Hayfield Manor

Situated south of the river in the heart of Dublin city centre, The Shelbourne thoroughly encapsulates classic Irish charm and elegance. First opened in 1824, this stately hotel has remained a perennial favourite for visitors to the city and enjoys a prime location overlooking St Stephen’s Green. Catching your eye upon arrival are the delicate touches of gold leaf and ornate chandeliers, a visual promise of the luxury found within these walls. The warmth of deep mahogany and pastel green found throughout the hotel evoke Ireland’s quintessential greenery. Yet while these natural hues pay tribute to Ireland’s vast natural offerings, the Shelbourne is far from rustic. The 246 rooms and suites are classic and elegant and designed to emulate a homely yet luxurious hideaway. Balconies overlooking the natural beauty of St. Stephens Green can be found in some of the rooms while deep bath tubs are perfect for slipping into after a day exploring the city. The food enthusiast in you can rejoice over the choice of award-winning restaurants. The Lord Mayor’s Lounge offers a classic high tea experience while the Saddle Room restaurant specialises in hearty steaks and succulent seafood. The hotel’s most recent addition, the 1824 Bar, lures you in with its sophisticated style. Featuring a 19th-century Kilkenny limestone fireplace and oak bookshelves filled with books by famous Irish authors, it is reminiscent of a stately home gallery and library. The hotel’s facilities range from a state-of-the-art fitness centre and indoor heated pool to a full-service day spa. Exclusive to The Shelbourne and cementing the hotel’s bond between past and present, is the unique services of the genealogy butler. This allows you to delve deep into your own history to discover where your true ancestral roots lie.

A family home until just a few decades ago, Mount Juliet is still one of the finest country houses in Ireland, retaining the traditions and standards that have contributed to its reputation as an acclaimed estate. There are 32 rooms to choose from in the stately manor house. Among the hotel’s previous guests are The King of Ossory, The Black Earl, Lady Juliana and Fitzwilliam Le Gros, for whom some of the rooms are named. Having been designed during the Georgian era, the rooms are spacious, bright and luxuriously appointed. Each is individually decorated, boasting rich fabrics and carefully chosen antique furniture and decor. Dine at the Michelin-starred Lady Helen Restaurant, named after the previous owner of Mount Juliet, who oversaw the gardens and kitchens. Enjoy views out over the pastures towards the River Nore, while you enjoy dishes created using local ingredients, some of which come from the estate’s own kitchen garden and farm. Named after Major-General Sir Hugh McCalmont and Major Dermot McCalmont, both previous residents, the Major’s Bar is the perfect place to raise a glass to a wonderful day in the countryside, or enjoy pre-dinner drinks surrounded by memorabilia from the estate’s racing glory days. Indulge in therapeutic treatments at the onsite spa. Head out into the grounds for fishing, horse riding, archery and falconry, or make time for a round of golf.

In County Clare, a short way north of Limerick, Dromoland Castle is one of Ireland’s most prestigious addresses. Entering its gates and following the meandering driveway through its pristine parkland, you’ll be transported back to the early 19th century when the current baronial country mansion was built. Now a fabulous hotel, and recently renovated with no expense spared, its rooms include suites whose canopied beds look out over the lake, and spacious family rooms, while even the more modest rooms still feature lavish furnishings, modern luxuries and exquisite bathrooms. The grandeur peaks in the public rooms such as the drawing room, cocktail bar and at the restaurant, the Earl of Thomond, a formal venue with a menu celebrating the best of local produce. The Fig Tree Restaurant in the Golf & Country Club is a more relaxed venue. Elsewhere in the sprawling 450-acre estate, find a championship golf course, swimming pool, tennis courts, and space to pursue all manner of country pursuits from horse riding to archery, fishing and falconry.

The Fitzwilliam Hotel is ideally located next the the Grand Opera House and in easy reach of the city’s main sights. The hotel’s 130 rooms are chic and contemporary in style with a palette of soft pinks, grey and cream. They are the perfect retreat after a day exploring Belfast’s many attractions. The restaurant, which has been awarded an AA rosette, uses the finest local produce to craft a menu that is contemporary and creative. The bar with its copper-clad lighting and real crystal glasses is an intimate space and the perfect place for a pre-dinner drink.