Posts Tagged ‘city guide’
Doolin Hotels – Three Best Hotels In Doolin Ireland
May 31, 2010
Doolin hotels have endeavored to compete with the larger hotels that are now becoming the norm in the west of Ireland. The three hotels short-listed here represent some of the best accommodation in the area with splendid view and great food to savor.
The Aran View Hotel is one of the more traditional country manor style hotels in Doolin. The main attraction to the hotel for many guests will be the panoramic views of the Aran Islands that the hotel has from its hill top location overlooking Doolin.
As befits a genuine Georgian country house, the guest rooms are spacious with high ceilings and the recent renovations have raised the standard of the en-suites to a more contemporary style and quality. The hotel restaurant has a superb menu of Irish dishes, with a-la-carte options, and the family-friendly bar hosts traditional music sessions in summer to entertain the guests.
Within a short walk of Doolin village the Ballyvara Guest House Hotel is a modern build hotel which has a great mix of rooms including twin, double, family rooms, luxury suites and studio apartments.
All rooms are appointed with modern amenities with the luxury suites also having spa baths and king size beds. The 2 studio apartment have their own kitchenette making them perfect for families and groups wishing to partake of self-catering. The addition of a pool room and tennis courts which can be used by all guests means there is no end to the number of activities nearby.
The Tir Gan Ean is one of the newer styles of hotels in Doolin that mixes traditional Celtic architecture with modern creature comforts. The hotel has an almost boutique feel to its twelve spacious rooms that all feature under-floor heating, modern en-suite bathrooms, plasma TVs and broadband connectivity.
The hotel’s own restaurant and bar has a good mix of Irish and European style dishes available. In the mornings, the breakfast buffet is also surprising given the huge range of choices on offer with everything from scrambled eggs with salmon to pancakes and maple syrup (a breakfast rarity in Irish terms).
In many Doolin hotels and guest houses, visitors can expect to experience a warm friendly welcome along with some spectacular scenic views. This brief list brings a small selection of the hotels in Doolin that are rightly popular for providing comfort and modern amenities against the back-drop of this lovely Irish town.
If you enjoyed reading this post about hotels in Doolin then check out our website for articles about Doolin Ireland and other destinations
Clifden Hotels – Five Accommodation Gems In The Irish Countryside
May 5, 2010
Any visitor to Clifden Ireland will testify to the wonderful scenery and tranquility in Connemara. The local council have endeavored to maintain the traditional Irish charm of this small town’s architecture, especially when it comes to hotels in the area. This list highlights 5 great hotel options that promise great dining and scenic views in distinctive traditional hotels.
The coastal town of Clifden is a pleasant country town sitting north-west of Galway. The village has thankfully not been over-commercialized by some of the larger hotel chains. Instead there is a proliferation of country house hotels and castle hotels to provide a unique and enjoyable stay.
Abbeyglen Castle: This 4 star hotel on the town’s outskirts has a wonderful hill side location, incredible architecture and nicely modeled gardens. Rooms are large and welcoming. But it will be the sauna, restaurant, spa treatments and tennis courts that form a large draw to the hotel.
Rock Glen: Yet another hotel with scenic views across the bay. This 5-star country house offers modern amenities, including free wi-fi and power showers. The big draw is their famous restaurant with its menu of Irish dishes that make the most of locally sourced produce.
Crocnaraw Country House: This hotel’s secluded country side location makes for a great romantic getaway to savor the authentic Irish cuisine on offer in their restaurant. The hotel grounds are a mix of informal garden styles that reflect the charm of the country house style.
Renvyle House Hotel: Traveling further afield, the Renvyle is a large old hotel that has been lovingly maintained. The restaurant is superb with a mixture of traditional Irish and classic French cuisine. Amenities include tennis courts, a private beach, access to several scenic walks and its own 9 hole golf course.
Cashel House Hotel: For a more individual experience, this small old style house can offer a more intimate stay along with its own great cuisine. All the comfortable rooms have great views of the garden grounds and guests have full access to the hotels private beach and tennis courts.
The majority of Clifden hotels manage to carefully combine welcoming spacious rooms with an Irish welcome that visitors are expecting. The five hotels provide this in spades, along with some great dining and beautiful scenery.
For independent advice about accommodation in Clifden Ireland and a range of Connemara hotels, visit clifdenhotelshq.com
Five Best Hotels In Doolin Ireland
April 28, 2010
Accommodation options in Doolin hotels, guest houses and bed & breakfasts can vary considerably. This part of the west of Ireland is a little off the beaten track so the larger hotel chains have not yet moved into the town. This list pulls together great hotel options which combine comfortable rooms, great views and dining.
The town of Doolin has long been a destination point for tourists either heading over to the Aran Islands (on the Doolin ferry) or there to enjoy the traditional music that is played in Doolin’s bars. In either case, the following hotels are certainly worth the visit while in this part of County Clare.
Aran View Hotel: This 3-star hotel on the outskirts of the village has 19 spacious rooms. The hotels Atlantic sea views are visible from most rooms. The hotel has several dining options, from a la carte and regular menus in the dining room to the wholesome pub fare available in the bar.
The Ballyvara Guest House: Closer to town, this modern 4 star guest house has all rooms kitted out with modern amenities such as plasma TVs and marble en-suite bathrooms. Additionally, the variety of double, family and studio room choices provides great flexibility for any type of travel group.
