A very special light has been lit on the Cork-Waterford coastline. The Cliff House Hotel is a stylish hideaway offering a unique, 21st-century take on the intimate sea-side hotel of yesteryear.  Steeped in history and carved into the Irish coastline at Ardmore fishing village, The Cliff House Hotel, one of only three members of Relais et Chateaux in Ireland, is a chic boutique hotel, full of personality and signature ocean features.  Independently owned, the hotel is managed by Adriaan Bartels, formerly the General Manager of Sheen Falls Lodge, Co Kerry.

The Cliff House Hotel is like no other hotel in Ireland. With its imposing granite stone façade, the entrance to the hotel acts as a gateway to the breathtaking vista ofArdmoreBay, rolling out to theIrish Sea. The panoramic se view seen through the floor to ceiling windows makes one momentarily feel like a passenger aboard a luxury liner.

Encompassing 39 bedrooms, a restaurant and private dining room, 2 reception rooms and a bar, The Cliff House Hotel dramatically spans seven floors gradually edging down to the shore.

Service at The Cliff House Hotel is friendly and relaxed. It’s One Michelin Star restaurant, The House Restaurant, headed up by Dutch culinary genius Martijn Kajuiter, has become a gourmet haven. The jewel in the crown of this luxurious hotel is its expansive terrace which extends onto landscaped gardens and offers unbroken ocean views, ideal for all-day dining and entertainment.

The Cliff House Hotel is a virtuoso building with a difference. The cleverly designed interior draws the landscape inwards using natural materials and warm and inviting furnishings which create an extremely relaxing and luxurious environment.  A palette of deep marine blue, fuchsia, aubergine and sea green instantly evoke the surrounding coastline and countryside. Interestingly, the hotel houses the largest private collection of antique Campaign furniture in Ireland.

BEDROOMS

Bedrooms are akin to secluded beach residences, each with their own private terrace overlooking the sea.  The bespoke rooms are styled with Campaign antiques and oversized furniture upholstered in modern linens and tweeds. Beds are back lit with unique headboards designed by a number of local artists using indigenous Irish materials such as linen, wood, glass and dried petals.

Rooms at The Cliff House Hotel range from the Cliff Veranda Suites to Sea View deluxe doubles, all featuring Wi-Fi and flatscreen TVs.

The bathrooms are a real treat to the eye with luscious coloured mosaic tiles and vibrantly coloured glass, which smartly contrast with the granite grey stone characteristic of the hotel. Etro luxury bath products sit easily atop the egg-shaped floor standing baths; while in the Veranda Suites, guests can shower quite literally under the stars as the enclosed glass surrounding the double shower extends onto the balcony.

FOOD

The House restaurant, having achieved a One Star Michelin in January 2010, has become a gourmet retreat for food connoisseurs who want to take a culinary journey that culminates in a truly magical dining experience.  Head chef Martijn Kajuiter has worked with many Michelin star chefs in the past including Marco Pierre White in The Restaurant at The Hyde Park and Pierre Koffman of Le Tante Claire.  Prior to joining The Cliff House, Martijn was Head Chef at Restaurant De Kas which is one of Amsterdam’s most exciting and successful restaurants.

The House restaurant offers a seasonal menu where only the freshest and finest food is served – perhaps lobster caught that morning, crab from the bay or locally reared meat served with home grown vegetables. Martijn is passionate about sourcing food locally and has already established an organic vegetable garden with St Raphael’s Centre in Youghal.  The Chef’s table seats 18 diners and is adjacent to the restaurant. Children are well catered for with early suppers prepared from fresh and seasonal produce.

LEISURE AND BEAUTY

The serenity of the sea is carried through to the Well Spa making it a tranquil retreat for guests. The family-sized swimming pool virtually disappears into the sea with only a glass wall separating the two. The surrounding floor is made of smooth, pebble stones reminiscent of the sandy Irish coast-line.

The Well Spa also features an outdoor Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, fully-equipped gym and three treatment rooms where expert therapists work their magic.  The restorative nature of the Voya organic seaweed products or the luxury of an Ann Semonin facial can be enjoyed whilst basking in soulful views over theIrish Sea.

