Let’s get this out in the open: I am not a golfer. So how did I find myself at Close House Hotel, near Newcastle, which has two golf courses, plus a Golf Academy and Driving Range? And why am I so keen to encourage other non-golfers to stay there?

 Close House Hotel can be many things to many people. I’m sure the golfers who sign up for membership to use the Filly and The Colt courses enjoy the hand-mown greens and the floodlit driving range for evening practice. Plus the ‘thinking ahead’ detail on the course to be able to call from a black telephone box and order your meal at No.19 for when you finish is a nice touch for those who appreciate the clubhouse time after a round of golf.

 Those taking it seriously would enjoy the Custom Fit system that uses missile tracking technology to record accurate stats on your swing. Oh, and left-handed players have a reserved space on the driving range. And I haven’t mentioned the fact Lee Westward is the ‘Attached Tour Professional’ at Close House.

But I did say I don’t play golf so why did I like it here? No.19 is worth visiting alone for cocktails in the evening or the Sunday roast which has been nominated as the best in Northumberland. And there’s a ‘Close House Walk’ you can enjoy without taking any golf clubs.

 Close House mansion has got an interesting history as there was a Monastic House on the site before the current Close House building arrived in 1779 as the Berwicke family home; a family with strong connections in the area as Robert Berwicke was the Sheriff of Newcastle in 1615.

 The mansion and estate were sold in the 1950s and sold again in 1960 to Kings College Newcastle (later Newcastle University) for just £19,500. In 1994, Close House mansion’s refurbishment cost a cool £1,000,000.

 In 2004, local businessman Graham Wylie bought the mansion and golf course and, I think, it’s his business ethos and knack for choosing the right people, such as Neal Crocker as General Manager, which makes this place so appealing.

 Mr Wylie made his money by starting the Sage software accounting company and now has over 30 show-jumping horses. His loves of horses is reflected in the names of the golf courses, as well as in the mansion’s cocktail bar which has a black and gold theme as these are his colours. He also supports CHUF, a local children’s charity.

There are 19 rooms in the main hotel and 12 in the Courtyard and this is what I wanted to tell you about. The Courtyard rooms are more like suites and a real home from home. Each room is named after a famous golf course and the contemporary style contrasts with the heritage in the main house. The clever styling includes a colour-manipulated photo of your room’s namesake and that colour accent used throughout the room. My room had a gold-ish tone and others had deep burgundy or lime green. (Think of the iPhone Instagram app and you’ll be along the right lines.)

 As well as style – even the wallpaper and blinds have matching, specially-commissioned patterns – these rooms have ‘intelligent design’ and a building management system reduces room temperatures when no guests are staying. I liked adjusted my skylight blinds by remote control and angling the enormous flat-screen TV which pulls out from the wall so I could see it from wherever I was sitting.

 The bathrooms are seriously spacious with a choice of rainfall shower area or a fast-filling roll-top bath which I chose to enjoy the Molton Brown toiletries. And that’s only half of the room as the enormous bathroom mirror has two touch sensitive buttons to illuminate the main or magnifying mirrors.

 As I mentioned before, the General Manager, Neal Crocker, is a real asset. He reads all guest feedback and strongly believes the mantra from the book “Every Complaint is a Gift” couldn’t be more true. Even little things such as a guest who asked for the LED display on the telephone to be dimmed and it’s that attention to detail that they act upon.

 Close House is planning to add a spa soon and already offers an incredibly well-priced afternoon tea. As it is only 20 minutes drive from Newcastle (train and airport pick-ups available from the hotel car) I can’t think of a good reason not to return.

For more information on Close House, including current special offers, click here .

 Laura Porter writes the About.com London Travel site which is an online travel guide for visitors to London. She also writes every month for the Visit Britain Super Blog. Laura has lived in the London area all her life and can’t imagine ever wanting to live elsewhere (although she now has a real fondness for Northumberland). You can follow her on Twitter, too.

