growing collection of hotels across the world. Our Founder and President, Beatrice Tollman, embodies the generous hospitality and warm, passionate service for which we are renowned. She is the creative mind behind our beautifully designed hotels, the daily inspiration for our Executive Chefs and the benchmark for our teams' exacting standards. Discover how Beatrice inspires the Red Carnation family each and every day...

Find out more

We are proud to be part of a number of select and exclusive collections and memberships that share our values of outstanding service, exceptional guest experiences and generous hospitality.

The Oyster Box Gold
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London

  • Hotel 41
  • The Milestone Hotel & Residences
  • The Rubens at the Palace
  • The Egerton House Hotel
  • The Chesterfield Mayfair
  • The Montague on the Gardens

Dorset

  • Summer Lodge Country House Hotel & Restaurant
  • The Acorn inn

Ireland

  • Ashford Castle
  • The Lodge at Ashford Castle
  • Hatch Hall

Edinburgh

  • 100 Princes Street

Guernsey

  • The Old Government House Hotel & Spa
  • The Duke of Richmond Hotel

South Africa

  • Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat
  • The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa
  • The Oyster Box

Botswana

  • Xigera Safari Lodge

Geneva

  • Hotel d'Angleterre

Florida

  • The Chesterfield Palm Beach

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