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 rickety gate, but once you glide up the drive you realise the gate is a trick – it’s the last rickety thing you’ll see until you return home.
The rooms come in various shapes and sizes. There are two suites in the 18th-century-old house – each is so well appointed they probably have their own management team. There are also woodland and lakeland-view rooms just off the main house – these rooms are somewhat smaller but just as smart. The words that immediately come to mind are elegant and tasteful.
If superb, nutritious food is your thing, then Monart has one of the best fine-dining, silver-service restaurants in the Southeast of Ireland; if that kind of service is off-putting (and, understandably, it is for some) then you’ll find much to like in the casual, funky bistro, which is discreetly offset from the restaurant.
As for the spa itself? Well, words almost seem redundant. The thermal suites are finished to an extremely high quality, and there is an overall sense of – quite literally – people breathing sighs of relief as soon as they enter. A real classy (and not at all embarrassing) touch is a complementary, soothing foot massage prior to engaging with what the thermal suite has to offer.
Flaws? You’re kidding me… It’s virtually impossible to find fault with Monart; from start to end we had two days and nights of deep-breath relaxation, sophistication, luxury, calm surroundings, and highly efficient, pleasant staff. Simply put, Monart is fab; it’s bright, airy, beautifully designed with peerless attention to detail. The added bonus of it being an adults-only place consolidates its status.
HOTEL DETAILS: Monart, The Still, Enniscorthy, County Wexford.