As part of our series of guest bloggers, Jools Stone of Trains on the Brain stops in The Highlands to investigate Kilcamb Lodge.

Sometimes you need reminding that ‘getting away from it all’ can be closer than you think. I’ve a tendency to ignore what’s on my doorstep, relatively speaking, and fetishise a travel break overseas in favour of something closer to home. Which is criminal when you consider that being in Edinburgh I have access to some of Europe’s most pristine and unspoilt scenery, courtesy of the Scottish Highlands.

Location – Kilcamb Lodge Hotel, slap bang on the banks of glistening Loch Sunart, where you’re just as likely to rub shoulders with the local otter, osprey and red squirrel population as you are your fellow man, gave me a timely reminder of this recently.
Kilamb stands in splendid isolation on the shore of Loch Sunart, on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, Argyllshire. Despite feeling like a world away, it’s actually within easy reach by public transport, by train from Glasgow to Fort William, a bus and possibly the world’s shortest ferry crossing. To read about the journey and surrounding area, check out the post on my train travel blog.
Kilcamb embodies rural charm before you’re even inside. We crunched our way down the steep gravel drive to find in the doorway a dog bowl (canine guests even get their own towels for post Loch splash-abouts) and an old pair of wellies, which have been upcycled into a wildflower pot.

Grounds – Kilcamb is perfect for those lusting for sheer tranquillity and re-acquaintance with nature. The 23 acres of grounds have been carefully tended to compliment the dramatic loch side setting. A series of paths have been neatly cut from the marshy banks, a single, huge lime tree is framed at the top of the turning circle out front. By night it’s dramatically illuminated, lending it a stage set quality.

Inside Kilcamb – The smell of wood smoke from the lounge fire beckons us in and we’re struck by the large stained glass window in the hall. A minister owned the house before WW2 and simply brought it with him from his church. Hotel Manager Anne welcomes us with a tour and a bundle of maps and walking guides. A bottle of prosecco is dutifully chilling in the room.
The communal rooms are inestimably cosy. Before dinner we sink into a sofa in the lounge and enjoy an aperitif, while the fire hisses at us. In the opposite corner, sits an old bureau, telephone and typewriter, where you can well imagine Dr Fraser Darling scribbling away at the manuscript for the West Highland Survey, which he wrote living here in the 40s.
It seems that some guests just can’t wrestle themselves away from the pressures of the modern world. We were surprised to learn that Wi-Fi has been installed in both public rooms, driven by customer demand. And this is in a village where mobile reception is scarce at best.

Bedrooms – The rooms, all of generous sizes, are furnished in a fairly traditional style, floral patterns and tartan abound, but with some eccentric touches. One is done up with a bedspread and curtains featuring a menagerie of African animals and each has its own cuddly mascot to welcome you. Ours is Oskar the Otter, who has a fish sneakily stashed away in his satchel.
We have Room 12, a Junior Suite and considered their best room, due to having two windows (one with a window seat) looking out onto Loch Sunart and a rainfall shower. The bathroom has a bigger talking point though in the shape of an overhead body dryer, which whirrs into life like a Star Trek teleporter and feels just like standing under a giant ceiling-mounted hair-dryer. Anne tells us the owner was so mesmerised by it he just had to snap it up.

Food at Kilcamb – Country hotels in further flung places generally have to offer something special to turn themselves into a destination. In Kilcamb’s case it’s their outstanding food that secures the luxury hotel tag. Dinner is a consistently excellent, fine dining affair, spread over six courses. Highlights include the extremely delicate spelt mushroom risotto and a main course of super tender venison shoulder wrapped in savoy cabbage. Oh yes and the petit four plate, which is decorated with chocolate to spell out Happy Birthday.
The service was very attentive (one of these places where your napkin is continually re-folded throughout the meal, but it’s done in a relaxed fashion, so that you barely notice it) and we were impressed by the butter roses which Anne had hand-carved herself.
The full Scottish breakfast was reliably satisfying too, with alternatives on the menu including poached apricots and melon sorbet.
We left feeling fully re-charged and reminded that a communion with stillness and nature is never that far away.

