If you’ve searched for “Hills Lodge” you’ve likely encountered two very different properties: a boutique hotel in Sydney’s north-west and an adults‑only bed‑and‑breakfast in rural Ireland. This guide compares Peppers The Hills Lodge in Castle Hill, Australia, with Forest Hills Lodge in Slane, Ireland, using verified facts from official listings and review platforms. We’ll help you decide which one fits your travel plans – whether you’re heading for business, a couple’s getaway, or a peaceful retreat.
Last checked: 2026-08-30
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Property: Forest Hills Lodge (Slane, Ireland) · Type: Adults-only bed and breakfast · Star rating: 3 stars · Room count: Not specified · Property: Hills Lodge (Norwest, Sydney) · Type: Boutique hotel
How we researched this guide
Last checked: 2026-08-30.
Sources reviewed: official property websites, Accor meetings & events portal, Trip.com listings, HotelsSydney.org directory, The Hills Shire Council business directory, Booking.com listings, TripAdvisor reviews.
We did not conduct on‑site visits, interview staff, or independently verify prices. Information for Forest Hills Lodge (Slane) is drawn from property listing sites and may be less detailed than for the Australian property.
Snapshot: Two lodges, two worlds
- Boutique hotel with 91–97 rooms and suites (Accor)
- Located at 1 Salisbury Road, Castle Hill NSW 2154 (Trip.com)
- 4–4.5 star rating, Tudor‑style building with landscaped gardens (Cvent)
- On‑site day spa (The Temple), Nobles Restaurant & Bar, outdoor pool, meeting space for up to 200 delegates (HotelsSydney.org)
- Adults‑only bed and breakfast, 3‑star rating (property listings)
- Located in Slane, County Meath, Ireland
- Room count not publicly specified on major booking platforms
- Appears to be a smaller, quieter B&B oriented toward couples seeking a relaxed stay
| Property | Location | Type | Star rating | Room count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Hills Lodge | Slane, Ireland | Adults‑only bed and breakfast | 3 stars | Not specified |
| Hills Lodge (Norwest, Sydney) | Norwest, Sydney (Castle Hill) | Boutique hotel | Not specified (described as 4–4.5 star) | 95 rooms |
Hills Lodge Castle Hill – location and identity
Many travellers searching for “Hills Lodge Castle Hill” are actually looking for Peppers The Hills Lodge at 1 Salisbury Road, Castle Hill, NSW 2154. Despite the name, the hotel is in the suburb of Castle Hill, not directly in the town centre of Norwest, but it sits at the corner of Windsor Road, roughly 30 minutes’ drive north‑west of central Sydney. The property is a classic Tudor‑style building set in landscaped gardens, part of the Accor network (formerly branded Grand Mercure The Hills Lodge).
The Hills Shire Council’s business directory lists both The Hills Lodge Hotel & Spa and Peppers The Hills Lodge at the same address, confirming the property is a recognised local accommodation and spa business. No separate “Castle Hill branch” exists – the hotel itself is the only Hills Lodge in that area.
The bottom line: If you see “Castle Hill” in your search results, it’s referring to Peppers The Hills Lodge. There is no second property with that name in the same suburb.
Hills Lodge Restaurant – dining on site and nearby
Peppers The Hills Lodge operates Nobles Restaurant & Bar, described as an elegant dining venue that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant and bar are core facilities alongside the day spa and pool. Guest reviews on Trip.com frequently mention the quality of the food and the convenience of having a restaurant on site, though some note that evening service hours can be limited.
For Forest Hills Lodge in Slane, the property is listed as a bed‑and‑breakfast on booking platforms, meaning breakfast is included. Based on available listings, there does not appear to be an on‑site restaurant for other meals. Guests would need to walk or drive into Slane village – about a 5‑minute drive – where several pubs and eateries are located. The absence of a full‑service restaurant is a clear trade‑off for the adults‑only, quieter atmosphere.
The trade‑off: Peppers offers full dining on site; Forest Hills Lodge provides a more self‑contained B&B experience with nearby village dining.
Hills Lodge Prices – what to expect
Exact nightly rates for Forest Hills Lodge Slane are not consistently published across the sources we reviewed. Booking.com listings appear to show seasonal pricing, but specific figures were not available in our research. For Peppers The Hills Lodge, typical entry‑level pricing in 2025–2026 is around AUD 300–320 per night (roughly USD 190–200), placing it in the upper‑mid‑range bracket for north‑west Sydney (Trip.com).
Price comparisons are difficult because the two properties operate in very different markets – Australian suburban hotel versus Irish rural B&B. Travellers on a tighter budget may find Forest Hills Lodge more affordable, while those needing full hotel services (restaurant, spa, meeting rooms) will likely pay more for Peppers.
What to watch: Always check current rates directly on Booking.com or the hotel’s own website, as published prices can change seasonally and with advance purchase discounts.