Tir-Gan-Ean House Hotel: This newly built 4 star hotel is very modern in its architecture, room designs and facilities. Of particular note is the huge variety of breakfasts this is included (omelettes, banana bread, smokehouse salmon, etc).
Sheedys Country House Hotel: Further out of town, in the Burren region, lies this homely family-run hotel. Each room has been individually designed with modern conveniences. This is an ideal base from which to visit the Burren.
Logues Liscannor: Heading further afield (slightly) the Logues hotel is a pleasant option when visiting this picturesque fishing village. Rooms have great views of the bay and the hotel bistro restaurant and bar have a friendly relaxed atmosphere.
Many Doolin hotels would not be out of place in the larger Irish cities given the range of 3 and 4 star accommodation on offer. Any of the five hotels above would make a great destination for both short and extended holidays.
For more information about restaurants, entertainment and hotels in Doolin visit our website at http://doolinhotelsguide.com/doolin-ireland-information
Doolin Hotels, Restaurants And Pub Menus – Four Recommend Places For Seafood Lovers
April 14, 2010
It is probably true to say that Irish cuisine is perceived globally as being bland. Thankfully, the wave of immigrants that helped buoy up the Celtic Tiger economy have also brought with them an appreciation of European, Asian and World cuisine that has prompted a restaurant boom.
Even the smaller towns and villages around Ireland are benefiting from this rise in restaurant numbers as each village sees the value this provides to local tourism.
One town of particular note, in gastronomic terms, is Doolin in the west of Ireland. For many years, visitors were only in Doolin for the traditional music sessions or to get the ferry over to the Aran Islands. But nowadays, Doolin hotels, pubs and restaurant are raising the standard of dining for the entire region.
In the village sits Cullinan’s restaurant. Their menu focuses on using the seafood & shellfish caught and delivered daily from the local harbor. The overall feel of the menu is one of classic Mediterranean spices and flavor combinations that complement the fish and legumes used.
A fine dining experience is available at Ballinalacken Castle Country House Hotel and Restaurant. Indeed there is a wonderful blend of the plush dining room dcor, the exquisite food, the panoramic views of Galway Bay and all set with the backdrop the 15th century castle which forms the backdrop to the hotel and restaurant.
Family groups in search of a no-fuss option will find the Aran View House Hotel restaurant a pleasing option. Diners can choose from the formal a la carte menu in the main dining room, the standard menu or the bar menu in the hotel bar. The style of good suits the country house dcor and is more traditionally Irish with stews, roasts and seafood options throughout.
Any visitor to Doolin should not however miss out on hearing some of the best traditional music sessions that this town is famous for. The best places to experience this is in the two main bars on the main street, McGann’s and O’Connor’s pubs. Both also provide regular hearty pub fare with the local seafood chowder being a firm favorite along with the obligator Irish stew.
Given that Doolin is a small Irish village in a relatively remote region, it is great to see the town has raised its game and now provides enough dining-out options to cater for families, couples and singletons seeking good quality locally sourced food. While it may never take Kinsale’s crown as the culinary capital, it will certainly be considered in the top 3.
Discover Doolin Ireland for yourself. For more information visit the Doolin Hotels Guide website.
Cork Short Breaks
February 15, 2010
Getting to Cork for a short break is easy as there are direct flights with Jet 2 Airlines who operate a regular service from Newcastle to Cork and a great fares. When you get there you have a great selection of accommodation to choose from. There are Bed and breakfast properties to five star luxury in the Hayfield Manor Hotel located a short walk from the centre of Cork.
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and is the principal city of County Cork. The city’s name comes from the Irish word corcach which, means marshy place. The River Lee flows through the city into Lough Mahon, which creates one of the world’s biggest natural harbours. It is no surprise that Cork is a major seaport with quays and docks.
Cork was first founded in the sixth century by St Finbarr and became a city much later when it received its royal charter by King John in 1185. Having a large natural harbour meant that Cork became a major trading port and particularly with the merchants from the Scandinavian regions. However this also attracted attention from the less friendly visitors and Cork was attacked by Vikings and Norsemen.
Its not got a temperature like a holiday resort in Tenerife but Cork does average nearly four hours of sunshine a day in the Summer months and is the sunniest city in Ireland. The climate of Cork is generally mild, moist and changeable however it does not suffer from any weather extremes such as storms or extreme cold in the winter
Attractions to see in Cork include Blarney Castle and Charles Fort or even a visit to the Greyhound Stadium. Should you wish to explore the surrounding countryside and beautiful coastline then it would be a good idea to hire a car. One of the more famous buildings in Cork is the Church Tower of Shandon, which is in the northern part of the city. There are some great historic walks you can do in and around the city as well as some interesting ones a short drive away.
Cork has the usual quota of fast food restaurants you would see in most cities around the world. There is also a good selection of mid price family owned ones offering good value food at a good price. For those wanting something a bit more special you will not be disappointed with the choice. There are plenty of pubs and bars and nightlife to keep anyone happy.
Enjoy a weekend break in the Irish City of Cork and enjoy the history, nightlife, restaurants and attractions of Cork. Travel to Cork on direct flights from Newcastle. Great travel information prvided by Craig Wilson of Airline Flight