2 night romantic break with dinner, bed and breakfast each night plus a bottle of champagne and free upgrade from £115 per person per night. Quote Best Loved Hotels when booking to be eligible for this break.

Our hearty congratulations to the following Best Loved Winners at the South West Tourism Awards announced on 6 February at Torquay:

Bed & Breakfast and Guest Accommdation of the Year:
Gold Award – Pentillie Castle, St Mellion, Cornwall

Small Hotel of the Year Winners:
Gold Award – The Bath Priory Hotel, Restaurant & Spa, Bath
Silver Award – The Manor House Hotel, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire

Large Hotel of the Year Winners:
Gold Award - Bovey Castle, North Bovey, Devon
Bronze Award – Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, Calne, Wiltshire

Large Hotel of the Year Highly Commended:
Headland Hotel, Newquay, Cornwall
St Michael’s Hotel & Spa, Falmouth, Cornwall

Taste of the South West Winners:
Joint Gold Winner – The Bath Priory Hotel, Restaurant & Spa, Bath
Joint Gold Winner – The Jetty at Christchurch Harbour Hotel, Christchurch, Dorset

As part of our series of guest bloggers, Janice Waugh of Solo Traveler stops in Edinburgh to investigate Hotel Missoni.

Last November at The World Travel Market in London I had the chance to meet in the acclaimed travel blogger and social-media advocate, Janice Waugh. Up to then Janice and I had what could be called a casual electronic acquaintanceship on Twitter.

Best Loved Founder Jeffrey Epstein models the distinctive doorman's garb at Hotel Missoni

Yes, @bestlovedhotels and Janice, affectionately known as @solotraveller, had exchanged tweets from time to time admiring each other’s work.  Since 2009, Janice has carved out an interesting niche writing about her travels around the world from the perspective of an experienced, worldly-wise, and single traveller. I’ve always been very impressed not only by her writing-style but her ability to capture the flavour and colour of her destinations without pretension. Her ability to get locals to engage is renowned. One thing struck me, most of her work has meant staying in modest hotels and B&Bs and I felt that she could offer an interesting perspective on luxury travel for the single traveller. What follows is Janice’s take on visiting the five-star deluxe Best Loved Hotel Missoni in Edinburgh. – Jeffrey Epstein, Best Loved Hotels

I arrived in Edinburgh in later afternoon, my taxi pulling up to the Hotel Missoni just before dusk. This was my first time in this city of culture and history, and I could see that I was at the heart of it. Yet, my hotel was modern. Located on the George IV Bridge where it crosses the famed Royal Mile at Castle Hill, the Hotel Missoni offers a fresh experience in the historic centre of Edinburgh.

Janice's Room at Hotel Missoni

I was greeted, not at a desk that would have placed a barrier between me and the clerk, but at high table, more like that of a maître ‘d. It was welcoming. The woman checked me in and then, rather than calling for assistance, showed me to my room herself. The experience had the intimacy of a small inn with the luxury of a high end hotel.

In my room, the woman I now considered to be my hostess showed me how everything worked. From the free mini-bar to the free movies system to the espresso maker and fully-supplied bathroom, she took me through the details to ensure that my stay would be relaxed and easy.

In addition to this incredible experience of hospitality, there are three things that set the Hotel Missoni apart in my mind:

Gin O'Clock: It is cocktail hour yet?

The pricing:
As described, all amenities are included in the room rate. But more, the quote rates include all taxes as well. There are no surprises when one leaves. To me, this is extraordinary. I’ve checked out of hotels 100+ dollars/pounds/euros over-budget which doesn’t make me happy. Knowing that there will be no surprises does.