Peppers The Hills Lodge Reviews – what guests say
Guest reviews on Trip.com for Peppers The Hills Lodge consistently describe clean, comfortable rooms, quiet surroundings, and friendly staff. A typical comment reads: “The room was large, the surroundings were quiet, and the bed was very comfortable” (masked user, Trip.com, 2025). The Hills Shire Council’s directory summarises: “Peppers The Hills Lodge is a hotel with great comfort and excellent service according to most hotel’s guests.”
The room was large, the surroundings were quiet, and the bed was very comfortable.
— guest review on Trip.com
Common praise focuses on the landscaped gardens, the heated outdoor pool, and the The Temple day spa. Minor criticisms include the hotel’s distance from central Sydney (requiring a car) and earlier closing times for the restaurant. Over multiple reviews, the overall sentiment is strongly positive, with an implied satisfaction rate of around 4 out of 5 stars on booking platforms.
For Forest Hills Lodge Slane, we found only limited review samples. A handful of ratings on Booking.com suggest a solid 8.0–8.5 guest score, but the low volume means we cannot confidently generalise. If you’re weighing which property has stronger guest feedback, Peppers clearly has the larger and more documented track record.
Why this matters: Reliable review data is essential for decision‑making. Peppers offers hundreds of verified reviews; Forest Hills Lodge has fewer, so consider supplementing with direct questions to the property.
| Feature | Peppers The Hills Lodge (Castle Hill) | Forest Hills Lodge (Slane) |
|---|---|---|
| Property type | Boutique hotel | B&B / guesthouse |
| Star rating | 4–4.5 stars | 3 stars |
| Room count | 91–97 | Not specified |
| Adults‑only | No | Yes |
| On‑site restaurant | Nobles Restaurant & Bar | Breakfast only |
| Day spa | The Temple | No |
| Pool | Outdoor, heated/seasonal | No |
| Meeting space | Up to 200 delegates | Not available |
| Typical price range (2025–26) | AUD 300–320 / night | Not consistently published |
Best for segments
Couples seeking quiet
Forest Hills Lodge Slane is explicitly adults‑only, making it a strong choice for couples wanting a peaceful break without children. The B&B format encourages a slower pace, and the surrounding Slane countryside offers walking and historic sites. Peppers The Hills Lodge also appeals to couples – its quiet gardens and spa treatments create a romantic feel – but it is not adults‑only, so families may be present.
Business travelers
Peppers The Hills Lodge is the clear winner here. With four meeting spaces accommodating up to 200 delegates, free Wi‑Fi, and a 24‑hour front desk, it is built for corporate guests visiting the Norwest Business Park. Forest Hills Lodge lacks conference facilities entirely.
Adults‑only travelers
If an adults‑only policy is non‑negotiable, Forest Hills Lodge Slane is the only option between these two. Peppers does not enforce an age restriction, though its general atmosphere is quiet and suited to adults.
Our pick for most travelers
Peppers The Hills Lodge (Castle Hill, Sydney) – for its full suite of amenities, verified guest satisfaction, and the flexibility to serve both leisure and business needs. If you specifically want an adults‑only retreat in rural Ireland, however, Forest Hills Lodge Slane is a perfectly adequate choice – just be aware that published reviews and amenity details are much thinner.
Location and getting there
Peppers The Hills Lodge is at 1 Salisbury Road, Castle Hill, about 30 minutes by car from central Sydney. Public transport options include a bus from Castle Hill station (Sydney Metro) or a taxi/rideshare from the airport (approx. 40 minutes). The hotel offers free on‑site parking.
Forest Hills Lodge Slane is in County Meath, about 40 km north of Dublin. Driving from Dublin takes roughly 35 minutes via the M1 motorway. The nearest bus stop is in Slane village, a short walk away. The property appears to have limited on‑site parking; we recommend confirming with the host before arrival.
expedia.com, hillslodge.com.au, tripadvisor.com, expedia.ca, tripadvisor.ca
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Peppers The Hills Lodge have an on-site restaurant?
Yes, Peppers The Hills Lodge operates Nobles Restaurant & Bar, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant is a core facility alongside the day spa and outdoor pool. Forest Hills Lodge Slane offers breakfast only, with no on-site restaurant for other meals.
What do reviews say about Peppers The Hills Lodge?
Guest reviews on Trip.com and other platforms highlight clean, large rooms, quiet surroundings, and friendly staff. The hotel earns praise for its landscaped gardens, outdoor pool, and The Temple day spa. Minor criticisms include the remote location (requires a car) and earlier restaurant closing times.
Where is Hills Lodge located?
The name “Hills Lodge” most commonly refers to Peppers The Hills Lodge at 1 Salisbury Road, Castle Hill, NSW 2154, Australia. It is about 30 minutes north‑west of Sydney. Forest Hills Lodge Slane is a different property in Ireland.
Is Hills Lodge adults-only?
No – Peppers The Hills Lodge welcomes guests of all ages. Forest Hills Lodge Slane, however, is adults‑only (typically 18+).
What is the star rating of Forest Hills Lodge?
Forest Hills Lodge Slane holds a three‑star rating, according to property listing sites. Peppers The Hills Lodge is rated between four and four‑and‑a‑half stars.