This lovely house on the Bandon river was built in 1720 in the 'petit chateau' style, and both it and the riverside location and gardens have great charm.
Since 2005 it has been in the ownership of the Roche family, who run it with the hands-on personal style of management that makes a stay at a small hotel special.
It has become a very popular wedding venue so it is often taken over exclusively by a private party. At other times, however, it a charming, slightly quirky place to visit. There's a residents' sitting room, a bar that is open to non-residents and a restaurant where evening meals and Sunday lunch are available.
Due to the unusual design of the house, the bedrooms vary in shape and character - the best rooms have river views, while others overlook the lovely gardens and all have their original wooden shutters.
This is a good place to break a journey for a bite in the bar - or outside at a table overlooking the garden and river, if the weather is fine - and would make an interesting base to explore the area.