The decor:
The Missoni brand is, of course, famous for distinctive designs and a brilliant use of colour. The imprint of this design house could be seen everywhere from the textiles to furniture design to bathroom fixtures. The colours are rich but calming. Rather than being in awe of the luxury, I delighted in it. There is a distinction. The first is intellectual, the second is experiential – almost visceral.

The location:

Now, to get back to the location of the Hotel Missoni on the Royal Mile: it is not possible to be better positioned.

Edinburgh Castle

Go up hill on the Royal Mile and you will be at Edinburgh Castle with St. Margaret’s chapel that dates back to the 11th century and the room where Mary Queen of Scots bore James the VI of Scotland (later James I of England). Walk the one mile, one hundred and seven yards to the bottom of the hill and you are at The Palace of Holyroodhouse, the monarch’s official residence in Scotland. The palace houses a significant part of the Royal Collection, with paintings and works of art on display both within the palace itself and in The Queen’s Gallery. The street between these two historical icons offers shops and pubs and, notably, the Scottish Storytelling Centre as well as many other places of interest.

Edinburgh deserves more than a couple of days but, if that’s all you have, a stay at the Hotel Missoni will place you at the centre of its most interesting sites.

Bedroom at Doxford Hall

Guest blogger Laura Porter finds historical inspiration from her stay at Doxford Hall, Northumberland.

At a recent stay at Doxford Hall Hotel & Spa near Alnwick, Northumberland, my room was named ‘Grace Darling’ and I discovered a Victorian heroine from the area.

Grace was born in nearby Bamburgh in 1815, the seventh of nine children and the fourth daughter. Her father, William Darling, was a lighthouse keeper and the family lived at the lighthouse with him. In 1826, when Grace was ten years old, her family moved to the Longstone Lighthouse on the Farne Islands in Northumberland and Grace was educated at home.

On the night of 6/7 September 1838, when she was 22 years old, only Grace and her father were at the lighthouse and there was a dreadful storm that stopped her younger brother returning from a fishing trip at Seahouses.

In the early hours of 7 September, Grace saw the shipwreck of the SS Forfarshire from the upstairs window at Longstone Lighthouse. It had broken in half, and one of the halves had sunk during the night. With her father, they used a telescope for hours looking for survivors and when daylight broke around 7am they spotted people on Big Harcar, a nearby low rock island.

Grace Darling, courtesy of The Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne

The pair risked their own lives by taking an open fishing boat even though the storm wasn’t over. They rowed for over a mile through gale force winds and during a two hour period they rescued nine survivors, a mix of passengers and crewman. Their courage became legendary.

From her remote lifestyle on the beautiful Farne Islands, Grace was thrust into the media spotlight, and portrait painters (like today’s paparazzi) used the modern technology of the day to reproduce her image on mass-produced mementoes, which made her story spread wider and last longer.

Queen Victoria heard about this brave young woman and wrote to Grace to praise her conduct and awarded her £50 (the equivalent of around £4,000 today) for her courageous actions. She also received the RNLI’s Silver Medal for Gallantry, while gold medals were awarded to both Grace and her father by the Royal Humane Society.

A beautiful maiden and devoted daughter, Grace sadly died of tuberculosis in 1842, aged just 26 years old, which only perpetuated her angelic status. William Wordsworth wrote a Grace Darling poem and many songs were written about this heroine including this one. Even the lifeboat at Seahouses is called Grace Darling.

The RNLI founded the Grace Darling Museum in Bamburgh in September 1938, exactly 100 years after that courageous night. At the museum you can see the actual coble boat from the rescue, pieces of the wrecked SS Forfarshire, Grace’s dresses, letters and family belongings as well as a plethora of trinkets produced to honor her bravery.

Grace is buried in the churchyard at St Aiden’s Church in Bamburgh and there is a stained glass memorial window in the North Transept of the church, as well as a memorial in the churchyard.

