"We managed to get our booking for an absolute bargain, especially considering it was the October half term. After seeing so many outstanding reviews, we wondered if it might be too good to be true, but we decided to take a chance, and we are so glad we did.
Arrival:
The reception staff were lovely from the moment we walked in. We were offered bubbly on arrival and sweets for our little boy, which was such a nice touch. After completing the usual paperwork and handing over passports, we were given our key cards and directed to our room. It was dark when we arrived, so we could not fully appreciate the grounds at first.
Room:
The room exceeded our expectations in terms of size and quality. The main bedroom had a huge, comfortable bed along with a desk and chairs. There was a fridge with a complimentary bottle of wine already inside, plus a large bottle of water that was replaced daily.
The bathroom was spacious with a walk-in shower. The only downside of our entire stay was the shower design. There was not enough of a slope or ledge for the water, so the bathroom flooded every time we used it. We ended up trying to shower in one corner to avoid it. That said, toiletries were all provided.
The second bedroom had a sofa bed already pulled out and made up for our son.
Storage was excellent with plenty of hangers, shelving, and a safe (a €20 deposit that you get back). An iron, ironing board, kettle, and tea/coffee were also provided. Towels could be changed as often as needed, and pool towels were available so no need to bring any from home.
Pool Areas:
The main pool area was lovely, and the heated pool was very welcome. It was not hot like a bath, but warm enough to comfortably remove the usual chill. Most loungers are shaded due to the layout, but there are sunny spots and plenty of tables and chairs. Best of all, there were absolutely no sunbed wars.
There is a small children’s pool right by our room, but it was not heated and was extremely cold, so we did not use it.
We did not visit the adults-only pool due to having our son with us, but it looked beautiful.
Breakfast:
Our board was B&B, as we prefer exploring the area in the evenings, so we only had breakfast. It was amazing. There were loads of continental options, with fresh pastries that were delicious. The Nespresso machine was a bonus and meant I did not go home craving a proper coffee.
The cooked breakfast was excellent. Everything is made to order and taken by the waiting staff. Sam in particular stood out with exceptional service. The standard full English included one bacon, sausage, egg, hash brown, mushroom, tomato, and beans, but some days they also had black pudding or white pudding available. The quality of all ingredients was fantastic, and you could request extras if you wanted. I always swapped my beans for an extra bacon.
We did not try the evening meals, but everything we walked past looked equally high quality.
Bar:
Happy hour was €5 for cocktails, and I wish I had gotten the name of the mixologist because he was a magician. We went every night before heading out. My partner made good use of the €2 beers, and I worked my way through around 20–25 different cocktails throughout the week. You simply tell him what you do and do not like, and he creates something perfect every time.
Late Check-Out:
Late check-out is not guaranteed. You check the day before departure and they let you know depending on availability. We were lucky and kept our room until 2pm, but others could not due to the hotel being full. They do offer a room you can book for a short slot to shower and change before leaving.
Family Atmosphere:
Some previous reviews mentioned that the hotel has more of an adult-only feel. During our stay, this definitely was not the case. There were plenty of children around, and the hotel offered an animation programme with various activities throughout the day. There was also entertainment in the evenings. It felt very family-friendly while still maintaining a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere.
Staff:
One night, our little boy was sick. It went all over the wall and bedding. I did what I could to clean up, but needed help, so I told reception. They were incredibly kind and checked in on him the next day to make sure he was ok. They arranged for a cleaner to come immediately and give the room a deep clean. Their care and attitude were genuinely appreciated.
Overall:
After staying here, I fully understand why so many guests return year after year. We would happily come back without hesitation. The location is perfect, the staff are wonderful, the food is excellent, and the rooms are superb.
A fantastic hotel and an outstanding stay."
