Looking for a weekend break? Head to gorgeous Co Kerry…
VIBE: Relaxed and friendly family-owned hotel that’s all about comfort, ease and friendliness, and supporting local businesses. The staff are wonderful, and can’t do enough for you. You feel really special staying here. The Brehon celebrates its 20th birthday this month, and is marking the occasion with beautiful new rooms.
LOCATION: Just steps from the hotel, the legendary Killarney National Park is wonderfully scenic, with endless walking trails, as well as historic sites such as Muckross House and Gardens. You can walk here for hours.
ROOMS: There are over 100 rooms in the hotel, with 16 newly renovated Heritage Bedrooms (pictured above), where every element is dedicated to highlighting the Brehon’s Kerry location. Sink into an Irish handmade Respa mattress, with its luxurious Northern Feather topper. From bespoke oak flooring, creating a warm, natural finish (ideal for those with allergies, too), to artwork by local artists on the walls, these rooms celebrate the southwest of Ireland.
FOOD: The focus is on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, supporting local farmers and producers. Have dinner in the elegant Danú Restaurant, and lunch, dinner or afternoon tea in the low-key, atmospheric Brehon Bar. Local delicacies are everywhere, from the chocolates on your pillow to ice cream by Muckross Creamery – visit their ice cream parlour, and don’t miss the Caramel Pecan flavour. www.muckrosscreamery.ie
SPA: The Anú Spa takes a holistic approach to wellness, and there’s plenty here for a really restorative time before your treatment. The Vitality Suite has a gorgeous pool, a herb-infused sauna and tropical showers. We loved discovering Ion Organics, a skincare brand based on the western shores of Kerry; Ion specialise in organic and sustainably sourced bath and beauty products, such as an Organic Damask Rose and Calendula face cream (€18), which feature the therapeutic benefits of hand-harvested seaweed along with organically grown botanicals from their certified organic gardens. Definitely a take-home! www.ion-organics.com
DO: Experience the town in a jaunting cart (horse-drawn carriage). And don’t miss the walking food tour to really get stuck into the finest local ingredients, such as the freshest fish in The Mad Monk, cured and hung pork in Reidy’s, a mezze in Polly’s (called after the former Pretty Polly factory), pizza in Tango and The Wine Buff.
DON’T: Be surprised to hear lots of American accents. Enjoy people-watching – the hotel hosts many weddings, and the Brehon Lawn is the perfect space for a truly magical ceremony.
THE VERDICT: A wonderful hotel with an amazing team. You will feel like a VIP during your stay, and return entirely restored. Bed and breakfast from €225; www.thebrehon.com.