I hope to return to Northumberland in the summer as I’ve still not visited Bamburgh Castle and Waren House Hotel looks like a great place to stay nearby. And as I’ve also not had fish and chips at Seahouses, it would be so very wrong not to go back soon.

Laura Porter writes the About.com London Travel site which is an online travel guide for visitors to London. She also writes every month for the Visit Britain Super Blog. Laura has lived in the London area all her life and can’t imagine ever wanting to live elsewhere (although she now has a real fondness for Northumberland). You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook too.

For more information on staying at Doxford Hall, incluidng the lastest special offers, click here .

Amie O’Shaughnessy is the Founder and Managing Editor of Ciao Bambino, an award-winning global family travel resource featuring trusted hotel recommendations, extensive destination-related insight, and tips for traveling with kids all ages from babies to teens.

 I asked Jeffrey Epstein for his advice on a family-friendly weekend getaway from the Best Loved Hotels portfolio that would be appropriate and fun for a multi-generational group including our 8-year-old son. Given our limited time for this holiday — just 72 hours — we also needed something that was no more than a 2–hour drive from Heathrow.The Best Loved team booked us at Bowood Hotel in Wiltshire. The property is situated in the vast 2,000-acre parkland of the historic Bowood Estate, home to the prestigious Landsdowne family who has lived here for centuries.

Jeffrey chose wisely. We loved our experience and every one of us, from 8 to 73-years-old, felt wonderfully at home and relaxed at this luxury hotel.

The main hotel is new construction (opened in 2009). For a hotel has only 43 guest rooms, the public spaces are quite grand. The decor is fresh and modern, yet very inviting with rich fabrics and colors at every turn. A big part of what makes this hotel work so well for families is that the atmosphere is upscale but not fussy. We sat in their cozy library each evening sipping tea and wine. The beauty is that the main lounge areas open up to an enormous green space where children can run around while parents get “me” and “us” time.

The Shelburne Restaurant offers fine dining and the Clubhouse Brasserie is casual. Given the inclusion of our 8-year-old, we opted for the Brasserie offering an excellent selection of fish, locally-sourced meat, and vegetarian dishes. They offer a children’s menu too with plenty of options for picky eaters. The food quality here is outstanding. I’m still dreaming about the tender steak I cooked myself on a hot stone with zippy peppercorn sauce.

We made sure to leave time each day for a visit to Bowood’s state-of-the-art spa and fitness center. A glorious indoor pool is enclosed in a light and airy room with wonderful views of the golf course and surrounding parkland.

Without a doubt the big attraction at Bowood for families is the Adventure Playground. The playground is a very popular Wiltshire area activity for ages 12 and under. With good reason, this is one of the best playgrounds I’ve ever seen with aerial walkways, trampolines, a massive pirate ship, and a network of truly steep slides. Families staying at the Bowood Hotel have unlimited free entry to the playground, as well as Bowood main house and gardens.  It is a 5-minute drive from the hotel (via golf cart or car).

 Rejuvenating getaway mission accomplished!

Photos courtesy of Ciao Bambino and Bowood Hotel.  We received one-night complimentary accommodations from Bowood Hotel. The other nights, as well as food and services, were paid for by Amie O’Shaughnessy. We were not asked to present any particular point of view in our editorial follow up.

For more about Bowood House, including special offers, click here

Winner of the Isle of Skye’s first and only Michelin star for outstanding food and the Scotland Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year, Chef Marcello Tully is rightly proud of his achievements. Working previously with the Roux brothers, Marcello’s menu uses only the finest ingredients available. Specialities include Isle of Skye crab mousse, hake, and pigeon breast, all with a unique twist. Each dish is accompanied by a wine recommendation which can be purchased by the glass or bottle enabling dinners to enjoy a variety of fine wines with fine food.