OUTDOOR

 For outdoor activities few will be able to resist the lure of the sea that can be accessed directly from the hotel via a private pontoon, a first for an Irish hotel.

A gentle stroll on Ardmore Beachcan be followed by the cliff walk or an exploration of the historical Round Tower and St Declans Well which markArdmorevillage as the oldest Christian settlement in Ireland.

Organised water activities can be arranged by the hotel including water-skiing, deep sea fishing, sea cruises, windsurfing, kayaking, scuba diving and sailing. Golf enthusiasts can be assured tee-times in nearby award winning courses such as Dungarvan Golf Club,FotaIslandinCorkor The Old Head, Kinsale.

The Cliff House Hotel is a retreat for all seasons whether it is time spent in winter curled up by the fire as waves crash against the rugged coastline, or basking in the summer sunshine whilst sipping refreshments on the terrace.

The old Cliff House Hotel served the historic village of Ardmorefor 80 years; the new Cliff House Hotel is as true to those roots. It is a complete hide-away where you can escape to your room where the only sound you will hear is the sea lapping at the shore.  It’s perfect!

www.thecliffhousehotel.com (024) 87800

For further information, please contact The Hotel directly on 024 87800 or email: info@thecliffhousehotel.com.

Architects: Coughlan Dekayser Associates

Interior Designer: Garry Cohn for Douglas Wallace

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Cycling Holidays in Ireland

Lismore Cycling holidays is a new business providing Fully Inclusive Centre Based Cycling Holidays in Ireland from the Heritage Town of Lismore in West Waterford. All levels of fitness are catered for with easy, moderate and strenuous routes on offer. It’s possible to do a different route each day with the relevant maps being provided. The bikes used are “Giant Escape 4” which are lightweight and are equipped with 21 gears to make your tour an enjoyable one, the bikes come fully equipped with bags, helmet, lock, high visibility jacket, waterproof jacket, first aid kit and a computer to check your speed and distance travelled.  A full backup service is provided in the event of a breakdown or somebody just getting tired.

Accommodation is provided on a bed and breakfast basis in Failte Ireland approved hotels and B & Bs, Traditional entertainment is available in the local pubs and the famous Booley House in  Ballyduff.

Lismore and the surrounding towns are well served with many excellent restaurants and it is a food lovers paradise.

In 2012 we plan to introduce two new guided tours one is The 3 Coasts which will make its way from Wexford Town to Kinsale in Cork the route will follow the coasts of Wexford, Waterford and East Cork visting many historic places of interest such as The Hook lighthouse, Waterford Crystal and The Stephen Pierce Pottery at Shangarry.

The second tour The Heritage Trail will start from Lismore travelling over the magnificent Vee to Cahir, Cashel, Holycross, Roscrea, Birr and finishing in the Medieval City of Kilkenny The places of interest on this tour will include the Mitchelstown Caves, Cahir Castle, Cashel, Holycross Abbey, Johnstown Castle and Kilkenny Castle.

Luggage will be transported ahead to the next overnight stop each day; The tours will have the services of a guide and full backup service. Quality hotels and B & Bs will be used.

The old world town of Lismore is built on The River Blackwater sometimes referred to as the Irish Rhine the river it is overshadowed

The Blackwater River

by its magnificent Castle home of the Duke of Devonshire, many famous people have stayed at the castle including J F Kennedy, Fred Astaire and Prince Charles the Castle Gardens are also very popular with visitors

The Town of Lismore is charmingly decorated with fine 18^th and 19^th Century Buildings including its Cathedral which dates back to the 17^th Century.

The quiet country roads around Lismore lead to many places of interest such as some fine Old Period Houses and Gardens which are steeped in history it’s possible to visit all these places on your bike tour, the Abbeys of Mellary and Glencairn are also worth a visit.

The Heritage Centre in the town  provides an excellent facility to  soak up the history of  this old town and its environs, Guided walks are also available from the centre.

www.cyclingholidays.ie

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