2008 Award Winners FAMILY FRIENDLY HOTEL OF THE YEAR 2008

Ferrycarrig Hotel

This stylish modern hotel is in a lovely location overlooking the Slaney estuary and has excellent amenities, including a superb health and fitness club. Unusually, all of the well-appointed bedrooms, including well-equipped family rooms with bunk beds or adjoining rooms, have splendid views across the water (some also have balconies with wooden loungers)  and there’s a private baby station room for guests.

It’s a very family-friendly and child-friendly hotel, especially in July and August when children between four and 12 can enjoy ‘Crazy Clubbers’ facilities in the leisure centre, which offers a programme of daytime activities and evening entertainment – but it is not a babysitting service, as an adult must be on the hotel premises at all times; there’s an excellent swimming pool for younger swimmers, with its own fountain and Jacuzzi jets, and a separate room for ‘baby clubbers’ where parents can entertain babies and toddlers.

Public areas include, the Dry Dock bar, which has a large riverside deck where you can relax and enjoy the view – and there are also lunchtime barbecues, appealing to all ages. Good food is served here - real beef burgers, steak, ribs, pasta and fish, also an excellent cheese board with John Hempenstall’s Blue Brie and Wicklow Bán cheeses –and a separate children’s menu includes spaghetti bolognese and chicken curry as well as old favourites; in the evening Reeds offers a fine dining option for adults.

Staff are exceptionally welcoming and friendly, and special breaks are offered – a great choice for families.