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Recently I spent a couple of days in Wicklow doing my survival training! Thankfully it wasn’t all mud and wilderness. I also got to spend some time in the lovely Tinakilly House Hotel & Gardens. SO, you’ve heard all about my outdoorsy experience in Wicklow, now it’s time to focus on something a little more luxurious.
About Tinakilly House
This historic home is set on 14 acres of beautiful gardens and landscape. It looks a little bit like something out of one of those incredibly popular period TV shows; a taste of Downton Abbey if you like. Instantly impressive from the minute you start up the private drive to the estate. Tinakilly House is renowned as a luxurious and elegant wedding venue (engaged friends take note! That’s basically all of you at this stage!) and for good reason. While I was there I met a couple tasting for their wedding menu and let me tell you, I had food envy.
How Do I Get There?
Tinakilly House gives the illusion of utter seclusion. However, it is only 45 minutes drive from Dublin, 55 minutes from Dublin Airport and 30 minutes from Dun Laoghaire ferry port! If you don’t have a car, the 133 bus runs from Kildare street in Dublin City centre drops you a 5 minute walk away in the town of Rathnew. However, I recommend a car so that you can get out and see the lovely country side!
What About the Rooms?
I was in a Junior Suite with a sea view and it was delightful. There was good storage (not exciting, but important), a lot of plug sockets (for charging ALL my tech), lovely towelling robes, tea and coffee making facilities (including HOT CHOCOLATE) and a host of beautiful furnishings. The cups for the tea/coffee were delicate, painted teacups which I got a bit excited about since I had a phase years ago where I was obsessed with ornate tea sets. The bed was comfortable. Really, everything I needed from a room and more. OH, and the free wifi reached to my room which was at the back of the house. Good wifi is always a winner in my book as I’m generally glued to my laptop/phone.
Will I Starve?
What? Well that’s a silly question. OF COURSE NOT! You’ll be rolling out the front door and down the drive on your way home. The breakfast is both menu and buffet based. I had the French toast and vegetarian sausages (I was DELIGHTED to see them on the menu). I also booked a table for dinner in the main restaurant. It has the air of a place that could be worryingly expensive. However, they had a three course set menu for only €37. Perfect! There’s also a separate bar/lounge area serving bar food and a sumptuously (yep, you heard me) decorated cocktail lounge where I had a Kir Royale before dinner, as you do. What I REALLY loved about meal times at Tinakilly House is that the manager and hotel staff mingle amongst the guests and have a chat with them to make sure everything is going well and everyone is happy.
Did I Love it?
Meh, well, you know, it was alright. Not really though, I adored it! This is the kind of hidden gem that I will endeavour to revisit time and again. You could visit Tinakilly House for lunch and a quick walk around the gardens, a romantic weekend away, a spa day or even a wedding. The place is beautiful, the staff are welcoming and helpful and the food is amazing. What’s not to love!? So if you fancy a break from busy Dublin, I highly recommend a stay here. You can book with them here.
Want to read about more beautiful hotels? Check out The Grand, Torquay.
Ah, seems like a really nice place! I love getting away from the cities, but still having the opportunity to go in if I wish 🙂
Yeah the location is perfect! 🙂