Staycate in style
IN NEED of a much awaited family break away, we made our way to Sheen Falls, Kenmare, Co Kerry, a five-star hotel set among 300 acres of grounds overlooking Kenmare Bay.
Driving through the impressive entrance, it looked like the perfect place to unwind with the kids.
We stayed in room 101. We were instantly blown away by the spacious deluxe bedroom which was like a mini apartment with two rooms and a bathroom. It comes with a smashing view of the cascading falls and an old-fashioned rural bridge. The ambient sound of the water whooshing against the rocks was to become the constant soundtrack of our stay.
The room itself had a great bathroom with double sinks, walk-in shower and separate bath. The kids’ room was very spacious with a couch, two lovely easy chairs, desk and coffee table. They had their own TV and DVD player which proved a big hit and allowed the children relax as we unpacked. Our own room also had a TV and DVD, kingsized bed and all the usual things you would expect to find in a 5* hotel. Staying in a hotel with two young kids, the extra room was a great luxury. The last time we stayed in a hotel we all slept in the same room , this turned out to be a nightmare as nobody slept a wink and we vowed to never share a poky room again. This family room had it all.
The hotel offers two restaurants — Oscars and La Cascade. We decided to eat at Oscars for dinner as opposed to La Cascade. We wanted to eat at 6pm with the kids as they would have grown impatient if we had left it any later — Alicia is five and Ailbhe Mai is two years old. The informal yet stunning setting of Oscars restaurant overlooking the waterfalls was a treat to be discovered. With spectacular views, the bistro is an ideal dining option for those with young kids. For starters, I ordered duck spring rolls and Louise had cheese soufflé with salad. The kids had melon with berry coulis and whole-meal toast with peanut butter and banana served with carrot salad. We both ordered steaks, one rare the other medium rare, both cooked to perfection. If we ordered anything other than the promised chicken gougons, chips and tomato sauce for the kids, we would have had tantrums to contend with. The service was very warm, friendly and relaxed.
The more formal option for dinner is La Cascade Restaurant. We had breakfast here each morning which we all loved. A continental-style buffet was offered followed by a cooked-to-order breakfast. The service was excellent as were the different food choices, be it pancakes with seasonal berries or minute steak with poached eggs and an array of different breads, juices, pastries etc. This was a time when breakfast was my favourite part of the day.
Sheen Falls Lodge estate boasts a plethora of outdoor activities; salmon fishing on a private stretch of the Sheen River, daily horse riding available locally from River Valley Riding Stables, hill walking trails, scenic bike tours, tennis and an array of off-site activities including water sports, mountain climbing and pottery lessons. After a hectic day in the outdoors, you can also relax at the spa or go for a swim. Having two kids to entertain especially when it’s raining outside can be a challenge so we decided to go for a swim in the pool. For a 5* hotel I was surprised that the changing rooms were small and didn’t have lockers or adequate changing facilities. Three people would have been a squeeze at any one time. The pool also was quite small. There wasn’t any kids pool for an adventurous two year old to splash around in. However the jacuzzi, steam room and sauna were all good.
On site the hotel has river and garden walks, mountain bikes for all the family, a croquet lawn, tennis courts, table tennis, fly fishing on 15 miles of the Sheen River located on the estate and swimming at the health club. The pool area is free to guests but a fee is required for most of the other activities.
The Walk this Way package includes two nights’ accommodation, full Irish breakfast daily, dinner on one evening of choice in La Cascade, a guide book of the walking highlights in the area, a half-day guided walk accompanied by an experienced walking guide (includes light refreshments of bottled water and fruit) and a one-hour relaxing body massage in the health club to ease tired muscles and aching limbs.
It costs €340 per person in a deluxe room June to Sept inclusive; €330 per person in a deluxe Room Feb, March, April, May, Oct, Nov and Dec. Contact 064 6641600 or visit www.sheenfallslodge.ie
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