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On Sunday, March 26th the 8th Annual Scottish Hotel Awards were announced. Our hearty congratulations to these Best Loved winners:

The Scottish Hotel of the Year 2011  - The Torridon
Manager Gold Medals 2011 – Robert Ince | The Torridon
Chef Médaille d’Or 2011 – Jason Bruno Birkbeck | The Torridon
Cheese Award 2011 – The Torridon
Hoteliers of the Year 2011 – Anne Gracie & Ken Gunn | Duisdale & Toravaig House Hotels
Rising Star Young Manager Award 2011 –  Ali Gunn | Toravaig House Hotel
Rising Star Young Chef Award 2011- Chris Brayshay | Toravaig House Hotel
Breakfast Quality Special Commendation – Toravaig House
Wedding Hotel of the Year 2011 – Small  Duisdale House Hotel
Boutique Hotel Special Commendation 2011 – Duisdale House Hotel
Canapés Award 2011 – Toravaig House
Ambassador for Scotland Award 2011 – Stephen Davies, Culloden House
Hospitality Gold Medals 2011 - Kyle Neville | Culloden House
The Grandly Friendly Award 2011 – Culloden House Hotel
The Hospitality Award 2011 – Arnaud Merrouche, Ballathie House
Superstar Housekeeper Award 2011 – Maureen Grant | Ballathie House Hotel
Accommodation of the Year 2011 – The Chester Residence
5 Star Service Award 2011 – Blythswood Square
Manager Gold Medals 2011: Nicholas Gorton | Inver Lodge and Carina Svensen | Hotel Missoni   
Boutique Hotel of the Year 2011 – Hotel Missoni Edinburgh
Luxury Country Hotel Award 2011 – Inver Lodge
Chef Team of the Year 2011 – Ross Fraser & Craig Munro | Loch Ness Lodge
Rising Star Chef Highest Commendation 2011 – Oskars Kalnins | Barcaldine House Hotel
Hospitality Gold Medals 2011:  
Johnny Cloete | Barcaldine House
Stuart Patterson | Chester Residence
Isabella Macdonald | Kinloch Lodge
Martin Samuels | Loch Ness Lodge
Chris Michaels | Knight Residence
Hospitality Gold Medal 2011 - Peter Walker | Meldrum House Hotel
Design Medals 2011 Meldrum House Hotel for The Stables
Wedding Hotel of the Year 2011 – Medium Meldrum House Hotel
Receptionist Gold Medal 2011 Donella MacIntyre | Cuillin Hills Hotel
Charming Country Hotel Award 2011 Trigony Country House Hotel
Real & Local Food Gold Medals 2011 Trigony House Hotel
Food Provenance Award 2011 Lake of Menteith Hotel
Chef Médaille d’Or 2011: 
Ian McAndrew | Blackaddie Country House
Graham Campbell | Lake of Menteith Hotel
Colin Cairns | Taychreggan Hotel
Country Bar of the Year 2011 – Lake of Menteith Hotel
Rural Restaurant Special Commendation 2011 – Blackaddie Country House Hotel
Breakfast Taste & Provenance Award 2011 – Blackaddie Country House Hotel
Rural Restaurant of the Year 2011 – Barcaldine House
Breakfast of the Year 2011 – Small Hotel Kinloch Lodge
Wine & Spirits Award 2011 – Kinloch Lodge
The Chef to Watch 2011 Darin Campbell | Fortingall Hotel 
Intimate Wedding Hotel Award 2011 - Ballathie House
Serviced Apartments Customer Care Award 2011 – Knight Residence
Serviced Apartments of the Year 2011 – Chester Residence 
Small Romantic Hotel Award 2011 – Loch Melfort Hotel 
The Great Escape Award 2011 – Kilcamb Lodge

Triathalon basecamp - Knockranny House Hotel

By Olive Roberts

Knockranny House Hotel; awarded Best Four Star Hotel in Ireland by Hotel & Catering Review Gold Medal Awards 2010, has thought of everything.

