Journalist/Broadcaster/Author
What happens when you tire of the standard type of hotel – the tasteful wall art, the magnolia décor and the pastel shades? As we know from experience, there are too many bland hotels to choose from, a fact that has been addressed by adventurous hotel designers in recent years. Initially, themed hotels were devised … Read more Themed Hotels
What’s it all about? Well, Ashford Castle is all about history, service, attention to detail and being made to feel like royalty, that’s what it’s all about. This majestic pile dates back to 1228, from whence it changed hands and appearance many times (it has gone from being, initially, a defensive castle stronghold to French … Read more Hotel: Ashford Castle, County Mayo, Ireland
There are many reasons to recommend Aghadoe Heights, but the one thing that always springs to mind whenever this luxury Irish spa hotel comes up in conversation (which is more often than you might think, especially when you’re stuck at home either nursing a cold, or looking outside and wishing you were anywhere else but … Read more Hotel: Aghadoe Heights, Kerry, Ireland
There are various crucial reasons why anyone pays good money to spend a leisure weekend (or longer) in a hotel: they want to base themselves in a city destination and simply use the hotel room for sleeping in; they want to base themselves in a relatively remote location, amble through the local area and enjoy … Read more Hotel: Parknasilla, Kerry, Ireland
A few miles from the famed island town of Enniskillen, Lough Erne Resort resides between two prominent lakes on its own peninsula. And yes, that is as breathtaking as it sounds. All rooms have enviable views of the natural surroundings. There are two Premier Suites with views of the 18th fairway, gardens and … Read more Hotel: Lough Erne, Fermanagh, Ireland
The Cliff House Hotel is aptly named – there it is, improbably stitched onto the coast, overlooking the popular picturesque summer resort village of Ardmore, West Waterford. The Cliff House has been at the forefront of national hotel attention since its opening in the late Noughties, garnering for itself in the meantime a … Read more Hotel: Cliff House Hotel, Waterford, Ireland
Lough Eske Castle Hotel & Spa is Donegal’s only five-star hotel. It sits on over 40 acres of woodland, is a stone’s throw from its namesake lake, and won the World’s Best Luxury Country Hotel Award in 2009 and 2010. It is, therefore, something of a class act. It is also a sight … Read more Hotel: Lough Eske Castle Hotel & Spa, Donegal, Ireland
The award-winning Monart is situated a few miles from Enniscorthy, deep in the heart of the lush Wexford countryside, and arrived at by driving along small roads (big lanes?) that wouldn’t be able to make room for two BMWs or the like. Entrance to the hotel/spa is via what could very well be a … Read more Hotel: Monart, Wexford, Ireland