5 Great Bargain Breaks
There’s never been a better time to bag a value break in Ireland. Georgina Campbell recommends five favourites that are high on luxury, yet low on price.
01. Harvey’s Point Country Hotel
Lough Eske, Co Donegal , www.harveyspoint.com; 074 972 2208
Blessed with one of Ireland’s most beautiful locations, on the shores of Lough Eske near Donegal Town, the Gysling family’s well-managed four star hotel has lovely lake and mountain views, and has recently been redeveloped so that it is now a luxurious place to stay. The rooms in the new 40-room extension may not all have a lake view, but they do have acres of space, huge beds and vast bathrooms, which is more than enough for most guests. Harvey’s Point is known for good food too, and the staff are really friendly and helpful – and they’re known for their great value offers. These change all the time but at the time of writing there are several musical weekends coming up, painting and guided walking breaks that include a beautiful section of the renowned Blue Stack Way (Rambler Breaks from €249 per person sharing for 2 nights B&B, packed lunch, and 2 lovely dinners in the dining room overlooking Lough Eske); they also do Christmas and New Year packages and there’s always something new coming up. Well worth a look.
02. Coolbawn Quay Lakeshore Spa
Coolbawn Nenagh Co Tipperary, www.coolbawnquay.com; 067 28158
If you fancy the idea of a country break in understatedly luxurious cottage accommodation, with a mini-spa on site, look no further than this unique place on the eastern shores of Lough Derg. It was our Hideaway of the Year in The Guide in 2005 and, although a registered hotel, this is a hotel like no other. Modelled on the lines of a 19th century Irish village, accommodation is in cottages rather than a hotel building. The shoreside situation is truly lovely and there is a sense of being very close to the changing moods of nature, partly because the main building – which has a small traditional bar and a country style dining room – is only a few feet from the water. Rooms are simple but well furnished and many have a turf-burning stove which is set up in advance, so you can have your own real fire whenever you like. They’re open all year except a few days over Christmas and run a range of offers – at the time of writing, for example, there are ‘Snug & Cosy Breaks’ which are great value - 2 nights B&B, 1 evening meal from €169 per person sharing(weekends €189), ‘One Night Wonders’ (€125 for dinner bed & breakfast and a complimentary spa treatment), and they also do ‘Girly Sleepovers’, Spa Breaks and ‘Golfers United’… A real break.
03. Cromleach Lodge Hotel & Ciunas Spa
Castlebaldwin Co Sligo, www.cromleach.com; 071 916 5155
Quietly situated in the hills just above Lough Arrow, Christy and Moira Tighe’s very special hotel is rightly renowned for its exceptional food, service and comfort – and, although the hospitable philosophy is unchanged and this remains a wonderful place to stay, it has grown quite dramatically over the last two years. The latest addition is the holistic Ciúnas Spa that makes the most of the serenely beautiful view over Lough Arrow. Popular for weddings it’s equally well suited to a quiet weekend away or a get together with family and friends, and open all year except Christmas. Offers available at the time of writing include the fantastic ‘three for two’ (from €120 for 3 nights B&B midweek, weekends €180) which is perfect for people with a bit of time to spare, There are various spa offers and terrific New Year packages from only €199 with a legendary 7-course Cromleach Lodge dinner and free use of the Ciúnas Spa Thermal Area which includes use of the steam room, sauna and outdoor Jacuzzi (plus the option to upgrade to have treatments). The area around Cromleach is beautiful and unspoilt, and the Tighes like nothing better than to introduce guests to the many places of interest and activities nearby but, for many, just being here is more than enough.
04. Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa
Lakes of Killarney Killarney Co Kerry, www.aghadoeheights.com; 064 31766
With stunning views of the lakes and the mountains beyond, this famous five-star hotel a few miles out of town overlooks Killarney’s two 18-hole championship golf courses and its 10,000 sq ft spa is among Europe’s best, offering couples suites, and some unique treatments – including ‘Ayervedic Precious Stone therapy’ in a custom-built aromatherapy cabin. In the care of the brilliant management team Pat and Marie Chawke, it’s now one of Ireland’s most luxurious hotels (their motto “it’s the little things which make the difference” can be seen in action here) and is a fantastic short break destination – especially when the price is right. Stylishly contemporary, with airy and spacious public areas, lots of marble, original artwork, and a relaxed, open ambience, there’s a chic bar, an open-plan lounge on the first floor with that view (day food served here), seriously luxurious accommodation in spacious rooms with balconies and lake views, sumptuous bathrooms... All round a good place to be and, with midweek breaks from €265 per person sharing (from €295 weekends) for two nights accommodation, full Irish breakfast each morning and dinner on one evening in the Lakeroom Restaurant, that is real value for a 5-star hotel. (And especially in one like this, as the quality will not be compromised.)
5. Dunraven Arms Hotel
Adare Co Limerick, www.dunravenhotel.com; 061 396 633
Established in 1792, the Murphy family’s large hotel in the chocolate box pretty village of Adare has somehow retained the comfortable ambience of a country inn – a very luxurious inn nevertheless, with antiques, private dressing rooms and thoughtfully planned bathrooms, plus excellent amenities (interconnecting family rooms have recently been added), and a leisure centre with swimming pool. It’s a great base for sporting activities – equestrian holidays are a speciality and both golf and fishing are available nearby – while a recently completed path from the hotel to the beautiful nearby riverside walk, offers a good long walk which is mainly away from the road and clean underfoot. Dining at Dunraven is delightfully old-fashioned (they’re especially renowned for their roast rib of beef, carved at your table from a magnificent trolley) and is always an enjoyable experience. Like all the best establishments, the Dunraven never allows special offers to compromise on quality so it’s always worth keeping an eye open for one of their high quality breaks – at the moment they’re offering ‘Super Sundays’ (dinner, bed and breakfast on Sunday nights, from €75 per person sharing and, although the offering varies from time to time, there’s always something good going on here that won’t break the bank.
For more information on great breaks in Ireland pick up a copy of Georgina Campbell's Ireland or log on to www.ireland-guide.com.
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