They offer an abundance of excellent tips and techniques and guidance by coaches from personal fitness experts Zest.

Arrive on a Friday evening and prepare for a jam-packed weekend with training opportunities in each of the 3 elements that make up a triathlon – swimming, cycling and running.

Starting with swimming techniques session at Knockranny’s Spa Salveo Vitality Pool and next a guided 20k bike ride were the coach will assess the level and skill of each rider including giving tips on riding correctly and safely in a group. 

Each day sessions will also include a bootcamp in the Knockranny grounds, and a run/jog on a beautiful local Blue Flag beach.

 Included in the weekend events are seminars on nutrition and how to achieve the optimal training effects, all given by fitness experts They use their unique assessment system to tell you exactly what to eat and drink and how to strengthen and stabilize your body, making you feel and move better.

 The FUN is not forgotten either; dinner is inclusive in your package from ‘Ireland’s Best Hotel Restaurant’ La Fougére and complimentary access to Spa Salveo’s vitality pool and thermal suites. Why not treat yourself or your partner to a pampering treatment from the expert spa therapist.

Great scenery and fresh air in County Mayo

The first training programme takes place from January 28th, with programmes running every month until August. Priced at from just €250 for 2 nights B&B with one evening meal, the package also includes a packed lunch on Sunday to enjoy outdoors in the hills around Westport, use of Spa Salveo’s Vitality Pool and Thermal Suites, seminars and full guidance from an expert Zest trainers. Partners package of 2 nights B&B with one evening meal from just €75.

What are you waiting for – get ready to start your first triathlon!

 Full list of 2011 dates

February 25th & 26th   

March 25th & 26th

April 15^th & 16^th

May 20th & 21st

June 17th & 18th

July 15th & 16th 

August 5th & 6^th

For more information on Knockranny House Hotel and available special offers, click here

Rathsallagh Christmas 2010

By Olive Roberts

Well I think most folk in Ireland will agree that Christmas 2010 will not be forgotten for a while to come. Temperatures got as low as -16 & -19 in some parts! A White Christmas indeed! This Arctic weather spell was in the lead up to Christmas and bookings were made and events planned. Some went ahead and others just had to be postponed or cancelled altogether. Spending Christmas at a Country House or Hotel is a big deal for people, many guests return to the same property year after year and others will try something new each time. Many regular guests of particular properties will reserve the same room or suite year after year!

At Rathsallagh House they were covered with a beautiful deep blanket of white snow and December 24^th loomed – Check-in day for all their Christmas Guests. They had taken 14 cancellations in all – Joe and his team were disheartened and had to think outside the box. Being located on a 530 acre estate there are Land Rovers on hand to take guests from the Golf Clubhouse & Golf Course to and from the Country House and retrieve produce from their Walled Gardens.

Joe and the team at Rathsallagh were staring at a quieter that normal Christmas with fewer guests now being able to make it to Dunlavin; BUT they thought, if our guests cannot make it to Rathsallagh House WE SHOULD GO GET THEM AND BRING THEM HERE! The show must go on.

Each cancelled guest was contacted and the idea put to them; the majority were Dublin based and this was warmly received by the guests and a sense of excitement grew for the staff and the guests alike. A route had to be planned back from Dublin as the majority of roads were snarled up; so Guests were chauffeured to Rathsallagh House through mountain roads by Land Rovers, Snow Chains and Brave Drivers! It was a journey to remember.

Snowed In? Christmas 2010

Once they were all safely at the Country House the Christmas programme could get off to a roaring start with hot Mulled wine and Champagne. Happy warm memories were made and a superb Christmas was enjoyed. Upon check out, guests were reserving their rooms again for 2011!!

In the weeks before Christmas a fantastic wedding took place; the bride and groom had to be taken to their ceremony by Land Rover too! It would be safe to say that Rathsallagh House have customers for life and are thrilled to see their GREEN pastures once again.

For more information on Rathsallagh and available special offers, click here.