Built into steep cliffs beside the pretty village of Ardmore and overlooking Ardmore Bay and the Irish Sea, this boutique hotel has brought a new focus to an area of outstanding hospitality and unspoilt natural beauty which has somehow remained a well kept secret until now.
General Manager Adriaan Bartels is one of Ireland’s most respected hoteliers, well known for his exceptional dedication to discreet customer care, and the hotel has quickly earned a reputation for with its fresh contemporary style, ambitious cooking and emphasis on service. While not a conventional five star hotel, it offers a different spin on luxury that guests find refreshing.
On arrival from the Dungarvan side, the hotel is impossible to miss - pretty with twinkling lights at night – and very easy to find, as the drive through the quaint little village is short. At the door, staff are keen to help and generally make you feel as welcome as possible.
The entrance into the reception area is stunning, with smart contemporary design, a dramatic spiral staircase leading down to the bar and restaurant, striking colours, and a welcoming open fire - but the star is the sea, seen through the huge back window. The building has a unique layout, which can make it hard to get your bearings, but cheerful staff are always at the ready to rescue anyone who goes missing.
The gorgeous rooms are not huge but all have sea views, and many have a private balcony with table and chairs for al fresco dining. Décor, in several schemes, is bold and modern with wifi, flat screen TV etc as standard, yet with classic touches and an emphasis on comfort; the boldest is in a strong pink, which works well against dark wood furniture, subdued carpet, original artwork and feature bedheads – one is a ‘cat’s cradle’ of coloured wools strung behind glass.
Generous bathrooms take up perhaps a tad too much of the available space but, with free standing bath and separate shower seen against soft natural light from a frosted glass window on the bedroom side and a combination of natural slate and iridescent mosaic tiling, they are impressive - and, while a little short on practical shelf space, have loads of fluffy white towels, robes, slippers and lovely toiletries to pamper.
And, when it comes to pampering, they're no slouches here, with The Well spa offering a stunningly positioned outdoor infinity pool - and a Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and gym, all overlooking the bay. And, better still perhaps, there are steps down to a natural rock pool.
Events and meetings – details on inquiry.
Small conferences/banqueting (66/50); business centre, secretarial services, video conferencing, free broadband wi/fi, laptop sized safes in bedrooms. Children welcome (under 5s free in parents room, baby sitting arranged, play room). Leisure Centre (swimming pool, fitness room, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room); Spa (treatment rooms, massage); beauty salon. Fishing, golf, equestrian, scuba diving, surfing & watersports all nearby.
Rooms 39. Average room rate €225. 24 hr room service; lift. Dogs permitted (staying in outhouse/kennel, no charge).
House Restaurant
The attractive bar and restaurant are on the floor below reception, opening onto an extensive terrace. Head Chef Martijn Kajuiter moved from his native Holland with his family to settle in the area – and his outstanding level of commitment is seen in a kitchen that quickly made a mark on the culinary scene well beyond the immediate locality.
The simply worded menu speaks volumes for his philosophy – organic Clare Island salmon, Irish free-range pork, local Suffolk lamb, Helvick turbot, hake and monkfish and Skeaghanore duck (from nearby County Cork) all feature.
Yet, for all the strong simplicity of ingredients, they appear in a highly sophisticated international cuisine featuring foams and smokes aplenty, and with many original touches.
Be sure to leave some room for desserts, which are a highlight – as are the petits fours which end the meal with éclat.
Seats 64 (private room, 18; outdoors, 20). L & D daily, 12-5pm & 6.30-10pm (to 9pm Sun). Set L €28.50; set D €65; gourmet D €85; also a la carte; house wine from €26. Children welcome (high chair, childrens menu, baby changing facilities); air conditioning; reservations required; toilets wheelchair accessible. Food served in the bar daily, noon - 9pm. Restaurant closed Sun, Mon, Tue off season. Hotel closed 24-26 Dec. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
