Stunningly located in one of the most beautiful and unspoilt areas of the west of Ireland, eleven kilometres northwest of Leenane on the road to Louisburgh (R335), is Delphi Mountain Resort. A sensitively designed hotel, restaurant, spa and adventure centre, it is set on a 200 acre forest site overlooking the Bundorragha River, in the heart of the Delphi valley.
The resort is owned and managed by Tim Bohan, who emphasises its remoteness (‘no TV and limited phone coverage’) and does everything possible to make it a complete away from it all experience for guests.
Established in the 1980s as an adventure centre and hostel catering for both domestic and international school children, Delphi Resort has undergone a huge transformation in recent decades, without losing its roots as one of Ireland's top adventure destinations. Now, in addition to the four star hotel, with restaurant, bar, spa, yoga studio, café, and on-site adventure centre, the resort also includes a custom-built 206-bed Failte Ireland ‘Welcome Standard’ approved hostel.
The main building is an environmentally friendly blend of stone and wood, and the comfortably furnished bedrooms (especially those at the back) have very beautiful views; the suites have a loft bedroom over a downstairs living room and all have either a window balcony or patio and locally made organic bathroom products.
Offering a memorable escape to the West, it is most famous for its wide range of water and land based activities - everything from hill walking, yoga and cycling to kayaking, surfing and coasteering - but there's something for guests of all ages and inclinations here, thanks to the warm welcome, food with a local flavour, accommodation to suit every budget and the choice of relaxation or excitement.
Restaurants
In addition to the adventure centre and spa, hotel facilities include The 814 Brasserie restaurant on the first floor, and the Wild Atlantic Café. The main restaurant, The 814 Brasserie, combines what was originally the bar and dining room and it is in plain view - and within, it seems, touching distance - of the Mweelrea mountain range, which provides a dramatic backdrop. Expansive dormer windows fill the room with light and, as in the rest of the building, there is extensive, tasteful use of wood, also a fine stone fireplace. The ambience is informal and, in addition to an à la carte menu offering evening diners a range of favourites from the locality, the bar menu is available all day and a good breakfast for both resident and non-resident guests is served in this lovely setting.
Day time business and tourists are catered for very nicely too, in the casual Wild Atlantic Café and shop - and the team will, of course, look after students and pupils coming to stay at Delphi as school, corporate or private groups taking part in the various activities on offer.
